The foyer at Llanfair. The doorbell rings. Viki goes to answer it.
Viki: Hi, Dorian. Did you come to get Starr?
Dorian: Hi, yes, Blair and David had a magazine emergency so I was sent to get her.
Viki: Come in. (yells up the stairs) Starr, your Aunt Dorian is here.
Starr: I'll be down in a minute.
Viki: Let's go sit down. (They go into the living room.) How can a teen magazine have an emergency?
Dorian: Something about advertising. Apparently, Kevin insulted one of the advertisers and David and Blair went to smooth it over.
Viki (decides to change the subject at the mention of Kevin's name): Doesn't Hedy have the week off?
Dorian: Yes.
Viki: So where is Jack?
Dorian: He's at home. Cassie, River, and Adriana are there.
Viki: How is Adriana?
Dorian: She's okay. She's still a little scared but she's surrounded by security. She'll feel a lot better after her father is caught.
Viki: What does she know?
Dorian: Only that her father is dangerous. I don't want to scare her with too many details. Are you feeling okay? You look tired.
Viki: I have good days and bad days. This is an okay day.
Dorian: Starr wasn't any trouble was she? Maybe she shouldn't spend the night anymore until after the transplant.
Viki: No, Starr was fine. She was a perfect angel. She spent most of the evening telling me how cool Adriana is.
Dorian: Starr was an angel? Is she sick?
Viki (laughs): Apparently, you and Blair and Todd all gave her lectures on how sick I was and told her not to upset me.
Dorian: I do not lecture. I inform people of the facts and the best way to deal with said facts.
Viki: Well then, let me inform you of some facts and the best way to deal with them.
Dorian: What?
Viki: You do have to tell your family at some point that you are pregnant. I'm surprised they haven't noticed already. Your face is fuller, your belly is very round, and you keep touching it.
Dorian: I've turned into to an annoying belly rubber? Shoot me now. How do you know I haven't already told them?
Viki: Because Starr hasn't said anything about it. And don't worry. You are not an annoying belly rubber. You're much more discreet.
Dorian: Thank, God. I'm going to tell my family, but not yet.
Viki: Why not?
Dorian: Because I'm enjoying being pregnant. Once I tell them, that all goes away.
Viki: Why do you think that? I'm sure they'll be happy for you.
Dorian: No, they won't. Kelly will be upset because she lost her baby and can't have anymore so she'll tell me how unfair it is. Blair will be upset that I'm having a baby with David even though she trusts David completely with Jack and Starr now. And Cassie will be upset that I'm having a baby because I'm a horrible mother.
Viki: Okay, first of all, you are not a horrible mother. And Cassie doesn't think that. She understands why you couldn't raise her. Especially, after everything that happened in Canton.
Dorian: That was before Adriana.
Viki: So tell her the truth. If you had known Adriana was yours would you have kept her?
Dorian: Yes, I had every intention of keeping her.
Viki: Okay then. But even if you weren't going to keep her that doesn't make you a bad mother. You were raped.
Dorian: But that had nothing to do with Adriana. I understand why people who are raped terminate their pregnancies or put their babies up for adoption but that wasn't an option for me.
Viki: Why not?
Dorian: Because my mother was a monster and I'd never want anyone to judge me based on who she was. How could I judge my baby on who it's father was? And after missing out on seeing Cassie grow up I didn't want to miss out on Adriana's childhood.
Viki: I still think you are underestimating your family but it's your choice. Don't you think any of them might be happy for you?
Dorian: Adriana and River might be.
Viki: So tell them first and then go from there.
Dorian: I will soon. I just want to enjoy it a little longer.
Starr (opens the door): Why couldn't mom come to get me?
Dorian: It's nice to see you too Starr. I'm fine, thank you for asking. How are you?
Starr: What? Oh, fine. Where's mom?
Dorian: She's at work.
Starr: Then why couldn't I just stay here?
Dorian: Your Aunt Viki needs her rest.
Starr: But I don't want to go home. It's like a fortress there. I'm not even allowed to go outside without a guard.
