Moving on Up
Episode 215
Fade In: Exterior. Same beautiful Fall day. Exterior of Mrs. Shea’s house. We travel to the outside window of Charlie’s room. Slowly we dissolve inside as Charlie is packing his belongings. His door is slightly ajar as Dot enters holding a dust rag and furniture polish.
Dot: (Slightly surprised): Charlie, are you going somewhere?
Charlie: Yes. I was going to make sure I saw you before I left not just because of the rent. (He takes out his wallet and starts to get out money and hand it to her.)
Dot: No, you’re all paid up.
Charlie: No, I owe for–
Dot: No you don’t, Charlie. You’ve been a great help to me.
Charlie: I didn’t do anything.
Dot: Didn’t do–you saved me from the flood! I would’ve drowned if it hadn’t been for you! Besides, I must admit, I’ve enjoyed having you around.
Charlie: Well I’ll still come by and do your yard work and if you need a handy man.
Dot: So you’re not leaving Maple Falls?
Charlie: No, I got a job here.
Dot: If I’m not being too nosy, doing what?
Charlie: You could never be too nosy, Dottie. I’m working for Mrs. Moore.
Dot: Sylvia?
Charlie: Yes. I’m going to be her chauffeur and handyman–
Dot: And all around slave. I know what she’s liked. I worked for her before and after she found out she’s my daughter. I was her nanny when I first came to Maple Falls with my son Brian but of course you already know all that. I must have told you a million times so I won’t bore you with it again.
Charlie: You could never bore me, Dottie.
Dot: That’s sweet of you to say, Charlie. Well I won’t interrupt any of your packing. Now you make sure you’re not a stranger.
Charlie: You know, Dottie, you’re about the only friend I have here in Maple Falls.
Dot: You don’t know anyone else?
Charlie: No.
Dot: I have introduced you to almost everyone I know.
Charlie: I mean I know people but as for them being friends.
Dot: I’ve tried the best I can to–
Charlie: No, I’m saying this all wrong. I’m not finding fault with you, Dottie. I could never do that. See the thing is well I ah-
(Dot’s phone rings and she answers it.)
Dot: Excuse me for a minute, Charlie, hello, Martin, how are you? (She is smiling.) Just a minute. Martin. Did you want to say something else, Charlie?
Charlie: (Seeing how happy she is when she was talking to Martin): No, Dottie, I didn’t want to say anything else. I gotta finish packing. (Dot exits closing the door. To himself. Sadly.) I only wanted to tell you that I love you but I can see you don’t love me. (Closing up the suitcase) Look out, Mrs. Moore, here I come.
CUT-TO: Interior. Jen’s kitchen. Olive is at the counter with a cup of coffee and on her phone.
Olive: Sure. Tomorrow is good for me if that’s when you wanna do it. Oh and David Goldman came in looking for a job. I don’t know. I guess the janitor job. All right. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye. (Jen enters down the stairs and starts to exit.) Jen?
Jen: (Stops): What?
Olive: You haven’t seen my bottle of Scotch have you? I just bought it yesterday and I can’t seem to find it.
Jen: You’re living here rent free and now I have to look for your bottle of Scotch? Fuck off.
Olive: (Laughs): Wow. A little touchy this morning.
Jen: Whenever I’m around you consider me pissed off. You’re only living here because you’re blackmailing me about Max and I making love in the backseat of his car during the flood and if anyone found out it would destroy his engagement to Brooke and break poor Judy’s heart.
Olive: Poor Judy. How about my Rosie? Nobody ever thinks of her.
Jen: I never knew Rosie. I was busy with Sheri when Rosie was little.
Olive: Yeah I know. It was just me and Rosie until that day she was hit by the car and then into the hospital and then into Crest Haven. She’s been there for years.
Jen: Did the Police ever find out who hit her?
Olive: No. They never did.
Jen: Well I feel badly for Rosie and I might have for you–
Olive: I don’t need your pity.
