November 10, 2021
Glen Valley Fort Hotel
12:00 PM
Ben and Ashley both arrive at Ben's hotel, Ashley waits in the room while Ben gets cleaned up for all he has to do for the day. He stands in front of the mirror contemplating with his razor whether or not to shave his beard. He looks closely at the old fashioned blade, and shaves the first half of his full beard. He gently moves it across his face careful not to nick himself. As he does this he has memories of another shaving his face with the same precision and care come to his mind. He discards those thoughts, and looks at his handy work.
Ben: Not too bad. (looks at himself in the mirror with his new goatee. He puts the razor down and realizes that he was still wearing his wedding band. He then takes some shaving creme and rubs it across his finger and slowly removes it from his hand. He then unclasps the necklace he wears and places it on the rope. Gets into the shower were is shown he has been working out a lot in the past nine years. It also shows his life has not been easy. There is a large gash on his left side that came from a beating he received eight years ago. A burn scar that runs the length of his right shoulder blade from being trapped by a burning tree limb during a fire. Among these he has the tribal markings of a wolf on his left shoulder that unlike most tatoo's was done the old fashioned way, by the hammering of ink and needle. Ben rubs the soap on him across all of these wounds. He takes care not to rub them too harshly but cleans them thoroughly he views them as his badges of honor.)
Ashley: Ben are you going to be done in their any time soon, I would like to get to work on time.
Ben: I thought you didn't have to be at work until five. (coming form the bathroom now wearing black dress pants and a white dress shirt with blue tie).
Ashley: I do, but you were taking too long.
Ben: Hey, it takes a lot of time to look this good (jokes)
Ashley: Really, then you should have taken longer.
Ben: Say, what you want Ms. Jeurgens, but I know I Look good.
Ashley: Well you would say that wouldn't you.
Ben: Do you have any concealer?
Ashley: Concealer, you wear make up. Are you that shallow, about looks. (reaches into her purse to grab the skin mist creme)
Ben: Says the woman he has concealer. (squirts a small dab and rubs it around the tan line on his finger)
Ashley: Really Ben? (looks at him objectively)
Ben: What they don't know, or care about won't hurt them.
Ashley: What about Chloe Ben, don't you think she deserves to know?
Ben: The reason I called you, Ashley instead of Chloe is because I didn't want her to know. I was trying to protect her.
Ashley: Protect her from what? From what you, or what you were dealing with?
Ben: From all of it me, my problems, the drama, the lies, the secrets, the betrayal. That's all they do. If I would have let Chloe know, then it would have started all over again.
Ashley: Oh, so you decide pull me in the middle of it instead.
Ben: Ashley you were already involved. You just did the smart thing, and left. Which was something I should have did too, instead I stayed got the blunt end of the stick, let myself be made a fool of while making a fool of myself and then finally realized how stupid I was and left.
Ashley: Yeah, and then you made me get back in.
Ben: Hey, you came back on your own. You're the one whose pulling me back in.
Ashley: Ben, your father almost died. (looks amazed he doesn't seem to care)
Ben: My father made his choice Ashley, and it wasn't me.
Ashley: I would expect that from Ricky, Grace, and even Adrian Ben. But I would never expect you of all people to say that about your own father.
Ben: Well, he's not my father anymore. He's Ricky's. Just like everything else I used to have.
Ashley: Ben, I thought it was your decision to give up everything you used to have.
Ben: I did, which is why him being sick doesn't mean anything to me.
Ashley: Then why did you come, if that's how you feel.
Ben: Because, I owe him. He did do a lot for Adrian, and me. By helping him keep his company I'm in the clear, no guilty conscience, and I get walk away clean.
Ashley: Ben do you really think that, do you really believe all your dad cared about was the company?
Ben: No, he also cared about Camille, Chloe, Amy, Adrian, Omar, Henry, Alice, and let's not forget Ricky. He stopped giving a damn about me a long time ago. Which is why I no longer have to give a damn about him.
Ashley: (looks at him, and how dark he has become) Ben, what happened to you?
Ben: I finally grew up Ash. Now let's go first stop is the "Burger Shack".
Ashley: You just ate a giant taco, and got my car filthy I might add, how can you possibly still be hungry?
Ben: I'm not hungry. The "The Burger Shack" wasn't always the Burger Shack. It used to be a diner called "Helen's Place".
Ashley: Wait a minute are you telling me your dad owns the "Burger Shack" too.
Ben: Originally my grandfather on my mom's side owned it, when he died it transferred to Boykevich International.
Ashley: So why stop there.
Ben: It has something I need.
