Thanks for the review.
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New York, World Financial Center, 10:30am
Jagger: *writing*
Bob: *knocks on frame* They gave you your own office, I see.
Jagger: *lifts head*
Bob: *smiles*
Jagger: *stands, walks around desk* What are you doing here?
Bob: Oh there's a convention downstairs that I was invited to.
Jagger: *nods*
Bob: *looks around* I guess April hired you.
Jagger: LSF seems to be in the habit of hiring people who were fired from APL.
Bob: I hope there's no hard feelings about that.
Jagger: Of course not. I needed help and...it was a push in the right direction.
Bob: So you're clean.
Jagger: As the very shirt I'm wearing.
Bob: You look good. *tilts head* Very good.
Jagger: *frowns*
Bob: *steps back* Well I just heard you were here and I wanted to stop by and say...hey.
Jagger: Hey.
Bob: *scratches head* ...Your office has a nice view.
Jagger: *looks out window* Yeah, it's always great to look at...pigeon shit.
Bob: You know, some cultures consider pigeons a delicacy.
Jagger: *crosses arms*
Bob: Uh...I'll get back to the convention. It was good to see you.
Jagger: Bye.
Bob: *turns around, walks away*
Jagger: *shakes head*
Upstate New York, cabin
Lori: *sips cocoa*
Scott: *opens newspaper*
Lori: *leans back in chair, crosses legs*
Scott: *flips page*
Lori: Did you ever run away from home?
Scott: *smirks*
Lori: *smiles* You did.
Scott: Once.
Lori: *sits up, places cup on table* Where did you go?
Scott: Jersey.
Lori: How come you left?
Scott: I was angry with my home life so I decided to leave.
Lori: How long were you gone?
Scott: Two weeks.
Lori: *lifts brows*
Scott: *lifts eyes* I don't know what's worse. The fact that I left or the fact that nobody noticed.
Lori: What the hell did you do for that long?
Scott: I stayed in a motel.
Lori: So you had money. *shakes head* That's not running away.
Scott: *smiles* You've done better?
Lori: I once escaped from a drug lord in the Baudo Mountains.
Scott: Did he find you?
Lori: He knew where I was the whole time. He waited for me.
Scott: What happened?
Lori: I got dope sick and he brought me home.
Scott: ...Home.
Lori: The camp. It's how they controlled the girls. There were no fences, no money, no motels. Just fear and very little hope. *lowers head* The one who waited for me...he was one of the nice ones.
Scott: *lifts brow* There were nice ones?
Lori: You have to understand...compassion was another form of control.
Scott: It's not fair. I left because I was a stupid, rich teenager who hated his parents. You ran because of instinct.
Lori: We all have our reasons. It just goes to show that most kids are the same, no matter their circumstance.
Scott: I don't want you to take this the wrong way but...how do you sleep at night?
Lori: *smiles* Very well.
Scott: Why?
Lori: I have a great life. I love my life.
Scott: *nods*
Lori: Sometimes you just have to...stop being angry with the world.
Scott: *lifts eyes*
Lori: Let it go.
Scott: *stares at Lori*
Lori: I have.
Scott: I'm happy for you.
Lori: *lifts cup* Cocoa?
Scott: *smirks*
Miami, condo, 1pm
Katie: *holds side, winces*
Speed: Sit.
Katie: *sits on couch* Ugh.
Speed: You okay?
Katie: *closes eyes* Yeah.
Speed: *sits on couch* You're doing well.
Anni: *walks over* You've done a lot of healing, Katie.
Katie: I can barely move and you think I'm doing well.
Anni: Things could be worse.
Katie: Aren't you supposed to be at work or something? *shoves pill into mouth*
Anni: I'm off today. *smiles* Tom's got the kids. *sigh* He's so great with kids.
Speed: *looks at Anni*
Anni: *smile fades* But that has nothing to do with how great Katie's doing. Look at you! *pinches Katie's cheeks* You can walk all by yourself.
Katie: I'm going to punch you in the face.
Anni: Grumpy, isn't she.
Speed: Maybe something to drink would help.
Katie: Bourbon. Straight.
Speed: Water.
Anni: *stands, walks away*
Katie: You're a killjoy, you know that?
Speed: We haven't had a chance to speak much over the past few months.
Katie: So?
Speed: I want to know why you did it.
Katie: Did what?
Anni: *walks over, gives bottle to Katie*
Speed: You didn't fall off your balcony, Katie.
Katie: *twists off cap* I don't remember anything. I already told the doctors, I told Anni and now I'm telling you. Why can't you people just leave it alone already?
Anni: *sits* We're worried about you. You had a lot of alcohol in your system that night.
Katie: Big surprise. I hate my life.
Speed: Enough to end it?
Katie: No. *leans back on couch* So that's that. Do you still expect me to get a job in this condition or can someone provide me with a place to stay?
Speed: You can stay here until you're well enough to work.
Katie: No thanks.
Speed: There aren't many options for you, Katie, especially since you're demanding a place to stay.
Katie: Then I don't want a place to stay. I'll go sleep on the sidewalk.
Speed: Don't be ridiculous.
Katie: *rubs forehead* Y'all get angry that you have to look after me and then you offer to look after me. I'm not sure I understand it.
Speed: *looks at Anni*
Anni: *shakes head*
Speed: This is my choice.
Katie: You'll regret it.
Speed: Maybe. But you're not physically capable of caring for yourself at the moment.
Katie: Yes I am. *leans forward, grabs for remote* AH! *holds side*
Speed: You need some more time.
Katie: *leans back*
Speed: After you get on your feet, we can part ways. Sound like a deal?
Katie: *lies on couch* I guess.
Anni: You'll be better before you know it.
Katie: *closes eyes* Whatever you say.
Speed: Maybe we should give her some space.
Anni: Yeah.
Kitchen
Speed: *leans against counter* You think this is a bad idea.
Anni: I do. But...where's she going to go?
Speed: *runs hand through hair* I keep hoping she didn't do all of this on purpose.
Anni: If she did, she needs more help than we thought.
TBC........................
