Tragedy of Love
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Luke, Noah, and all related characters, plots, and locations are property of As the World Turns, Telenext Media, and CBS Television. No profit is made from this fan creation. No copyright infringement is intended!
Special thinks to ElinaSlavina for help with editing the story.
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Chapter 1
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September 1, 2010.
Luke and Noah ran into each other in Old Town. Noah told Luke that he still loved him and wanted to try to work things out but Noah was devastated to hear that Luke was in love with Reid and didn't want him back.
Noah, with tears in his eyes, wished Luke and Reid luck and told Luke that he would be staying in Los Angeles permanently and probably wouldn't be coming back to Oakdale. Luke understood. They said their goodbyes and Noah left for Los Angeles the next morning.
Tragedy, however, struck Luke. Reid died while trying to help get Chris a new heart. Noah didn't hear about it until six months later. He debated on whether or not to call Luke but decided not to open up the can of worms again. It wouldn't be any good for either of them. He sent a condolence card. In the card he wrote. "Just found out. I'm sorry for your loss. Noah."
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September 2010 to July 2012.
Over the next two years, Noah poured his heart and soul into his screenplay and the movie, trying to forget the unforgettable.
Noah had taken parts of the movie from his own life and part of it was made up. The film was about lost love and the lessons learned. When Noah showed the grant committee his screenplay, they were impressed and suggested he turn it into a full length feature film. They extended his grant to cover more costs but he would have to come up with some private funding to finish his movie.
They suggested to Noah that he give Mark Smith, an agent, a call because Mark specialized in new artists trying to break into the business. After meeting with Mark, he signed up with him and they began their work to make the project a reality. Between Mark and his grant committee, they soon had the production team and actors in place and began filming the movie. No big names but each one of the actors had talent and the drive to succeed.
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July 15, 2012.
Noah's cell phone rang. It was Mark Smith, his agent.
"How's the editing going?" asked Mark.
"Good, we should be done within the month." replied Noah with pride. "We've gotten nothing but good feedback so far from the focus groups."
"That's great. We are going to need to setup a larger venue for your film before we release it, just to make sure you won't need to make any changes before we release the film." said Mark. "I bet we won't, but playing it safe is best. There will probably be some critics in the audience."
"Any ideas on where would should show it?" asked Noah.
"I talked to a Kim Hughes, whom I think you know. She wants to have the viewing in Oakdale and then interview you afterwards." said Mark.
"I'm not sure, Mark. I haven't been in Oakdale since I left almost two years ago." replied Noah nervously.
"Noah, it's a medium venue, in the middle of the country. It's a perfect place to show your completed film." said Mark. "I know Oakdale has some pain for you but I think it would be a perfect time to resolve things, so you can move on with your life."
"I'm not sure I'm ready to go back." said Noah conflicted.
"Granted, a director needs to work a lot but, Noah, you refuse anyone who asks you out on a date and you barely go out, even with friends." said Mark. "Jim and I care for you and we hate to see you like this."
"You're not going let this go, are you?" asked Noah, already knowing the answer.
"No." Mark replied firmly.
"Ok, I'll give Kim a call and have her call you to setup all the details." Noah replied. He knew he was beaten.
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Noah picked up his phone and called WOAK.
"Noah Mayer, is that you?" asked Kim, as she picked up the phone.
"It sure is, how are you, Mrs. Hughes?" Noah asked politely.
"Oh, Noah, we've missed you." replied Kim. "I'm fine, call me Kim though, Mister big shot producer." causing Noah to laugh.
"I'm not too sure about that, Kim." Noah said shyly.
"This may be a small station but we have connections in Hollywood." replied Kim. "And I hear that your movie is terrific."
"We have about another month to finish the movie but the focus groups all tell us that they like it. Not a dry eye in any of our groups." Noah said proudly.
"I'm sure your agent told you that we want to have a viewing here?" asked Kim.
"Yes, he mentioned that." replied Noah.
"I've talked to Dean Brewster and we are going to use the Oakdale University auditorium for the viewing and then I want to interview you for the news program." Kim replied all excited.
"That's great." Noah said without much feeling.
"What's wrong?" asked Kim. "Don't you want to come back to Oakdale?"
"No… well, I want too but I'm just a bit nervous about it." replied Noah. "I left so quickly and some things I wasn't able to resolve before I left."
"Yes, it was a trying time for a lot of us." Kim replied with sadness in her voice.
"How's Chris doing now?" asked Noah.
