Passions Season 10, Episode 2:
The Picnic at Harmony Heights
Note: A correction from Episode 1. As someone pointed out to me, in the last episode, I referenced Julian wanting to see his god-daughter Jane, who he recently found out wasn't his biological child. This should of course read his god-son Ethan, who he thought was his son. Sorry for the mistake.
SCENE: The show opens with Pilar, Ivy, and Eve setting up a buffet table full of food. There are several extras roaming around in the background, helping with the preparations by hanging banners, setting up a donations table for charity, etc.
IVY: Pilar, did you happen to notice where I put those hotdog buns?
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: I can help you with that! (An arm extends across the screen, giving Ivy the hotdog buns. The voice sounds strange, but Ivy keeps working without looking up.)
IVY: Oh, why thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED VOICE: Don't mention it. (This time the voice is familiar.)
IVY: Fancy! (The camera pans out to reveal that Fancy and Luis have returned from their honeymoon just in time for the picnic.) Oh Fancy, you're home!
PILAR: (Coming over to greet them.) Luis, welcome home son! (Everyone hugs and says hello.) I am so glad you were both able to make it back for the picnic.
LUIS: Are you kidding? When you told me about it, I told Fancy I wouldn't miss it for the world!
PILAR: Mm-hmm. So you're telling me you wouldn't have rather spent more time in Hawaii with your beautiful new wife?
LUIS: Well…(Luis looks down at the ground sheepishly, knowing he was just busted.)
FANCY: Hawaii was fantastic, but from what Luis tells me about Harmony, this event pretty much marks a return to the good old days. And after all, Hawaii was fun to visit, but Harmony is our home.
IVY: (She looks at her daughter proudly and gives her a half-hug, slipping one arm around Fancy's back.) Oh sweetie! I'm not buying it any more than Pilar did. (Everyone laughs.)
EVE: Say Luis, would you mind giving me a hand starting the charcoal on the grill? Julian and Sam seem to have conveniently disappeared on me.
LUIS: No problem! (They head off together. Meanwhile, Ivy and Fancy step over to the side for a private chat.)
IVY: You look positively radiant, my dear.
FANCY: I never knew life could be this amazing, mother.
IVY: It can be, when you are with the right person.
FANCY: You know, I'm so glad you and Sam were able to find each other again, after all these years.
IVY: Yes, it did take quite a lot before Sam and I had our second chance. But if it is true love, then is worth fighting for, and waiting for. Just look at you and Luis. I had to fight my demon Crane in the form of Alister and you had to fight yours in the form of…
FANCY: Aunt Sheridan! (Interrupting her mother and finishing her sentence for her. Ivy turns around to look in the direction Fancy is facing in time to see Sheridan and Antonio returning, greeting Pilar with hugs and kisses.) Speak of the devil.
IVY: Just remember who won in the end. Luis put a wedding ring on your finger, not hers. You're the one carrying his child. Besides, Antonio appears to be a rather effective…shall we say, distraction, for her. At least for the moment.
FANCY: But mother, I still don't trust her.
IVY: Well who could blame you? Not after everything she put you through.
FANCY: God, you know, sometimes it's just so hard to believe how much she changed. I know I didn't get to see her terribly often, but when we did, we got along so well. She always seemed like such a sweet and caring aunt. And then everyone in Harmony seemed positively in love with her. Sweet little Sheridan. Perfect little Sheridan. Such a good soul. So loving, so gentle. How does someone like that turn into such a raving, evil-minded lunatic?
IVY: Well I'm certainly not going to defend her, but I must admit, I shudder to think of some of the stunts I pulled all in an effort to win Sam back from Grace.
FANCY: (Upon hearing the guilt in her mother's voice, Fancy stops looking over at Sheridan and turns around to face Ivy once more.) But mother, surely nothing you did could compare with Aunt Sheridan's tactics. I mean, my God, let's not forget that the woman did try to kill Luis' own sister in a deranged attempt to save Luis' life. And that was only because she wanted him all to herself. Because she was worried about *her* pain, not *his.*
IVY: Well, as I said, I have no intention of defending her. And I don't wish to compare myself to her. Not now, not on such a beautiful day. But now that I think of it, I would say this. Watch her very, very closely my dear. Don't let your guard down, at least not completely.
