June 23, 1999
Scene 1: Millenium
(Danny is sitting at a table when Ben walks over and sits down.)
Ben: Danny.
Danny: Yeah. Thanks for coming.
Ben: You're welcome. Well, I'm a little surprisd you wanted to see me, considering a couple of hours ago you accused your mother and I of trying to shanghai your wife.
Danny: I was wrong.
Ben: Nah, don't be so hard on yourself. Who would've thought that mild-mannered Dr. Rick Bauer would have his own sister kidnapped, locked in the psych ward at Cedars. You should write his HMO and complain.
Danny: Look, listen. Warren. Warren...Michelle is being held against her will because of some trumped-up psychiatric emergency that her brother's cooked up. She is terrified, and I can't even get into talk to her.
Ben: What do you expect me to do?
Danny: I expect you to get her out of that hellhole. Tonight. (Yeah, you tell him, Danny!)
Scene 2: Psych Ward at Cedars
(Michelle is rearranging the furniture in her room. A pretty nice room considering that it's the looney bin. I mean, it has a full size bed I think, with pillow shams and everything...Anyways, Rick walks in.)
Rick: You okay?
Michelle: Nice to see you. (He's kinda blocking her way.) Excuse me.
Rick: I wish you'd try to see this from my point of view.
Michelle: You know, you don't want me with Danny and I get that, okay? That's your point of view. I get it. I understand, so you can let me out of here.
Rick: I'm sorry, I can't do that.
Michelle: You could if you wanted to.
Rick: I could. But if I did you'd go back to Danny, back to a place where you'd lose your life, Michelle. I'm not going to do it. I'm sorry. You're my sister, I love you.
Michelle: This is not love. This is control.
Rick: Oh Michelle, you think I want you locked up in here? (Oh so you don't? Could've fooled me, Rick! If you don't want her locked up, then let her out! It's that simple.) You've almost been killed twice and since you have absolutely no regard for your life, you've left me no choice.
Michelle: You want to talk about choices? You took away my choices, alright? I chose Danny, you didn't respect that, and you didn't respect me.
Rick: I'm your brother, I'm not going to stand by and watch you destroy yourself, Michelle.
Michelle: The only thing that you are destroying is any love, any feelings, that I have for you.
Rick: I wish that you would stop fighting with me long enough to listen to reason.
Michelle: To listen to what? The world according to Rick? No, I'm not interested. No thank you. And Danny's getting me out of here soon, I can promise you that, and when he does you better take a minute to say good-bye because it is the last time you are ever going to see me again.
Scene 3: Millenium
Danny: So what is it going to take, Ben, to get her out of there?
Ben: You being patient for about 72 hours.
Danny: Well, that's--that's not an option.
Ben: Well, it's all legal, Danny. Dr. Rick or any doctor can declare anybody dangerous to themselves or anybody else and have them detained for 3 days. No police, no lawyers, no habius corpus, none of that. It's their call. Scary, huh?
Danny: Then what? What happens?
Ben: Afterwards, they have another evaluation, and my guess is that Michelle is not going to get a positive evaluation.
Danny: Because Rick can make that happen, right? He can just keep her there for as long as he wants? Is that it?
Ben: Exactly.
Danny: You enjoying this? You are.
Ben: No, I'm doing my job.
Danny: You know, my mother used to have alot better judgement in hiring the help.
Ben: Your mother just made me president of SanCorp Corporations.
Danny: Excuse me?
Ben: So I'm not the lawyer--family lawyer anymore, but let me give you a piece of advice. Right now, your legal options are zero to none.
Danny: Thanks man. Thanks for nothing.
Ben: Of course, of course, you could try telling Dr. Rick that the danger to your family is past and that he needn't fear for Michelle's safety.
Danny: Really? Yeah, and why would he believe that lie?
Ben: Because it's not a lie. We found out who planted the bomb.
Danny: Who?
Ben: Bernard's son, Nino.
Danny: I knew it! I'm gonna kill him.
Ben: No, no, no, no. Forget it. Forget it.
Danny: Forget it?
Ben: Why not try telling Dr. Rick that the danger is over and you can Michelle can be together? (Deja vu. Didn't he already say that??)
Danny: Sure, Ben. And when that doesn't work? Any suggestions?
Ben: If that doesn't work, he's your enemy. And you know what to do with your enemies, right? You find their vulnerability and you take advantage of it.
