ROCKLAND COUNTY – EPISODE #9 – MAY 11, 2005 “NEW LOVE”

WRITTEN BY ROGER NEWCOMB

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NEW YORK

INT. BRIAN MORGAN’S MANHATTAN APARTMENT - DAY

Reporter LESLIE SMITHERS is talking to ARDEN about the Clifton Myers shooting with DANTE listening nearby.

 

ARDEN

But she didn’t shoot him, Ms. Smithers.  She shouldn’t go to jail for this.

 

LESLIE

What are you saying, Arden?

 

DANTE

Arden, don’t say another word!

 

LESLIE

Who are you?

 

DANTE

I’m Dante Ramos.  Arden, can I talk to you for a minute?

 

ARDEN

Okay.

 

DANTE

Over here.

 

Dante and Arden walk away from the door where Leslie is standing. 

 

ARDEN

Dante, what is it?  I don’t want you involved in this situation.

 

DANTE

Look, I don’t know what’s going on here, but that reporter seems like a shark.  I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be talking to her about this.  Whatever happened, there’s no way she has your best interests at heart.

 

ARDEN

Dante.  My mother didn’t shoot Cliff Myers.  I did.

 

DANTE

What?!

 

ARDEN

It’s a long story, but it’s true.  I don’t know why my mother confessed but I can’t let her take the wrap for this.

 

DANTE

Okay.  Fine.  But there has to be a better way that letting this Smithers woman find out about this.  Let me get rid of her.

 

ARDEN

How?

 

Barbara walks in.

 

BARBARA

What’s going on here?

 

ARDEN

Aunt Barbara?  Is that you?

 

DANTE

Aunt?!  You two know each other?

 

BARBARA

Dante, I can explain.  But first, someone tell me what’s the deal here.

 

DANTE

Barbara, this is Leslie Smithers a reporting here to talk to Arden about the shooting her mother confessed to.

 

BARBARA

I just heard all about it from Brian.  (To Leslie) Time for you to go.

 

LESLIE

What?!  Who are you?  Arden, could we speak alone please?

 

BARBARA

I guess you didn’t understand me the first time.  Hit the road, honey.  My niece isn’t talkin’.   Bye bye.

 

Barbara slams the door in Leslie’s face.

 

ARDEN

Aunt Barbara.  It’s been so long since I saw you.  I hardly recognized you.

 

DANTE

Okay, would someone please explain to me what this is all about?

 

INT. ROCKLAND PSYCH CENTER - DAY

MANNY walks up to the nurse’s station where KAREN is working

 

MANNY

Hello, Karen.

 

KAREN

Manny.  I heard you were back.

 

MANNY

I guess that means that you and Angela are still as thick as thieves.

 

KAREN

We’re best friends.  And as Angela’s best friend, I have to ask you to stay away from her, okay?

 

MANNY

You never did like me much, did you, Karen?

 

KAREN

I had a feeling you were going to break her heart, and unfortunately I was right.  You did.  It took her a long time to get over it, so if you’re here to try for a repeat performance, please spare her this time.

 

MANNY

I still care about Angela, regardless of what happened between us.

 

KAREN

Where have you been all this time anyway?

 

MANNY

Does it matter?

 

KAREN

I guess that depends on what you’ve been doing.

 

MANNY

Look, I didn’t come here for twenty questions.  I just wanted to stop by to see you.

 

KAREN

See me?

 

MANNY

Yes.  You’re Angela’s best friend.  If you tell me that she’s truly happy without me, then I’ll move on and won’t bother her again.

 

KAREN

OK.  She’s truly happy.

 

MANNY

I mean, with someone new.  Is she seeing anyone?

 

KAREN

Are you trying to pump me for information?  Because, if you are, it won’t work.

 

MANNY

I just want to know if Angela is dating right now.  Is that so much to ask?

 

KAREN

It’s none of your business, Manny.  But if you must know, she is.  She has a date tonight in fact.

 

MANNY

Oh. 

(disappointed)

Then I guess I have my answer.

 

KAREN

She’s moved on, Manny.  It’s time for you to do the same.

 

MANNY

Goodbye, Karen.

 

KAREN

Have a nice day!

 

Manny leaves.  Angela walks up.

 

ANGELA

Hey, was that Manny?

 

KAREN

Yes.  But don’t worry.  He left and he’s not coming back.  You won’t have to see him again.

 

ANGELA

Good.  I’m on my way home to get ready for my date tonight.  Wish me luck.  If I haven’t called you by eleven, call Legal Seafoods and ask for me. (laughs)

 

INT. BRIAN MORGAN’S MANHATTAN APARTMENT - DAY

ARDEN is talking to DANTE and BARBARA about the shooting.