FANCY: But I thought you just said that I shouldn't worry. That I had won.
IVY: And you have. But then, so had Grace, and I had no intention of letting that stop me. You shouldn't let your fears of Sheridan ruin your life, no. But don't underestimate her either. Remember, keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. (Fancy turns back around to look at Sheridan. Ivy pats her daughter on the back for a moment, then walks away.)
SCENE: We are still at the picnic, but now we visit with Pilar, Sheridan, and Antonio, joining in on their conversation.
PILAR: Well, I'm certainly delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful trip.
ANTONIO: Mama, we really did. And you should've seen miss Sheridan here with a fishing pole. All the little fishes better watch out for this one, I'm telling you!
SHERIDAN: Oh stop teasing me! So I snapped a few lines. Those fish were strong.
ANTONIO: That's true. That's true. You know, sometimes guppies can be that way.
SHERIDAN: (Rolling her eyes.) Come on now. You know very well they weren't guppies. (Sheridan and Antonio are hugging now and laughing like little children. They appear to have forgotten that Pilar is anywhere around. Pilar can see this, and she looks amazed at how happy they are together, how close they've grown in such a short span of time. Sheridan is first to notice Pilar's stare and she tones down her giddy demeanor somewhat.) But the best thing was getting to meet Antonio's friends, Timmy and Laura. Such a shame they had to be over in Ireland back when I was on the island as Diana.
ANTONIO: Yeah, they really are the best aren't they? You'd love 'em too, mama. Such a loving couple, and married for well over 40 years now. What a wonderful example of love and commitment they are. I sure hope we can make it back to the island when they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
SHERIDAN: We'll certainly try our best. (Everyone falls silent for a moment.)
ANTONIO: So is Luis back from Hawaii yet? I didn't get much of a chance to talk to him after the wedding and before we all left on our trips.
PILAR: Sure. He's right over there helping Dr. Russell start the grill. (Pilar points out where they are.)
ANTONIO: I think I'll go see if maybe I can give them a hand. If that's all right with you? (He looks at Sheridan.)
SHERIDAN: I'll be here. (Sheridan and Antonio share a light but clearly affectionate kiss, then Antonio walks away.)
PILAR: It seems as though the two of you had a lovely time over the past two weeks. But are you sure you wouldn't like to go say hi to Luis yourself?
SHERIDAN: (Biting her lip and looking down.) Boy, that was subtle.
PILAR: I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It's just that…
SHERIDAN: (Cutting her off.) It's just that you're worried about your sons. Both of them. You don't want to see me hurt Luis anymore by trying to wreck his marriage with Fancy. And you don't want to see me break Antonio's heart by being unable to get over Luis.
PILAR: I can tell that you have some genuine feelings for Antonio, but yes, I do still have some lingering concerns.
SHERIDAN: Can I be honest with you?
PILAR: Of course, Sheridan. Despite everything that has happened, I still think of you as another one of my daughters. And if things really go well with you and Antonio, you just might become one of them after all.
SHERIDAN: Pilar, I can honestly say that I've never felt so open and so free as during the past two weeks when I was with Antonio. The only time in my life that I can recall feeling half as happy was when I was on the island with him to begin with.
PILAR: Do you really think you're starting to move on from Luis? I mean, I know you and Antonio once shared a great love, but it wasn't too long ago that I feared for your sanity as you had to watch Luis marry Fancy.
SHERIDAN: I know. And I remember that all too well. It's strange, though. It's like…well…like I wasn't myself back then. Like I haven't been myself for a long, long time. In fact, it feels as though my whole life with Luis was just something fabricated. Like there was some strange force holding us together. Oh don't get me wrong. He's a wonderful man. He's a great father to little Marty, a dedicated police officer, just a very fine human being any way you look at it. But nothing I've ever felt for Luis, even after all these years, compares to what I've been feeling for Antonio in only two weeks' time.
PILAR: I hope you truly mean what you are saying.
