Friday, April 30, 1999 Michelle walking into her house. Rick is sitting at the table. (Michelle has just come back from Company BUT she is in different clothes .....hmmm wonder what else she carries in that trunk???) Rick: Hey! Where have you been? Michelle: Why? Am I grounded or something. Rick: No, you just missed an all expense paid trip to the mall... that's it... I had some free time. Michelle: Sorry, I had to borrow a book from Bill.... Organic Chemistry. Rick: You're reading books....seriously? Michelle: Yeah..I'm reading books. I got.... I got this number and I called the school and I talked to them about my summer classes and they said I could take up to like 9 credits. Rick: Nine credits.. That's a lot for summer school. Michelle: I know. But I figure if I want to be a doctor then I'm going to have to get used to working under pressure, right? (Right) So, I figured it would be really good for me if I dove into my work and uhhh....you know studying and volunteering at the clinic and labs and.... Rick: (interrupts) ....and doing everything humanly possible to forget Danny.....right? Michelle: No, actually, that's not going to be too hard. Everything that I thought I might have had with him just went out the window when he told me he was leaving. Rick: He's leaving....What.. Michelle: Yeah.. He's going out West to be with his uncle. Rick: You're serious. Michelle: Yeah.. I'm serious. It's over. I'm never going to see him again. Rick: Michelle, all I can say is.....Thank God....You know, maybe now I can go to sleep at night and not worry about waking up in the morning and finding you in some..... (pauses) Michelle: What?? Rick:....finding you in some morgue. Santos Mansion Danny has his bags packed. Dietz walks in front of him and they exchange glances and then Dietz leaves Carmen and Danny alone. Carmen: There you are. You're ready to go? Danny: Yeah. I got what I need for now. I'll send for the rest later. Carmen: I called Fredrico to tell him you were coming and he is very happy. Danny: I'm sure. With four daughters and no sons....I bet this is his lucky day. Carmen: He has always favored you.. You know that, Danny. Danny: Yeah, I'm sure he can't wait to start molding me into his image. Carmen: I told him that you had become your own man... That you're strong...Intelligent Danny: Translation: Obstinate....Dangerous. Carmen: I'm going to miss you. I think this trip will be very good for you. It's exactly what you need. Danny: You think so? Carmen: Yes. It will give you a whole new perspective on things. I believe it's the right thing to do for everyone involved... You, Pilar...even Michelle (there is no way she could say that word any nastier). Danny: (has maintained a sarcastic smile until now....He hits a pad on the desk and points at his mother) I told you. Leave her the hell out of this. Carmen: Do you think it is easy for me sending you off like this. (back to sarcastic "Oh No) My heart is --- Danny: What? You can't even say the words....can you? It might make you appear...human? God help Carmen Santos if she appears human....right? (really sarcastic look). Carmen: God help me is Right. You have no idea what it has taken to keep this family together. You have no idea, what my life has been like since your father passed away. Danny: Murdered, Mother, Papa was murdered. The price of being a member of this family. Carmen: Yes, he was murdered, and as he lay dying in my arms....I made him a solemn promise that I would be BOTH mother and father to you children. And that I would see to it that you would become the man that he wanted you to be. Danny: You think I've become that man? Carmen: Yes. Danny: Hmmm. I'm not so sure. Back to the Bauer Kitchen: Michelle: Rick, my life was never in danger. Rick: (not buying this) Uh..Ah! Michelle: No, listen to me. Danny had control over his mother and knew how to handle her. Rick: That's why you're still alive. Michelle: Yeah, that is why I'm still alive. Not like it matters anymore. I'm relieved, you know, I'm glad that Danny's leaving. It's going to make us both a lot happier. Rick: Ya know, its funny...you don't seem very happy to me. Michelle: Well, at the moment... no, I'm not. But we both talked about it and decided it's the best thing for both of us. I mean, I can go back to school, ya know... and Danny can go back --- Rick: ---to crime. Michelle: Yeah. Fine. Whatever. There was some of that. But you know, so what, maybe I was brainwashed. Maybe the feelings that I was having for him weren't even real at all. Rick: Michelle, it's obvious that you felt something about him. Michelle: I don't know what you want me to say, Rick. Rick: Look, Michelle. All I'm saying is that you don't need to try so hard to convince yourself that you are okay when you're not okay. Michelle: Rick, what do you think? That I want to spend the rest of my life rationalizing the fact that my husband is involved in organized crime....I don't think so.... that's gonna go over real well at the PTA meetings. Rick: