ROCKLAND COUNTY – EPISODE #23 – AUGUST 10, 2005 “BAD NEWS TRAVELS FAST”

WRITTEN BY ROGER NEWCOMB

 

INT. BRIAN MORGANS’S APARTMENT IN MANHATTAN - DAY

BRIAN is sitting at his computer when ARDEN walks over to him.

 

ARDEN

I thought you were working today.

 

BRIAN

I am.  I have to get over to the hospital soon.  I was just finishing something up on the computer.

 

ARDEN

Writing to your new girlfriend?

 

BRIAN

As a matter of fact. 

 

ARDEN

It’s so strange that I’ve met Angela’s brother, but not Angela.

 

BRIAN

Well, our relationship is still pretty new.  Hopefully you will meet her soon.

 

ARDEN

Things seem to be moving fairly quickly with the two of you. 

 

BRIAN

I could say the same thing about you and Dante Ramos.

 

ARDEN

I’m not sure what I would have done in Vermont if Dante hadn’t been there.

 

BRIAN

Well, you can put all that behind you now.  It’s going to do you a world of good to be away from Mom for a while.

 

ARDEN

I agree.  I tried to leave with some kind of peaceful resolution with her, but she was so hateful and nasty to me.  She even slapped me, Brian.  At this point, I hope I don’t her again for a very long time.

 

There is a knock on the door.

 

BRIAN

Can you get that?  I have to finish up this note to Angela before I take off.

 

ARDEN

Sure.

 

Arden walks over to the door and opens it and is shocked to see her mother, Eve.

 

ARDEN

Mom?!

 

EVE

Hello Arden.  Aren’t you going to invite me in?

 

INT. DR. ANGELA GIVENS OFFICE - DAY

MANNY has just walked into ANGELA’s office after receiving her voice mail earlier in the day.

 

MANNY

I was surprised to hear from you, Ang.  In a good way, of course.

 

ANGELA

Manny, I’m not going to beat around the bush with you.  When I left you the message this morning, I was half sure about this, but now I’m 100% convinced.

 

MANNY

Sure about what?

 

ANGELA

I gave you a warning once before to stop writing me letters and sending me flowers.  I was annoyed back then, but now it’s just plain creepy.  So cut it out.  We’re not getting back together.  I’m not sure how much more clear I can be with you.

 

MANNY

Angela,

I have no idea what you’re talking about.  And I didn’t when you called me ranting and raving that night either.

 

ANGELA

Get off it, Manny.  The second you come back to Rockland, I start getting mysterious secret admirer letters.  Don’t try to tell me that’s just a coincidence.

 

MANNY

So let me get this straight.  Someone is writing love letters to you, and in your mind, there is no one else on earth it could be but me?

 

ANGELA

You got it.

 

MANNY

(laughs)

Then maybe you’re not as over us as you’re saying, Angela.  I thought you were dating someone.  That guy from Legal Seafood’s.

 

ANGELA

I am happily dating Brian if you must know, but don’t try to change the subject.  Are you going to stop with the letters or not?  You should know I’ve already contacted the police about this.

 

MANNY

My God, Ang, what is being written in these letters that would cause you to get the police involved?

 

ANGELA

I ache for your body and will have it very soon.  Does that ring a bell?  That’s sick, Manny, even for you.

 

MANNY

Angela, look, I know I ran out on you five years ago and you have every reason in the world to hate me now, but do you honestly think I could write something like that to you?

 

ANGELA

There’s no one else, Manny. 

 

MANNY

Well, it wasn’t me.  I’m sorry to disappoint you.

 

ANGELA

Do you swear it wasn’t your writing the letters?

 

MANNY

I swear on my mother’s grave, Angela.  You know I wouldn’t lie about this.

 

ANGELA

(stumped)

Then, who’s doing this?  You were the only person that made sense.

 

MANNY

Are you going to apologize to me or are we just going to move on?

 

ANGELA

I’m a little upset, Manny, if you haven’t noticed.

 

MANNY

What about this guy you’re dating?  How much do you know about him?

 

ANGELA

It’s not Brian.  I got a letter at my house before he even knew where I lived.  It has to be someone that knows me well.

 

MANNY

And you’re sure about that, Ang?  What if Brian knows more about you than he’s said?  You need to be careful.

 

ANGELA

Careful from Brian?  Come on.  He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

 

MANNY

If you’re truly happy, then I’m happy for you.

 

ANGELA

Honestly?

 

MANNY

I only want the best for Angela.  I’m sorry I wasn’t able to give you everything you wanted. 

 

ANGELA

There’s no need to get into all that today.

 

MANNY

You’re right.  I have to be going.  But remember what I said, be careful.  You don’t know what this letter writer is going to do next.

 

INT. RAMOS ESTATE - DAY

BARBARA is sitting in the family room when MIRANDA walks in.

 

MIRANDA

Hello Ms. Whitman.

 

BARBARA

What is it, Miranda?

 

MIRANDA

You had a visitor earlier.  A woman.  A Felicia I believe.

 

BARBARA

I don’t know anyone by that name.  Are you sure she was here to see me?

 

MIRANDA

Oh, I am very good with names and faces, Ms. Whitman.

 

BARBARA

Did she say what she wanted?

 

MIRANDA

Let me see… She said to tell you that she was an old friend of Damien’s and needed to see you urgently.

 

BARBARA

That’s it?

 

MIRANDA

Yep.  I found it curious that a friend of Damien’s would be looking for you.  Now isn’t that strange?

 

BARBARA

The only Damien I know is Dante’s best friend and I hardly even know him.  Maybe you have the message confused.

 

MIRANDA

I’m pretty sure I don’t.  But if you would like me to ask Mr. Ramos…

 

BARBARA

No!  Don’t do that.  Did she leave her number?  How do I reach this Felicia woman?

 

MIRANDA

She said she would be in touch with you and then she left.  It was all quite odd.

 

BARBARA

I’m sure it was nothing, Miranda.  But keep this to yourself, okay?

 

MIRANDA

Oh, of course, Ms. Whitman.