SHERIDAN: I do, Pilar. I really do.
PILAR: (She looks as though she is about to cry.) In that case, welcome back, my dear. Oh it is so good to see the real Sheridan Crane return! The one that we all know and love! (Tabitha enters the scene in a 50's style dress and a picnic basket on her arm.)
TABITHA: I hope you don't mind me interrupting, but I just wanted to see if there was anything I might be able to do to help out? Especially since the event is for charity and all!
SHERIDAN: Don't be ridiculous. You aren't interrupting in the least. In fact, I think I should go and check on Antonio anyway, if you'll excuse me.
PILAR: Actually, it is great to see you here, Tabitha. I always wondered why you never attended some of the community functions in the past. Especially since you were such a long time resident and all.
TABITHA: I haven't attended very many functions? (Tabitha seems surprised by the recollection, as if it doesn't square with her memories.) Well, we'll just have to fix that right away! As my dear mother always said, do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. (She begins to unpack her basket, pulling out tons of cupcakes and cakes, all extremely ornate and unbelievably well decorated.)
PILAR: Oh Tabitha, you really shouldn't have done that. All those cakes had to cost an absolute fortune!
TABITHA: A fortune? Well now I wouldn't say that, dear. I mean, the cost of milk, eggs, and even flour, has risen a bit recently, but even so…
PILAR: Wait a minute. (Pilar interrupts Tabitha). Are you trying to say those are homemade? That you didn't buy those at a bakery?
TABITHA: Oh heavens no! Made from scratch, every last one of them. Oh I hope you don't mind. I just thought a little impromptu bake sale might help to raise some extra money for charity today.
PILAR: Mind? Of course not! Though I don't think you'll be able to get much of a fair price for these, just selling them outright. We might want to consider auctioning them off instead. Let's wait and ask Eve when she finishes the grilling. In the meantime, if you really want to help, you can take around this sign-up sheet to see if anyone here might be interested in volunteering for any of the projects listed.
TABITHA: What a lovely idea! Perhaps I'll sign-up for something myself.
SCENE: Still at the picnic, but as Tabitha leaves, we see that Teenage Endora has tagged along to keep an eye on her mother from a distance. She's hiding in the trees and as she is backing up while her mother passes, she bumps into Esme. Esme is dressed all in black. She has on a short, sexy cocktail dress, which is far more appropriate for a New Year's Eve party than a community picnic. Her shoes are high heels and she has on a small hat with black mesh netting. She is also carrying a bottle of wine.
T. ENDORA: Oh! Pardon me!
ESME: Don't give it a second thought. The whole world is out to run me down, so your little transgression hardly matters. (She takes a swig from the bottle and stumbles a bit.)
T. ENDORA: Yes, well. I'm sorry nonetheless. Listen. Are you all right?
ESME: Hardly. I mean, would you be all right if every single one of your lovers had just been viciously murdered? And then, you found out the murderer had been your very own niece, no less! Oh woe is me. Woe is me. What a burden, to have a malicious killer in our blood line. (She wobbles around, looking for a place to sit, and finally lands clumsily on a bench for a picnic table. After taking a seat, she finally looks up to see who she has been speaking to.) Say, you look familiar. Do I know you from somewhere?
T. ENDORA: (Looking a bit nervous for fear of being found out.) No. No, I hardly think so. I'm new in town.
ESME: Really. Well perhaps we should hit the town together sometime. You know, when my period of mourning passes by. Come to think of it, I have no clue how long you are supposed to mourn when your niece becomes a serial killer and bumps off all your boyfriends. Maybe I should write to Dear Abby for her opinion… Oh, what the hey, if you have a glass, why not join me now? (Esme reaches the bottle out to T. Endora, who politely declines with a wave of her hand.) Then again, you look as though you might just be underage. How old are you?
T. ENDORA: Oh, actually I'm even younger than I look.
ESME: (With gusto and dramatic flair.) I knew it! I knew it! Here I am, trying to corrupt yet another of our country's innocent youth. Send them down on the path to ruination and damnation. Oh Esme, Esme! Please forgive me. (She latches on to Endora's arm and Endora anxiously struggles to get away.)
