- Edward Burton: Oh, I ran into an old buddy of mine at the bar.
- Veronica Koslowski: You did?
- Edward Burton: Yeah. Les Sadler.
- Veronica Koslowski: So why didn't you introduce me?
- Edward Burton: You already met him.
- Veronica Koslowski: I don't know a Les Sadler.
- Edward Burton: You sure?
- Veronica Koslowski: Yeah. I'm sure.
- Edward Burton: Yeah, he probably didn't use his real name.
- Veronica Koslowski: For what?
- Edward Burton: When he was your customer. He probably didn't use his real name.
- Veronica Koslowski: I am so confused.
- Edward Burton: Oh, he's about five-nine, and balding, in his seventies, speaks with a Southern accent.
- Veronica Koslowski: [smiling] Did you have a little too much to drink, Edward?
- Edward Burton: [laughs] You know, old Les must not be as memorable as he thinks he is, because he said that you were the best hooker he ever had, and you can't even remember him from Adam.
- Veronica Koslowski: [incredulously] Hooker?
- Edward Burton: You were the best. And the most expensive.
- Veronica Koslowski: Wait. One of your friends said that I was a hooker?
- Edward Burton: Oh, come on, Veronica! Don't you have some plan to help get you through these embarrassing moments?
- Veronica Koslowski: [calmly] Not only am I furious that some man I have never even met, would say such a thing, I'm outraged that you would believe it.
- Edward Burton: Way to go! That's better, "outraged"!
- Veronica Koslowski: [turns away in disgust] I'm calling a cab!
- Edward Burton: [pulls her back] Yeah, well, you're not, you're staying right here!
- Veronica Koslowski: You're hurting me!
- Edward Burton: [seething] You made a fool out of me.
- Veronica Koslowski: He's lying!
- Edward Burton: Les doesn't know how to lie. He even told me that he took pictures of you two on top of the Empire State Building. He's still got 'em. If you'd like, we could go down to Les's house now and look at them together... and we'll see who's telling the truth.
- Veronica Koslowski: [sighs, then soft snarl] Let go of me!
- Edward Burton: Why me? Why'd you pick me?
- Veronica Koslowski: I didn't pick you...
- Edward Burton: You think I'm that stupid.
- Veronica Koslowski: I fell in love with you!
- Edward Burton: [sarcastic] Oh, bring out the violins!
- Veronica Koslowski: I'm not breaking into tears and I'm not telling you some sob story. I'm the stupid one for wanting to ever get away from my past.
- Edward Burton: [taunting] You are, sugar!
- Veronica Koslowski: But you listen to me, Edward Burton. If I didn't fall in love with you...
- Edward Burton: Oh, spare me, please...!
- Veronica Koslowski: ...I wouldn't be dating you. I'm telling you the whole truth. The truth is I came here to con you...
- Edward Burton: And you got caught!
- Veronica Koslowski: You didn't even suspect a thing... Tom and I cheated you out of your riverboat. That was the con.
- Edward Burton: [taken aback by her revelation] It was a set-up?
- Veronica Koslowski: You don't even know the half of it.
- Edward Burton: I know nobody ever cheats Edward Burton and gets away with it.
- Veronica Koslowski: And that's exactly why Tom came back. Because you're vengeful and spiteful. And you ruined his father.
- Edward Burton: I don't even know Tom Massick's father.
- Veronica Koslowski: You drove Tom's father to suicide because you caught him with your wife.
- [shocked, Edward's mind reels, recalling past events]
- Veronica Koslowski: Figured it out yet? He's Tom Henderson. Little Tommy Henderson who found his father lying in a pool of blood with his face half shot off.
- [Edward clearly remembers]
- Veronica Koslowski: Now you know it all, so here's your lousy ring.
- [drops it on the pavement]
- Veronica Koslowski: Tom was right, you deserve to rot in hell!
- [walks off]
- Edward Burton: [on car phone] Yeah?
- Reese Burton: [excited] I couldn't wait to see you in person!
- Edward Burton: Reese?
- Reese Burton: Daddy, I have the most incredible news!
- Edward Burton: What?
- Reese Burton: Tom and I are engaged.
- [he sits next to her, smiling]
- Reese Burton: Isn't that wonderful? Oh, Tom wanted to tell you in person, but I jumped the gun. Here's Tom...
- Tom Massick: I didn't mean for you to hear it this way, Edward.
- Edward Burton: [grinning darkly] On the contrary. It's the perfect day to hear the news.
- Tom Massick: I love your daughter very much, Sir, I'll do everything in my power to make her happy.
- Edward Burton: Oh, I'm sure you will, Tom.
