Thanks for the reviews.
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Atlanta, campground, 8:25am
Tom: *lights cigarette*
Lori: *walks outside* Hey.
Tom: *looks at Lori*
Lori: Thought you quit.
Tom: I'm not allowed to have heroin so leave me alone.
Lori: *slaps Tom's arm*
Tom: Ow.
Lori: *walks down steps* Steph's still asleep. Figured I'd let her sleep in.
Tom: *nods*
Lori: *looks around* There's another reason I wanted you here.
Tom: What's that? *blows smoke*
Lori: *zips up jacket* Steph needs you.
Tom: *looks at Lori*
Lori: She needs to know that not all men will let her down.
Tom: *stares at Lori*
Lori: *lowers head* I don't want her to grow up with as much anger and hate that I had.
Tom: *wraps arm around Lori*
Lori: My kids were supposed to have the perfect childhood. That's how it seemed when Scott and I married. He was going to go to work, I was going to stay home and the kids would have everything they needed. Plain and simple.
Tom: Lori...it's my experience that when someone like Scott seemingly develops the type of drug problem he had...that was never the beginning of it. I think he got clean before you first met him.
Lori: *shakes head* No. No he was perfect. He's the one who helped
me stay clean
.
Tom: You met him at a rehab, sweetie.
Lori: It was combined with a psych facility.
Tom: Maybe you should talk to him about it. See what he says now.
Lori: *sigh*
Tom: Why don't we get back inside. *throws cigarette butt*
Lori: Yeah.
Inside Hummerhome
Steph: *dumps marshmellows into cup*
Lori: *steps over* Hey, you're up.
Steph: Yup. Where's the pancakes?
Lori: I'll make them right now.
Steph: Can I help?
Lori: *smiles* Sure.
Steph: YAY! *grabs apron from stove*
Gables Estates, house, 9am
Dominick: *sits on floor, dumps Legos*
Scott: *walks over, sits* What are you up to?
Dominick: Building.
Scott: Need any help?
Dominick: Nope. *snaps Legos together*
Scott: ...You want to play some soccer?
Dominick: Nope.
Scott: *scratches head* Want to eat junk food?
Dominick: *lifts eyes*
Scott: Why don't I take you...anywhere you want to go.
Dominick: I wanna go see Mommy.
Scott: *sigh* She's on vacation.
Dominick: *frowns, throws Legos at Scott*
Scott: *stares at Dominick*
Dominick: *kicking Scott's legs*
Scott: *grabs Dominick by the neck*
Dominick: *blinks*
Scott: Sit down, you little
shit.
Dominick: *sits*
Scott: Don't you ever throw anything at me again. You understand?
Dominick: *nods*
APL Financial Miami, 48th floor
Tia: *steps in, shuts door*
Bob: *lifts head* You.
Tia: Me.
Bob: *stands, places hands on desk* So what are you going to do? Kill me?
Tia: I should be. You were the one who got me put away.
Bob: You broke the law.
Tia: *smiles* Haven't we all done some things that were frowned upon?
Bob: *shrugs* Sure. I stole my dad's beamer when I was 15. But I was a kid. I wasn't out to ruin people's lives.
Tia: You must feel so proud that you were able to take Scott's job from him.
Bob: Scott relinquished his position willingly.
Tia: I'm confused. He was removed from your board.
Bob: Yes he was. But that's not the issue. You're pissed at him because he figured you out and now that you're not getting the satisfaction you want from the rumors you spread to the media, you want to continue blackmailing him. I think you've done a number on his reputation as it is, why don't you just go home.
Tia: I'm not finished destroying him. But that's not why I'm here. I'm sure your foreign partners would love to know they're trusting their money to a homosexual.
Bob: *stares at Tia*
Tia: I think that's still banned in some countries.
Bob: I've never lied about who I am.
Tia: But you haven't advertised it either. Don't ask, don't tell, right?
Bob: This is the 21st century. If I stand to lose any clients at all, it won't put a dent in this company.
Tia: *smiles* The compromising photos might. *places folder onto desk*
Bob: *looks at folder* Is this another one of your games?
Tia: Not at all. Josh Speedle. Ring a bell?
Bob: *lifts eyes*
Tia: Or how about Lori Speedle. *smiles* Right, Lori
Finch. So not only do you swing both ways but you slept with two people from the same family and your boss' wife.
Bob: *opens folder, looks down*
Tia: I personally find them inspiring but the public might not.
Bob: *closes folder* What do you want.
Tia: I want to be a partner.
Bob: That's ridiculous. The most business experience you have is whether or not to wear underwear on your dates.
Tia: With that Japanese company out of the way, there's an opening.
Bob: Scott's the primary owner, he'll never agree to it.
Tia: So don't tell him. Put down a different name.
Bob: *stares at Tia*
Tia: Alright. *takes folder* I guess your life will be getting more complicated. *turns around, walks over to door*
Bob: *lowers head* Wait.
Tia: *looks back*
Bob: ...A contract as a third-party owner and this goes away?
Tia: As if it never happened. I'll get you the originals and you can burn them yourself.
Bob: How do I know they're really the originals?
Tia: We both want something. Let's be reasonable.
Bob: You've screwed over every other man. Why would I be any different?
Tia: I like you.
Bob: Somehow that doesn't entirely convince me of your credibility.
Tia: *walks over* You don't have to trust me but you have a lot to lose if you reject my offer.
Bob: Welcome to the APL family. *extends hand*
Tia: *smiles, grabs Bob's hand*
TBC..........................................