Jen: You’re not getting it believe me. It’s Rosie I feel badly for not you. (Starts to exit.)
Olive: Did Grace call you?
Jen: Yes. I told her I could take an hour off tomorrow to attend Ralph’s funeral and she said she’d have it tomorrow at ten.
Olive: When did she call you?
Jen: I don’t know about a half hour ago.
Olive: So she called you and set it up with you before she called me?
Jen: So?
Olive: Nothing.
Jen: Right. (She exits.)
Olive: Seems like Grace has made herself a little friend and is pushing me to back. That ain’t nothing new for me.
CUT-TO: Interior. Jen’s car. She is sitting in the driving seat fastening her seat belt. She gets the keys out of her purse and we see that she has a half bottle of scotch in there. She smiles to herself.
Jen: (Laughs to herself): Oh, Olive, you dumb bitch. I’m going to get even with you some way.
(She puts the flap back over the purse and drives away.)
CUT-TO: Interior. O’Leary’s Tavern. Melanie is behind the bar wiping the bar down and getting ready for the lunch crew as David is sweeping the floor. His phone rings and he answers it.
David: Hello? Yes, this is David Goldman. Oh, yes, Mrs. Donahue. Yes I would like to work at Crest Haven. Come in and meet with you tomorrow to work out when I start? Yes, thank you, Mrs. Donahue. Thank you very much. (He hangs up) I guess I got a job at Crest Haven.
Melanie: Good for you.
David: It isn’t much. It’s only washing the floor and stuff.
Melanie: Well it’s something until you figure out what it is you really want to do.
David: Have you ever figured that out yet?
Melanie: (Laughs): It shows, huh? I have to say I was always searching until I finally came here to Maple Falls and met you and I’m pretty happy here. It suits me.
David: Well I’m sure glad you came and found me. It’s weird though.
Melanie: What is?
David: Not knowing who my real Dad is. I mean I know Max is my real Dad but you know what I mean. You sure you don’t know who he is?
Melanie: No. I don’t know who he is. Sorry.
(Charlie enters)
Charlie: Are you open for business?
Melanie: Oh, yes, I guess so. Come on in.
Charlie: (Enters with his suitcase as he sits down at the bar): Thanks.
Melanie: Are you going somewhere?
Charlie: No only to the house on the hill.
David: Huh? You’re going to work for Sylvia?
Charlie: Yes. I don’t know that we’ve ever met. I’m Charlie Syms. (Holding out his hand.)
David: (Taking his hand): I’m David Goldman.
Charlie: You’re Mrs. Moore’s kid?
Melanie: No actually he’s mine but you already knew that, didn’t you?
Charlie: How would I know? I thought Sylvia was your Mom with the last name of Goldman. She was married to your father Max Goldman, wasn’t she?
David: Yes she was. They raised me but they aren’t my parents biologically speaking. Melanie’s my Mom and I don’t know who my Dad is.
Melanie: David, take that broom in the kitchen and see if the cook needs any help.
David: Okay.
Charlie: Nice to meet you, David.
David: Same here. (He exits)
Melanie: All right, Charlie, what are you up to?
Charlie: I don’t know what you–
Melanie: Don’t give me that. You and I both know you’re his biological father. You came in here a month ago and told me so.
Charlie: So what if I am?
Melanie: So what’s all this about you going to work for Sylvia and pretending you don’t know David is your son?
Charlie: That’s none of your business.
Melanie: Wrong. David is my business and if you hurt him in any way I’m gonna cut your dick off. Now get out of here and don’t you ever come back.
Charlie: What about my lunch?
Melanie: Hit the bricks!
(They turn and Dot is standing there.)
Charlie: Dottie!
Dot: Hello, Charlie, Melanie.
Charlie: How long have you been standing there?
Dot: Oh, I just came in. I’m supposed to meet Martin for lunch. Can I have this table over here?
Melanie: Yes, sure.
Charlie: Well I’ll see you later. (He takes his suitcase and exits as Melanie goes over to Dot’s table and pours water in a glass.)
