Episode: S05E03, “Balancing the Boundary”
Premiere date: 3 March 2025
Written by: Scott Andrews
Guest starring: Coby Ryan McLaughlin (as Cain Wright)
BUZZ CAFÉ
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948
Meredith Johnson walks in through the front entrance of the Buzz Café and approaches the main counter, placing her usual drink order: a hot coffee, two creams and three sugars, with the slightest hint of espresso. Re-adjusting her Ponte-knit navy blue blazer, she then looks down at her phone, noticing notifications from her mother. Scoffing with the slightest bit of care, she places her phone on silent, sliding it back into her purse. Paying for her order, she makes a 90-degree turn and begins to exit towards the side lanai seating area.
“I can’t believe we haven’t done this in so long,” she remarks to her companion, Tori Gregson, who is seated at a table, awaiting the arrival of her companion. “I know,” Tori states in agreement, taking a sip of her lemon tea. “It’s been far too long since we’ve gotten together. So, what’s been going on with you?”
“Where do I even begin? Between the IPO and raising SJ, my days have just been blasted with non-stop ‘excitement,’” Meredith remarks with the slightest hint of sarcasm.
Widening her eyes in reaction, Tori responds, “From the sound of your voice, I highly doubt that sarcastic ‘excitement’ you’re speaking of is all that exciting. And, if I had to take an educated guess, your stress levels are at an all-time high, which is also making me question your decision to be drinking a coffee this afternoon.”
Stopping her mid-sip of her coffee, Meredith responds, “Well, isn’t that quite observant of you. How astute. I never could get anything past you, could I?”
“No, you couldn’t. But, then again, what are best friends for?” Both women share a brief, genuine giggle of agreement at Tori’s statement.
“So,” Tori states, re-opening the conversation, “Why don’t you tell me what’s going on? Really? And don’t say it’s the IPO, because I know it’s more than that.”
Meredith releases a deep, pensive sigh and reveals, “It’s Shaun. It seemed like, for a while anyway, he was genuinely interested in getting to be a father to SJ.”
“And now? What’s changed?”
“Now? He’s distant. Frozen almost. And it’s just letting SJ down, and that’s what I didn’t want to happen; he loves his father so much, and I want that relationship for them, even if Shaun and I did not work out. I don’t want to feel as if I either deprived SJ of that relationship with his father or Shaun of the potential relationship with his son.”
“That certainly sounds like a predicament,” Tori remarks. “But the question remains: what are you going to do about it?”
“And they are,” Tori responds while sipping on her coffee. “We’re in a real good place, and the kids are thriving. It’s the family life I imagined we’d always have from day one.” Realizing the slight doubt in her tone, Meredith inquires, “So why does it seem like there’s something else going on?” “You always could tell when I was lying, couldn’t you?” “Always. So spill, what’s going on?”
Taking another sip of her hot drink, Tori reluctantly opens up within the safe space. “I’m happy. Don’t get me wrong. I’m just at a standstill with Garrett.” “Over what?” Meredith questions. “His hours at the station. I mean, don’t get me wrong; I understand his job and the demands it has, but it just feels like the job is number one and the family is number two.”
“And that upsets you?”
“Yes, it does,” answered Tori. “I just want to feel important. You know? We fought so hard to get back to a good place, and it just feels like that’s all coming undone.”
Reaching out her hand in a sign of compassion, Meredith assures Tori, “Your husband loves you. He loves your children. And I don’t believe, for a single second, that you’re all placing second to his job. You’ve faced that obstacle once before, and I wouldn’t think Garrett would risk his family for a second time. Not many get the second chance you both have gotten. That’s special.”
JOHNSON HOME
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948
Sitting at a desk, adjacent to the house’s front door, Rebecca Flynn sits gathering several streams of paperwork, readying for the day ahead of her. Looking at the time on her phone, she gasps in horror at the time and takes one final sip of her coffee before stacking her papers into one stack at a quickened pace and placing them into her black patent leather brief case. As she gets up to turn around, her husband Michael comes down the stairs, holding his own briefcase and dressed in a navy blue, pinstripe suit.