Danny: You know, one day you are going to make a mistake, and when you do, I'm going to crush you like a bug. (God, I love how he says bug! It just sounds so sexy coming from his mouth! Anywho, Ben starts laughing when Danny says this.) Go ahead and laugh. (Takes some money out and puts it on the table.)
Ben: Oh, keep your money, Danny. I'm in a generous mood. (Danny leaves, and Ben pockets the money.)
Scene 4: Psych Ward at Cedars
Michelle: I can't believe this.
Rick: Just please calm down.
Michelle: No, I will calm down as soon as you leave. I'll have no problem calming down then, so why don't you get out of here? (Dr. Bradford enters.)
Dr. Bradford: Hello, Michelle. I just came by to see how you were doing.
Michelle: (Ooh...If looks could kill...) This is great. This is perfect. Great, Rick!
Rick: Dr. Bradford is here just to talk to you, Michelle.
Michelle: Oh, I get it, okay. Have couch, will travel, right? How many of your psychiatrist friends are out there in the hall? You know, I bet you you've called every shrink in Cedars to come and have a chat with me, is this right? So they can determine that I need to stay locked up a little longer, right?
Dr. Bradford: Michelle. That is simply not true.
Michelle: No? Oh, I--right, because I'm paranoid on top of everything else. Tell me, Doctor, how many inkblots do I have to get right before I win a free lobotomy?
Rick: Alright, I'm going to repeat myself, Michelle. Dr. Bradford's here just to talk to you.
Michelle: That's all? Oh okay. Okay. alright. I'm sorry, I must be delusional. I just, you know, I thought my brother was keeping me here against my will. You know, whatever.
Dr. Bradford: I think it's time Michelle and I spoke alone.
Rick: Yeah, I'll be right back.
Michelle: Oh, no, please don't.
Scene 5: Psych Ward at Cedars
Dr. Bradford: Come on, Michelle. I'm not the enemy here. Please. Talk to me. Tell me what's on your mind. I promise you I'll be fair.
Michelle: You want to know what's on my mind?
Dr. Bradford: Yes, I do.
Michelle: Casino's. (Huh? That kinda came out of nowhere.) Casino's with lots and lots of slot machines. Because that's where the real money is, slot machines and gaming tables, you see. I mean, money laundering is okay sometimes, but--and you know, you can always strongarm some idiot into fronting for you, but I think for the most part, casino's are the way to go. I mean, you know, they're less trouble and they're definitely more profitable. That's what I think. That is what I think.
Dr. Bradford: You know, this is not helping you.
Michelle: You know something, Doctor? My brother thinks that I want to be part of a crime family. And Rick is never wrong. So apparently that's what I am.
Dr. Bradford: You know you don't mean that. (I don't know, Dr. Quackford, she sounded pretty convincing to me.)
Michelle: Yes, I do. This whole thing started with Danny's mother. She tried to kill me for marrying him, you know?
Dr. Bradford: No, I didn't.
Michelle: Mm-hmm. Yeah. She tried to kill me. (Stands up, and walks away from the bed.) Several times actually, but--Ha!--I'm still alive!
Dr. Bradford: Let me get this straight. You have a mother-in-law that wants you dead? But you're willing to risk it to stay with Danny?
Michelle: (Scoffs.) He's my husband. (Does her ever-famous pounding her chest to stress her point.) I love him. And if Rick thinks that that is crazy, then he is the one who needs to be in here. Not me.
Scene 6: Cedars
(Rick and Abby talking. Abby is making some damn good points, but of course, Rick isn't listening! Danny runs over to where they're standing.)
Danny: Rick. Hi, Abby.
Rick: What do you want? Nothing's changed.
Danny: No, everything's changed. Hear me out. Our problems are solved.
Rick: Yeah right. Yeah.
Abby: Would you just listen to him, please? Please?
Danny: Thank you.
Scene 7: Cedars
Rick: Say what you have to say.
Danny: Thank you. Now, we found out who planted the bomb in the church and why and we've settled all of our differences with these people. Rick, you can let Michelle go. She's safe with me now, okay?
Rick: You've got to be kidding me. You found out who planted the bomb and everything is straightened out? What do you think I am? An imbecile? (Well, you're kinda acting like one!) This may be water under the bridge for you, Danny, but it's not for me. Not even close.