T. ENDORA: Actually, if you'll excuse me, I really must be going now. (But Esme won't relinquish her arm. Exasperated, Endora makes a decision.) Oh well, she's so drunk, who will believe her anyway? (She pops herself out of Esme's arms so she can continue following Tabitha.)
ESME: (First she shakes the wine bottle and blinks as if she can't believe her eyes. Then, she shrugs it off.) Oh well, it isn't like I haven't met witches before. I just didn't know Harmony had so many of them. Maybe I should go see if Fancy has arrived yet.
SCENE: Still the picnic, but now we see that Ivy has joined Sam as they are enjoying a few chocolate covered strawberries together.
SAM: Open wide. (He holds a strawberry up to her lips and Ivy gingerly takes a bite, holding her hand underneath to catch the juice that falls out.)
IVY: Sam, really, I shouldn't eat any more. Lunch will be ready soon and I don't want to spoil my appetite. Besides, I promised Pilar and Eve I'd help pull my fair share. This is the first of these events I've ever helped out on—well, other than throwing some of Julian's money at them to gain some good press, that is. I just really want to be of some help.
SAM: (Smiling at Ivy's transformation.) Well, it isn't my first rodeo, so to speak. These things are a lot more leisurely than you seem to realize. There's lots of volunteers here. And while I'm sure your efforts are very much appreciated, I think Eve and Pilar can manage without you for a little while. (He leans in to kiss Ivy. When he pulls away, Ivy is still lost in thought with her eyes closed, beaming.) What is it?
IVY: Oh, I was just thinking how much this reminded me of old times. You, me, a picnic in the woods.
SAM: Only this time, we don't have to sneak around. (Sam leans back on one arm and stares lovingly at Ivy.)
IVY: What is it? Do I have something on my face?
SAM: No. No, I was just admiring how beautiful you are today. You have this, well, almost an innocent school girl glow about you. I think you're right. I think this is just like old times!
IVY: Now there's a word I never expected you to use to describe me.
SAM: What word?
IVY: Innocent. Not after everything I did to try and steal you away from Grace.
SAM: Hey, hey. None of that talk. It's all in the past now. I've always been honest with you about my love for Grace. But you know as well as I do, she's gone. Nothing's ever going to bring her back. Not that I want to make it sound like you're my second choice or anything. All I'm trying to say is, sometimes life sends us in directions we don't expect. And though Grace's loss was a tragedy, some good did come of it. It brought me back to you. Ivy, I love you with all of my heart. And over the past few months, I've seen you become the woman I always knew you could be. Kind, caring, loving, giving.
IVY: Oh Sam! (They kiss again.) I only hope I can live up to the faith you've put in me. I so want to be a good wife to you someday.
SAM: You will, Ivy. You will. Maybe someday very soon.
SCENE: Still at the picnic, we return to Eve and Luis, flipping burgers and making small talk. Antonio and Luis are standing nearby, as Julian walks up.
EVE: Just the man I want to see, and just in time to help out with the cooking!
JULIAN: Actually, I was just passing through, dear. (He makes a playful move to leave, but Eve grabs onto his arm.)
EVE: Not so fast. Besides, I'm sure Luis could use a break right about now.
JULIAN: Well, if it is for my new son in law, then… (Julian steps over and takes a metal spatula out of Luis' hand.)
LUIS: Actually, I could stand to go check on mama and maybe find Fancy. (He leaves as Julian and Eve stand at the grill, Julian doing the cooking and Eve with one arm propped lovingly over Julian's shoulder. Antonio and Sheridan are still standing nearby, amused by Julian and Eve's interactions. Antonio taps his brother on the shoulder in a friendly manner as he passes by. But once Luis is gone, Antonio and Sheridan pay no attention to anyone, as they are gathered close together, laughing, kissing, and hugging.)
EVE: (Discreetly looking over at the couple.) Don't look now, but it appears as though Sheridan has finally moved on from Luis.
JULIAN: (Glancing up himself.) Yes, well, it's certainly about time, now isn't it?