“Well,” Rebecca admired, “don’t you look nice.” Smiling at his wife’s compliment, he reciprocates, “You look quite beautiful yourself.” Smiling, she responds, “Thank you. Look, I was wondering what you might want for dinner tonight. Steak? A pot roast? Maybe some fettuccine?”
As Rebecca begins to wrap her arms around her husband from behind him, he immediately jets towards the front door before dismissing, “Uh, I’ll grab something at the hospital. I don’t know when I’ll be home.”
Confused, she exclaims, “Stop,” before continuing, “We both agreed we’d start spending more time at home together. I made sure to clear my schedule for tonight, and I was under the assumption you were doing the same.”
“Well, clearly you assumed wrong. I have a long day of meetings ahead of me, and then I’ve got to make my rounds,” Michael responds. “Surely you understand, yes?”
“No,” Rebecca coldly responds, “I do not understand. We both agreed to make an effort in this marriage and to be here for each other, especially if we are going to, at the very least, try and have a baby. I took that seriously, Michael, and I thought you were, too.”
“I do take it seriously,” Michael shortly responds, “but I also have a job that demands my attention and presence right now.” “And I don’t? Diane and I are swarmed with cases, and we’re doing our best to divide up the work as evenly as possible.”
“And I have to make sure things are going to plan with the Medical Center for our grand opening later this spring, and I have patients who need consulting on.”
Stepping towards her husband, Rebecca begins to plead, “What are we doing, Michael? We get to a point where we communicate, and we come up with these plans, and somehow we never follow through.”
“I know,” Michael says in comfort, “but we also have obligations to our patients and our clients and our jobs. I will do my best to be home as soon as I can, but, like I said, my schedule is packed.”
As Michael leans forward and kisses Rebecca on the forehead, he states, “Now, I have to go. I’ll call you on lunch, I promise.”
Quickly opening and closing the front door to the Tack House, Rebecca turns her head towards a portrait of the pair’s 2011 wedding and next to it a recent vow renewal. Feeling an immense amount of abandonment by her husband, she takes a brief moment to feel her own emotions before wiping the single shed tear from her right eye, collecting herself, gathering her belongings, and heading out the front door herself. Before closing the front door, she briefly pauses and looks back at her home, wondering if it would ever be filled with the warm love she had thought it once was.
JOHNSON INDUSTRIES
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948
The main elevator doors open to the executive offices of Johnson Industries. From within the elevator, Logan Johnson exits, reading over paperwork and walking her way towards her office. Ignoring most of those leering at her, she opens the door to her office and immediately shuts it loudly, reverberating against the walls of the entire office. As she sits at her desk, a knock appears on the door.
“Come in,” Logan calls out. Opening the door, Cain Wright walks into the office. “Am I interrupting,” Cain questions. “No,” Logan responds, “please, come in.”
As Cain approaches Logan, she questions, “Do you have those notes and reports I asked for?” “Yes,” Cain responds, “they’re right here.”
Taking the folder from Cain, she quickly skims over the files before thanking him for his assistance. “You’ve been quite helpful, Mr. Wright. I appreciate it.” “Is there anything else I might be able to do for you,” Cain questions in response. “No. That’s all, thank you. If I need you, I’ll send a message through the system. Thanks again.”
Feeling coldly dismissed, Cain returns to the door of the office and exits. Not hearing the door shut, Logan states out loud, “Cain, shut the…” and pauses, seeing Jennifer Hughes standing in the doorway.
“Such a shame, isn’t it,” Jennifer taunts, “How no one has the decency to close the door. Never know who may walk in.”
“And without invitation,” Logan absently responds, unimpressed with her estranged sister’s presence. “I don’t need an invitation,” Jennifer reminds Logan.
“What do you want, Jennifer? Now is not the best time.”
“I know it’s not. It never is with you, is it? But we have unfinished business.”
Confused, Logan questions, “What unfinished business?”
Pressing her lips and moving towards Logan, Jennifer responds, “The IPO and what it means for the Hotel. I told you to figure this out, Logan. The reopening of the hotel is dependent on knowing who took hold of the IPO; otherwise, I must insist we sever the business workings between the hotel and Johnson Industries.”
“We are working on it.”
“Not fast enough. I’m here to warn you that you have 30 days henceforth to either disclose what you know or the business workings between Johnson and the hotel will be nulled.”
