SCENE 3
Roger Collins took off his glasses and laid them on his desk. He rubbed his eyes wearily and sighed. He had been reading profit reports for the past two hours, but his mind just wasn't on it. So much had been happening lately, he just couldn't concentrate. Trying to escape it, Roger actually went into the office, thinking if he got out of Collinwood maybe he could forget for a while. But it hadn't worked.
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a bit. Though he heard the door to his office open, he didn't look up until he heard Carolyn's voice. "Uncle Roger?"
Roger opened his eyes and saw his niece coming through the door. "Kitten," he said as he stood up, "What are you doing here?"
Carolyn brushed her fingers through her hair. "I was in town shopping, and I thought I would stop in and see my favorite uncle."
He looked at her crookedly, half frowning, half laughing as he sat back down. "Carolyn, I am more than thrilled to see you, but you don't fool me for a second. You want something. What is it?"
She flashed a winning smile and sat on the edge of his desk. "That's why you're my favorite uncle. You know me so well," she laughed. "As I said, I was out shopping, and I kind of went over my limit." Roger rolled his eyes as she said, "I'd ask Mother, but you know how she gets when she thinks I am being irresponsible."
"Yes, I do," he stood up and came in front of her. "She's right, you know. Though I would have never admitted it when I was on the receiving end of her lectures." His hand went to his wallet in his jacket pocket. "Your mother, on the other hand, was only irresponsible once in her life, and that was the day she married your father."
Carolyn was about to chide her uncle for saying bad things about her father, but a knock on the door interrupted her. "Come in," Roger called.
The door opened, and a familiar face walked through. "Mr. Roger Collins?" he asked.
Both Roger and Carolyn gasped, but Roger quickly recovered. He extended his hand. "You must be Jeff Clark. Vicki told me you'd be stopping by." They shook hands as Roger continued, "Miss Winters had said you resembled our missing friend Joe Haskell, but that was certainly an understatement."
Jeff grinned. "So I've been told."
Roger let go of his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Clark."
"Jeff, please."
"And I'm Roger. This is my niece, Carolyn Stoddard."
Carolyn, who had been shocked speechless by Jeff's entrance, was able to find her voice finally. "It's nice to meet you," she stammered without making eye contact. Gathering up her handbag, she said, "I've got to go, Uncle Roger. I'll see you at Collinwood tonight." Without even waiting for a response, she was out the door.
"Carolyn, don't you want -?" Roger tried to call after her, but she was already gone. "Well, I guess not," he muttered to himself. "Anyway, Jeff, I understand from Vicki that you need a job."
"Yes, I certainly do. I'm living above the Blue Whale right now, and the Evans' are very understanding. But I'll feel better when I can pay my rent."
Roger looked surprised. "You rented that old apartment? I had no idea it was still livable up there."
"It did take some work, but I didn't have too many choices. Room and board were included with my last job. When I quit, I didn't feel right staying, so I needed a new place very quickly. Maggie was kind enough to let me move in without any notice."
Roger looked over the top of his glasses at Jeff. "Your old boss wouldn't let you stay until you found a new place?"
"Actually, I don't know. He might have. It was my choice to leave. Dr. Lang and I had a personal disagreement, and I felt that staying would have been uncomfortable for both of us." Jeff surprised himself at how calmly he said it. He just hoped that Roger wouldn't ask him for more details.
But Roger just took off his glasses. "Jeff, Collins Enterprises is a big company, and we always have room for another employee. With references from Victoria Winters and Maggie Evans, I'm sure there won't be any problem finding a place for you here."
Jeff was stunned, but tried to stammer out his appreciation. "Thank you, Mr. Collins -"
Roger held up his hand to stop him. "There's just one other thing. And this is all strictly off the record. I understand that you are seeing Miss Winters on a romantic basis. Is that true?"
Jeff blushed deeply. "Yes, it is. Vicki is a very special person. Is that a problem?"
"Not at all. So long as your intentions are honorable. Victoria Winters is, as you put it, a very special person. She has become like one of the family at Collinwood. And to a Collins, there is nothing more important than family." He sat down at his desk. "If you do anything to hurt Miss Winters, you will be sorry you ever set foot in Collinsport."
SCENE 4
Sam Evans wiped down the bar at the Blue Whale. Things were slow right now, but he knew they would pick up later in the evening. Still, he was troubled. Not about his business, but about Maggie's news that Laura Collins was back in town. That could be very dangerous for a lot of people.
Just then, the door opened and the object of his concern walked in. He was struck first by her looks. Laura seemed not to have aged in ten years. But his admiration quickly turned to anger. He threw his rag on the bar and stormed over to her. "What are you doing here?" he spat out.
Laura turned to face him. She looked at him a second, then recognition showed in her eyes. "Sam Evans? Is that you?" she asked, genuine surprise in her voice. "My, it's been a long time." She noted the apron he wore. "Do you work here?"
Sam's pride reared up. "No. I happen to own the Blue Whale now."
"Really?" She put her hand on her hip. "That's wonderful, Sam. When did you buy it from Andy O'Connell?"
His frown deepened. "About nine years ago."
A knowing look came to Laura's eyes. "I should have guessed."
"You be quiet about all of that," he said through clenched teeth. "And I don't want you in here again. The last thing we need is for George Patterson to make any connection between us."
"Pop?" Maggie's voice behind him startled Sam. He hoped that she hadn't heard any of his conversation with Laura. "Can you get me some more candles from the back?" she asked harshly, though she needn't have bothered. Sam was only too happy to get away, and quickly left the two women alone.
As soon as Maggie saw her father go into the back room, she turned on Laura Collins. "What did you say to upset my father?"
"Hello, Maggie," she said, ignoring her confrontational tone. "My, you certainly have changed." She looked at Maggie appraisingly. "The last time I saw your, you were a gawky teenager, all knees and elbows, with braces on you teeth." She took Maggie's hand. "You've turned into quite an extraordinary beauty."
Maggie pulled her hand away from Laura. "Cut the act, Laura. You know perfectly well what I look like."
"Well, of course, I saw you at Collinwood the night I arrived, but we hardly had a chance to talk."
Maggie's eyes flashed with rage. "That's not what I'm talking about. I know you hate me, but you leave my father out of this."
"Now why would I hate you, Maggie? I haven't even seen you in ten years." She turned away for a moment, then looked back. "Unless you mean that quaint little affair you are having with my husband."
"So you admit you know about my relationship with Roger."
Laura laughed melodically. "Did you think it was a secret? If so, it must be the worst kept secret in Collinsport. I was told by a maid at the Inn when she found out who I was. Maggie, I could care less about the indiscretions of Roger Collins. In case he didn't tell you, I came back to get a divorce and to get my son. I'm not interested in anything else."
Maggie's face was set. "I don't believe you, Laura. I don't believe you, and I don't trust you. You stay away from my father. At least I have the resources to fight you."
Laura cocked her head to the side. "You say the strangest things, Maggie. I only came in for a cup of coffee. I had no idea you or Sam would be here." She held up her hand to stop Maggie's objection. "But as it is obvious I'm not wanted, I'll just take my leave." Laura turned to the door of the Blue Whale.
She put her hand on the knob, then stopped and said, "Oh, and Maggie?" Without even turning around, Laura continued, "You really should learn to be more hospitable." Her voice dropped to a gravelly tone. "It could be very dangerous to anger the wrong person." With that, she swung open the door and left.
Maggie stood there looking after her. It was several minutes before she could stop shaking enough to risk moving.
