Tea: Okay.

****

The next night...

[Todd arrives at Tea's hotel suite to take her to dinner. He's visibly nervous and so is Tea. They both have dressed up slightly, but not too obviously, for the occasion. They make awkward small talk and then leave to go downstairs for dinner.]

Palace restaurant...

[Tea and Todd enter together causing several patrons to stare openly at them.]

Renee: Tea, you didn't tell me your guest tonight would be Todd.

Tea: Is that a problem?

Renee: If you want to spend your time with this man that's your decision. I just don't want any trouble.

Todd: No trouble tonight. I'm going to be a very good boy.

Renee: I'll hold you to that.

[Tea and Todd are shown to their table.]

Tea: Are you sure you're okay with this?

Todd: I've eaten here before. The food isn't that bad. I can handle it.

Tea: That isn't what I meant.

Todd: I know. Don't worry. I can handle it.

Tea: If you say so.

Todd: Wherever we go in this town, Tea, we're gonna have to deal with jerks who hate me. If you can't deal with that then we'll never be able to go out in public together.

Tea: I can deal with it, Todd. I just want to make sure that we have a nice evening.

Todd: We will.

[Asa Buchanan approaches the table.]

Asa: Manning.

Todd (to Tea): Okay, we would have.

Tea: Todd!

Todd: What do you want, Asa? I'm not in the mood for our usual banter tonight.

Asa: I don't care what you're in the mood for. I have something to say to you.

Todd: Then say it and go away.

Asa: It's about that rag you publish.

Todd: If you have a problem why don't you write a letter to the editor.

Asa: I'll do better than that. I'll be the editor. I don't care what kind of legal tricks you try to pull I'll wrestle that sleaze rag back from you if it's the last thing I do.

Todd: Careful, Asa, you're getting up there in years you probably shouldn't be making those kinds of promises anymore.

Asa: You little...

Renee (arriving at the table): Asa, darling...

Asa: Stay out of this, Renee.

Renee: If the two of you want to battle each other do it somewhere else. Not here. I won't allow it.

Asa: How can you defend this piece of scum after the articles he's been printing about Max in his rag sheet?

Todd: I haven't printed anything that isn't the truth. The Banner's been pretty good at digging up dirt on Holden too. When was the last time you threatened Viki's financial security because of a story she printed? In fact, wasn't it your grandson that wrote some of the most scathing attacks on that poor, misunderstood Max Holden.

Asa: Kevin is more of a newspaperman, heck, he's more of a man, than you'll ever be.

Todd: Look at that, Asa, you just blew any chance at credibility you might have had with that statement. Obviously, old age has affected your ability to function mentally so I'll just pretend this little conversation never happened.

[Asa lunges at Todd.]

Asa: You pathetic little...

[Renee stops Asa.]

Todd: Careful there, partner, don't want to give yourself another heart attack.

Asa: I'll kill you myself if that's the only way I can rid this town of you.

Tea: Excuse me, but I don't think threatening a man's life in front of an ADA is a very good idea. Renee, perhaps you should escort Mr. Buchanan to his table before he gets himself into any more trouble.

Asa: If you're sick enough to return to this worm than you're just as pathetic as he is. I'll see to it that you're not an ADA for much longer. The last thing this town needs is for Manning to have an in at the District Attorney's office.

Tea: As opposed to the in you have at the police department. Which, if I'm not mistaken, you've used for your own benefit in the past. And, by the way, I don't take threats kindly. Given all of your questionable business practices I would think that you would be more cautious about who you threaten.

Asa: I'll see to it that both of you go down.

Renee (as she pulls Asa away): Asa, darling, let's go.

Todd (to Tea): Are you enjoying your evening?

Tea: Actually, that was kind of fun.

Todd: I know. It gets better the more times you do it.

Tea: The thrill never goes away?

Todd: Not so far. Let's stop talking about Asa, though, okay?

Tea: That's fine with me.

Todd: So, what should we talk about?

Tea: We could talk about your sister.

Todd: Which one?

Tea: The one who just walked in.

Todd: Viki?

Tea: That's the one.