BURGER SHACK
1:00 PM
Ben goes to the back of the building removes a small sign. Secretly unknown to everyone else there is a small door. He opens the door, and removes a small satchel containing his old wallet. In it are his drivers license, Hudson University I. D., a few pictures of he with Amy, Adrian, Ricky, Alice, Jack, Henry, and one with he Camille, Chloe, and Leo in their first family photo. At the back is a small key. Ben removes the key, and his License, then Ashley watches him throw the rest into the trash.
Ashely: What about the rest won't you need it.
Ben: For what?
Ashley: Memories.
Ben: Some memories are best left forgotten, especially the ones that are make believe.
Ashley: Where too now?
Ben: Me, I'm going to catch a cab. You, well your job is done.
Ashley: So what are you going to do.
Ben: The same thing I always do Ashley. Clean up another Glenn Valley Shit Storm, do all the work, get all the blame, let Ricky get all the glory, and get out while the gettin is good.
Ashley: We both know that it won't be that easy Ben.
Ben: It never is that easy for me is it.
Ashley: It used to be that easy for me, now I don't know.
Ben: Just remember you called me Ashley, so when I go down I'm taking you with me.
Ashley: Hey, wouldn't have it any other way. (shakes hands with Ben as if agreeing to a contract and leaves)
GLENN VALLEY SECURITIES
1:30 PM
Ben has arrived at the Securities Building that keeps documents, and other items of value by families for storage.
Ben: Yes, I'm here to collect the securities box for Benjamin F. Boykevich.
Security Clerk: Yes, my I see your identification please.
Ben: Here it is, I have been away for the past few years so it won't match. But here is my knew I.D. and the documents to verify my identity.
Security Clerk: Yes, and do you have your key Mr. Boykevich.
Ben: Actually it's Helen, and yes I do.
Security Clerk: Okay follow me.
(walks Ben into a back room with a metal security door guarded by two very well armed men. Walks up to the door & uses her I. D. Badge to open the security door, then leads down a hallway with several secured rooms until she comes to another vault with other armed guards.)
Security Clerk: Please stand back sir. (punches in a code and swipes a key card) Please have your key ready sir. (she uses her I. D. & code to unlock a drawer with keys inside then removes the key with the same numbers as Ben's key) Please approach the box sir.
Ben: (together the two turn the keys and remove the box) Thank you.
Security Clerk: Will there be anything else Mr. Boyke... I mean Mr. Helen?
Ben: No thank you, that will be all.
Security Clerk: If there is anything else let me know. Also if there is anything else you would like please call me. (gives Ben her personal card and leaves)
Ben: (looks at the card as she leaves then balls it up) Sorry I'm a married man.
(Ben opens the box and inside are legal documents with information which give him the control of his stocks in Boykevich International, also are documents about his mother and father's lineage. Their business holdings, and family charters. He removes these items. These documents were given to him by Leo when he turned eighteen as his mother requested. He also removes his birth certificate, and the letter his mother wrote him to be read on his 30'th birthday. He took this and placed it in the satchel. Also inside are two small gold bands both his former wedding rings to Amy and Adrian attached to photos of each at their wedding. The one to Amy was worth $50.00. He got it cheap at the marriage chapel since the wedding was so short notice. The ring he had for Adrian was different it was worth $2,500.00 they got them from a family jeweler who had always done work for his family. Inside was inscription from Adrian that said. 4 EVA MY BENNY. He also see's his marriage certificates for both inside. Unfortunately inside was his daughter's death certificate. He removed this and left the rings and marriage certificates photos to both inside the box. He then takes a lighter and burns the pictures and marriage licenses to both along with the rings. He get's up after placing the other documents, inside his satchel out to speak with the the Security Clerk.) Yes I'm done with my box, and will no longer be using it here is the key, and could you dump out everything else inside it.
Security Clerk: Are you sure you don't want the rest of the items.
Ben: Yes, I am. They're meaningless, they always were. I don't know why I ever thought they were important.
Saint Marks' Hospital
2:24 PM
Intensive Care
13'th Floor Room 219
Leo has recovered from his heart attack and he woke up five days later. He is weak, but has been getting visitors regularly. Even though Chloe and Camille were both against him seeing Ricky and the others, they gave into Leo's request. Everyone would stop by every few hours to check in on him. However his brothers did not, but Victor who as an old friend of both Leo and Sarah did stop by to see Leo, and let him know what was happening to the company. He informed Leo that the board had held off on naming a new C.E.O, until it could be cleared by him. However Phillip had formed an injuncition and in the moring he would get the board to vote himself as the new C.E.O.
