November 29, 2024
Monday 8:00 AM
Office of Acting C.E.O Benjamin Helen
Ben walks into the office wearing his new blue Armani suit that Chloe purchased for him a few weeks ago, as he stepped from the elevator he saw Zoe already there sitting at her desk wearing a gray business suit with a white undershirt going through the files and organizing all the paperwork he would have to oversee that day, and for the rest of the week. Zoe smiled as she saw Ben, and got up to greet her boss for the day.
Zoe: Good morning, Mr. Helen I have already started on the Dawson reports, and I have six accounts that are still under review waiting on your desk. Here's your cup. (handing him a mug with the words "WORLDS GREATEST BOSS" on the mug.)
Ben: What's this? (taking the mug, and puzzled by it)
Zoe: It's just a gift I got for you to thank you for letting me have my job back.
Ben: Zoe, you earned your job back by proving your humility when you apologized. But I will still accept the gift. But, I have to remind you this job is like mine, and will only last until the end of January if not sooner. Are you sure you want to continue working here instead of getting another more permanent position, or getting your old job back at the restaurant?
Zoe: Oh I'm sure Ben, I hated waiting on tables, and the tips were lousy, and the manager was a sexist jerk. Don't get me started on the cooks, and the other waiters, and waitresses. Always fighting over the best tables.
Ben: I know the feeling I was a waiter at a bar myself.
Zoe: Really, when?
Ben: It was a long time ago, and I would rather not talk about it.
Zoe: Okay, but you have two calls for today, and a meeting with the Farmers Union. I think they want to make sure their deal with the company doesn't change if your dad doesn't return as C.E.O.
Ben: Okay, were there any meetings today?
Zoe: No, that's it. But both of your Uncles called I think they want to know your plans for the holidays.
Ben: Okay, get Nora on the phone and tell her I want her to tell my dad about the Farmers Union, and I also need you to call Ricky Underwood, and schedule a meeting with him for 4 o'clock this afternoon.
Zoe: (is surprised by his last request) Could you repeat that?
Ben: Zoe you heard me the first time I didn't stutter. (goes into his office, and shuts the door)
Zoe: I really hope you know what you're doing Ben. (picks up the phone to make the calls)
Ben: (sits down at his desk, opens his briefcase to pull out the name plate Leo gave him. He looked at it in black writing on the golden name plate on wood. He smiled as he turned in his chair to see the photo of his grandfather Ben Sr. sitting in his chair with the same name plate. His bushy mustache looked weird to Ben, but he was proud to now be sitting here as he once did. The desk's were different, but it was like looking into a mirror.) Well Grand Dad, I'm here if only for a little while longer. I just hope I make both of you proud. (looks at his Grandfather Frank Boykevich sitting at the office desk in the butcher shop. He then turned pulled out the file that Mark had given him on Tamara, and placed it in a drawer for later, and places the name plate in front of him with his name facing the door. For the first time ever he felt comfortable sitting in the office as C.E.O.)
_
November 29, 2024
Monday 9:45 AM
Office of Dr. David Markus.
Ken Fields was at Dr. Markus's office hoping to mend fences that should have been mended a long time ago. He always resented the man that married his wife, not because he was white, or because he was Jewish, but because he was a therapist like himself. He felt that Sasha had married him on purpose to prove he wasn't as good as a doctor as he thought. Mainly because he had to admit he let his patients come first over his family. When he realized how much he missed them, and her he made every effort to correct that mistake, unfortunately he thinks he made mistakes in treating his patients as well particularly in treating Ben Boykevich.
Ken: Excuse me I'm Dr. Ken Fields, I was wondering if Dr. Markus is in?
Assistant: Yes he's in, may I help you. We usually don't accept walk-ins, but if you would like to make an appointment.
Ken: NO! I don't need to see him for an appointment, I would like to talk with him about a mutual patient we both share.
Assistant: Okay, I'll see if he will accept you. (calls his office) Yes, Dr. Markus I have a Dr. Ken Fields that would like to talk with you about a patient you both share.
Dr. Markus: Yes, please send him in.
Assistant: Dr. Markus will see you now.
Dr. Fields: Thank you. (goes in and is hesitant)
Dave Markus: Ken it's nice to see you again, I hope this is a friendly meeting.
Dr. Fields: It is. I guess I'm not so full of pride that I can't offer an olive branch.
Dave Markus: So, does this mean that you will allow me to take a look at your files on Ben, Leo, and Ricky?
Dr. Fields: I have brought you my files on Leo and Ben. My files on Ricky must remain confidential. Seeing as Leo and Ben are related, and you are treating him I think it would be both legal and ethical to let you view them, as for Ricky I don't think it would be.
Dave: Don't worry I understand I know giving me your files on Ben and Leo is a stretch, and I appreciate it.
Dr. Fields: So you and another therapist are treating Ben?
Dave: Yes, Dr. Fisher he and I went to med school together. He's been treating Ben for two years now.
Dr. Fields: I know I shouldn't, but may I ask what for.
Dave: (looks doubtful, but concedes) We're both treating Ben for depression.
Dr. Fields: I should have figured after all that happened here, I'm not surprised that it caught up to him.
