BLONDIE? DOES THAT MAKE YOU......? - Todd & Ben & Vicki
I can’t say I’m a fan of Ben but I was waiting for these two to meet. I think we were all waiting what Todd would say when he first heard Ben call Vicki ‘Blondie.’ And of course we weren’t disappointed. I don’t know how these two will get along further down the line but I loved Todd’s first reaction to him, virtually ignoring him. That, and his rapid fire dialogue and the Ewwwww’s, so perfectly Todd. I think many times Todd’s reactions are on target to what we in the audience view and are thinking of other characters. How can you not love the guy!
BEN: (bellowing, pulling Todd across the room by the lapels) What are you doing to her?
VICKI: (she runs up between the two) Oh, Ben, it’s alright.
BEN:Who is this guy? (Todd’s hands up in defense)
VICKI: My brother.
BEN: (hands off him and steps back) You’re Todd?
TODD: Yeah. (adjusts his jacket) Who is this goon? (crosses away) You hire him for protection?
TODD: (cocks his head making a face) Ewwwwww! Vicki I leave town for a few months and you go crazy?
VICKI: Right. I’m lost without your calming influence.
BEN: (half smirk) Todd Manning? I’ve heard a lot about you.
TODD: Yeah, none of it good, probably.
VICKI: (whispers) Just the truth.
TODD: (pointing) Yeah, like I said.
BEN: Well not just from Vicki. I’ve heard it from Sam. Hell, everybody in this town talks about you.
TODD: How do you know Sam?
BEN: He’s my brother.
TODD: (big disgusted face) Ewwwwww! You’re marrying Sam’s brother?
VICKI: (simply) A lot has happened since you’ve left.
TODD: (nods) I guess I never should have sold my newspaper.
BEN: So, what are you doing back in Llanview?
TODD: I don’t remember but, obviously, I need to stay, clearly Vicki needs my help. (Ben looks at Vicki, who shakes her head in dismay)
Scene break
BEN: (slowly) So, how can you help Vicki?
TODD: (he sighs) I guess he’s been listening to the accumulated wisdom of the really smart people in Llanview who think that I’m not such a good person. (folds his hands primly)
BEN: Well, he’s heard stories.
TODD: (ignoring him, pointing to his ear) Vicki, can you hear something? I hear somebody talking?
VICKI: (barely heard under her breath) Oh, for heaven sakes.
BEN: (slow again) So, Todd how are you here to help?
VICKI: (Todd ignores him as if he has not heard a thing and sits on the couch) He saw Jessica.
BEN: Was Will with her? Are they okay?
VICKI: Apparently, yes. Apparently they’re fine.
BEN:Would you mind if I spoke to your brother alone for a minute?
VICKI: No, go ahead. (looks directly at Todd pointedly to behave) I’ll go take my vitamins? (Todd grins and waves bye-bye to her)
TODD: (Ben and Todd stare a second then Todd gets belligerent) Okay, you got this backwards you should be asking me for my sisters’ hand in marriage. I should be interviewing YOU.
BEN: (takes a step towards Todd) You know your sister has a lot on her plate right now and she doesn’t need you adding to her problems.
TODD: (stands to leave)I don’t need a lecture, not now.
BEN: (puts his hand out to stop him) Okay, why don’t you just stay until we’re done talking.
TODD: (with smile) Wow, you’re assertive. (Ben grins) I bet that Vicki likes that. You’re no shrinking violet, are you?
BEN: Well, like I said I heard a lot of stories and not all of them are good.
TODD: I don’t like to show people my good side until I get to know them a little bit.
BEN: (phony smile) Well then, why don’t we get to know each other. Right now. (Todd gives him the smirk)
Scene break
TODD: (in his face) I should warn you that the more people get to know me the more they wish they HADN’T.
BEN: I’ll take my chances.
TODD: And if you think I’m some sort of threat to Jessica, you’re crazy. (turns away) I want Asa to get exactly what he deserves. (snort) Believe me you go after that pompous old windbag and the rest of the pathetic Buchanan’s, I’ll be the first one there to cheer you on!
BEN: Just trying to help those kids.
TODD: (deeply sarcastic) Yeah, you’re doing a great job.
BEN: (steps towards him) You know, for someone who just got here you’ve a lot of opinions. Maybe, you don’t know what you’re talking about.
TODD: (right on top of it, side glance) So, teach me.
BEN: Okay. I love your sister more than anyone I’ve ever loved in my life.
TODD: (barely holds back a laugh) Good for you.
BEN: And she’s had problems that would last a lifetime. And I’m gonna make sure that she doesn’t get hurt again.
TODD: (about to burst from laughing at his threat, but still holds it in) You are really, REALLY scaring me.
BEN: And I’m really serious. (Todd stares at him)
VICKI: (entering back in) Is everything alright?
BEN: Yeah, Blondie, we’re just getting to know each other.
TODD: (eyebrows up, jumping in) Oh, you’re kidding me. Blondie?
VICKI: (tries to head it off) Don’t Todd.
TODD: No it’s great. Does...does that make you Dagwood?
BEN: (with a smile) Yes, it does? (Todd has big smile) Take me to Jessica?
TODD: (laughs) WHY would I do that?
BEN: Cause I told her I’d get Will out of the country so she can come home. Maybe she’s ready for that deal.
TODD: No, I’m not going anywhere near those three. (he crosses above them to leave by the doors to the library) There’s more cops around those three than anywhere else on the planet. And believe me I got my own reasons to stay away from the cops.
VICKI: Where are you going? (she turns to him)
TODD: I don’t know! (laughing sarcastically) Isn’t life just a marvelous carnival! (turns to go)
VICKI: Take care of yourself.
TODD: (whips around) DUH?? (closes the double doors on them)
BEN: Duh? Your brother?
VICKI: (whispers) Yeah, my brother. We shared a father who was a monster. And I coped by shattering into alters and Todd copes by being Todd.
BEN: And who’s that?
VICKI: I have no idea. Neither does he.