Dot: Is everything all right?
Melanie: Sure. Why?
Dot: You and he seemed to be having a heated discussion. I don’t know what it was about–
Melanie: No everything’s fine.
Dot: Good. I like Charlie. I’d hate to see anything bad happen to him.
CUT-TO: Exterior. Maple Falls Park. Kathy is holding Declan as Elsie is seated on the bench fretting.
Elsie: I hate to say this, Kathy, but I really have to take him back.
Kathy: Not yet. I have more time. It can’t be an hour yet.
Elsie: I’m sorry but it’s almost noon. (She holds out her arms.)
Kathy: Oh, I didn’t realize. I hate giving him up.
Elsie: I can meet you again tomorrow but I have to take him back.
Kathy: (Handing Declan to Elsie): I love you, Declan, and I’ll see you tomorrow.
Elsie: (Putting Declan back into the carriage and tucking him in): There we are. He is such a happy boy. I hate to say this, Kathy, but you told me if our plan is to work at all we have to stick to the schedule.
Kathy: Did I say that? No, I know I did. Thank you, Elsie. I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye, Declan. (They exit. ) What time did she say it is? Oh, shit. Brian! My noon newscast! (She hurriedly exits.)
CUT-TO: Exterior. Sidewalk on Main Street in front of O’Learys. Martin is walking to O’Leary as Elsie comes down the sidewalk with the baby carriage almost hitting Martin.
Martin: Hey, going a little fast there, aren’t you, Elsie?
Elsie: Ohhh. Sorry Mister Burke.
Martin: Wait. Whoa! What are you doing with a baby carriage?
(Dot enters)
Dot: Martin, where have you–Elsie!
Elsie: I’m sorry. I have to go. Come on Declan. (She exits.)
Dot: That’s right, Elsie. You run along.
(Kathy speeds by in her car.)
Martin: Kathy? What the hell–Dot, what are you doing out here?
Dot: I came out here looking for you Now come in and eat your lunch. It’s getting cold.
CUT-TO: Interior. O’Leary’s. Dot comes in hurriedly getting to her table as he follows. A bowl of clam chowder is on the table as is Dot’s half eaten lunch.
Martin: How can it be getting cold? I didn’t order anything yet.
Dot: I ordered for you. Come. Sit.
Martin: (He sits): I hate when you do that.
Dot: You hate clam chowder?
Martin: No, I love clam chowder.
Dot: Good. Then eat.
Martin: Dorothy Shea I want to know what’s going on here and I want to know it now.
Dot: You called me this morning because you were upset about Maureen. I said I would meet you for lunch. Now I am meeting you and we are at lunch. Now shut up and eat.
Martin: Dorothy–
Dot: I ordered you clam chowder. Eat it before it gets cold. Melanie, Martin is ready for his cheeseburger and fries and bring him a beer and me a sherry. (Martin is about to say something.) I swear to God. Don’t say another word. NOT ANOTHER WORD.
CUT-TO: Interior. Brian’s office. Brian is standing as Kathy is seated in her chair.
Brian: But where were you? I had to do the noon newscast and now I have to do the six pm newscast?
Kathy: It was something important I had to take care of and it ran over that’s all. It won’t happen again.
Brian: But you said you’d be back in an hour.
Kathy: Well–I’m sorry. What else do you want me to say?
Brian: All right. As long as it’s a one time thing.
Kathy: It is. I won’t be late coming back again.
Brian: What do you mean coming back again?
Kathy: Well I have an appointment tomorrow at 10 too.
Brian: What? Why?
Kathy: I just do. I’m entitled to a lunch hour.
Brian: You eat lunch at ten o’clock in the morning? All right. Fine. Ten o’clock it is. Now about tonight’s newscast.
Kathy: I can’t talk right now, Brian. I’m going to get something to eat. I’m starved. (She exits)
(Brian looks flabbergasted.)