Todd: Is there any chance we can sneak out before she sees us?

Tea: Given that she's walking straight toward us with a smile on her face, I would have to say no chance at all.

Todd: Oh no! She's smiling?

Viki: Hello, you two. Todd, you didn't tell me you were dining with Tea this evening.

Todd: It wasn't any of your business.

Tea: Todd!

Viki: Don't worry, Tea. Even my brother's horrid manners couldn't upset me tonight. I'm so happy to see the two of you together again. I hope this means that you're working out your problems.

Todd: How do you know we're not discussing the termination of our marriage?

Viki: Dressed the way you both are dressed? And, Todd...(leaning slightly toward him)...that's quite some cologne you're wearing.

Todd: Please don't smell me in public.

Viki: Tea, you look quite lovely.

Tea: Thank you. Would you like to join us for a drink?

Todd: No. Viki, would rather focus on her own life and leave mine alone.

Viki: I just hope you can be trusted not to shoot yourself in the foot again.

Todd: Don't say shoot.

Viki: Tea, it was nice seeing you again. Todd, don't blow it.

Tea: It was nice seeing you, too.

Todd: Go away now.

Viki: I adore you, too.

[Viki leaves and takes a seat at her own table.]

Todd: How much longer will this torture last?

Tea: Would you like to leave?

Todd: Desperately. If you want to stay though we will.

Tea: We don't have to. I'd kind of forgotten what it's like to dine publicly with you.

Todd: How could you forget that?

Tea: Maybe I blocked it out.

Todd: So, I'm not the only one whose brain does that. Did you also block out all of the horrible memories from our marriage or do you still have those?

Tea: Uh, they're still there.

Todd: Good. I don't want you going into this blind.

Tea: I see very clearly.

Todd: And you still want to be here? With me?

Tea: Yes.

Todd: You're sure? Because, okay, Viki likes the idea but most of the other people in this town are going to hate it.

Tea: I know.

Todd: And most of the people here hate me.

Tea: I know that too.

Todd: And you can handle that?

[Tea reaches out across the table and covers Todd's hand with her own.]

Tea: I can handle this.

Todd: Are you sure, Tea? I mean, a couple of days ago you wanted me out of your life and now you're touching me in public. People are going to think you care about me.

Tea: I don't care what anyone else thinks. I see things more clearly now than I did a few days ago.

Todd: What do you see?

[A waiter approaches to take their order but Todd stops him before he can even speak.]

Todd: Go away.

[The waiter leaves.]

Todd (to Tea): What do you see?

Tea: I see you.

Todd: But you've seen me before. You've seen the worst sides of me.

Tea: Yes, I have. I've also seen the best. And that's what I want now, Todd. Can you give that to me?

Todd: I want to. I never want to hurt you again.

Tea: I'm trusting that you won't.

Todd: It could be a big risk for you.

Tea: Not if you really do love me.

Todd: Do you believe that I do?

[Renee approaches the table.]

Todd (annoyed): What do you people want?

Renee: This is a restaurant. You have to order food. You can't just sit here and order nothing.

Todd: Do you want money, is that it? (Todd takes out his money and hands Renee a substantial sum) Here's money. Take it and go away.

[Renee happily pockets the cash and leaves the table.]

Todd (to Tea): Do you believe that I love you?

Tea: I want to.

Todd: But do you?

Tea: It isn't that easy, Todd.

Todd: Why not?

Tea: Because I believed you in the past and you hurt me.

Todd: I won't do that this time.

Tea: You'll have to prove that to me.

Todd: How?

Tea: I don't know. That will be up to you.

Todd: Come on. At least give me a clue.

Tea: Just show me that you love me.

Todd: You know I'm lousy at that.

Tea: It doesn't have to be anything extreme it just has to be from your heart and, preferably, not from your checkbook.

Todd: Is this like the coming home every night and not throwing you out stuff?

Tea: That could be a good place to start.

Todd: So, if I wanted to spend the night with you...I mean, like we did last night...that would be okay with you?

Tea: I would like that.

[John Sykes suddenly materializes at the table.]