EVE: (In a scolding manner.) Julian! Surely you must have some sympathy for everything Luis and Sheridan went through back when they were together. Most of it at the hands of your father. Some of it at your own hands, no less.
JULIAN: Yes. Yes, certainly I do. Believe me when I say I have great remorse for having done any of father's bidding, including trying to keep those two apart for the sake of keeping the family secrets. But, in all honesty, when Fancy fell in love with Luis, well, I hope anyone could understand that I simply had to take her side in the fight. I love my sister dearly and wish her all the happiness in the world. But with Fancy involved…I suppose one's children are always the most important people in one's life when it comes down to it. (Eve is silent, and she shrinks away from Julian a bit. Her face looks clearly upset as Julian looks around at her.) You're thinking about Vincent again, aren't you? Oh Eve, I'm terribly sorry for upsetting you.
EVE: (Snapping out of it.) No, no. It's perfectly all right. And yes, I was thinking about him. I think about him often, even now. My only hope is that he receives the best of care at the mental facility the judge sentenced him to. Then maybe someday, we'll get our son back at long last. (Julian presses her hand in an encouraging manner. Then, the camera pans over past Antonio and Sheridan to reveal Fancy, still in the background and still spying on Sheridan. Someone bumps into her, and we see that it is Esme.)
ESME: (She has spilled some of her wine on the ground, and she is more interested in attending to it, than seeing who she has just run into.) Pardon me, pardon me! I seem to have a unique affinity for running into people today. (Satisfied that she has saved all the wine she can, she reaches up to brush off the stranger she just offended.)
FANCY: (Impatiently.) Esme, it's me!
ESME: Oh Fancy! Why, you're back from Hawaii already?
FANCY: Esme, it's been two weeks, you know?
ESME: Has it really? For some reason I seem to have lost track of time.
FANCY: Yeah, well, I can see why. (Esme makes a motion to take another swig out of the wine bottle, but Fancy grabs it and pours it out.)
ESME: Hey, hey! I'll have you know that was a very expensive bottle of Cabernet you just wasted.
FANCY: Oh Esme, I'll buy you another bottle when you sober up. (Fancy takes a step back to look at her friend.) You know, in like a month or two. In the meantime, I really need your advice, so could you please lay off the sauce for a little while?
ESME: (Trying to focus on Fancy's needs, but clearly having trouble due to her inebriated state.) Of course Fancy, what's up?
FANCY: That's what's up. (She points over at Antonio and Sheridan, who are absolutely lost in each other's arms, sharing a passionate kiss. It's difficult to even tell who they are.)
ESME: (Looking over at the couple.) Oh honey, don't tell me the spice has gone out of your sex life already? Well, that's what marriage does to you, I suppose. Ok, I'll go over and see if they're at all interested in joining you and Luis later on. (Esme takes a wobbly step forward, but Fancy stops her dead in her tracks.)
FANCY: Esme. No! Look, would you just take a good look at who it is!
ESME: (Trying hard to focus her eyes.) Why, it appears to be your Aunt Sheridan. Fancy, in that case I really don't think it's a good idea to have her join in with you and Luis tonight.
FANCY: Eww! Esme, for God's sake! I have no intention of sharing some disgusting swinger party with Aunt Sheridan, or with anyone else for that matter! No, would you just look at what she's doing, please? (Esme focuses her attention on Sheridan once more.)
ESME: Why, she appears to be kissing someone. And very passionately at that. But don't worry. It isn't Luis for a change.
FANCY: Yes, Sheridan has supposedly gone back to Antonio, Luis' brother.
ESME: Aye, yi, yi! I can see the family resemblance. He's quite the hunk of man, just like Luis!
FANCY: Yes, well, that's beside the point. What I'm trying to ask is, what do you think about Aunt Sheridan? Does she really look as though she's into Antonio, or is it all just an act to throw me off? To get me to let my guard down?
ESME: Well, I'm certainly no expert on true love, but just from looking at them, I mean, if I didn't know any better…(Esme is making odd motions with her head and hesitating, which infuriates Fancy.)