Dave: (breathes lightly) Ken I'm going to be honest with you, Ben is unlike any case we have ever seen. He has traits of both Bi-Polar disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and depression, but his case is far different.
Dr. Fields: How so?
Dave: Unlike most Ben seems to have mastered control over what ever mental or emotional problems he has. To be honest the only problems that he seems to deal with manifest themselves in his subconscious. It's why he has a steady pre-scription of Prazosin.
Dr. Fields: Isn't that the drug that keeps you from dreaming.
Dave: Yes, and in Ben's case we don't know if it is a good thing that he takes it or not.
Dr. Fields: I'm confused.
Dave: Ben's depression, his PTSD, or his bi-polar disorder, only manifest themselves in his sleep.
Dr. Fields: So he sleep walks.
Dave: In a way yes.
Dr. Fields: What do you mean in a way.
Dave: (looks at Ken and makes a decision) I can't explain it, but maybe this can. (takes out Ben's file) I have to ask that what ever you read, stays between us. But I warn you what you read, will change your perspective on a lot of things. Including how you see Ben, and his father.
Dr. Fields: Okay (takes the file and begins reading it. As he goes through he is shocked after reading the 12'th page, and continues to the last. What he read shocked, amused, and saddened him.) Does Ben plan on telling any of his family about this.
Dave: No, and honestly I don't know if that is a bad thing.
Dr. Fields: Neither do I. (for the first time he feels sorrier for Ben than he does for Ricky, and ashamed of how he didn't treat him)
November 29, 2024
Monday 11:45 AM
Geoff's Restaurant
Ashley is about to go in to review the menu for the dinner special's for the night when she runs into a familiar face she had hoped to avoid. Grant however was there to have dinner with George and Kathleen about being a new addition to their family. He had hoped to run into Ashley since she seemed to be deliberately avoiding him since he resumed his relationship with Grace. However Ashley had been avoiding every member of her family since she returned to Glenn Valley 5 years before.
Grant: Excuse me Ashley, I was wondering if you knew where your parents were?
Ashley: Well if you mean my dad and my step-mom they're in their office probably doing something we don't want to walk in on. If you mean my mom, she is probably with her girlfriend also doing something we wouldn't want to walk in on.
Grant: Okay, thanks. (looks at Ashley and how much she has grown so beautifully. but still seems so sad, and withdrawn from the world)
Ashley: Is there something else you need?
Grant: No, I was just seeing how much you have changed since we last saw one another. Italy did you well.
Ashley: Well being away from here does everyone better.
Grant: Come on Ash being back here couldn't be that bad.
Ashley: That's Ashley, only my friends and my parents call me Ash.
Grant: I thought after all this time we were friends. I mean we're going to be related soon.
Ashley: No, you're going to be related to Grace, Kathleen, Tom, and by default my dad. I'm related to you and them by the same default. But with things in this town that can easily change.
Grant: Like how?
Ashley: Like divorce, but I wouldn't worry about that you and Grace have to make it to the alter first.
Grant: And what is that supposed to mean?
Ashley: It means a lot can change between here and then.
Grant: Grace and I are in love Ashley. We are getting married.
Ashley: Well Grace was in love with you, once before wasn't she. Then she dumped you, after she cheated on you.
Grant: So my cousin told you.
Ashley: It wasn't a surprise she did that with a lot of guys. You, Jack, Ricky, and that other guy... Daniel.
Grant: That was high school Ashley no one is sure of anything in high school.
Ashley: Got that right. You claimed to be so sure of me in high school you changed schools, then went after Grace.
Grant: (is shocked she would bring that up, but counters her) Well, that was before I realized you wanted Ricky over me. Or have you forgotten you were the one that broke up with me Ash?
Ashley: No, I didn't forget. I also remember I tried calling you to apologize for that, and you didn't accept any of my calls.
Grant: That was because I felt something special with Grace, and I didn't want to ruin it.
Ashley: And yet, she did you worse than I did.
Grant: She made a mistake Ashley.
Ashley: What makes you so sure, she won't make another one?
Grant: Because we're in love Ashley. Grace and I want to get married, and spend our lives together. I can't believe you're talking about your own sister like this.
Ashley: STEP-SISTER, and she's not my sister. She's Amy's sister, not mine. I'm just the sister both of them got stuck with.
Grant: You know Ashley maybe if you spent time trying to get to know them, you might actually like them.
Ashley: That's where you're wrong Grant. I did take time to get to know them, and that's why I don't like them.
Grant: Why is that? Grace is sweet, kind, devoted, honest, and understanding. She is even a good Christian. I don't know much about Amy, but she seems to be a good person.
Ashley: Well Grant I see Grace, as a fickle hypocrite. She wants to be all those things you said about her, but she isn't.
Grant: Why is that?
Ashley: Because she can't be honest with herself. Grace and Amy both tried modeling themselves after our parents.
Grant: Whats' wrong with that.
Ashley: Neither of them realized that our parents aren't perfect. I realized that, and that is why I'm like the way I am.
Grant: Because of your parents Ashley, don't be so melodramatic. You pretend that you are so broken, but the truth is you're just scared.