- [nods ominously, puts down the car phone]
- Peyton Richards: [admiring ring] Oh, Reese,
- [laughs]
- Peyton Richards: you know it is not fair. You are on your second engagement, I haven't even had one.
- Reese Burton: It isn't anything like my engagement to Travis. Tom is completely different, thank goodness. He's too good not to marry.
- Vincent Massick: [from behind bar] You're too good not to marry. Tom's a lucky dog.
- Peyton Richards: [both girls murmur appreciatively] Where is Tom anyway? I wanna congratulate this groom-to-be.
- Reese Burton: Oh, he's working on the books. All the gaming equipment is arriving on Thursday, and he's going to throw a big bash to open the casino.
- Tom Massick: [a knock on his office door] Come in.
- Peyton Richards: [entering, surveying his office] Ah, you are some piece of work, sugar.
- Tom Massick: What do you mean?
- Peyton Richards: Well, I thought you were a two-bit con artist,
- [nodding head in mock awe]
- Peyton Richards: but I'm much more impressed with you now.
- Tom Massick: I told you I went straight.
- Peyton Richards: [still nodding] Oh, you did. Straight to Reese Burton.
- Tom Massick: I love Reese.
- Peyton Richards: [dripping with irony] I'll bet you loved her ever since you two were kids.
- Tom Massick: [smiling] I only met her a few months ago.
- Peyton Richards: You could be telling the truth about that. You might not have met when you were kids. I mean, Tommy Henderson was a few grades ahead of Reese Burton in elementary school.
- Tom Massick: Henderson?
- [feigns ignorance, shakes head]
- Peyton Richards: [places the envelope on his desk] You've been a little pet project of mine.
- [smirks]
- Peyton Richards: Whatever happened to poor little Tommy after his father shot himself? Well, his mother married some tough guy from Jersey named Massick.
- Tom Massick: Why have you taken such an interest in my life?
- Peyton Richards: [smiles] Because it is just so melodramatic. All these twists and turns, and now, here you are in Savannah, right back where you started from.
- Tom Massick: [softly] What do you want?
- Peyton Richards: I wanna shake your hand, mister.
- Tom Massick: Why?
- Peyton Richards: Because... I hate Edward Burton every bit as much as you do.
- Tom Massick: I figured I had a lot of company in that regard... but, uh... what did he do to you?
- Peyton Richards: Let's just say that he owes me too, and we'll leave it at that.
- Tom Massick: All right.
- Peyton Richards: You and I have a lot in common.
- [leaning over his desk]
- Peyton Richards: If there's anything that I can do... to help you bury Edward Burton, please let me know.
- Dean Collins: [Lane has some story to tell] Shoot.
- Lane McKenzie: Uh, do you know what your wife was doing when she was away?
- Dean Collins: Last week? Yeah, she had a job in sales, flew to Augusta. Why?
- Lane McKenzie: I mean, when she left you for six months, do you know what she was doing?
- Dean Collins: Why are you asking?
- Lane McKenzie: I saw... Jeannie... kissing another man at the airport the other day.
- Dean Collins: There could be an explanation for that.
- Lane McKenzie: I thought so too.
- Dean Collins: Maybe it wasn't even Jeannie.
- Lane McKenzie: It was.
- Dean Collins: So there could still be an explanation for it.
- Lane McKenzie: That's why I tracked the man down - to get the explanation.
- Dean Collins: You tracked him down?
- Lane McKenzie: Look, the last thing I wanna do is cause trouble.
- Dean Collins: But...?
- Lane McKenzie: But I found out this man lives in Augusta, and I went to see him.
- Dean Collins: Did you talk to him?
- Lane McKenzie: Yes. I asked if... he knew Jeannie Collins, and he said...
- Dean Collins: Lane, quit your dragging it out, and just say it.
- Lane McKenzie: The man told me she was his fiancee.
- Dean Collins: Jeannie?
- Lane McKenzie: Yes.
- Dean Collins: [shocked] That's crazy.
- Edward Burton: [in his office] Gordon, I hear that, uh, Tom Massick down at the riverboat has ordered a whole mess of gambling equipment from you.
- Gordon: Yes, Sir. Roulette wheel, blackjack tables, slot machines.
- Edward Burton: Wow. That is a big order, huh?
- [sits down behind his desk]
- Edward Burton: Too bad old Tom is not gonna get it.
- Gordon: I shouldn't have any trouble supplying him. Heck, it should be in town tomorrow.
- Edward Burton: [shakes head] No, no, Gordon, I'm afraid all that equipment is gonna get lost... in transit.
- Gordon: [looks uncomfortable] Mr. Burton, if anything happens to that equipment, I'm liable. Massick's already given me a deposit.
- Edward Burton: Let him sue you.
- Gordon: Mr. Burton...