Dorian: Viki, do you have any crackers? My stomach is a little upset. (She rubs her swollen belly)
Viki: Sure, I'll be right back.
Dorian: Okay, what's the real story?
Starr: What do you mean?
Dorian: You've been telling Matthew how cool it is to have your own bodyguard. So what's really going on?
Starr: I lost Harold.
Dorian: You lost Harold? Here? Why did you bring him here?
Starr: He's been acting funny. I think he's sick. So I brought him here so he wouldn't miss me.
Dorian: And your Aunt Viki has no idea he's here?
Starr: No. Aunt Viki hates snakes.
Dorian: When's the last time you saw him?
Starr: About an hour ago. He was in a shoebox in my room. We have to find him.
Dorian: Okay, you go look for him. I'll stall for time.
Starr: Why are you helping me?
Dorian: We Cramer women have to stick together. Besides, your Aunt Viki doesn't understand snakes like we do. I don't want to upset her.
All of the sudden there is a scream.
Starr: I think Aunt Viki found Harold.
Starr and Dorian run into the kitchen. Viki is standing on a chair.
Dorian: I see you've met Harold. (She reaches down and picks him up.) Starr why don't you go put Harold in his box.
Starr: Okay. That's a good idea. (She runs out.)
Viki: Harold? You just picked up a snake. Ugh. How can you live with them?
Dorian: When my mom used to lock me in the shed the only thing for me to talk to was the snakes. Sometimes she'd leave me in there for hours so I bonded with them.
Viki: I guess that's where Starr gets it from. And to think I always blamed Todd. Here are your crackers.
Dorian: Oh, thanks. (She takes a bite for show.)
Starr: I'm ready to go Aunt Dorian.
Dorian: And?
Starr: And what?
Dorian: Isn't there something you need to tell your Aunt Viki?
Starr: Thanks for inviting me. I had a great time.
Viki: You're welcome.
Dorian: And?
Starr: Oh, I'm sorry about Harold and I won't bring another snake.
Viki: I appreciate that. Dorian, think about what we talked about.
Dorian: I will. Bye.
Viki: Bye.
Viki: Hi, Dorian. Did you come to get Starr?
Dorian: Hi, yes, Blair and David had a magazine emergency so I was sent to get her.
Viki: Come in. (yells up the stairs) Starr, your Aunt Dorian is here.
Starr: I'll be down in a minute.
Viki: Let's go sit down. (They go into the living room.) How can a teen magazine have an emergency?
Dorian: Something about advertising. Apparently, Kevin insulted one of the advertisers and David and Blair went to smooth it over.
Viki (decides to change the subject at the mention of Kevin's name): Doesn't Hedy have the week off?
Dorian: Yes.
Viki: So where is Jack?
Dorian: He's at home. Cassie, River, and Adriana are there.
Viki: How is Adriana?
Dorian: She's okay. She's still a little scared but she's surrounded by security. She'll feel a lot better after her father is caught.
Viki: What does she know?
Dorian: Only that her father is dangerous. I don't want to scare her with too many details. Are you feeling okay? You look tired.
Viki: I have good days and bad days. This is an okay day.
Dorian: Starr wasn't any trouble was she? Maybe she shouldn't spend the night anymore until after the transplant.
Viki: No, Starr was fine. She was a perfect angel. She spent most of the evening telling me how cool Adriana is.
Dorian: Starr was an angel? Is she sick?
Viki (laughs): Apparently, you and Blair and Todd all gave her lectures on how sick I was and told her not to upset me.
Dorian: I do not lecture. I inform people of the facts and the best way to deal with said facts.
Viki: Well then, let me inform you of some facts and the best way to deal with them.
Dorian: What?
Viki: You do have to tell your family at some point that you are pregnant. I'm surprised they haven't noticed already. Your face is fuller, your belly is very round, and you keep touching it.
Dorian: I've turned into to an annoying belly rubber? Shoot me now. How do you know I haven't already told them?
Viki: Because Starr hasn't said anything about it. And don't worry. You are not an annoying belly rubber. You're much more discreet.
