September 30, 1999
Scene 1: Courtroom
(Michelle's sitting in the courtroom alone when Danny comes in. It's right before Bill's arraignment.)
Danny: Hey. How're you doing?
Michelle: Hi.
Danny: I'm glad I caught you before the arraignment started. Michelle, come on, you've got to believe that when I set this thing into motion, I never imagined that Bill would get caught up in this.
Michelle: I know, I know.
Danny: Bill's going to be fine. He is. So are we. (Let's hope!)
Michelle: There was a time that I really believed that, you know, I really believed that if the whole world was against us, our love would win in the end, and you know...
Danny: Well, yeah, it definitely pulled us through everything else. I think it can most certainly get us through this.
Michelle: Danny, your sister is right, you know. She said that it never ends with this family. My family has gotten drawn into this and my friends have gotten hurt. (Yeah, but really, when you think about it, Danny had nothing to do with Selena getting hurt...)
Danny: (Sits down next to her.) Michelle, it's not going to happen anymore. It's not. Remember Laurel Falls, and our house, and our life that we're going to have together away from my family?
Michelle: (Stands up.) It's--it's talking. I mean, we're talking about these dreams that we have, and it seems like that's all we ever do. It seems like that's all we are, is dreams.
Danny: Oh, come on, come on. I know you're--I know you're upset about Bill, but why can't you believe that--that we're going to make it through this? I don't understand you.
Michelle: I want to. I want to believe that.
Danny: Well, that's all it takes. You just have to believe that.
Michelle: Right now I'm having a huge difficulty believing in anything anymore.
Scene 2: Courtroom
Danny: Michelle, fair enough. Though I understand the last thing you want to hear from me is another promise (Yeah, it's the last thing any of us want to hear.), but this is all going to be fine. It's all going to work out and we're going to be together very soon. Very soon.
Michelle: I know you just want to take on the world for me here, but the only thing I can really focus on right now is Bill and--and I just want this to be over for him. If you can just stop what's happening, that would be enough for me right now.
Danny: I don't--I don't want to take on the world. I just want to...I want to get my life together and our life.
Michelle: Alright, well...what do you want to do?
Danny: I'm not--I'm not going to stick around here. I don't think anyone's really going to be thrilled to see me. I'm going...I'm just--I'm going to go take care of some things. I'll see you later, okay?
Michelle: Okay.
Danny: Okay. (Heads for the door, just as Matt and Vanessa are walking in.)
Matt: Hey, Danny.
Danny: Hey, Matt. How're you doing?
Vanessa: Michelle.
Michelle: Hi.
Vanessa: Thank you so much for being here today.
Michelle: No problem.
Vanessa: I can't tell you what it means to me and to Bill.
Michelle: (To Matt.) Oh, hi. (Turning back to Vanessa.) No, are you kidding me? He's my best friend. Of course I'm coming.
Matt: Would you two lighten up? Everything's going to be fine. Trust me on this, alright? (Ross comes up to them, and the conversation goes on, but Michelle doesn't say anything. If you want to read what was said, then just e-mail me and I'll transcribe it.)
Scene 3: Casa Santos
(Carmen and Danny are in the office/living room/rec room/anything goes room and Carmen is wearing this God awful exercise thing. It's just...horrible. But on the other hand, Danny looks gorgeous as always.)
Carmen: Danny, why are you looking at me like that?
Danny: Despite what you may think, I am gald to know that you're happy with Ben. You know I'm not really very crazy about him, but I do accept that he's a part of your life. (Take the hint, Carmen!)
Carmen: Danny, what's going on?
Danny: Nothing, there is nothing going on. Look, I just think it's time that we put certain thing behind us. I know that you have been--
Carmen: What are you talking about?
Danny: I know that you have been lonely for a long time now and if Ben makes you happy, then I'm not going to stand in your way. We all need someone special in our lives.
Carmen: Danny, what are you talking about?
Danny: I made a decision and I want you to hear it from me before you hear it from anyone else because it affects you.
Carmen: Danny, what are you trying to say to me? Just come out with it.
Danny: I'm out, Mama. I'm--I am out of the family business. For good.