- Edward Burton: [shakes head] I'll take care of all your legal expenses regarding the matter.
- Gordon: But...
- Edward Burton: My guess is it will take about five years to get to trial, and
- [smirking:]
- Edward Burton: he'll be dead broke by then.
- [leans forward over desk:]
- Edward Burton: And here's the good part, Gordon: You get to keep his deposit, and I pay full price for the equipment, plus ten percent for your trouble. Hell, you can travel around the world for that kind of money, Gordon. What do you say?
- Tom Massick: [on phone] If that equipment isn't here by Thursday, I'll see you in court.
- [Reese is outside]
- Tom Massick: Then give me my deposit back!
- [throws down the receiver]
- Reese Burton: [entering] What happened?
- Tom Massick: The boat my equipment was on, it sank.
- Reese Burton: There must be insurance.
- Tom Massick: The retailer didn't buy coverage.
- Reese Burton: Well then, they have to give you your money back.
- Tom Massick: It's like getting blood out of a turnip.
- Reese Burton: You can sue.
- Tom Massick: No, that will take years. I need the gambling equipment now.
- Reese Burton: Buy it from someone else.
- Tom Massick: Cash flow problem, Reese. My capital's tied up in other investments.
- Jeannie Collins: I hope you like this sauce. I was watching the Cooking Channel in my hotel room, and I wrote down the recipe.
- [giggles]
- Dean Collins: [tasting] Mm. What hotel was that?
- Jeannie Collins: Mm. Don't know, some no-frills chain, I can't remember which one.
- Dean Collins: Well, I'd like to know where you are when you're on the road.
- Jeannie Collins: Yeah, absolutely, it's just I get into my hotel room so late sometimes I don't wanna call and wake you.
- Dean Collins: I don't mind if you call.
- Jeannie Collins: Well, I will on this trip.
- Dean Collins: You're taking another trip?
- Jeannie Collins: Yes, only for a week. My sales are going great, and if I am first for the month, we can win a free trip to Hawaii.
- Dean Collins: Jeannie, you've only been on the job a couple of weeks.
- Jeannie Collins: Well, I told you I'd be good at it.
- [he doesn't look thrilled]
- Jeannie Collins: Of course, if you don't wanna go to Hawaii with me, Dean Collins, I'll just have to get somebody else to represent tan lotion in my bed.
- [he sighs]
- Jeannie Collins: I'm just teasin'.
- Jason Collins: [calling from his bedroom] Mommy! Mommy!
- Jeannie Collins: [sighs] Let me read Jason a book.
- [goes off, leaving Dean alone in the kitchen, wondering...]
- Lane McKenzie: [phone rang] Hello?
- Dean Collins: Lane, it's Dean. Can you come with me to Augusta tomorrow?
- Lane McKenzie: Yeah, I'll call in sick.
- Dean Collins: Great. I wanna talk to this guy face to face. I'll talk to you later, okay?
- Lane McKenzie: Okay. Bye.
- [uncertain]
- Edward Burton: [as they walk to his study] Ah, I had no idea that Tom was in financial trouble.
- Reese Burton: Well, it's only temporary.
- Edward Burton: Well, that's a relief.
- Reese Burton: But you have to promise to keep it a secret.
- Edward Burton: I will.
- Reese Burton: Because Tom is too proud to ask you for help himself.
- Edward Burton: [ironic tone] Tom is a... proud man.
- Reese Burton: So I was hoping you could loan me the money, and then I could give it to Tom.
- Edward Burton: Hmm. Well, honey, I would, if I could.
- [sits down behind his desk]
- Reese Burton: If you could?
- Edward Burton: You know I don't keep my money in cash.
- Reese Burton: You could sell some stock.
- Edward Burton: I'd take a beating with the way the stock market is now.
- Reese Burton: Is that true, or are you just brushing me off?
- Edward Burton: I would think twice before you start accusing me, young lady. You're always getting on your high horse about wanting to earn your own money, and every time one of your friends gets in trouble, you come whining to me to bail him out!
- Reese Burton: Well, I won't make that mistake again.
- [turns, goes off]
- Edward Burton: Just like you wouldn't pick the wrong man again?
- Reese Burton: Tom is not the wrong man!
- Edward Burton: [sighs, then rises] Honey, he is not who you think he is.
- Reese Burton: [turns back from door] I am not gonna stand here and listen to you criticize Tom.
- Edward Burton: Reese...
- Reese Burton: I mean it!
- Edward Burton: Use your head! The man acts like he's as rich as Donald Trump, but he's telling you he has a cash flow problem?
- Reese Burton: Isn't that the excuse you just gave me? Or are you telling me that you're not the man you say you are?