CUT-TO: Interior. Richard’s office at his house. He is seated behind his desk holding a check as Paula stands in front of him.
Richard: Thank you, Paula.
Paula: I’m sorry if it’s a little late but it’s here now.
Richard: Yes it is but do try to get me your rent on time in the future.
Paula: Of course.
(An awkward silence.)
Richard: Is there something else?
Paula: Well I was wondering if you ever eat dinner alone?
Richard: Sometimes. Why?
Paula: Well I thought it might be nice–when we eat dinner alone–that we eat it together.
Richard: Oh, well–
Paula: I mean there’s no reason why two perfectly healthy adults who live alone shouldn’t be eating dinner together, is there? I know I hate to eat alone and I’m sure you do too.
Richard: Well, yes, but–
Paula: So what about us eating dinner together tonight?
Richard: That would be nice–
Paula: What time then?
Richard: But Jennifer and I usually eat dinner together and if we don’t then I eat my dinner while I’m working so–
Paula: Oh, so you don’t want to eat dinner with me?
Richard: Well it’s not that but–
Paula: Then what is it?
Richard: I’m not sure where all of this is coming from?
Paula: Well we’re friends, aren’t we?
Richard: Yes, of course, we’re friends.
Paula: Then if we’re friends why can’t we at least eat dinner together?
Richard: I’m sure I’m being presumptuous but could you–are you–interested in being more than friends?
Paula: Well, I–
Richard: Because I’m not. I’m very much in love with Jennifer. I know she and you are not friends and I would hate for Jennifer to misconstrue any relationship I have with another woman–one who is especially beautiful such as yourself. Now I thank you for your rent check and I really must get to my work.
Paula: Oh, well, all right then, Richard. Do you have something against lesbians because if you do I know I stated I’m a lesbian but I’m not so sure I am anymore.
Richard: No I have nothing against gay people. I love them all. Thanks again for the check. I’ll see you around the grounds.
Paula: Yes, well, see you around the grounds.
Close up of Paula
CUT-TO: Interior. Hospital cafeteria. Kathy is eating a tuna sandwich as Jen walks over with a tray.
Jen: Kathy?
Kathy: Oh, hi.
Jen: What are you doing here?
Kathy: I’m eating lunch.
Jen: Here? Is somebody sick?
Kathy: No. I didn’t have time to make it at home this morning and I didn’t want to go to O’Leary’s or Romano’s or Le Bistro.
Jen: (Sitting): It’s not Le Bistro anymore. It’s some godawful Mexican place. Richard and I were their last night.
Kathy: How was it?
Jen: I came home and threw up, that’s how it was. I saw Charlie there.
Kathy: Who?
Jen: Charlie Syms. He lives at your mother’s place. He kept winking at me. Mad Richard jealous. Are you okay? You seem out of it.
Kathy: No I’m fine.
Jen: Richard asked me to move in with him at least while Sheri’s off making her film debut. I told him yes. What do you think about that?
Kathy: About what?
Jen: Jesus what’s with you?
Kathy: Nothing.
Jen: Don’t give me that shit. I know you.
Kathy: I’m trying to eat my lunch. (Her phone rings.)
Jen: Aren’t you going to get that?
Kathy: No, it’s just my mother.
Jen: You always answer when Dot calls. (Grabs Kathy’s phone and answers it): Hey, Dot. No you called Kathy’s phone. She’s here with me in the hospital cafeteria. I don’t know. She’s eating her lunch. Okay see you in five. (Hangs up.)
Kathy: Why did you do that? Can’t I just sit here and eat my lunch and be left alone? Why do I have to answer all your questions? Why can’t I just my tuna salad–
Jen: What’s with you and um you hate tuna salad. (Kathy starts to cry as Dot comes hurriedly in.) What the fuck’s going on?
Dot: Kathy?
Jen: Kathy, what is it?
Kathy: (Crying): I think I’m losing my mind.
(Jen and Dot look concerned as Kathy cries.)
Fade to Black
Everlasting Love 