3×01: What If?
Scene One: The City Art Gallery
69 Windmill Street
Liberty City, New York, 01948.
[Narrator: Jamie Lane
There comes a time in everyone’s life where a dream comes to life. Whether it big or small, it comes to life.]
Professionally dressed men and women stand inside of the art gallery, socializing with each other, sipping on champagne while admiring artwork hung on the wall.
Waiters walk around the Gallery and continually offer the guests Hors d’oeuvres, which include buffalo wings, cheese, crackers, cold cuts, and cocktail wieners.
[Sometimes there are the small dreams; the little things in life that make all the difference.]
Shirley walks over to a gentleman with Jamie on her arm and says, “Mr. Hoffman, this is my daughter, Jamie. She put this whole show together.” “Oh mother, stop it. I had your help. But it really was nothing,” Jamie says giddily. As she extends her left hand to shake Mr. Hoffman’s, he notices the engagement ring on her finger. He says, “My oh my, what a lovely ring!” “Thank you,” Jamie replies. “Who’s the lucky guy?” Jamie holds up one finger and rushes off to a man, face still unknown, and escorts him over to Mr. Hoffman.
[And then there are the big dreams…]
“Mr. Hoffman,” Jamie begins. “Meet my fiancé, Dr. Derek Spencer.” “Pleased to meet you Dr., you’re quite a lucky man,” Mr. Hoffman says.
“I know I am,” Derek replies, smiling and admiring his fiancée. Jamie smiles back and replies in the same admiration, “No. I’m the lucky one.”
The two share a passionate kiss with each other, showing their love.
[… And those dreams are the ones most worth waiting for.]
Scene Two: The Grove
26 Windmill Street
Liberty City, New York, 01948.
Jennifer and Garrett arrive at their table for an early evening dinner. As they both take their seats, Jennifer asks, “To what may I thank for this surprise early dinner?” “It’s a thank you for the coffee we had when I came back to town,” Garrett responds. “Well, I should take you out for coffee more often, shouldn’t I??
The pair share a laugh, before picking up their menus and deciding what to eat. Their waiter than joins them and asks what they’d like to drink. “We’ll take a bottle of your best 2010 Paul Blanck Pinot Blanc D’Alsace.” The waiter agrees and walks off with their order. Jennifer, clearly surprised asks him, “Wine? And so specific?” “I know my wines.”
Intrigued, Jennifer asks, “You wouldn’t happen to be trying to woo me right now, are you?” “No, just two friends having an early dinner with wine. Nothing wrong with that,” Garrett responds. “No, nothing wrong with that at all.”
Scene Three: CJ Enterprises
14 Earp Street
Liberty City, New York, 01948.
Elevator doors open to reveal a professionally dressed-up Amanda Joy Willis, who enters into the main offices of CJ Enterprises, head company of her eldest daughter’s fashion company, CJ Fashions.
As she opens the double-glass doors into the office, she asks Tori Walker who is sitting at one of the desks, “Anybody call that I should know about?” “Just Jefferson, who’s waiting on the accounting from this past season. Cristina never sent it in.” “I should have known she’d leave me with everything to pick up. Anything else?”
As Tori begins to respond, “Just -” Amanda Joy interrupts and says, “Okay, that will be all. I’ll call you if I need you.” Tori turns around, with her eyes bulging out of her eye sockets and walks back to her desk.
As Amanda opens up the door to her office, she removes her coat that has been resting on her shoulders and throws it onto the hair in front of her desk.
“You always taught me never to leave your coat hanging around the house,” a female voice reveals. Stunned by the voice, Amanda Joy questions, “Courtney? Is that you?”
Courtney leans up off the couch by the window and says, “Yes. It’s me. Surprise!”
Scene Four: Loft Nº2
1221 Bunker Hill Avenue
Liberty City, New York, 01948.
Susan Smithson sits on her couch and opens up a big box filled of photographs. As she sips a glass of wine, she looks through the images of her children growing up and her life.
As she picks up an image of her late daughter, Natalie, she expresses out loud, “Oh Natalie, if only you could see what life has become without you. My darling baby girl. There will be justice for you.”
As a tear drop falls onto the photo, she quickly wipes her eyes. Her cell phone then receives a text message that reads: “Divorces finalized.”
As she reads the text, she quickly dials a number. As the phone rings, a voice mail message clicks on. She leaves a message, “It’s me, Susan. It’s done. I need to see you. Don’t keep me waiting.”
As she hangs up the phone, she walks over to the fire pit where a blazing fire is had; she picks up a recently taken photograph of her and Keith from the past year’s Thanksgiving. Disgusted, she throws it into the fire.