- Edward Burton: Fine! You have a lot of lessons to learn yet, young lady! I guess you're just gonna have to learn 'em all the hard way!
- Reese Burton: Tom and I will do just fine, thank you very much.
- [turns to leave]
- Edward Burton: And I'm telling you, Tom Massick bit off more than he could chew when he came to Savannah!
- [Reese leaves]
- Reese Burton: I've called every distributor and manufacturer of gaming equipment in the fifty states. I've found one that could outfit us in time, but... it's gonna cost an arm and a leg.
- Tom Massick: How much?
- Reese Burton: Fifty thousand.
- Vincent Massick: [from behind bar] It's more than an arm and a leg. It's a whole damn body.
- Peyton Richards: Well, forget the casino. How about bingo night?
- Tom Massick: I think I might just have to let this little boat go under, because, uh,
- [crumples bar tab]
- Tom Massick: I'm not going to disturb my other investments.
- [rises, leaves]
- Reese Burton: [sighs] I can't stand to see him get burned. I've asked Daddy for a loan, but he doesn't have any money.
- Peyton Richards: [skeptical] Your Dad doesn't have any money?
- Reese Burton: Not available money.
- Peyton Richards: That's more like it.
- Reese Burton: I should have learned by now that the only way to get money out of my father is to pry it away with a crowbar or to catch him in bed with a sheep.
- Peyton Richards: [scoffs, surprised by her normally sedate friend] Wicked, Reese.
- [then gets inspired...]
- Peyton Richards: [as Tom stands deep in thought] Don't look so hang-dog. I've got a proposition for you.
- Tom Massick: Yeah, what's that?
- Peyton Richards: Let's say I deliver your gambling equipment in time for your fancy-shmancy opening.
- Tom Massick: You got fifty thousand?
- Peyton Richards: This is 'what if'...
- Tom Massick: [dismissive] Armed robbery is a felony.
- Peyton Richards: [smirks] Let's say I got the money, and I deliver the equipment. I'm gonna want something in return.
- Tom Massick: Why are you so bound and determined to help me?
- Peyton Richards: 'Cause I want Edward Burton to feel some pain, and I can't imagine anything that would gall him more than to see the son of his old enemy rise up from the ashes.
- Tom Massick: What did he do to you?
- Peyton Richards: [coldly] Plenty.
- Tom Massick: Well, some day you have to tell me the story.
- Peyton Richards: Some day I might. Okay, here are my terms. I deliver the equipment on time and on schedule and I deliver for free.
- Tom Massick: Free?
- Peyton Richards: That's right. It won't cost you a penny.
- Tom Massick: What's the catch?
- Peyton Richards: I get half the boat.
- Tom Massick: [snickers] Half the boat?
- [she nods]
- Tom Massick: Dream on.
- Peyton Richards: You heard me, sugar. Half the boat.
- Tom Massick: I can't agree to that
- Peyton Richards: Sure you can. You don't want Edward Burton to watch you crawl out of town with your tail between your legs.
- Tom Massick: You're laying it on a little thick.
- Peyton Richards: I know what you think, because I think the same way too. You're gonna say yes...
- [leaning in suggestively, her mouth close to his face]
- Tom Massick: Okay. You pull it off... You get half the boat.
- Peyton Richards: [smirks] I know what else you're thinking.
- [leans in for kiss, but pulls away at the last moment, then leaves Tom standing there]
- Detective Wheeler: [at police station, phone rings] Hello, Wheeler here.
- Jeannie Collins: [from phone booth] Michael? Hi, it's Jeannie.
- Detective Wheeler: Hey, Jeannie. What can I do for you?
- Jeannie Collins: Well, I need to speak to my husband.
- Detective Wheeler: Uh, Dean isn't here.
- Jeannie Collins: Oh. Uhm, will you leave a message for me?
- Detective Wheeler: Sure.
- Jeannie Collins: He... he said he wanted me to stay in touch with him when I'm on the road, so I'm at my old roommate's house in Madison, to save some money, Mary Beth, you should remember. Look, I'd give you her number, but her phone was just disconnected and she's not getting a new one till next week. Uh, just tell Dean that I'll just check in with him later so he won't worry.
- Detective Wheeler: I doubt if he'll be calling. He took the day off. Said he had some business in Augusta.
- Jeannie Collins: [instantly rattled] In Augusta?
- [nervous scoff]
- Jeannie Collins: Why on earth would he go to Augusta?
- Detective Wheeler: He didn't say. But I'll tell him that you called if he checks in, all right?
- Jeannie Collins: Yeah. Thanks.
- Detective Wheeler: All right, bye.
- [puts down phone, leaving Jeannie very uncertain, as a sign near the phone booth reveals her to be in Augusta]
- Matt Carter: [in his office] Can I help you?