Dorian: Thank, God. I'm going to tell my family, but not yet.
Viki: Why not?
Dorian: Because I'm enjoying being pregnant. Once I tell them, that all goes away.
Viki: Why do you think that? I'm sure they'll be happy for you.
Dorian: No, they won't. Kelly will be upset because she lost her baby and can't have anymore so she'll tell me how unfair it is. Blair will be upset that I'm having a baby with David even though she trusts David completely with Jack and Starr now. And Cassie will be upset that I'm having a baby because I'm a horrible mother.
Viki: Okay, first of all, you are not a horrible mother. And Cassie doesn't think that. She understands why you couldn't raise her. Especially, after everything that happened in Canton.
Dorian: That was before Adriana.
Viki: So tell her the truth. If you had known Adriana was yours would you have kept her?
Dorian: Yes, I had every intention of keeping her.
Viki: Okay then. But even if you weren't going to keep her that doesn't make you a bad mother. You were raped.
Dorian: But that had nothing to do with Adriana. I understand why people who are raped terminate their pregnancies or put their babies up for adoption but that wasn't an option for me.
Viki: Why not?
Dorian: Because my mother was a monster and I'd never want anyone to judge me based on who she was. How could I judge my baby on who it's father was? And after missing out on seeing Cassie grow up I didn't want to miss out on Adriana's childhood.
Viki: I still think you are underestimating your family but it's your choice. Don't you think any of them might be happy for you?
Dorian: Adriana and River might be.
Viki: So tell them first and then go from there.
Dorian: I will soon. I just want to enjoy it a little longer.
Starr (opens the door): Why couldn't mom come to get me?
Dorian: It's nice to see you too Starr. I'm fine, thank you for asking. How are you?
Starr: What? Oh, fine. Where's mom?
Dorian: She's at work.
Starr: Then why couldn't I just stay here?
Dorian: Your Aunt Viki needs her rest.
Starr: But I don't want to go home. It's like a fortress there. I'm not even allowed to go outside without a guard.
Dorian: Viki, do you have any crackers? My stomach is a little upset. (She rubs her swollen belly)
Viki: Sure, I'll be right back.
Dorian: Okay, what's the real story?
Starr: What do you mean?
Dorian: You've been telling Matthew how cool it is to have your own bodyguard. So what's really going on?
Starr: I lost Harold.
Dorian: You lost Harold? Here? Why did you bring him here?
Starr: He's been acting funny. I think he's sick. So I brought him here so he wouldn't miss me.
Dorian: And your Aunt Viki has no idea he's here?
Starr: No. Aunt Viki hates snakes.
Dorian: When's the last time you saw him?
Starr: About an hour ago. He was in a shoebox in my room. We have to find him.
Dorian: Okay, you go look for him. I'll stall for time.
Starr: Why are you helping me?
Dorian: We Cramer women have to stick together. Besides, your Aunt Viki doesn't understand snakes like we do. I don't want to upset her.
All of the sudden there is a scream.
Starr: I think Aunt Viki found Harold.
Starr and Dorian run into the kitchen. Viki is standing on a chair.
Dorian: I see you've met Harold. (She reaches down and picks him up.) Starr why don't you go put Harold in his box.
Starr: Okay. That's a good idea. (She runs out.)
Viki: Harold? You just picked up a snake. Ugh. How can you live with them?
Dorian: When my mom used to lock me in the shed the only thing for me to talk to was the snakes. Sometimes she'd leave me in there for hours so I bonded with them.
Viki: I guess that's where Starr gets it from. And to think I always blamed Todd. Here are your crackers.
Dorian: Oh, thanks. (She takes a bite for show.)
Starr: I'm ready to go Aunt Dorian.
Dorian: And?
Starr: And what?
Dorian: Isn't there something you need to tell your Aunt Viki?
Starr: Thanks for inviting me. I had a great time.
Viki: You're welcome.
Dorian: And?
Starr: Oh, I'm sorry about Harold and I won't bring another snake.
Viki: I appreciate that. Dorian, think about what we talked about.
Dorian: I will. Bye.
Viki: Bye.