Now Leo lay asleep in bed when the door opened Camille and Chloe were both at lunch. Ben stepped in front of his bed and watched his father sleep. For the first time Ben saw his father after nearly 9 years. He almost felt ashamed to be here angry at Leo for making come there. Now he saw his father looking so old, and weak. He almost felt sad for a moment, seeing Leo like that reminded Ben of how many times he stood like this. Standing so helpless, unable to help those he loved from dying. He shook that thought away, Leo was no longer someone he loved. As he stood there Leo felt a presence and began to stir.
Leo: (opened his eyes to see a fearful sight Sarah'sfather standing before him looking colder than he ever had only with a beard instead of a mustache.) Mr. Helen...(he said with a shaky voice)
Ben: Right name wrong Benjamin Helen.
Leo: (took a closer look to realize it was his own son Ben who stood before him.) Ben son, oh my god you are a sight for sore eyes. You look so, sooo...
Ben: (scowls at Leo calling him son) Different, older. So do you.
Leo: Yeah, I guess I do. I guess it's been a while since you've seen me. (tries to sit up, Ben helps him) How did you know I was here. No, how have you been. Are you okay, are you well.
Ben: Slow down. I'm fine, as you can see. As it turns out, out of all the bad decisions I've made in my life me leaving was actually the right decision for everyone.
Leo: Ben, don't say that you have no idea how much we've missed you. I've practically gone out of my mind with worry when you didn't come home that first week.
Ben: Yet it didn't keep you from sitting in the front row of the wedding for Ricky, Amy, Adrian, and Omar.
Leo: How did you know that?
Ben: My trade secret.
Leo: Ben, please tell me that after all these years.
Ben: Stop, before you go any further no I didn't. It didn't take me long to realize my feelings for Amy, were just that. My feelings for Amy, she didn't return them, and I honestly think she nor Adrian ever had them.
Leo: Ben, I'm sure.
Ben: Dad, could you please. I didn't come here to have a heart to heart about my past here. I came for the business.
Leo: Business. You mean Boykevich International? (confused)
Ben: Yes, that and the unresolved business I have with you.
Leo: What unresolved business? (still confused)
Ben: I owe you for everything you did for me, when I was here. For paying for all of my mistakes.
Leo: What payments.
Ben: I know about the money you gave to Dylan's school after the fire the $50,000.00. Also for the money you gave to Adrian after our divorce.
Leo: Ben that money was for a donation I felt I owed the school.
Ben: Yeah, for my part in the fire, but still it was my part not yours.
Leo: Adrian was family.
Ben: No, Adrian was my fault, my mistake. The money for her condo, and her alimoney should have come from me not you. I was the one stupid enough to marry her.
Leo: Ben..
Ben: Could you please, let me finish (becomes annoyed). Look, I owe you for that, and I'm here to repay that debt. So I'm going to do what I can to make sure that you don't lose control over the company.
Leo: Ben, thank you. But there is little you can do.
Ben: Well, I still have the controlling interest in the company, and company bi-law states that the person with the controlling interest is the C.E.O. I'm going to try and bluff the board and hold off on making a new C.E.O until you are better.
Leo: Ben the board had their reason's for removing me, I messed up.
Ben: Actually from what I'm told Ricky messed up, you were only doing what I usually did, and cleaning up after him. You just aren't very good at it.
Leo: Ben..
Ben: Regardless, I'm here and I'll do what I can.
Leo: Thank you. (smiles at how at that moment he looks like his old self)
Ben: But, there are conditions I would like to have in place before I do anything. (becoming cold and almost robotic)
Leo: Conditions?
Ben: Yeah, conditions. I didn't come back here as dumb as I was before.
Condition 1: This is a business arrangement nothing else.
Condition 2: I am here for the company so anything not related to that, I don't want any involvement with.
Condition 3: All aspects of my life, of where I am, where I've been is not your or anyone elses' business.
Condition 4: I have certain arrangements I would like done with my stock, and my trust-fund when I'm done.
Condition 5: I'm here for only 3 weeks. If this takes longer than that, then you're on your own.
Are we in agreement with these conditions or not.
Leo: Ben...Son?
Ben: Oh, one last condition I will present a united front to the board when need be. But, I'm here only too repay you for helping me. Nothing else. As far as I'm concerned we are not family, I call you Dad only as a show of respect. But, I don't ever want you to call me son again. We stopped being father and son long before I left. So do we have a deal or not. (extends his hand to Leo).
Leo: What if I can't agree to your terms?
Ben: Then this plane ticket is round trip, (shows his travel card) and can be used at any time. If you can't agree, then I can't, and won't stay. So are we in agreement.
Leo: Yes, we have a deal. (shakes Ben's hand) I have to say I'm glad your mom isn't alive to see us like this.
Ben: I am too, but some things can't be helped. (let's go of Leo's hand as Leo hangs on for a second longer feeling the new strength and hardness of Ben's hand, as if he has been working with them his whole life)
Leo: Do you know what you're going to do against the board. I could...