- Lane McKenzie: I'm Lane McKenzie. We spoke last week at your house.
- Dean Collins: [introducing himself] Dean.
- [they shake hands]
- Matt Carter: Oh right, I remember. You were looking for my fiancee.
- Lane McKenzie: [nervous laugh] Uh, sorry to disturb you at your office. We stopped by your house, and your neighbor gave us this address.
- Dean Collins: He said Jeannie might be here.
- Matt Carter: You just missed her.
- Dean Collins: Oh.
- [looks uncomfortably at Lane]
- Matt Carter: Oh, you're friends of hers?
- Dean Collins: [voice thick with irony] Yeah, yeah, we go way back.
- Matt Carter: Oh, great! I know she'll wanna see you. Lemme get a pen. I'll write down your names and numbers.
- Dean Collins: Have you and Jeannie been together long?
- Matt Carter: Almost a year.
- Lane McKenzie: [surprised] A year?
- Matt Carter: Yeah.
- Dean Collins: When's the wedding?
- Matt Carter: [beaming] She wants to be a June bride.
- Dean Collins: [as they share a laugh] Well, you must be quite a guy. She was always so particular, it's hard to imagine Jeannie Collins married.
- Matt Carter: Collins?
- Dean Collins: Yeah. Jeannie Collins.
- Matt Carter: My fiancee's Jeannie Collier.
- Lane McKenzie: Collier?
- Matt Carter: You said you were looking for Jeannie Collier when you stopped by.
- Lane McKenzie: I said Collins.
- Matt Carter: Let's skip to the bottom of this.
- [opens drawer, takes out photo]
- Matt Carter: Here, it's my fiancee Jeannie.
- Lane McKenzie: [taking a look] It isn't her.
- Matt Carter: I beg your pardon?
- Lane McKenzie: I saw you kissing Jeannie Collins in the Savannah airport the other day.
- Matt Carter: Then you need glasses.
- Lane McKenzie: My eyesight is just fine.
- Matt Carter: What are you talking about? Who are you people?
- Lane McKenzie: I know you flew to Savannah. I saw the airplane passenger list.
- Matt Carter: [nods impatiently] Not that it's any of your damn business, but I did go to Savannah the other day to conduct business. I flew back the same day. I didn't kiss any Jeannie Collins in the airport, I don't even know a Jeannie Collins, and if you don't leave right now, I'm calling the police!
- Dean Collins: No, no, no. That won't be necessary.
- [to Lane:]
- Dean Collins: Come on.
- Lane McKenzie: But something's not right!
- Dean Collins: Come on, we'll talk about this outside.
- [she heads for the door]
- Dean Collins: Sorry to take up your time.
- [leaves, closing the door, with Matt glaring after them]
- Jeannie Collins: [entering just after Lane and Dean has left] Oh... thank you so much, honey.
- [embraces him]
- Matt Carter: I cannot believe they're trying to track you down.
- Jeannie Collins: [sighs] Well, they must have seen us together at the airport the other day, and recognized me. I mean, they did see me on the day of the birth, it's just that the adoption agency promised no one can ever get my name.
- Matt Carter: It's a good thing that they at least warned us that couple is trying to find their child's birth mother.
- Jeannie Collins: I was only seventeen when I got pregnant, and... the circumstances were so awful...
- Matt Carter: Don't worry yourself about that. It's in the past. I'm here to protect you now.
- Jeannie Collins: You're not mad at me?
- Matt Carter: [scoffs] Jeannie, honey, I love you! You're gonna be my wife!
- Jeannie Collins: [laughs] Well, I don't want those people to ever find me.
- Matt Carter: Don't worry, I convinced them they're wrong. They're not gonna bother us again.
- [they hug, but secretly, she has a grim expression]
- Edward Burton: [on phone] Hello?
- Peyton Richards: [carefully opening a bottle of whiskey] Hi, Mr. Burton.
- Edward Burton: Oh, hello, Peyton.
- Peyton Richards: I know that this is sort of last minute and all, but I need to come over and talk to you tonight.
- Edward Burton: Uh... well, does it have to be tonight?
- Peyton Richards: Yes, it's... it's very important.
- Edward Burton: Well, I'd much rather that you'd call my secretary tomorrow, and she'd set up an appointment.
- Peyton Richards: [mixing sleeping potion] Oh, I would do that, if it weren't so urgent in need, and personal. You see,
- [dropping an ominous hint:]
- Peyton Richards: I was visiting with Mother at the jail, and... well, I just... can't talk about it over the phone.
- Edward Burton: [careful] Well, if it's that important... maybe I can... move a few things around.