Sykes: Tea, what are you doing with this man?

Tea: John, it's okay.

Sykes: You shouldn't be anywhere near him. Have you forgotten how he's treated you in the past?

Todd (standing up): My relationship with my wife is none of your business.

Sykes: You never deserved someone as special as Tea. Tea, why don't I take you up to your room?

Todd: You're not taking my wife anywhere.

Tea: John, you should leave.

Sykes: Is he threatening you? Is that why you're here with him?

[Tea can see Todd's body slightly shaking as he tries hard to control his temper.]

Tea (standing up): He is not threatening me. I want to be here. You should leave now.

Sykes: Don't do this, Tea. Don't fall back into this abusive trap. (Sykes glides his scaly reptilian hand across Tea's cheek) You deserve better than this. (as he slithers into her personal space) You deserve someone who knows how to treat you. Someone who will treasure and adore you. He never will.

[Tea steps back uncomfortably.]

Todd: Get your hands off my wife.

Sykes: You don't get to speak for her.

Todd: She spoke for herself just fine. She told you to go away.

Sykes: She didn't mean that.

Tea: Yes, I did.

Sykes: You're just afraid of what this abusive monster will do. You don't have to be afraid. (he touches her arm) I'll protect you.

Todd (moving closer to Sykes and raising his voice substantially): I said get your hands off my wife.

[Both Viki and Renee quickly approach the table.]

Sykes: She isn't your property but I'm not surprised you would think that way.

Todd: I'm thinking that I will hurt you if you don't remove your hand from my wife's body.

Sykes: Is that a threat?

Todd: That's a promise.

Renee: Is there a problem here?

Todd: This lizard won't leave.

Sykes: I was just trying to escort Ms. Delgado to her room but this Neanderthal refuses to allow her to leave.

Renee: Tea?

Tea: I have no intention of going anywhere with him. I've made that clear. I've asked him to leave.

Sykes: Tea, don't continue in this vicious cycle. You deserve so much more.

Tea: I deserve a quiet evening alone with my husband but apparently that's impossible in this town. So, I think I will go to my room...with my husband. (to Sykes) Let go of my arm or I'll hurt you myself.

Sykes: Tea, you're confused right now. You shouldn't make any ill advised decisions.

Tea: Renee, could you notify security that this man is not to come anywhere near me again. I'll file a restraining order tomorrow.

Sykes (stepping menacingly close to Tea): Oh no you won't.

Renee: Mr. Sykes, you should leave right now.

Sykes (referring to Todd): You're going to take this criminal's word over mine?

Renee: Unlike you, I'm listening to Tea who has made it quite clear she doesn't want to be around you. Either leave on your own now or I'll call security and have them escort you out.

Sykes: Fine. I'll leave. You're making a big mistake, Tea. You'll regret this.

[As Sykes leaves Todd steps protectively closer to Tea.]

Todd: Are you all right?

Tea: I'm fine.

Viki: What was that all about?

Tea: Let's just forget about it, okay?

Todd: Are you really going to file a restraining order against him?

Tea: I think maybe I should.

Viki: Well, Renee and I can certainly vouch for the fact that he wouldn't leave you alone when you asked him to.

Todd (to Tea): Do you want to go?

Tea: Obviously dinner was a bad idea.

Todd: We could go to your room and order room service. Unless you want to go somewhere else for the night. Somewhere that psychotic won't know to find you.

Renee (to Tea): If you're worried about him I'll make sure that security doesn't allow him anywhere near your room.

Viki: Or you could both stay at my house, if you'd like.

Tea: Thank you but I think I'd prefer just to stay here.

Todd: When we get our own place we'll make sure it has lots of security to keep that creep away from you.

Tea: And all of the people who want to kill you.

Todd: Them too. Are there any castles with moats around here? I suppose we could always build one if we need to.

Tea: What a lovely thought - a fortress instead of a home.

Todd: I just want you and Starr to be protected.

Tea: I know. Right now, let's just go upstairs, okay?

Todd: Okay. (to Viki) I won't be coming back to your place tonight.

Viki: I understand.

[Tea and Todd depart.]

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