ROCKLAND COUNTY – EPISODE #58 – JANUARY 26, 2006 “HAPPY AS A CLAM”

 

WRITTEN BY

Roger Newcomb

 

STARRING (in order of appearance)

Na’Vell J. Lee as Damien Givens

Jason Nishimoto-Thompson as Cyrus Connor

Kurt McKinney as Benny Blaylock

Nick Sullivan as Paul Ramos

Delaina Dixon as Dr. Angela Givens

Kelly Christopher as Karen Grissom

Wendy Hammer as Miranda Phillips

Ryan Chandler as Elijah Phillips

 

INT. ROCKLAND PSYCH CENTER - DAY

CYRUS is working at the nurse’s station when DAMIEN walks up.

 

DAMIEN

Hey Cyrus.  Is my sister in?

 

CYRUS

I believe she’s in the middle of a session right now.  But she told me her calendar was clear all afternoon.

 

DAMIEN

Okay, thanks.  I guess I’ll wait.   Is there any news about Karen?

 

CYRUS

Not that I know about.  I stopped by to visit her, but she hasn’t woken up yet.

 

DAMIEN

So you know the whole story about what happened?

 

CYRUS

Yes, Dr. Givens told me.  But don’t worry, I won’t say anything to anyone around here.

 

DAMIEN

Good.  I have no idea what’s going to happen with Karen after she wakes up.  But I don’t think she’ll ever be friends with Angela again.

 

CYRUS

I guess you never really know a person, huh?

 

DAMIEN

I think sometimes you can, but I’ve been screwed over enough times to be a little distrusting, which is something I never wanted to happen.

 

CYRUS

I remember you broke up with your girlfriend a while back.  Sorry about that.  I hope my little confession didn’t make things worse for you.

 

DAMIEN

It’s fine, Cyrus.  I’ve never had a guy tell me he liked me before, but it’s no big deal.  I hope you find someone this year who can like you back.

 

CYRUS

So do I.  If fact, (playfully) I may have already met him.

 

DAMIEN

Oh yeah?  Good for you.

 

CYRUS

I don’t know if he’s gay or if he’ll give me the same reaction as you, but I’ve definitely gotten some vibes from him.  So we’ll see.

 

DAMIEN

I hope it all works out for you, Cyrus.  Maybe 2006 will be a better year for both of us.

 

INT. PAUL’S OFFICE AT L&R CONSTRUCTION - NIGHT

PAUL is working at his desk when BENNY walks in.

 

BENNY

You wanted to see me, Paul?

 

PAUL

Yes.  Thanks for working late tonight, Benny.  You’re doing a great job around here.

 

BENNY

Hey, I just appreciate this opportunity.

 

PAUL

Look, the reason I wanted to see you was to talk about Barbara.

 

BENNY

Oh yeah?  What’s that little spitfire done now?

 

PAUL

As you know, we’re getting married on Valentine’s Day.  I’m sure Barbara has you on the guest list.  Anyway, as a gift to Barbara, I’m hoping to track down her brother, Frank Morgan.  I know he got in touch with her recently and I would love to surprise her with a reunion at the wedding.

 

BENNY

Why Paul, that sounds like an excellent idea.  But how can I help?

 

PAUL

I’m going to hire a detective to track Frank down.  But I’m wondering if there is anything you know about him from Barbara that might help.  She’s been very tightlipped with me about him.  His two kids and ex-wife are all in New York now, but they haven’t seen him in several years.

 

BENNY

Hmmm, let me see.  I remember that they were estranged, but can’t exactly remember why.  I seem to recall her mentioning that something received a postcard from him from Vegas not long after he skipped town.  I wish I could remember more.

 

PAUL

Vegas.  Well, that’s a start.  I’m going to call a PI friend of mine now and see what he can do for me.  Thanks a lot for your help.

 

BENNY

Oh, I’m always happy to help that fiancé of yours.   You have a good night now.

 

PAUL

You too.

 

Benny walks outside and closes the door.

 

BENNY

(to himself)

Frank Morgan, huh?   Barbara better be grateful I didn’t tell Paul the truth.

 

INT. ROCKLAND HOSPITAL - NIGHT

KAREN is lying in bed unconscious with ANGELA by her bedside.

 

ANGELA

Karen, I don’t know if you can hear me or not, but there’s something I want to say to you.

 

Karen starts to moan and wake up.

 

ANGELA

Karen?  Are you waking up?

 

KAREN

(very groggy)

Angela.

 

ANGELA

Karen, let me go get the doctor.

 

KAREN

No.  Wait.

 

ANGELA

What is it?  Are you in any pain?

 

KAREN

Angela.   I’m sorry.

 

ANGELA

I know.  But let’s not get into any of that now.   Let me go get a doctor to check you out. 

 

INT. RAMOS ESTATE - NIGHT

MIRANDA is working in the kitchen talking with ELIJAH.

 

MIRANDA

Listen to her, in there, fluttering around happy as a clam.

 

ELIJAH

Mom, you have to get over your fixation with Barbara.  She’s planning her wedding.  She’s happy.

 

MIRANDA

Yeah, yeah.  That gold digger has managed to manipulate the smartest, and richest, man in Rockland County into marrying her.

 

ELIJAH

What makes you think Barbara is a gold digger?  She seems very much in love to me.

 

MIRANDA

I know her kind, Elijah.  Women like Barbara have been throwing themselves on Paul ever since Julia died.

 

ELIJAH

Mom, sometimes I think the best thing for you would be to find a job some place else.  You’ve worked for Paul Ramos my entire life, and what has the man ever done for you?

 

MIRANDA

Paul is a wonderful man, Elijah.  I am extremely happy to be working for him.

 

ELIJAH

But not because of the job, Mom.  It’s because you have grown way too attached to the man.  And look, I’ve seen you and Paul together and he has no idea you have feelings for him.  He appreciates you as his housekeeper and nothing more.

 

MIRANDA

Why are you such a bitter and jaded young man, son?  And what Paul is or isn’t to me is none of your concern.

 

ELIJAH

It is my concern when you take my car and try to run down one of his enemies.

 

MIRANDA

Oh dear Lord, let’s not go there again.

 

ELIJAH

Mom, if you would just admit to me that you tried to run over Caroline Hart, I would at least you know what’s going on in your own life.  But you’re starting to make me believe you really don’t remember it which scares me even more.

 

MIRANDA

Believe me, Elijah, if I had tried to run down Caroline Hart, I would gladly take credit for it.