- Peyton Richards: Oh, that would be wonderful. I would be so
- [pops funnel into bottle]
- Peyton Richards: grateful.
- Edward Burton: Well, let's say
- [checks wristwatch]
- Edward Burton: 8:30 then?
- Peyton Richards: [pours potion neatly into bottle] 8:30? Great! Thank you so, so much.
- Edward Burton: All right.
- [puts down phone]
- Peyton Richards: [smoothly re-capping bottle, finishes concoction, murmuring softly to herself:] Sleep tight, Daddy.
- Edward Burton: [leading his guest to the study] Come on in here.
- Peyton Richards: Why, I was so happy that you could see me tonight, I... I picked this up on the way over.
- [offers bottle of bourbon whiskey]
- Edward Burton: Oh?
- [accepts bottle]
- Edward Burton: Well, that was very kind of you.
- Peyton Richards: Well, kindness has nothing to do with it. You know the saying. "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach?"
- Edward Burton: Mm.
- Peyton Richards: Well, not for a Southern man. Nothing works better on him than a good bourbon.
- Edward Burton: [laughs] Well, I hope you're not here to beg money for Tom Massick, because there's not enough bourbon in Kingdom Come to soften me up for that.
- Peyton Richards: Oh, well, I... I didn't even know Tom is in trouble.
- Edward Burton: Oh, over his head, and out of his league.
- Peyton Richards: Oh, well, I'm not surprised. You know, a true Southern gentleman would offer me a drink by now.
- Edward Burton: I'm sorry.
- [laughs]
- Edward Burton: You know, I keep forgetting that you're an adult.
- Peyton Richards: [laughs] Well, I have been for some time.
- Edward Burton: Of course you are. You and Reese grew up so quickly. Too damn quick. Uh... bourbon?
- Peyton Richards: No, no. I'm a... Scotch drinker.
- Edward Burton: Oh.
- [nods, starts pouring]
- Edward Burton: So now... what was so urgent that you couldn't wait another day?
- Peyton Richards: Oh, it's Mother.
- [takes off jacket]
- Peyton Richards: She's been having a terrible time in prison, but... May I sit?
- Edward Burton: Oh please.
- [gestures towards chair]
- Peyton Richards: Well, she would just
- [scoffs]
- Peyton Richards: die if she knew that I was here to talk to you about it.
- Edward Burton: I doubt that. Everybody in this town comes to me at one time or another wanting something.
- Peyton Richards: Not Mother. I mean, you were the last person in the world that Mother would ever ask a favor of. I mean, after all, you've already done so much for her. And me. I mean, hiring her as your maid, and... and allowing me to grow up here.
- [little laugh]
- Edward Burton: Well, the more, the merrier, I always say.
- [raises glass]
- Peyton Richards: You... practically treated me like a daughter.
- [takes a sip while looking at him intently]
- Edward Burton: Mm. Well, Reese was happy to have another little girl around the place.
- Peyton Richards: Well, you made us feel... right at home.
- Edward Burton: About Lucille's problem.
- Peyton Richards: Well, it's a... it's a long story, and... and I just... I just have to calm down before I can even... tell you... It...
- Edward Burton: Calm down, take your time.
- Peyton Richards: But you're... such a busy man.
- Edward Burton: Oh, I've cleared my calendar. I'm free for the rest of the evening.
- Peyton Richards: Oh, what a relief.
- [little laugh]
- Peyton Richards: Let me freshen that.
- [gets up to take his glass]
- Edward Burton: Well, thank you.
- Peyton Richards: My pleasure.
- [Edward's eyelids are getting droopy, and she smiles]
- Lane McKenzie: Look, I didn't make it up, and I wasn't mistaken.
- Dean Collins: Lane, this type of thing happens all the time at crime scenes. Just last week I was investigating a robbery, and one of the customers got a good look at the thief, and described him as six feet two, overweight, with sandy-colored hair. When we caught the guy, he turned out to be five foot seven, a hundred forty-four pounds, dripping wet and balding.
- Lane McKenzie: I'm sure I saw Jeannie.
- Dean Collins: Lane...!
- Lane McKenzie: I know I must look like an absolute fool taking you on a wild-goose chase to Augusta, and... I know what you must think of me.
- Dean Collins: I think you're a good friend trying to help.
- Lane McKenzie: [smirks] Don't be so nice about it.
- Dean Collins: I'm not trying to be nice. It's what I think.
- Lane McKenzie: Don't you wonder if I was... finagling to get you alone for a day?
- Dean Collins: If that was your intention, you could have come up with a much smoother plan.
- [she smirks]
- Lane McKenzie: [a knock on the door] Oh.
- Dean Collins: I'd better be going.
- Lane McKenzie: Hold on.