Laughing off Jennifer’s claim, Logan responds, “You can’t do that. You don’t have the power.”
“Yes,” Jennifer responds in a smoldering tone, “I have the power to do this. I’ve been in contact with my lawyers, and I am fully intending on taking this to the Board of Directors if I have to. I will not be held back by your severe lack of competence to run this company. Don’t cross me, Logan. We both know what I know, and I fully intend on using it to protect the hotel from you and anyone else threatening its continued success moving forward.”
Feeling the tension, Logan remains silent in her brief confrontation. Sensing no response, Jennifer opens the door to Logan’s office, but not before quipping, “Oh, and, if I were you, I wouldn’t flaunt my boy toy in the office where you both work. Very unprofessional.”
As the door slams shut, Logan quickly turns towards the door, with the most honest look of astonishment and disbelief at her sister’s remarks.
CARRACO
LIBERTY CITY, NEW YORK, 01948
A stillness from the outside of the building, with the cool, brisk breeze bellowing against the building’s darkened glass-tint windows. Inside, riding the elevator up, Walter Carraway looks down at his watch, an old-school manner in the age of phone attachments of today’s generation. Noticing the time, the elevator chimes, and the doors open, immediately drowning out the sound of silence with the bustling sounds of workers working.
Moving his way down the hallway, he is met with a cheering of “Good morning, Mr. Carraway” from several workers on the floor, acknowledging his presence in both the building and at the company. A command of respect he carries in his demeanor, offering occasional waves and nods of acknowledgment, without missing his steps to his office.
Stepping to his office doors, he opens them to enter. Unlike the most modern-designed hallways, Walter’s office holds a sophisticated charm of vintage appeal, with darker wood walls and matching dressings. Behind his desk stands his wife, Grace, perfecting the photographs on his back desk.
“Well, aren’t you a sight for these old eyes,” Walter comments, barely startling Grace from her wifely duties.
“Oh stop that,” Grace counters, “Flattery will get you everything, and then some, my darling.” Walking towards her husband, she welcomes him with a soft kiss. “Don’t you like it, darling? It’s very you.”
As Grace closes the door for her husband, he responds, “It’s very grand, and it feels like home.” “Perhaps you should try the chair. I think you’ll like it, a lot,” Grace says, extending her arm towards the grand leather chair sitting behind the dark mahogany desk.
Pulling his chair out, Walter sinks into it, immediately placing his arms on the chair’s own arms, settling in comfortably. “Nice. Very, very.” Leaning forward onto the desk, Grace smiles, “See? I knew you’d love it.” Extending his arms to his wife, he thanks her, “Thank you, my darling. You are the best.”
As the pair embrace and share a kiss, a knock is heard at the door as it opens, with Penelope Carraway entering. “Oh,” she interrupts, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.” “No, no, it’s alright. What can I do for you, Penelope?” Walter responds. “I just wanted to thank you for the beautiful work done in the office.”
“Work?” Grace questions in an inquisitive tone. “What work are you referring to, Penelope?”
Getting the notion she caught the nerve of her ex-husband’s current wife, Penelope settled into herself before responding, “With my office, Grace. Walter was gracious enough to make sure everything I like was in it. From the design to the fabrics and the drinks. That’s what happens when you’ve known each other as long as we have.”
Irritated, Grace coldly responds in calculation, “Yes, I know. That’s why I love my husband. He knows what I need and want, and I never have to ask for it. He just knows.”
“Okay, okay,” Walter interrupts, “That’s enough. Back to your corners. Penelope, you are very welcome for the office. I am glad you like it.”
“Well, now that we’ve exchanged pleasantries, I best be off,” Penelope explains, before Grace interjects, “Yes. I have a meeting to get to. Darling, I shall see you at lunch.” “Have a lovely day, you two.”
Kissing her husband farewell, Grace makes her way to the door, opens it and then exits. As she begins to walk away, her phone rings from an unknown caller. Answering, “Hello. I thought I told you not to call. No, it’s not time yet. No. It’s too soon. When it’s time, I will let you know. Don’t call again.”
Hanging up the call, with her shift having changed, Grace looks back at her husband’s office before heading off to her own for her meeting.