As the photo burns, she says, “Burn baby burn.” As she watches the photo burn, a knock is heard at the door. As she opens the door, she sees Jason Spencer standing there. “I wasn’t ever wishing to see you again,” Susan snipes at him. He responds as he walks into the loft, “We have to talk.” “Please, come right in.”
Scene Five: The Buzz Café
10 Windmill Street
Liberty City, New York, 01948.
Monica sits out on the lanai along staring into space. “Monica Smithson,” a man questions. Snapping out of her daze, she responds, “Yes.” “This is for you,” the man says handing Monica a manila envelope before walking away.
Keith then joins her with two cups of coffee and asks, “What’d he want?” “I don’t know,” Monica says confused while opening the manila envelope. Looking the documents, it declares her officially divorced. “I guess I’m officially divorced from Dustin. I’m a single woman.”
As Keith takes a sip of his coffee, a woman shows up and asks, “Keith Smithson?” “Yes,” he responds. Upon responding, he is as well handed a manila envelope of his own with the woman walking away without cause.
As he opens his own envelope, he says, “Looks like you’re not the only one. I am officially divorced from Susan Smithson after 40 years of marriage.” “Well, at least we’re both free from our marriages. Though, I still have a custody hearing next week for custody of Isaac.”
Keith asks, “Dustin still hasn’t dropped his claim for custody?” “I never expected him to,” Monica says in a monotone voice. “What do you mean?” “Dustin thought Isaac was his son for nine months, not his half-brother. What you and I did to him was unfair and cruel.”
Clearly noticing she is upset, Keith gets up and says, “Come on, let’s go.” “What are you doing?” Monica says. “You’ll see, just trust me.”
Scene Six: The City Art Gallery
69 Windmill Street
Liberty City, New York, 01948.
After escorting the last of the group out of the art gallery, Jamie closes and locks the door. She joins Shirley and Derek on a couch. As she plops down, she expresses, “That was hell. Remind me, why do I do this to myself every season?” “Because you love it and it’s your passion,” Derek says, handing her a glass of wine.
Shirley then grabs her jacket and purse and says, “Okay you two lovebirds, I’m going to go back to my hotel room. I’ll come in tomorrow and help clean up.” “Thank you mom, for everything you’ve done tonight and the past few weeks. I couldn’t have done it without you,” Jamie expresses, getting up to give her a hug. “Anytime darling. And you young man, you make sure you get her home safely.” “I will,” Derek replies giving Shirley her own hug.
As Shirley leaves, Derek and Jamie cuddle up on the couch. “I should clean up a little bit,” Jamie says looking at the mess of the room. “Why? You look fine,” Derek says in a flirtatious tone. “You heard my mother. You better make sure I get home safely.” “Who said anything about going home right now?”
Jamie and Derek share a loving laugh before kissing each other with the greatest amount of passion possible, before laying back with each other on the couch, removing articles of clothing as they begin to make love, leaving the mess of the art gallery.
Scene Seven: The Grove
26 Windmill Street
Liberty City, New York, 01948.
As Garrett and Jennifer continue to enjoy their meals, Jennifer asks, “So, Garrett, what really brought you to town? It couldn’t have been our landmarks.” “I decided it was time to come home. It felt like the right time,” Garrett responds. He continues, “Maybe even to revisit my past. You know, the ones worth revisiting.” “Once again, I ask you, are you trying to woo me Garrett Gregson? Because I know think you know what you’re getting into,” Jennifer responds.
Garrett asks, “What are you talking about Jennifer? I can’t have a dinner with an old friend?” “Not when that old friend is an ex-boyfriend. You and I both know how our past ended.” “That’s the past Jennifer, this is the present. Just trying to be nice to an old friend, girlfriend or not.”
“Okay then. I just want you to know I don’t know if I’m so ready for move on or even think about moving on from Mitchell. He may be gone for a little over two years, but it still feels like yesterday,” Jennifer confesses. Garrett asks, “You and Mitchell seemed very in love. How’d he pass?” “He was going out of town and was killed in a car accident that would have left him paralyzed if he had lived. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t wish I could have stopped him from leaving the house.”
Garrett places his hand on Jennifer’s and says, “I get it Jennifer. And it’s okay. There’s no hidden messages here right now. At least, not yet.” “Well, thank you for the warning. This meal has been delicious. I wouldn’t have expected this from someone like you,” she responds.
The two end their dinner date with a smile with each other.
Scene Eight: CJ Enterprises
14 Earp Street
Liberty City, New York, 01948.