Look, Michelle. I'm happy that this relationship is over, but you don't have to pretend that you're okay when you're still¡¦hurting. Michelle: Well, you don't have to pretend that you know what I'm going through...'cause you don't. Rick you have no idea, okay? Rick: You must think that I've lived this sheltered life....my whole life, Michelle, and I haven't. Michelle: I'm just saying that you're not out there like I am, all right. You found your soulmate. Rick: Yeah. I found my soulmate and Abby's the best thing that has ever happened to me. But she's not the first woman that I ever fell in love with. I've been disappointed. I've been hurt before. I mean, I'm the poster boy for the "most dumb guy in Springfield".. it's true. And I got over it. And you will too. Look, you've made a commitment to go to Med School (NOTE: Does it strike anyone else that they have been using the "S" word a bit too much the past few days...hummm???) That's huge. I'm so proud of you. Michelle: (crying) You're proud of me.....really? Rick: You bet I am. And I haven't said this lately, Michelle, but I believe in you. You're going to put this behind you and move on... and when you least expect it.... the RIGHT guy is going to walk through that door. Michelle: Yeah... Maybe. Rick: No, No.no maybe. And you know what? All this pain that you're feeling right now is going to serve you later, because you're going to recognize the right guy when he walks in. Michelle: All right. You're right. I mean you sound right. I know you know what you're talking about. I know what I want...I mean, I know what I want... and it's not Danny Santos. Back to the Santos Mansion: Carmen: Your father was a strong man....a man who spoke his mind. Danny: You mean that he stood up to you, right, that's what you mean. What if I decided not to go to California? Carmen: It's too late. Danny: What if l decide what's best for the Family...what's best for me....is to stay right here. Carmen: This is a wonderful opportunity. Danny: What if I just said, Mother, I'm not going...I'm staying right here? Carmen: You would disappoint your uncle, you would disappoint this family. You, yourself said that this was the right thing to do. Danny: That's right, I did. Carmen: Yes, so you could protect your sister from ME. What is it...have you changed your mind? Danny: There's nothing for me here anymore. Carmen: Yes. There's everything for you here. Danny, this is your home. This is where your family is. Your sister. And this is where I am. Danny: I'm sorry, who...you? (the look of disgust on his face for his mama cannot be described) Carmen: YES! I am still your mother... and I love you....nothing is going to change that. Despite everything I have done and who I have become in the end.....I am your MOTHER first! Danny: (laughs) First after what? Carmen: Don't you understand. What I would do to protect you? Don't you understand this? Even if it means protecting you from yourself. You think it is so easy for me to say goodbye to you .... To send you off like this...I'm doing this for YOU, Daniel...You're the future of this Family. Danny: Nope. Not anymore. I'm not. Carmen: (places her hand on Danny's face) Oh Danny, please. (What) I understand you're anger with me, but please just try...try to understand me....You're my only son...You're all that I have left. Danny: (moves her hands) No...I'm not anymore. You lost me.....Whether I stay or go......You lost me. (turns to leave the room) Carmen: Danny....wait! Danny: (turns back to Carmen) I am my father's son and nobody else's. I AM DEAD TO YOU! Forget me....forget me! (EXITS) Carmen: NO!! (knocks a picture off of an end table with the back of her hand) Bauer Kitchen Rick is looking for something in the drawers. Michelle holds up his keys. Michelle: HELLLOOO...You looking for these? Rick: You found them. (Michelle holds the keys up and runs around the table) Michelle: What do I get for finding them? Rick: Oh please (talking like an Englishman)... You've been playing this stupid game for 10 years. Michelle: (Playfully) Oh well...it doesn't matter...(Rick grabs for keys) What do I get...What do I get... Rick grabs Michelle and gets the keys. Michelle: Ohhh...stop! Rick: You think you could outsmart me? You're supposed to be ...what...some old married woman? Give me a break. Michelle: You bring out the worst in me. Rick: I love pestering you. I love having you here. Michelle: I like having a bossy older brother, anyway. Rick: I like bossing you around. HUGS!!! Rick: AHHHHH, Michelle. I'm glad you're going back to school. I've gotta go back to work. (Kisses on the cheek) Michelle: Bye. Rick: Bye...I love you. Michelle: Love you, too. (Michelle sits down at the kitchen table. There's an envelope in front of her. She pulls something out ... It's THE WEDDING PICTURE>> She SIGHS>>>scene ends as she continues to look at the picture.. AND THE MANNY MUSIC STARTED PLAYING WHEN SHE TOOK IT OUT!! ) Danny in his car...on the car phone. Danny: Yeah...I have one last