FANCY: Esme, will you just spit it out?!?!
ESME: Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd say that right there, is the kiss of true love!
FANCY: (Quietly, more to herself than to Esme.) That's exactly what I was thinking, if I didn't know any better. (Esme stumbles, and Fancy turns around to help steady her. The camera, which had been focused on Fancy and Esme with Antonio and Sheridan all blurry in the foreground, now switches focus onto Antonio and Sheridan, still wrapped up in each other and oblivious of the world around them.)
SCENE: Still the picnic, but we follow Tabitha around as she is hitting up the crowd for volunteer work. T. Endora is following her, keeping a close watch.
TABITHA: Well, what a lovely couple you two make. I bet I know what would make you even closer. How about a nice evening serving the poor at the community soup kitchen? (The teenage couple look at each other, put off by Tabitha's appearance and sugary demeanor, but then they both take the clip board and sign their names.) Ah, yes. And what a good boy you are. (Tabitha pinches the boy's cheek as she says this.) And you, why I'm sure your mother is beaming with pride over such a darling little girl.
BOY: Yeah, uh, don't mention it. (Under his breath to the girl). Let's get out of here.
GIRL: (Under her breath as well.) You said it! I just hope she won't be there the night we volunteer.
TABITHA: God bless you both! (Tabitha shouts after them as they scurry away.) Ah the dears. Now let's see, who haven't I spoken with today? (Tabitha surveys the crowd, most of which is clearly trying to avoid catching her eye.) Ah, there we are. (She heads off after a couple of teenage girls who are walking and having a pleasant chat. T. Endora is about to follow her, but then her cell phone begins to ring.)
T. ENDORA: Hello?
KAYE (ON THE PHONE): Hello? Endora? Where are you? It sounds like a carnival or something.
T. ENDORA: Yeah, sorry. I arranged for the home phone to ring through here, just in case you called. I'm actually at a community picnic, tracking mother.
KAYE: A community picnic? Tabitha? You must be kidding me!
T. ENDORA: It's a long story. Hey. I thought you guys were supposed to be back ages ago because Miguel couldn't get much time off from work.
KAYE: We were. But it seems Maria here had some other ideas. You should have seen us at the amusement park when Maria turned Harvey Hamster into a real hamster.
T. ENDORA: Yikes! I bet that was a real surprise to the guy in the Harvey costume.
KAYE: No kidding! I think things are straightened out now and we should be home soon. But I just wanted to check in and see if you knew anything yet.
T. ENDORA: Not yet. Living with mother these past few weeks has been like being stuck inside Nick at Nite!
KAYE: What?
T. ENDORA: Nevermind. The important thing is, I think it is about time I resort to, well, my last resort. Having a meeting with an old friend of ours.
KAYE: And just who is that?
T. ENDORA: Hecuba.
KAYE: Oh Endora. Are things really all that bad?
T. ENDORA: I'm afraid so. Mother seems to have absolutely no recollection of ever being a witch, or that I'm one either. She's extremely forgetful, and so sugary sweet she could give you a cavity in under a minute. On the upside, it has made it really easy to fool her with the robot of myself as a child and the babysitters that mysteriously show up when they're needed, dressed like Mary Poppins. But I'm just so worried about her health and sanity. She simply isn't the Tabitha that we all know and love.
KAYE: Ok. Ok, if you think it's absolutely necessary. But Endora, please promise me you'll be extremely careful.
T. ENDORA: I will. And with any luck, this will all be straightened out by the time you return home.
SCENE: Still the picnic, but back to Pilar who is welcoming people as they arrive. The picnic is clearly in full swing by now, but we do see a stranger walking up to the table by himself. He is fairly good looking, more rugged than handsome. In his 50's or so. Appears a bit lost, but quite comfortable with himself, even in unfamiliar surroundings. Very laid back and casual. When he speaks, he has a mild, but not overpowering, southern accent.
STRANGER: Hi there. I see you've got quite a party going on here. Good day for it.
PILAR: It certainly is.
STRANGER: Is there anywhere around here get a good bite to eat?
PILAR: I didn't think you sounded as though you were from around here.