- [goes to open]
- Lane McKenzie: Jeannie!
- Jeannie Collins: There you are, Lane. My husband wasn't home, so I thought I'd look here, and surprise! I found you!
- Dean Collins: What are you doing in town?
- Jeannie Collins: [holding up her hand imperiously] No, no. I cannot believe you are asking me that. I find you here, with your old girlfriend,
- [crosses arms:]
- Jeannie Collins: and you start questioning me?
- Dean Collins: [trying] I was doing a favor for Lane.
- Jeannie Collins: Oh, Lordy me, I hate to ask what kind of a favor?
- Lane McKenzie: I had an electrical problem, and Dean said he'd fix it.
- Jeannie Collins: [scoffs] Next time, hire an electrician.
- Lane McKenzie: Oh, well.
- Dean Collins: Let's go, Jeannie, you made enough of a scene already.
- Jeannie Collins: [holding up her hand] Au contraire! I am sick and tired of Lane McKenzie acting so self-righteous when she is running after you like some lovesick puppy! Electrical problem, my butt!
- Dean Collins: Jeannie!
- Lane McKenzie: I am not running after your husband.
- Jeannie Collins: Oh, no? Well, then I'd never find the two of you together again, and if I do, I will kick your teeth in.
- Dean Collins: [sighs, taking his wife by the arm] We are going.
- Jeannie Collins: [snaps viciously] Take your cheating arm off of me!
- Lane McKenzie: [as Jeannie storms off, Dean following] I'm sorry.
- Edward Burton: [drunken slur] And I will definitely call 'em whenever I can to make sure... your mother's... stay is a lot easier... in jail.
- Peyton Richards: Ah, thank you...
- Edward Burton: [far gone] Yeah.
- Peyton Richards: ...so much.
- [arm draped across his shoulders]
- Peyton Richards: Here, let me get you another drink.
- Edward Burton: [sighs] I believe I... I've hit my limit...
- Peyton Richards: Oh, no, you haven't even touched the bottle...
- [he gives drunken sigh as she prepares next drink]
- Peyton Richards: I remember watching you entertain your fancy friends in here, and I kept thinking, one day... I would be grown up enough to join you.
- [offers next round]
- Edward Burton: [very drunk] Was it as exciting as you imagined? Most of those parties I threw, were for business.
- Peyton Richards: [cooing, and making a big fuss over him] Well, I was so jealous of all your lady friends. You were so handsome...
- Edward Burton: Just a little girl's imagination...
- Peyton Richards: Imagination, my foot! You are still the most handsome man in all of Savannah. Maybe the whole state of Georgia.
- Edward Burton: [panting] I think we'd better... just call it a night.
- Peyton Richards: Oh, I need another drink!
- Edward Burton: [staggering to his feet] I will call you a cab to drive you home...
- [stumbles]
- Peyton Richards: Whoa! Honey, are you okay, hon?
- Edward Burton: Don't call me honey now.
- Peyton Richards: All right, sugar.
- [overtly attentive]
- Edward Burton: Come on, come on. You're not trying to flirt with me, are you?
- Peyton Richards: Well, it's about time you noticed. I've been trying my darndest.
- Edward Burton: Ah, don't. Peyton, you're... you're too young for me.
- Peyton Richards: Well, you're not old.
- Edward Burton: I am! I'm old! And I don't think of you... romantically.
- Peyton Richards: Why not?
- Edward Burton: Because... because... you seem just like a daughter... to me.
- [collapses]
- Dean Collins: After this, you brush your teeth for three minutes, okay?
- Jason Collins: Okay.
- Dean Collins: Then I read you a bedtime story... after Mom gets out of the shower.
- Jason Collins: Grandma read me Backseat Buckaroo every night when I lived with her.
- Dean Collins: When did you live with Grandma?
- Jason Collins: Uh-oh...
- Dean Collins: It's okay, you can tell me.
- Jason Collins: Mommy said not to.
- Dean Collins: It's okay, kiddo, I won't be angry with you.
- Jason Collins: I stayed at Grandma's the time when Mommy was away.
- Dean Collins: The whole six months?
- Jason Collins: Yup.
- Dean Collins: You weren't with Mommy?
- Jason Collins: Nope. Will you read me Backseat Buckaroo?
- Peyton Richards: [towel wrapped around her] Good morning, sugar. Your shower is wonderful. Uh, you know your bathroom is the size of Siberia?
- [giggles]
- Peyton Richards: Oh, there's my bra. Shoot, I've been looking all over for this.
- [Edward gets back under the covers]
- Peyton Richards: Boy, you sure are acting bashful for a man who had no inhibitions last night.
- Edward Burton: I'm gonna be sick...
- Peyton Richards: Here, let me get you your robe, baby...