Danny: What is your problem? You're missing the point!
Rick: No, no! Excuse me! You're missing the damn point! You know what? You may...it's not normal for people to go around and say, "Hey, you know, I found a bomb, but everybody's safe." You think you can walk in here with a straight face and tell me that I buy it? What, are you out of your mind? Every minute that my sister spends with you is borrowed time. No deal, Danny, you got that? No deal!
Danny: You are not protecting her, you are controlling her!
Rick: I'm controlling her? (Uh-huh.) Coming from a guy that's brainwashed my sister into thinking she likes you?
Danny: Is that what you think?! She does love me! You're unbelievable!
Abby: Stop it, you guys! Stop your shouting, you're hurting my ears. Stop with the shouting.
Rick: I'm sorry, honey.
Danny: I'm sorry.
Rick: Why don't we go to the office--
Abby: No. (Dr. Bradford comes out of Michelle's room. Danny runs towards Michelle's door, but the orderlies hold him back. Michelle is screaming hysterically during this whole part.)
Danny: Oh, Michelle!
Michelle: No! Danny! Danny!
Danny: (Talking to the orderlies.) Get off me!
Michelle: Danny!
Danny: Michelle! Alright, get off me. (Goes up to Michelle's door. They're talking through the screen.)
Dr. Bradford: I spoke with Michelle. I think you're right. She definitely needs help right now. She's paranoid, manic, unruly. (Well, yeah! Her brother locked her up in a psych ward, wouldn't you be unruly!?!?) I don't know exactly what the problem is (I know! I know what the problem is! You're looking at him!), but she's having some sort of breakdown.
Rick: She's obviously upset (No shit, Rick! Ya think?), and having THAT here is not helping. (That? That?? Did he just call Danny a "that"???)
Dr. Bradford: No, I actually think that they should spend a few minutes together.
Rick: Excuse me? What are you talking about?
Dr. Bradford: I think it would be good. I'd like to see the dynamics between the two of them. It might help us help her.
Abby: If you won't listen to me, would you please listen to Dr. Bradford? She knows what she's doing? Now if you won't believe her, will you just look at Michelle? Look at the pain she's in.
Scene 8: Cedars
(Danny and Michelle are talking through the screen.)
Michelle: I love you.
Danny: I love you. Hey, look, it's really important that you stay calm, Okay? Okay.
Rick: Fine, they can spend some time together, but I don't trust him and I want to be in there.
Abby: Oh, no. If anybody is going to go in there with them, it should be me.
Rick: Oh, no way. No way.
Abby: Rick, after this stunt you pulled, everybody's mad at you. You're only going to turn it into another shouting match.
Dr. Bradford: I agree with Abigail. Come on, Rick, please? Don't make it worse than it is.
Rick: Alright, I'll wait out here.
Dr. Bradford: Good. (Walks over to Danny.) Alright, you can have a few minutes.
Danny: Oh, I can? Thank you. Thank you very much. She is my wife. (Danny and Abby go into the room. Michelle runs into Danny's arms.)
Abby: I love you, sweetie. I'm on your side. I don't want to interfere, I'll just be right over here.
Danny: Okay, come here. Are you okay?
Michelle: I can't believe this. I can't believe that after everything we've just been through, I just want to be with you.
Danny: I know. I'm going to get you out of here. I promise.
Michelle: There has to be something you can do. There has to be a way for you to get me out of here.
Danny: Look, I told Rick that the danger's over. We found out who planted the bomb, and we settled our differences with these people--
Michelle: Great. So he can let me out of here. Let's go.
Danny: Michelle, he's not going to let you out. Not yet.
Michelle: I knew that this was not about my safety. This has nothing to do with my safety. It's about him not wanting us together, and he's going to keep me in here for a month or however long it takes.
Danny: Michelle, no, he's not.
Michelle: I just want to go home with you.
Danny: It's okay. You will, I promise. I promise.
Scene 9: Cedars
Danny: I can't believe this. This is ridiculous. It's ridiculous. Look, I am going to get you out of here very soon. I promise.
Michelle: You have to because I'm dying in here, Danny, I can't do it. I can't deal with this. I can't handle this.
Danny: Michelle's, listen to me. You have to be very cool with her, okay? And I will bring you home.
Michelle: Okay.
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