STRANGER: No ma'am, I'm certainly not.
PILAR: Well, why don't you join us here? The community picnic will be going on for a couple of more hours. The food is free, but the suggested donation is $10.00, all of which goes to local charities.
STRANGER: Sounds like a deal to me.
PILAR: Do you have hotel reservations?
STRANGER: Don't need 'em. What would you say if I said I'd be staying at the famous, or should I say infamous, Crane Mansion?
PILAR: (With a look of surprise on her face.) Actually, that would come as quite the surprise to me.
STRANGER: (Looking pleased with himself, thinking he has just managed to impress a pretty woman.) Yesiree. Some big wig hired me to work there as a carpenter on some long term projects. Though why on earth a place as gorgeous and expensive as that needs renovations is beyond me. Still, I reckon her money is as good as the next guy's. If she's got it—and I can only imagine how she got it, if you know what I mean—I'll gladly take it!
PILAR: I see. (She looks as though she's still sizing him up, though she is not pleased so far with what she sees.)
STRANGER: Oh where are my manners? Name's Reginald Lawson. But call me Reggie, please. All my friends do.
PILAR: Pilar. Pilar Lopez-Fitzgerald. (They shake hands.)
REGGIE (NEW CHARACTER): Lopez-Fitzgerald. Gee that name sounds familiar. Say, you've never been down to Nashville, Tennessee, now have you?
PILAR: Can't say that I have.
REGGIE: Well, nice to meet you, all the same. Maybe we'll get to be good friends, if this job works out and all. (Pilar smiles lightly and nods her head just once.) Hey, maybe you could even come up to the mansion some time. I mean, if they let me have visitors there and all.
PILAR: Actually, I used to work there.
REGGIE: No kidding! Doing what?
PILAR: I was a maid to the Crane family. Of course, that was before my daughter Theresa inherited the estate.
REGGIE: Your daught…Uh, Theresa's your daughter? (Reggie has the look of a rat who was just caught with the cheese.) Begging your pardon ma'am. In that case, I don't suppose you'd recommend those hotels to me now? I can be on my way in the morning.
PILAR: Mr. Lawson, let me get one thing straight. Despite your crude accusations, I assure you my daughter earned her right to command the Crane estate fair and square. And even though she may have made her fair share of mistakes in the past, she is a woman of excellent character and outstanding morals. The Crane mansion, in fact, is being held in trust for her young son Ethan, who for some unknown reason was chosen by Alister as his sole heir.
REGGIE: Ma'am I…
PILAR: Let me finish! Now if Theresa has chosen you as her carpenter, I have no intention of interfering with that relationship, provided you give me no reason to do so. If I know Theresa, you must be quite good at your craft or you wouldn't have been offered the job. That being said, I fully understand how you might have gotten the wrong impression. The Crane name itself has certainly been sullied over the years and the tabloids have often been, well, let's say they've often been less than kind and terribly unfair to my daughter. Now, in this economy, I have no intention of depriving you of a position which you most likely have earned through your talents and accomplishments. I've certainly been through some hard times myself. However, I suggest you stick to carpentry and leave the gossip and accusations alone. Do we understand each other, Mr. Lawson?
REGGIE: Oh absolutely Ms. Lopez-Fitzgerald. Absolutely. Thank you for giving me another chance. Much obliged ma'am. Much obliged. (Reggie nods his head sheepishly and twists a piece of paper he picked up off the table as he backs away. Meanwhile, Luis steps out of the background and walks over to his mother.)
PILAR: Oh Luis! You startled me, son! (She stands up and smoothes her hair, trying to regain her composure.) As it turns out, I was just chatting with a new carpenter Theresa hired for the mansion.
LUIS: Yeah, I heard. And something tells me I'm going to like him even less than you do! (The camera focuses in on Luis with his arms folded and looking suspiciously after Reggie, kind of like he used to be with Theresa and Ethan.)
Coming up in Episode 3:
Tabitha must make yet another sacrifice.
Fancy sees something shocking at Sheridan's cottage.
One of Harmony's citizens has a health scare, which leads to a shocking revelation.