thing to discuss. Carmen: What is it Danny? Danny: Just because Michelle and I aren't together anymore...don't forget that I have whatever it takes to bring you down if anything ever happens to Michelle. Carmen: You've made that very clear. Danny: Good. So, her continued good health will remain a high priority, understand? Carmen: If I ever see "that girl" again...it would be too soon. I understand. Call me when you get to Federicko's. Carmen puts the phone down...but misses places it back to hang it up. She turns to talk to Dietz who is also in the room. Carmen: I was right. Sending Danny away is not going to be enough. As long as Michelle Bauer is still alive...she's a threat to this family. (The camera is now on Danny, and we can see that he can hear his mother. He has an incredulous look on his face.) Carmen: In order to protect my son...I have to get rid of the problem. Dietz: This is your final decision. Carmen: Yes. Dietz: There is...there is one thing that concerns me. Carmen: What is it? Dietz: It's your son... and his reaction. Carmen: My son has said to me that he is not my son anymore.. so, I don't care about his reaction. I just want to make sure that this "little endeavor" is tastefully done. Dietz: It will be tasteful, Mrs. Santos. Tasteful, discreet, and permanent. Carmen: Now. Dietz: Excuse me? Carmen: We're going to finish this.. now! Back to Danny's car---- Danny: Like HELL you are... Danny turns the car around in a rush...the tires, they are squealing!!! Bauer Kitchen: Michelle has the picture in the envelope in her hand. She writes a note to Abby (and Rick) saying that she will be back soon. She grabs her keys and is heading out the door. (My impression was that she was going back to Company) BUT the phone rings and she stops to answer it. Michelle: Hello. Bauer Residence. This is Michelle. Carmen: It's Carmen Santos. Michelle: Hello. Yes? Carmen: Have I caught you at a bad time? Michelle: For what? Carmen: Well, if you're having dinner with your family... I can always call back. Michelle: No, I'm alone...what is it that you want? Carmen: It isn't what I want, Michelle... It never is... It's Daniel again... Michelle: What about Danny? Carmen: He asked me to call you on his behalf. He wants you to come see him here at the house. Michelle: Oh...Why? Carmen: I don't know why. He said he needed to see you. Michelle: So, why didn't he call me himself. Carmen: (impatient) Look Michelle. I don't have time for this. Daniel called me from his car phone. He asked me to get in touch with you. I was about to say NO when the line started to break up. I tried to reach him...but I couldn't. So, I have no idea what he wanted to ask you... and frankly...I DON'T CARE. Michelle: All right...why don't you tell him that I'm on my way. Carmen gives a "mission accomplished" look to Dietz. Danny's car---- Danny is on the car phone. No answer. Danny: DAMN IT, MICHELLE... WHERE ARE YOU? WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? Danny presses harder on the accelerator. As he looks ahead he has a flashback....to his conversation the other day at the park. Michelle: I guess I had this foolish, romantic idea, I suppose, that there was something good in you.. (Well) ...that my feelings, or whatever I was starting to develop...might actually provide for a way out... Danny: What...SAVE me? You thought you could save me? Get over yourself. I don't want to be saved. Santos Mansion Dietz escorts Michelle into the room and then remain standing on the top step. Carmen is behind the desk. Carmen: How have you been this evening, Michelle? Michelle: Ummm...where's Danny? Carmen: You haven't answered my question. Michelle: Oh..hum...I'm sorry...I'm fine, thank you, how are you? Where's Danny? (Michelle is getting very nervous...looking over her shoulder towards Dietz) Carmen: It always amazes me...you're lack of respect for your mother-in-law. (to Dietz) I gave her the most beautiful wedding, didn't I Dietz? And I also gave you my two sons, one of whom is dead now. Michelle: Mrs. Santos, I thought we had gotten past all of this. Carmen: I know what you thought. (Michelle is EXTREMELY nervous) Michelle: You said that Danny wanted to see me. Carmen: Yes I did. Michelle: Okay...so where is he? Carmen: (menacing smile) I have no idea. Michelle: Allright...hummmm...I really don't know what's going on here...but you said Danny called from the road...so when ...when do you expect him. Carmen: I don't. Michelle: You don't? Carmen: (stands) It's just you and me, Michelle. Judgement Day ....at last. (It seems that Michelle now realizes what is happening). Back to Danny in the car. Danny is trying to get his jacket off while driving at break-neck speed. Danny: Ahhhhh....I promised nothing would happen to you...C'mon...15 minutes...I'll be there.... An oncoming truck's lights blind him..."HEY" Tries to put on the brakes...loses control...car spins and turns over. Danny has a huge wound in the center of his forehead....blood is streaming down his face.