Remembering WENN #5: Tomorrow is Another Day
By Rita Widmer
Disclaimer is on the Introduction page.
This story takes place between World of Tomorrow and Radio Silence.
A special thanks to Biz for fixing up the Hilary scene, and of course like always, a big thank you to Emma for beta-reading the rest of the story. All comments are welcome! PLEASE!!!!!!!
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Scott stopped in front of the closed door to the Writer's Room and took another look at the telegram. He didn't have to read it to know it was news about Jeff and Victor in London. He hoped it would be good news, but he had a gut feeling that it wasn't. He knocked onthe door and heard Betty say "Come in."
"Mr. Sherwood, how can I help you?" asked Betty, looking up from the typewriter.
Scott handed her the telegram. Betty slowly opened it and her eyes filled with tears as she read the telegram. Victor was dead, it stated, and he wouldn't be coming home to her or any of them. She couldn't stand it any longer.
Scott looked at Betty with concern. He wanted to comfort her, but he was never any good at doing that. He wasn't given a chance to try as Betty zoomed out of the room. Scott stood stunned for a moment, then went after her. He got to the reception where a surprised looking Gertie sat and gaped.
"Mr. Sherwood, Betty just ran out of here. I told her she had a letter from her father and she only glanced at me."
"Hold all my calls and appointments. I'm going to go find her." Scott grabbed the letter and left the telegram that he picked up just before he ran after Betty. Gertie picked up the telegram as Hilary got back from her lunch break.
"Any mail for me, Gertie?" Hilary asked as she noticed the look on Gertie's face. "What's that you reading?" Hilary continued as Gertie handed the telegram to her.
"At least it's good news for you. Jeff will be coming home." Gertie said softly.
Hilary headed for the bathroom hoping that no one would be in there. The message only said Victor was dead, and that would mean her Jeff would be coming home. Hilary looked up into the mirror and sighed with relief, "He's coming home." She just wanted to burst and walk around proud, but she couldn't. There was still someone to mourn.
She didn't know how to react around her co-workers. She opted to hide behind her confused feelings and go on about her day. Hilary walked out of the bathroom with her usual poise and confidence. Gertie handed her her mail, and she went into Studio A to start the next show.
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Scott only needed to look in one place before he found Betty. She'd went to the Buttery. He could see her through the window drinking a glass of coffee, but he couldn't read the expression on her face. He entered the diner, ordered himself a cup of coffee, and headed to Betty's table. She stared blankly at him as he joined her. "Betty, I'm not very good with knowing how to react and comfort someone when somebody lost someone very close to them died," started Scott.
"Mr. Sherwood, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be all right," Betty sighed as she noticed the envelope in his hands. "Can I see that?"
"Oh, yeah. It's from your father. I thought you might want it." He handed over her mail.
Betty opened the small envelope. It was only one sheet of paper. She read it thoroughly. She looked up at Scott as tears formed in her eyes. All she could say was "How could you?" The unhappy writer ran out of the building.
Scott paid for their drinks and went after her. He didn't get far before two Army officials stopped him. "Can I help you?" he asked them. Then they led him off in the opposite direction of Betty and WENN.
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Betty walked into WENN, trying to seem calm and cool. She ignored all the looks that the cast was giving her. Mackie was the only one that had enough guts to go talk to her. Mackie walked into the Writer's Room where Betty was just putting a clean sheet of paper into the typewriter. "I know what you are going to say, Mackie, but please don't. I have lots of work to catch up on. I shouldn't have taken that break as it is."
"I just want you to know we all know how you must feel," answered Mackie.
"Do you?" Mackie's face dropped. "I'm sorry, Mackie. I'm just a little tired. I have lots of work to do." Mackie nodded his head in understanding and left the room.
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"Celia, long distance phone call for you," said Gertie as Celia walked out of Studio A.
"Thanks, Gertie," said Celia as she took the phone. "Hello, this is Celia Mellon."
Gertie watched as the phone call progressed. Celia's face went back and forth being happy and sad. Finally, Celia hung the phone back on it'sbase.
"Is Betty in the Writer's Room?" asked Celia.
"Yes, she is," Gertie answered. She hated not knowing what was going on.
Scott entered WENN at that moment. "Gertie, any messages for me?" he asked.
"No, there wasn't. Are you okay, Mr. Sherwood?" Gertie asked and with a worried look on her face.
"Oh, I'm just fine. Is Betty in?"
"She's in the Writer's Room."
"Thanks." Scott headed towards the room.
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"Oh, Betty, I can't believe I'm going to Hollywood! I hope Mr. Sherwood will allow me to get out of my contract here," sighed Celia.
"It's a great opportunity. I think he won't stop you from doing it. He allowed you to go away for the tour."
"I have to leave tomorrow. This is going to be so hard to do. Will you help me with anything I can't get done?"
"Of course. I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you all too. I still can't believe I'm going to California."
There was a knock on the door. "Come in," Betty called.
Scott walked in. He was a little surprised to see Celia sitting there. "Betty, I need to talk to you about earlier at the Buttery," he explained.
"Mr. Sherwood, that will have to be put on hold for now. Celia was offered a movie in Hollywood. She has to leave tomorrow. Are you willing to let her out of her contract?"
"That should be fine, Celia. Good luck," said Scott. He didn't look at her, but kept watching Betty's face.
"Thank you, Mr. Sherwood," said Celia. "I'll be heading back to Studio A. Got a show to do." She could feel something odd going on, so she just walked out without waiting for good-byes.
Scott opened his mouth to say something, but Betty stopped him. "I don't have the time to talk about it now. I have scripts to write." Scott nodded and walked out. His little field trip had informed him of the reason for her being angry with him.
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Scott sat in his office, waiting for Betty to leave so he could watch her go home for the night. He was informed that her father was in great danger and that they were fearful someone would try to attack Betty. His eyes started to drift shut as he heard Betty locking up for the night. He waited for the door to shut before heading out himself. He was able to get on the trolley without Betty even noticing him.
Betty sat towards the middle of the trolley. She liked to be able to observe all those on the trolley and guess why they took this late trolley. She looked towards the back and saw Scott sitting there. What's he doing here? Why did they choose him follow me? Her trolley stop was next, so she prepared to get off. She got off at her stop. The lady at the desk of the Barbican called Betty as she headed upstairs.
"I've been waiting for you to come home. You have an emergency telegram," the lady insisted.
"Thank you," said Betty. She headed up to her room and read the note. It was from her father.
"Betty,
Hope things are going well. I need some very important information from you. Send me all the information you can find on a Victor Comstock."
To Be Continued...
If you have any views on what Victor's childhood was like send them to me or this next story won't be written for a long time.
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