Ashley: I'm not scared of anything.
Grant: Yes, you are. You're scared of love. You're scared if you love someone, or if you let someone love you, you'll get hurt. That is what happened with us.
Ashley: Or maybe I'm afraid I'll hurt someone. (taking one of the cleaver knives and throwing it at a fly that flew in cutting the fly in two in mid-air as the knife stuck in the wall). Got to clean that up or the health department are gonna have a field day. Nice talking to you Grant, we shouldn't do it again.
Grant: (looks at her and is both impressed, and sad at how she has become) Nice talking to you too Ash.
November 29, 2024
Monday 4:16 PM
Office of Acting C.E.O. Benjamin Helen
Ricky gets off the elevator and is nervous. He doesn't know why Ben wants to see him, and the only thing he can think of is Ben has finally decided to fire him. Deep down he is a bit relieved, not knowing what would happen to his future with the company was driving him crazy. Worst of all the feeling of wondering if when Leo returned he would fire him. He believed that would hurt worse. However he also realized he deserved to be fired after what he did, but still the thought of Leo being the one to fire him felt it would hurt more. As for Ben doing it, in a way he felt it was justified.
Ricky: (looks to see Zoe at the desk usually occupied by his mom. memories of he and her having wild rough sex in his apartment come back to him.) Zoe how have you been, I haven't seen you in a long time.
Zoe: Mr. Underwood. Mr. Helen is in, and is waiting for you in his office. (turning away from Ricky to do her work)
Ricky: What is that supposed to mean Zoe. After all this time you still can't be upset we broke up.
Zoe: Mr. Underwood, whatever was between us was a long time ago. We were never together, and honestly you were never that good even then.
Ricky: Well you never seemed to mind it then.
Zoe: That's because you were pretty, and I was using you to piss off Adrian. Honestly I had better before you, and after you. Mr. Helen will see you now.
Ricky: (is shocked by that, how could anyone be better than him. walks into Ben's office de-mascullated) Yeah, Ben I got a call that you wanted to see me.
Ben: Yes, please sit down. (places the folder Mark gave him in front of him)
Ricky: So, are these supposed to be my walking papers?
Ben: No, these are files and records I discovered about Tamara. I had her investigated, however I can't use this information, but you or Lauren might find what's in these files useful.
Ricky: Really, why are you doing this for me?
Ben: Why wouldn't I? It's not like I can use them, but you could.
Ricky: I mean you could just as easily have kept this information, and let me get screwed. Why are you helping me?
Ben: Because I'm not you.
Ricky: What is that supposed to mean.
Ben: It means unlike you, a guy who doesn't care about helping anyone, I'm not like that.
Ricky: I'm not like that Ben I tried to help you.
Ben: Really, how?
Ricky: I tried to tell you about Amy, and Adrian Ben. It's not my fault if you didn't believe me when I told you about how they actually were. You might try to see Amy and Adrian as these great women who could see the good in people, and want to be with them for who they were, but I knew better. You should have realized they slept with me for a reason. Amy and Adrian didn't know anything about my past when they first slept with me. You knew for yourself they were just as shallow as most girls from that. I'm not some selfish jerk that just went around hurting people. Every girl I slept with was just like that. They didn't want a guy with a good heart they wanted a guy with a hot body, nice face, and that's all. Everything else they thought they could turn him into. Its not my fault that they had in you everything they wanted me to be, and they didn't like the package it was in.
Ben: Agreed. But I wasn't talking about that. Honestly Ricky I never blamed you for Amy or Adrian. Adrian specifically let me know that was the type of person she was. It was my fault for seeing them as more than what they were. But as for you, betraying the trust my dad had in you, that is what I was talking about.
Ricky: I never meant for that to happen Ben. You know I never would have hurt your dad.
Ben: Yet we're still having this conversation.
Ricky: Point taken. But thanks just the same for this. (takes the file and leaves)
Zoe: You are right, but you lied too.
Ricky: What?
Zoe: You said that, it wasn't your fault. But it was because you made a lot of those girls believe you were that type of guy. But you aren't to blame for their vanity.
Ricky: You knew what you were getting into Zoe when we started.
Zoe: I know, and so did Amy and Adrian. But not every girl. Teresa McKinley actually thought differently about you.
Ricky: Who?
Zoe: You don't even remember her, why should I even bother. She was a track and field runner who left school when her freshmen year. You slept with her, a week after she got to school. You probably didn't know she was a virgin, and a Mormon. Her parents sent her away after you slept with her. But what does she matter all you did was tell her you loved her, and that you wanted to be with her forever.
Ricky: That was then Zoe. I'm not like that anymore.
Zoe: Maybe, but like Ben said if that were true we wouldn't be having this conversation would we. But then again even if you aren't like that anymore it didn't do Teresa any good when her father sent her away because he was ashamed of her does it.
Ricky: I made mistakes Zoe, I admit that.
Zoe: Yeah, and who paid for them. Goodbye Mr. Underwood. (turns and continues to do her work)
Ricky: Goodbye Ms. Phillips. (gets on the elevator with the files, but for the first time he feels guilty about some of the things he's done)