- [scoffs]
- Peyton Richards: Yeah, I won't look.
- [Edward gets dressed]
- Peyton Richards: You know, the best thing for a hangover is, uh, tomato juice and tobasco. Yeah, some people say that the hair of the dog works, but I say tobasco works. Shock the system into working again.
- Edward Burton: [from the bathroom] I thank you. But you should leave...
- Peyton Richards: Now you be a big boy, and come out here and face the music.
- Edward Burton: Peyton... I'm so sorry...
- Peyton Richards: For what?
- Edward Burton: For whatever happened here last night.
- Peyton Richards: You don't... you don't remember?
- Edward Burton: I must have had too much to drink.
- Peyton Richards: I have the best night of my life... and you don't remember?
- [Edward holds up his hands]
- Peyton Richards: Well, I guess we could... relive last night
- [lounges back seductively on couch]
- Peyton Richards: and refresh your memory.
- [naughty giggle]
- Edward Burton: No, no, don't...!
- Peyton Richards: Oh, baby, you feel a little picky?
- Edward Burton: I don't know what happened, but whatever happened was a mistake. A terrible mistake.
- Peyton Richards: Why, how can you say that?
- Edward Burton: You know I would never touch you.
- Peyton Richards: Why are you so upset? What did I do wrong?
- Edward Burton: [shamefully] Oh! You're completely innocent, I'm the guilty one. You just don't know how sinful this is.
- Peyton Richards: Sinful? Aw, well, you sound like a stranger, Edward.
- Edward Burton: Don't call me Edward.
- Peyton Richards: You acting like this because you don't wanna pay me the money?
- Edward Burton: Money? What money?
- Peyton Richards: Well... you promised me... fifty thousand dollars for my mother's legal bills last night.
- Edward Burton: Of course. And you shall have it.
- [goes to drawer, sits down to write out check, and she gives a sly, victorious grin by herself]
- Edward Burton: Fifty thousand. Is fifty enough?
- Peyton Richards: Another ten would allow me to get her special treatment in prison.
- Edward Burton: Sixty. Sixty thousand, fine.
- Peyton Richards: [big grin to herself, then, sweetly coos:] You are so kind.
- Edward Burton: Now you have to promise you'll try to forget what happened last night.
- Peyton Richards: [excitedly] No, baby, I don't wanna forget!
- Edward Burton: It was wrong!
- Peyton Richards: All right.
- [holds up her hands]
- Peyton Richards: Fine! I'm a big girl now. This is not the first time I've been disappointed in love...
- Edward Burton: Love? It was... alcohol!
- Peyton Richards: What? You don't have to be so brutal!
- Edward Burton: [softly] I'm sorry. You just have to promise not to breathe a word of this.
- Peyton Richards: All right.
- Edward Burton: Not one word to a living soul. Promise?
- Peyton Richards: I promise.
- Edward Burton: [hands over the check] For God's sake, don't tell your mother. It would break her heart.
- Peyton Richards: I won't say a word. I guess I don't have to ask you for your word in return.
- Edward Burton: I'll just give anything if I could just erase last night!
- Dean Collins: [door opened] Hi, Marion.
- Marion: Hi, son. Come on in.
- [he enters]
- Marion: Where's Jason?
- Dean Collins: I left him with a neighbor.
- Marion: You left him? There's not a problem, is there? Jeannie's okay, isn't she?
- Dean Collins: Yeah, Jeannie's fine.
- Marion: What's the matter, Dean?
- Dean Collins: When Jeannie was gone... I came here looking for her.
- Marion: Yes.
- Dean Collins: And for Jason.
- Marion: Uh-huh.
- Dean Collins: But Jason told me last night that the whole time Jeannie was away, he was here with you.
- Marion: That's right.
- [nods]
- Dean Collins: How could you not tell me? Couldn't you see how awful I was feeling when I couldn't find her?
- Marion: But Jeannie made me promise not to tell you.
- Dean Collins: Why?
- Marion: She was afraid...
- [goes to couch]
- Dean Collins: She was afraid of what?
- Marion: That in one of your binges you might hurt Jason.
- Dean Collins: One of my binges? What are you talking about?
- Marion: You don't have to hide things for my benefit, Dean. Jeannie's told me about your drinking problem.
- Dean Collins: My what?
- Marion: When it all got to be too much for her, she confided everything to me, and she said she needed to be by herself. She asked would I look after Jason for her, because she couldn't trust him in your care. Now I couldn't very well say no.
- [Dean looks at her dumbfounded]
- Marion: I'm just glad you're in counseling now.
- Dean Collins: I'm not in counseling, 'cause I don't have a drinking problem. Your daughter is the one with the problem.