Ben: No, thanks. I'm a grown man now, and whether you know it or not you did teach me how to be a man. I'll take care of this situation on my terms. I just need for you to get better so when I'm done you can take your place back at the head of the company.
Leo: For a second you sound almost like you really want me to get better.
Ben: I do. The faster you heal, the sooner I can leave.
Leo: (looks sadly at his son, who he now realizes Ben has become his Grandfather in every way. Even in name) For what it's worth Ben, I'm sorry for all of this, I guess I chose wrong.
Ben: It isn't worth much. But you actually made the right choice for me anyway. By choosing Ricky you admitted you thought you had no real faith in me. That you honestly thought he was the better man over your own son, and that hurt. To know that everyone in my life thought more highly of Ricky, than me even my own father. But, it allowed me to see how I should start having faith in myself, and get what I needed, and realize that I didn't need you, any of you. (Ben then turns and leaves)
As he leaves. He gets on the elevator as his door closes Amy, Adrian, and Grace get off the adjoining elevator with flowers.
Amy: I hope Leo is okay to see us today, he looked so weak the last time.
Grace: I just hope Camille and Chloe let us see him today, you know how they acted the last time.
Adrian: (stops in the hallway smelling something familiar, but faint) Do you guys smell that?
Grace: You mean the disinfected air, it's a hospital Adrian.
Amy: No, there's something else. (smells the sweet aroma of Ben's cologne) But what?
Adrian: I don't know. (all walk to the room to see Leo with a sad smile on his face and tears in his eyes.)
Amy: Leo are you okay.
Leo: I don't know.
Ben didn't leave right away first he stopped by the hospital gift shop.
Check Out Girl: Yes can I help you.
Ben: Yes I would like 3 bouquets. One bouquet of white flowers for room 219 of the Intensive care unit.
Check Out Girl: Would you like to leave a card?
Ben: No. Also one bouquet of pink carnations, and another of red roses.
Check Out Girl: That will $175.00 even.
Ben: Wow. (looks into his wallet with only $150.00) Make that one bouquet of a mix of red roses, and pink carnations and one get well balloon for 219.
Check Out Girl: That will be $50.00 even.
Ben: (pays her his money and leaves feeling stupid) Get over yourself Ben, you're not Ben Boykevich anymore, and you no longer have the Boykevich Bucks.
As Ben leaves, Ricky walks into the hospital as he turns and see's a tall stranger who looks familiar stop a cab. Suddenly the man looks too familiar and he runs toward him as he gets inside
Ricky Ben?...
Ben: (Stops cold and is filled with loathing of the voice that said his name, and turns to see Ricky Underwood) Ricky.
Ricky: (shocked to see Ben only even more shocked to see that this man is not the scrawny kid he remembers leaving, and is almost livid with what he sees) I thought it was you. It's been a while.
Ben: (looks at Ricky with disdain for having pulled him back into this place) No Ricky, I don't think it's been long enough. (gets into cab and is driven away)
Oakwood Cemetery
Graves of Sarah Helen Boykewich Beloved Wife and Mother / Mercy Antonia Boykewvich Beloved Daughter.
Ben: Mom, Mercy... It's been awhile. (begins to shed tears for having not been able to visit them in so long.)
PLEASE HAVE THE SONG "IT'S BEEN A WHILE" by STAINED
And it's been awhile
Since I could hold my head up high
And it's been awhile
Since I first saw you
And it's been awhile
Since I could stand on my own two feet again
And it's been awhile
Since I could call you
And everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I've stretched myself beyond my means
And it's been awhile
Since I can say that I wasn't addicted
And it's been awhile
Since I can say I love myself as well
And it's been awhile
Since I've gone and fucked things up just like I always do
And it's been awhile
But all that shit seems to disappear when I'm with you
And everything I can't remember|
As fucked up as it all may seem
The consequences that I've rendered
I've gone and fucked things up again
Why must I feel this way?
Just make this go away
Just one more peaceful day
And it's been awhile
Since I could look at myself straight
And it's been awhile
Since I said I'm sorry
And it's been awhile
Since I've seen the way the candles light your face
And it's been awhile
But I can still remember just the way you taste
And everything I can't remember
As fucked up as it all may seem to be, I know it's me
I cannot blame this on my father
He did the best he could for me
And it's been awhile
Since I could hold my head up high
And it's been awhile
Since I said I'm sorry
SUPPORTING CAST'S
Melissa Shankar... as Security Clerk
Dove Cameron ...as Gift Shop Girl
Sorry for the long wait, but my job is more emotionally draining than I thought. Sometimes I hate being right about some situations.