 

DANTE

Arden, this sounds like self-defense to me.  There’s no reason for you to be on the run because of this sleaze.

 

BARBARA

Dante’s right.  This Cliff idiot tried to attack you.  You had no other choice.

 

ARDEN

So I need to go back to Vermont and make this right.  I can’t let Mom go to jail for something she didn’t do.

 

BARBARA

I don’t know.  I think Eve could use some cooling out and a nice, chilly jail cell may be just the place to do it.  What the hell is wrong that woman anyway?

 

ARDEN

I don’t know.  I think she never get over Daddy leaving her and she’s been trying to fill the void ever since.

 

BARBARA

Don’t even get me started on that no count brother of mine.  Geez.

 

DANTE

I can’t believe that the two of you are related.  What a small world.

 

BARBARA

Dante, you and I can get into all that later.  But for right now, can you keep this to yourself?

 

DANTE

Keep it to myself?  Why?  Who would I tell?  And why does it matter?

 

BARBARA

I’d rather your father hear about this from me if you don’t mind.   He doesn’t know all the sordid details of my family background just yet.

 

DANTE

Well, alright.  I guess.  But I don’t understand what the big mystery is.

 

BARBARA

Just let me handle things with your father my way, will ya?

 

DANTE

Sure.  Why not?  My father can take care of himself.

 

BARBARA

Thanks.

 

ARDEN

Aunt Barbara, where have you been?  I haven’t seen you since I was ten.  You were gone for several years, came back to Vermont for a year and took off again.  It’s a wonder I recognized you at all.

 

BARBARA

I’m pretty hard to forget, Arden.  (beat) Now, what are we going to do about this shooting business?

 

ARDEN

I have to go back to Vermont and tell the police everything. 

 

BARBARA
I don’t know. 

 

ARDEN

Despite your feelings toward my mother, I have to do the right thing.  I killed a man.

 

DANTE

Arden, are you sure about that?  That reported didn’t mention anything about this Cliff character being dead.  She said he was shot.

 

ARDEN

Are you sure? 

 

BARBARA

All the more reason to stay away.  Let your mother deal with this mess.  She created it.

 

ARDEN

No.  I have to go home.  Aunt Barbara, would it be possible for you to go with me?  I know Brian can’t get off from work right now.

 

BARBARA

Oh, sweetie, I really can’t get away at the moment.  I’m sorry.

 

DANTE

I’ll go with you.

 

ARDEN

What?!

 

DANTE

Let me go with you, Arden.  You need someone there who will look out for you.

 

BARBARA

Well, I think that’s a fabulous idea.

 

INT. OUTSIDE LEGAL SEAFOOD’S - NIGHT

ANGELA is waiting for her online friend to arrive when BRIAN walks up.

 

BRIAN

Hi.

 

ANGELA

Brian.  Hi.  Uh, it’s weird seeing you in person.  I’m so used to chatting with you online and reading your emails.

 

BRIAN

I know.  I’ve never really met anyone like this before.  You look great.  Even better than your pictures.

 

ANGELA

Oh, thank you.  So you do.

 

Angela starts laughing.

 

BRIAN

What’s so funny?

 

ANGELA

Nothing.  I was just thinking about something my best friend said to me.  She was afraid you were going to turn out to be some whack job or something.   And she was convinced that you’d look nothing like your picture.

 

BRIAN

Well, hopefully by the end of the evening you’ll be convinced she was wrong.

 

ANGELA

I probably shouldn’t have told you that.  I tend to just say whatever pops into my head sometimes.  Not always a good idea.

 

BRIAN

That’s ok.  So are you hungry?  Do you want to go in and grab a table?

 

ANGELA

Yes.  I’m famished. 

 

INT. LEGAL SEAFOOD’S - NIGHT

MANNY and CAROLINE have just sat down at a table for dinner.

 

MANNY

You look nice, Caroline.

 

CAROLINE

Why thank you, sir.  I’m glad you talked me into getting out of the office tonight.  I needed the break.

 

MANNY

Sounds like you’re working way too hard.  You know what they say about all work and no play.

 

CAROLINE

That’s true.  But what have you been doing to play lately? 

 

MANNY

Oh, you busted me.  I haven’t exactly been a party animal myself lately.

 

CAROLINE

It’s always easier to give advice than to take it yourself, isn’t it?  I find myself guilty of that all the time.

 

MANNY

(seeing Angela walk in with Brian)

I don’t believe it.

 

CAROLINE

Believe what?

 

MANNY

Angela just walked in. 

 

CAROLINE

You’re kidding me.  Of all the places in Rockland for her to have dinner, she ends up at the same one as you.

 

MANNY

Do you recognize that guy she’s with?

