THERE’S NO WAY YOU ARE GOING TO DIE ON ME - Todd & Vicki
Of all of his scenes on his return so far this is my favorite. The only downer, is we find out about the demise of Moose! Moose was a much better actor than many on the current canvas of this show. Anyway, I’ve always thought Roger and Erika worked marvelously together and I root for anyone who loves Todd no matter what. Vicki certainly has had reason to give up on him but she hasn’t yet, and for that she’s okay with me. This scene was everything I wanted to be in Todd & Vicki’s reunion. Their affection is evident and when Vicki breaks down at her hair falling out I was yelling at my TV for him to comfort her. The best one minute scene, is the one where no words are said, Vicki is crying, Todd cannot leave but he cannot comfort her yet and he just stays in the background knowing at least he’s there. Then in classic Todd fashion he attempts humor to soften her pain and then is about to give her a physical comfort when darn Ben (grrrrr) comes in. It is the first time in a long time that I actually choked up watching OLTL, it is wonderful to see these two fine actors on screen together
again! Vicki has walked Ben out to the front door and returns to the living room and stops in her tracks when she sees Todd in the room standing at the french doors looking out with his back to her. He turns around to her.
VICKI: (she whispers) Todd! (she smiles warmly, and he smiles affectionately back at her)
Scene break
TODD: (he crosses into center of the room with his hands behind his back) Hello, Sis.
VICKI: Hello. (she crosses to meet him) Why are you here?
TODD: Maybe I came here to see you. (smiles)
VICKI: Maybe I don’t believe you? (smiles)
TODD: (chuckles at her knowing him, and then sincerely) It’s really good to see you.
VICKI: (also sincere) It’s good to see you too. But you took a big chance coming here, Todd. (he looks away) Especially after the stuff you pulled last time you were in town. (quietly) Where’s Tea?
TODD: I don’t know. (eyebrow up, flip, with bravado) But if you find out where she’s at, you let me know.
VICKI: The police are still looking for you, you know.
TODD: Okay, I’ll.....I’ll make sure I don’t go window shopping on Main Street. (sniffs) You know at least until Sam can do his thing.
VICKI: (surprised) You asked Sam for help?
TODD: Yeah.
VICKI: And he said yes? (not believing)
TODD: (quickly, faking it) Well, he’s thinking about it.
VICKI: (whispers, smiling) I don’t think so.
TODD: It’s really important to me that I clear things up here.
VICKI: Really? But that’s not your style.
TODD: Starr’s getting older, you know, and I don’t think she should see me in jail, here.
VICKI: Right, you’re doing this for Starr? No, there’s more.
TODD: (breaking the mood, offhandedly) Yeah, you’re right, I don’t care what Starr thinks. (showing the video he’s been holding behind his back) Look, I brought this. Want to watch a little TV, I think you’ll really love this! (putting tape in machine)
Scene break
VICKI: (Todd is by the fireplace, Vicki drops to her knees touching the TV screen, it is the video of Jessica singing at the Black Dawn) Oh, my god, Jessica! Jessie!
TODD: (he crosses up to her, he is concerned about her, ordering her) You shouldn’t be so close to the TV, back up, back up. (she looks back at him likes he’s nuts) Come on. She’s...she’s pretty good, you know? Even in that ridiculous outfit and the lighting kinda sucks, but she looks pretty good, right?
VICKI: (flabbergasted) Is she alright? Are they really alright? Are they making a living doing this?
TODD: They’re fine. In fact it’s pretty good, she’s got.....she’s got charisma. (sits on couch right by her, reassuring her) I think it’s gotta be in her genes.
VICKI: (she looks at him annoyed) Don’t flatter me.
TODD: (deadpan, serious, which makes it very funny) No, me. It’s gotta be my genes. (he looks back at the TV)
VICKI: (looking at him in wonderment) How did you find her? I mean, are they safe? Did you lead the police to them?
TODD: (he stands) No, no, no. Nobody followed me or anything.
VICKI: Are you sure?
TODD: Yeah, I’m sure. (with a laugh) Look, believe me if the cops were looking for anybody, they’d be looking for me. (he looks out the french doors checking, then turns back to her) I just, you know, I just uh, walked into this club and there they were. It was a coincidence. (he shrugs)
VICKI: (wide eyed) Where?
TODD: (he crosses behind her) You sure you want me to tell you? I mean, I was going to tell Sam but he said something about some obligation, if he knew he’d tell the cops.
VICKI: (quickly, she stands) No, I’m not an officer of the court, you can tell me.
TODD: Okay, well, went to...they’re in Cincinnati. At least they were a few days ago. I mean maybe now they in some other exotic location like Cleveland or Dayton. But you don’t need to worry, you know I gave her a couple bucks, you know just in case.
VICKI: (simply) Thank you. (they stare intently at each other)
TODD: (thinking to help her) You know, I....I could go get her, you know, bring her back home.
VICKI: (quickly) No, you can’t do that. They’d send her straight to prison if she came home, because she helped Will escape. (smiles thinking it was Jessica) Did she ask you to bring me the tape?
TODD: No. (uncomfortable) Well, it’s my good deed for the millennium. (Vicki is surprised) In fact, I don’t have to do another decent thing until Y3K. (long pause, Vicki just stares at him, he turns to start to leave, stops, you can see his wheels turning, then steps back, intensely, but quietly) There’s no way you are going to die on me.
