Heart & Soul

Episode 1.03

By Allan Craig

 

Jessica's Apartment
Jessica and Will woke up together in the huge bed.

“That was good” a half asleep Jessica whispered.

“Just good?” Will asked.

“No, amazing”

The
Sterling Mansion: Guest House
Greg woke up to the smell of coffee brewing. He got out of bed and walked into the lounge.

“Morning” he smiled, expecting to see Carrie.

“Good morning Greg” Diane greeted her son as she threw bacon in the pan.

Greg grabbed his robe and threw it on.

“Mom, what are you doing here?” asked Greg angrily, covering up.

“Greg, there’s no need to cover up, I’m your mother, I’ve seen you in your underpants a million times” Diane giggled.

“Not since I was 10, mom. How did you get in here?”

“I own this place, remember?” Diane's smile made Greg feel uneasy.

“Where’s Carrie?”

“Shopping” the one word from Diane put dread in Greg's stomach.

“I’m gonna go put some clothes on, then we can talk”

Oakridge High
Ashley pulled up outside the school in her jeep. She turned of the stereo and got out, locked the door and hoisted her bag over her shoulder. She started walking towards the school. Nick walked over to her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her on the cheek.

“You're awfully chirpy today” Ashley hadn't seen Nick this happy for a while, and she liked it.

“Well, it’s a year and a day since our third date anniversary” Nick reminded her, “You wanna go out tonight?”

“I can’t, I’ve got the interview for the pageant tonight”

“Pageant?”

“Oh didn’t I tell you, I entered the Miss Oakridge pageant”

“I’m dating a beauty queen?”

“I wouldn’t go that far”

The
Sterling Mansion: Guest House
Greg walked into his living room.
“Mom, I thought when we agreed I’d live here that this was mine and Carrie’s place” Greg was clearly angry.

“I know, but when it’s
12:30 and you aren't out of bed yet, I had to go get my key and come in” Diane replied

The door opened and Carrie came in carrying some bags and brochures.

“Diane, hi” Carrie forced a smile.

“Well I better go, leave you two alone” Diane got up and walkied out.

“What was that all about?” asked Carrie.

“Well, I woke up and she was here”

“Which is exactly why I got these when I was out” grinned Carrie, dropping a pile of brochures onto the coffee table.

“What’s this?” Greg was puzzled

“Real estate, not just in Oakridge, but all over the state, and country” Carrie's eyes were bright with excitement

“You're set on leaving town, huh?”

“No, I just think we should explore our options a little. At least consider it. Imagine, a New York loft apartment, a Malibu beach house, a Beverly Hills mansion, a penthouse in LA, the possibilities are endless Greg”

“Yeah, they are. But lets just concentrate on getting a place in Oakridge first, then we can think about other places” Greg laid down the law

“Whatever”

 

Oakridge High Parking Lot
Ashley and Nick sat having lunch in Ashley’s jeep.

“So, tell me more about the pageant” Nick's mouth was full of food., “I never knew you’d want to be a beauty queen”

“Neither did I, but, I remember when I was little, my mom used to tell me how she was Miss Oakridge when she was my age, and even thought she’s left, I still wanna do it”

“Well, do you want me to come along for moral support?” Nick offered

“Yeah, yeah I’d like that. I’ll pick you up at 6:30” Ashley jumped at his offer.

LATER THAT NIGHT

The Abbot House: Ashley's Bedroom

Ashley stood in front of her bedroom mirror, trying to decide on an outfit to wear for her interview.
There was a knock at the door.

“Come in” she yelled.

The door opened and Wesley walked in.

“Hey sweetie, Nick called, he said he’d meet you there”

“Okay, how do I look?” asked Ashley, turning around in her outfit.

“Great” Wesley replied.

“Well, I better go, wish me luck” a hopeful Ashley took a breath.

“You don’t need it, you’re gonna win” Wesley's confidence in Ashley was obvious.

“Yeah right”

 

Oakridge High
Nick stood outside, waiting for Ashley. Girls walked past him on their way into the school. One stopped.

“Lost?” she asked.

“I’m waiting for my girlfriend” Nick replied, making it clear he had a girlfriend.

“Oh, well I better go in, don’t want to start off on the wrong foot. I’m Kim by the way, Kim Logan”

“Nick Fitch” Nick politely introduced himself.

“Well, I’ll see you around, hopefully” she shot him a flirtatious smile.

Kim walked into the building. Ashley pulled up in her jeep and got out.

“Hey” Ashley kissed Nick.

“Hi” Nick responded, obviously pleased to see her.

“Who was that you were talking to?”

“Just some girl, another contestant” Nick made it clear to Ashley he wasnt interested in the girl.

“We better go in”

Jazz & Co
Carrie sat with Jessica in the bar.

“So, where did you get off to last night?” asked Carrie.

“Oh nowhere” Jessica replied, being careful not to make eye contact with Carrie by gazing into her drink.

“Yeah right, I can tell by that look on your face that you did something last night”

“Unless it means watching Bridget Jones’ Diary then you're wrong”

“You had sex, didn’t you”

Jessica spat her drink out in humiliation.

“You wanna repeat it? I don’t think they could hear it back in Hong Kong”

“Well, who with?”

“No one”

“Tell me who”

“Will”


“Police have discovered the dead body of businesswoman Calinda Whitehead. She was found dead in her home, it is unclear if it was murder or suicide, as Whitehead’s business was failing” said the pretty anchorwoman of WFTB Oakridge News, “No further details have been released, but here at WFTB we’ll keep you posted with the latest developments”
Diane turned off the TV and picked up her purse. She walked out of the mansion.

TO BE CONTINUED…

 

 

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