[ The role of Courtney Willis is now being portrayed by Jacqueline MacInnes Wood. ]
Amanda Joy, who is still in shock, asks, “Courtney? What are you doing here? I thought you were in Los Angeles.” “I was, then Cristina visited and told me about what was going on here,” Courtney responds. “You saw Cristina? How is she?” “She’s doing okay, she’s in good health. I think she needed to get away from this place of hell that she’s been living in for years.”
As Courtney takes a seat in a chair, Amanda Joy expresses, “Well, I guess since you’re back in town, you could help out around the offices and boutique.” “I could. But I don’t know if that’s what I want to do,” Courtney makes known. “What do you mean? Is there something else you’re wanting to do?”
Courtney replies, “I don’t know. I mean, I feel like there’s tons of opportunities in town for me. I kind of want to ride it out. And until I figure it out, I guess I could help out around the offices.” “That’d be excellent. I’m so happy to have you back home with me. I’ve missed you,” Amanda Joy says. “I missed you too.”
As the two ladies embrace each other, Courtney immediately leaves the office. Amanda Joy leans back in her chair and picks up a photograph of Cristina sitting on her desk.
Scene Nine: Loft Nº2
1221 Bunker Hill Avenue
Liberty City, New York, 01948.
As Susan enters back into her loft, Jason stands there waiting for her to enter in. She asks, “What are you doing here Jason? I thought I made my point clear.” “You did. And now it’s time I made mine. I’ve been spending weeks, even months paying for what I’ve done wrong. I realize I was wrong in doing what I did. But I did it. And now there’s no going back. I lost two of the most important people in my life and I’ll never get them back,” Jason confesses.
“Jason, I don’t have time for sob stories. I have my own woes to go through.” As Susan begins to walk away, Jason grabs her arm and jerks her back. He continues, “I was done yet. I gave you the respect of listening to you bitch me out. Now it’s my turn to give my voice a shot of being heard. I hurt both Jessica and Natalie, and I’ll never be able to undo it. But it doesn’t make me a bad guy.”
Susan looks Jason dead in the eyes and says, “The hell it doesn’t.” “The hell it does,” Jason lashes back. He continues, “I never once meant to hurt either Natalie or Jessica. If I could bring Jessica happiness again I would. If I could bring Natalie back I would, too.” “Don’t you dare bring her name into this. You’re the reason she’s gone.” “No, I’m not. She’s the reason she’s gone. I never forced her out of town. I was willing to commit to her. And she denied me.”
“You’re in the wrong Jason,” Susan snaps. He replies, “And so was Natalie. She hurt Jessica just as much as I did. So before you start placing the blame all on me, start placing some on her. She got off easy. She’s not here to take the blame, so it’s all on me.” “As it should be. You have your life, she doesn’t.”
“That’s not my fault Susan. I didn’t force her out of town. I pray every day that she could come back to us and I could make this right. You don’t think I live with guilt every day? Because of my actions, and my imperfections, the world was stripped of a woman like your daughter. I love her and I love your granddaughter. So before you start attacking me again, think about that.”
As Susan takes a deep breath in, she turns around to say something to Jason, who is no longer standing there. As she walks to the front door of the loft, she closes it. And as she does so, she leans up against it and lets a stream of tears flow down the side of her face, realizing he was right and she was wrong.
Scene Ten: Liberty City Memorial Park
32 Windmill Street
Liberty City, New York, 01948.
Monica and Keith walk together through the park, lightly covered in late night mist and starlight. “This is beautiful Keith,” Monica says. He replies, “Just like you. Monica, if I had to go through this alone, I do not know if I would have made it out alive. Your strength and vigor to get through these times has been commendable.” “I wouldn’t say it’s commendable, and what are you going on about? This sounds like a marriage proposal.” “That’s because it is.”
Shocked, Monica turns around to see Keith down on one knee with a ring box. “Monica,” he begins and continues, “Getting to know you like I have these past months as truly been a blessing. And it would be an honor if you would marry me?”
Monica sits for a moment and flashes back…
“Dustin, I’m taking my son with me,” Monica says in a firm voice. “No, Monica. You’re not. Isaac is my son, not yours. I’m not letting you take an innocent child into your custody. He’s staying here. And as for your things, you can bring a sheriff with you when you come to pick them up,” Dustin replies throwing a twenty dollar bill at his wife. “That’s the last thing you’re getting from me.”
Back in present time, Monica looks down at Keith and without hesitation says, “Yes.” Keith puts the 4.2 karat diamond ring on Monica’s finger before embracing his new fiancée with a kiss. As they kiss, it begins to lightly snow in the park.
On the Next Liberty City:
Donna moves in with Theo.
Alecia falls deeper into the alcohol bottle.
Cassandra and Dan make a decision concerning their family.
Leah lashes out at her mother and blames her for her wrecked childhood.