"He's fine. The new heart is pumping away, he's no longer working at the hospital but he's doing some medical consulting and he's on the board of the hospital now. Katie is expecting."
"Congratulations. I'm glad he's doing better." replied Noah.
Noah's production team came back from lunch. "Kim, I'm going to have to get off here now, my production team is back from lunch and we have more work to do. Give Mark a call and I'll have him send you two trailers for the film, a short version and a longer one to run on the air."
"Ok, Noah. I'm just so proud of you." said Kim before she hung up the phone.
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August 10, 2012.
Noah, the crew, staff and actors, along with Mark and several members of the grant committee all sat down to watch the final version of the movie. Everyone had tears in their eyes when the movie ended.
Noah stood up and addressed the crowd when it was over.
"I am so proud to have worked with all of you." began Noah. "The film came out great and it was all because of your professionalism and talent."
Mark stood up and added in his comments. "I've been in this business for thirty years and I've never seen a film this good from a beginning producer and staff." Mark said. "I really think this film is going to be a big hit. I really think everyone should really think about staying together when this is over. Maybe you can start a production company, Noah. It would be a shame to break up this talent."
"Do you really think it was that good, Mark?" asked Noah.
"Are you kidding?" laughed Mark. "You made a possible Oscar winning film on your first try out." Mark wasn't laughing when he finished.
Noah, his crew, actors and staff all sat there in shock for a few minutes and let what Mark said sink in.
"Do you really think so?" Noah asked in shock. Mark shook his head yes.
"I think Mark is correct, Noah." said Sam from the grant committee. "It's the best film I've seen in ten years and we see a lot of films." All of the other grant committee members agreed with Sam.
They all talked late into the evening. It broke up with everyone liking the idea of staying together if they could work it out.
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August 19, 2012.
Noah and Mark flew from Los Angeles to Oakdale a day before the viewing of the film at Oakdale University. Noah was very nervous about going back to Oakdale but decided that he needed to do it. They checked into their rooms at The Lakeview.
Noah stopped by WOAK to pick up tickets he reserved for the Snyder's and talked to Kim for about a half hour. Kim gushed about how good the trailers were and how everyone at the studio really liked them. When they left WOAK, they headed out to the Snyder farm.
Noah and Mark pulled into the farm's driveway.
"What a beautiful place." Mark said as he looked around.
"Yea, I've missed it so much." replied Noah as he parked the car and they both got out.
"Noah!" screamed Ethan as he ran into the arms of Noah.
"Hi Ethan, how have you been?" replied Noah. Ethan just cried into his shoulder.
He carried Ethan to the front door and knocked. Emma came to the door and opened it.
"Noah." Emma said with surprise as she pulled him into a hug. "What a surprise."
"Hi, Emma, I've missed you so much." replied Noah as he hugged her.
"Oh, my dear boy, I've missed you too." replied Emma.
"Emma, this is Mark Smith, my agent." said Noah. They shook hands.
"Are you two staying for lunch?" asked Emma.
Before Noah could answer, they heard the front door open and saw Holden walking into the kitchen.
"Mama, whose car is… Noah." Holden said with surprise. Holden and Noah hugged. Noah introduced Mark to Holden.
"We only stopped by to drop off these tickets for tomorrow night movie viewing." said Noah.
"Kim said that she had some tickets for us. She said you wanted us to have them." replied Emma.
"Yes, I did. I wanted you all to see the movie." said Noah.
"Well, I think everyone has plans on going." replied Holden.
"Is Luke?" asked Noah hopefully.
"I don't know, Noah. It's still hard for him to deal with things." replied Holden.
"I know what you mean." replied Noah with sorrow.
"You too?" questioned Emma.
"When Luke told me that he was in lo… well… surprise would be an understatement." Noah said with pain in his voice. "I've been putting all my time into the movie. It's was the only way I could cope for a while."
"I've been telling him for over a year now that he needs to get out and meet people but he won't." Mark said sadly.
"My heart was broken into a million pieces and still is." Noah said honestly. Holden and Emma could see the pain in his eyes. "Anyway, there's something in the movie, I would like for you all to see."
"What's that?" asked Emma.
"Ahh, you just have to wait and see." teased Noah.
Noah and Mark stayed for a quick lunch. They had two more people coming in from Los Angeles for the viewing tomorrow and Noah had some press interviews to do. After lunch, they drove back to their hotel rooms with a bag of cookies Emma made earlier that day. Oatmeal raisin is Noah's favorite.