ROCKLAND COUNTY – EPISODE #53 – JANUARY 5, 2006 “DESPERATE NEW YEAR’S”

 

WRITTEN BY

Roger Newcomb

 

STARRING (in order of appearance)

Delaina Dixon as Dr. Angela Givens

Rick E. Edwards as Manny Ramos

Kelly Christopher as Karen Grissom

Jason Nishimoto-Thompson as Cyrus Connor

Brandon Delaurentiis as Ian Levin

 

INT. ANGELA’S HOUSE IN NYACK - NIGHT

ANGELA has just answered the door in a robe and finds MANNY on her doorstep.

 

ANGELA

Manny, what are you doing here?

 

MANNY

Ang, I just heard about Karen from Damien.  I can’t believe that.

 

ANGELA

You came all the way over here to tell me that?

 

MANNY

I’m sure you’re upset.  I wanted to come by and check on you.

 

ANGELA

That’s Brian’s job now, okay?  But thanks.

 

MANNY

Can you let me in?  It’s freezing out here.

 

ANGELA

Fine, but I’m in a hurry here.  I’m not even dressed.  Brian will be here any minute.

 

Manny comes in and Angela shuts the door.

 

MANNY

Big New Year’s Eve plans?

 

ANGELA

Yes.  As depressed as I’ve been about this whole Karen situation, I’m trying to block it out tonight and just enjoy the celebration.

 

MANNY

How is this going to work with Karen being at the psych center every day?

 

ANGELA

She’s been off for the past week.  I’m not sure.  But honestly, I don’t even want to think about it again until next year.

 

MANNY

Well, it won’t be long now.

 

ANGELA

Look, I have to jump in the shower, so can you just show yourself out?

 

MANNY

Sure.

 

Angela walks into the bedroom and the phone rings.

 

ANGELA

(calling out from the bedroom)

Manny, can you grab that?  It’s probably Damien.  Tell him we’ll meet him at 10 downtown.

 

MANNY

Okay.

 

Manny picks up the phone in the living room.

 

MANNY

Hello. 

 

KAREN

(crying)

Manny?

 

MANNY

Yes.  Karen, is that you?

 

KAREN

Yes.  What are you doing there?

 

MANNY

I stopped by to check on Angela.  She just got into the shower.  I’ll tell her you called.

 

KAREN

Don’t bother.  I didn’t even think she’d be home.  Just tell her that, after tonight, she won’t have to worry about me again.

 

MANNY

What is that supposed to mean?

 

KAREN

Goodbye, Manny.

 

Manny hears a click and a dial tone and then hangs up.

 

MANNY

What was that all about?

 

Angela walks out.

 

ANGELA

I forgot to unlock the door for Brian.  Was that Damien on the phone?

 

MANNY

Uh, no.  It was a wrong number.

 

INT. ROCKLAND PSYCH CENTER - NIGHT

IAN and CYRUS are standing at the nurse’s station as they prepare to leave for the evening.

 

CYRUS

Well, it’s about that time.  No more work for the rest of 2005.

 

IAN

Are you working tomorrow?

 

CYRUS

Nope.  Not until Tuesday.

 

IAN

Nice.

 

CYRUS

So where are you headed tonight?  A big New Year’s party?

 

IAN

No.  I was supposed to meet my sister, but she got called into work.

 

CYRUS

On New Year’s Eve?   That’s too bad.

 

IAN

So now I don’t have any plans.  How about you?

 

CYRUS

Oh, I was just going to watch the ball drop on TV.  I thought I would keep things low key tonight.

 

IAN

Yeah, I can understand that.

 

CYRUS

You know, Ian, since you’re not doing anything, if you’d like to come over to my place and ring in the New Year, we could get some beer or champagne or something and celebrate together.

 

IAN

Well, I guess that would work.  Sure, why not.

 

 

INT. KAREN’S APARTMENT IN VALLEY COTTAGE - NIGHT

MANNY has just arrived and is knocking on the door.

 

MANNY

Karen!  Karen, are you in there?

 

There’s no answer.  Manny tries to open the door and realizes it’s unlocked.

 

MANNY

The door’s unlocked.

 

Manny walks inside but doesn’t see Karen.

 

MANNY

Karen, are you home?  Are you alright?

 

Manny walks into the bedroom and sees Karen passed out on the bed with an open pill bottle beside her.

 

MANNY

Oh my God.  Pills?!!  Karen, no!