 

CAROLINE

Nope.  Never seen him before.

 

MANNY

Maybe it’s just a colleague.

 

CAROLINE

Looks like a hot date to me.   Oh, Manny, I’m sorry.

 

MANNY

That’s okay.  I’m the one who ruined my relationship with Angela.  I expected her to move on at some point.  But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up on her.

 

INT. DAMIEN GIVENS APARTMENT IN NEW CITY - NIGHT

DAMIEN has just finished taking a shower when he hears the phone rings and runs over to answer.

 

DAMIEN

Hello....Oh, hi babe.  Are we still on for later?   Ugh, you're kidding.   I thought Paul was working late or something....   Your niece?  I didn't
know you even had a niece....   (deep breath) OK.  But are you sure there's nothing I can do to change your mind?  I could make it worth the trip....  Alright, babe.  I'll talk to you tomorrow.
 
Damien hangs up.
 
DAMIEN
(to himself)
I love you.

 

INT. ROCKLAND PSYCH CENTER - NIGHT

CYRUS is talking with KAREN at the nurse’s station.

 

CYRUS

I suppose you’ve heard all the rumors.

 

KAREN

What rumors?

 

CYRUS

Come on, Karen.  Everyone is talking about me at the hospital.  Someone overheard me tell Caroline Hart I was psychic and now no one will even talk to me.  Except Dr. Givens.

 

KAREN

Look, Cyrus.  I’ll admit that I heard the rumors.  But I’m not the kind of person who puts too much stock in the rumor mill around here.  I like to judge people on their own merits.

 

CYRUS

Well, I appreciate that.  It’s not something I meant for the whole world to know.  I don’t even understand it myself.

 

KAREN

Hey, I’ve heard of psychics being used by the police to help solve cases.  So obviously there’s some merit to it.

 

CYRUS

I wish I had someone I could talk to that understands how I’m feeling.  I just get these weird vibes and don’t know how to explain it.

 

KAREN

Cyrus, you don’t have to give me an explanation.  It’s your business.  But I wouldn’t discuss it with too many people around here.  You know how fast news travels in this place.

 

CYRUS

I know you’re right.  Dr. Givens said the same thing to me.  I’m hoping these feelings just go away.  I don’t like having this responsibility.

 

KAREN

Do you really think you know when something is about to happen?

 

CYRUS

Not all the time.  But a couple of times, I had these feelings and I was right.  And I didn’t say anything so someone ended up getting hurt.

 

KAREN

Oh.

 

CYRUS

Look, I’ve probably said too much.  I’ll take your advice and keep this to myself.  I don’t want to be a complete outcast any more than I already am.

 

KAREN

Just hang in there, Cyrus.  I’m sure things will turn around for you soon.

 

 

INT. LEGAL SEAFOOD’S - NIGHT

ANGELA and BRIAN are having dinner.

 

BRIAN

How’s your lobster?

 

ANGELA

It’s amazing.  I can’t believe I’m scarfing it down like this in front of you on our first date.

 

BRIAN

Hey, don’t be shy.  Just be yourself.

 

ANGELA

Oh, I will.  And hopefully it won’t send you running back to Manhattan faster than a speeding bullet.

 

BRIAN

Angela, meeting you in person has only made me think I should have met someone online a long time ago.  I’m always so busy and never get a chance to go out and meeting anyone which is why I was in the New York singles chat room that day.

 

ANGELA

I can’t believe I even went to that chat room, and I really can’t believe that I talked to you and agreed to meet you in person.

 

BRIAN

I figured if you were a doctor you couldn’t be so bad. 

 

ANGELA

Come on, admit it, you were afraid I’d be scary looking or something, didn’t you?

 

BRIAN

Well, I guess the thought did cross my mind.

 

ANGELA

Be honest, what would you have done if I had big ears and a long nose or three eyes.

 

BRIAN

Hmmm…The big ears I could maybe deal with but the three eyes would be a little freaky.

 

They laugh.  Manny walks up.

 

MANNY

Sounds like someone is having a good time over here.

 

ANGELA

Manny!  What are you doing here?

 

MANNY

I’m having dinner with Caroline Hart.  Fancy running into you here.

 

ANGELA

I’m in the middle of a dinner date if you don’t mind.

 

MANNY

(to Brian)

Hello there.  I’m Manny Ramos.

 

BRIAN

Brian Morgan. 

 

MANNY

Well, I better let you two get back to your dinner.  Have a nice night, Angela.

 

Manny walks away.

 

ANGELA

I can’t believe he’s here.

 

BRIAN

Is everything alright?  Who was that?

 

ANGELA

No one.  Just someone I used to know a long, long time ago.