Thanks so much for the reviews.
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Gables Estates, house, 6pm
Lori: *chops vegatables*
Scott: *flips steak*
Lori: *looks at Scott*
Scott: *glances at Lori*
Lori: *looks down at counter*
Scott: Have you thought about whether or not you're going to date?
Lori: *blinks* ...Have you?
Scott: *shrugs*
Lori: *looks at Scott*
Scott: *looks at Lori*
Lori: ...You don't have to leave...so soon, right?
Scott: ...It's Friday.
Lori: *smiles* I LOVE Fridays! *wraps arms around Scott*
Scott: *smiles*
Lori: *lets go, turns around*
Scott: *picks up fork*
Lori: Okay. *drops knife onto counter* I don't want this.
Scott: *looks over* ...We can have potatoes instead.
Lori: No, not the vegetables. The separation. I'm sorry, I can't do it. I can't lose you.
Scott: Lori, you won't lose me. I'll be here on the weekends.
Lori: *shakes head* I'm not doing it. You're not leaving.
Scott: We both agreed to this.
Lori: I know but I've thought about this more and I saw how upset Steph was this morning and I just can't go through with it.
Scott: *nods*
Lori: Can you?
Scott: *stares at Lori* ...Yes.
Lori: ...Why don't you want me anymore?
Scott: *looks down at frying pan, flips steak*
Lori: *sigh* Talk to me, Scott.
Scott: You want yours medium-rare?
Lori: *places hand on Scott's back* Sure.
Scott: *nods*
Dining room
Steph: *drinks juice*
Dominick: *eats peas*
Scott: *staring at plate*
Lori: You okay?
Scott: Excuse me. I'll be right back. *stands, walks away*
Lori: *shakes head*
Steph: Momma are we gonna watch a movie tonight with Daddy?
Lori: *smiles* Sure. You can pick it.
Steph: *smiles*
Bathroom, 8pm
Lori: *steps in*
Scott: *takes off tie*
Lori: Ready for the movie?
Scott: You know it.
Lori: *glances at garbage can* ...*leans over* I thought you just got that prescription filled.
Scott: That's an old one.
Lori: *reaches into can, picks up bottle* ...It's dated a week ago. And this isn't your doctor's name.
Scott: Yeah I have a doctor in New York too. I keep extras in my suitcase.
Lori: Wow. That was 3 lies in less than 10 seconds.
Scott: *looks at Lori*
Lori: New record.
Scott: I'll be downstairs. *walks away*
Lori: *sigh*
New York, condo, 3 days later
Bob: *walks in* Scotty! *claps* Time to get going!
Scott: *walks down hallway, scratches head* What time is it?
Bob: Time for you to get dressed. We've got a lunch with the mayor.
Scott: *looks at watch*
Bob: You feeling alright? It looks like you ate a bunch of cigarettes.
Scott: I don't think I'm going to make the lunch. Give my best to the mayor.
Bob: *laughs* Oh no. I had to go with you last week to the police chief's daughter's sweet 16. There's no way you're ditching me with the mayor.
Scott: Alright fine but give me a minute to get ready. *walks into bathroom*
Bob: *looks at watch*
35 minutes later
Bob: *staring at watch* Aaand 2,103 seconds. Scotty!
Scott: *steps out of bathroom*
Bob: What were you doing in there, applying makeup? You're worse than my ex-wife.
Scott: We can go.
Bob: Perfect.
Restaurant, 1pm
Mayor: *drinks wine* So Scott, tell me about your new project. Robert's been telling me about the charity you wanted to set up.
Scott: *staring at plate*
Mayor: ...Scott.
Bob: *elbows Scott*
Scott: *lifts eyes* The charity's going to be for underprivelaged teens in an effort to help them escape and prevent gang activity.
Mayor: How how do you think throwing money at the problem is going to help fix it?
Scott: The money would be used to help them and their families enter support groups of which need to be funded.
Mayor: Right. Well I think it's very ambitious.
Scott: *nods*
Mayor: *looks at Bob* How will APL be contributing?
Bob: We'll be setting up the charity events.
Mayor: *looks at Scott*
Scott: *rubs eyes*
Mayor: Perhaps we should cut our lunch short.
Bob: Something wrong?
Mayor: Mister Finch appears ill.
Bob: *looks at Scott*
Scott: I'm fine, really. Just a long night last night.
Bob: And by long night, he means long...
flight.
Scott: Yeah, that.
Bob: *laughs* It's not like he was out partying or anything. That's just not our Scotty, is it.
Scott: Not at all.
Mayor: *nods slowly* Well. I look forward to meeting with you two gentlemen again. *stands*
Bob: *stands, extends hand* This was fun.
Mayor: *grabs Bob's hand* Mister Bennett. *looks at Scott* Mister Finch. *walks away*
Bob: *sits* Okay what the hell is wrong with you? Were you
that bored?
Scott: A little, yeah. Has he always been that short?
Bob: *stares at Scott* Please tell me you're sober. Please tell me we just went through that entire meeting with a blood alcohol level lower than .08 between us.
Scott: What are you talking about? I haven't had a drink.
Bob: *sigh* Oh good. You want to come by the office for a bit?
Scott: Nah, I think I'll head back to the condo.
Bob: You sure?
Scott: Yeah. *stands* Thanks for buying lunch. *walks away*
Bob: ...No problem.
Condo, bathroom, 3pm
Scott: *lies head on arm*
Bob: *walks over* Scott.
Scott: *lifts eyes*
Bob: Just wanted to make sure you got home oka...
Scott: *stares at Bob*
Bob: *reaches over, picks up syringe* You diabetic?
Scott: It's...valium.
Bob: You're getting it in liquid form now?
Scott: *shakes head, leans back on toilet*
Bob: *picks up bottle* You're crushing them. Scott, what the hell are you doing? There's a reason they have all that coding and crap, it's for a slow dosage.
Scott: Doesn't work fast enough.
Bob: *kneels* This is why you left Lori.
Scott: *grabs Bob's shirt* She can't find out. She won't if I'm not around her enough. I-I can pull it together around the kids.
Bob: You could barely pull it together in front of the
mayor. You need help.
Scott: No. I need everyone to leave me alone.
Bob: Scotty, this is going to get worse. Fast.
Scott: I can handle it.
Bob: *shakes head, stands* Lori needs to know.
Scott: *stands* No she doesn't! *grabs Bob, shoves him against wall* Stay out of it!
Bob: *stares at Scott* ...You want to back up?
Scott: No. I don't. This is all none of your business.
Bob: You're wrong. You're my boss and my friend. I care about you and your family.
Scott: If you want to keep your career, you'll keep your mouth
shut. Do we understand each other?
Bob: *staring at Scott*
Scott: *shoves Bob, walks away*
Bob: *runs hand through hair*
TBC.................................