Scene 4: Casa Santos
(These next couple of scenes are just...fantastic. PAS definitely deserves the Emmy for these scenes. He gets choked up several times and it seems like he's going to cry. If you haven't seen this episode, then you are missing some of PAS' best work.)
Carmen: You know I need you, Danny. You know I can't run this family on my own. (What do you think you've been doing!?)
Danny: What are you talking about? You've got Ben. He will help you.
Carmen: Ben? Is that what this is all about?
Danny: No, it's not.
Carmen: Oh, sweetie, no. You don't have to worry about Ben taking your place. He might be in my life right now, he might be running the business, but you are the family. All of this is rightfully yours.
Danny: Look, I'll admit to you I'm not thrilled with the idea of Ben taking control of the business, but Mama, I don't want it. That's what I'm trying to tell you. I don't want it anymore.
Carmen: I don't believe you. You don't mean this.
Danny: Look, I do. And I'm--I'm not going to tell you who you can or can't love. You tried that with me and Michelle and it never changed how I feel about her, and it never will.
Carmen: This is about Michelle, isn't it? (Uh-huh. Pretty much. Yeah.)
Danny: No, it's not.
Carmen: She put you up to it.
Danny: Michelle has no idea that I'm here. This is my decision.
Carmen: Danny...
Danny: Mama, the only way for me to be happy is for me to get out. Don't you understand that?
Carmen: You're my only son now! I can't let you go. Okay?
Danny: It's not really your decision. I know this is hard for you. I'm sorry. This isn't easy for me, either.
Carmen: Why are you doing this to me?
Danny: But I've changed.
Carmen: No...
Danny: I've changed. I don't want the old life. I want a life with Michelle.
Carmen: How could you do this to your family?
Danny: I'm not going this to you. I'm doing this for myself. Look, I know you don't understand. I hope one day you'll be able to, and I hope you day you'll be able to want the same thing for yourself.
Carmen: No...I would never abandon my family. I'm proud to be a Santos.
Danny: I'm not abandoning you. I'll always be here for you and Pilar as your son and a brother, but I can't live like this anymore.
Carmen: You--
Danny: I can't.
Carmen: I'm not going to beg you to change your mind, Danny.
Danny: Thank you.
Carmen: But if you walk out that door, you are no longer my son and I am no longer your mother.
Scene 5: Casa Santos
Carmen: Oh, just go. I can't bear to look at you. You're a disgrace to me. You're a disgrace to the memory of your father. (Alright, that was just downright low...)
Danny: Alright. Okay. I'll leave if that's what you want. Mama...Mama, look at me.
Carmen: No...no.
Danny: Look at me. (Carmen holds up her hand and mutters "no" or "please" or something. I couldn't understand what she said, and captioning didn't pick it up.) Alright. I'll move out! I'll move out. You'll never have to see me again if that's what you want. (He's very choked up and he has that really deep, sexy voice.) But Mama, I...I need to tell you that I will always be your son, and I will always love you. (Carmen turns around and looks at him. They stare at each other for a minute and then Carmen leaves.)
Scene 6: Casa Santos
(Danny's sitting in a chair with a blank expression on his face, just staring. Michelle enters.)
Michelle: Well, the D.A. made a deal with Bill...if that's what you want to call it. Listen, I just--I want to apologise...(See's the look on his face.) What's wrong?
Danny: We're free.
Michelle: (Disbelieving/surprised/shocked.) What?
Danny: We're free. I, uh, I left the family business. Forever.
Michelle: How--how is that possible?
Danny: Michelle, I just...I walked away. I realised that I--I couldn't afford not to.
Michelle: And--and your mother. What...? (She took rather well. She just disowned him. You know, the usual. No biggie...Yeah, right...)
Danny: I told her, and, uh, that's just the way it is. So it's, uh, just you and me, kid. We're on our own.
Michelle: I can't believe this.
Danny: Well, believe it. It happened. And, uh, there's no going back.
Michelle: (Very quietly.) Oh my God. (Hugs him.) I am so happy. I am so proud of you. I am.
Danny: Right. Nothing can touch us now, babe. (Whatever! This is a soap--anything can happen. The scene ends with them hugging and Carmen staring at them in the background.)
main images transcripts bios news speeches links miscellaneous