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Queen for a Night
Phillip Spaulding had found his true love - but she was his best friend's girl
Soap Opera's Greatest Stories and Stars
December 1983

Phillip Spaulding had fallen in love with the wrong girl. Although he tried to deny it to himself, it nibbled away at his consciousness, leaving him moody and dissatisfied. To make matters worse, she was his best friend Rick Bauer's girl! Now wasn't that the kicker? That was why he couldn't let his feelings for Beth Raines get the better of him. And, of course, there was Mindy.

Mindy Lewis was rich, beautiful and spoiled rotten - she and Phillip were made for each other. He had nothing in common, really, with Beth who was shy and unassuming - except that she and Phillip were both sensitive and shared a lack of self esteem. Another thing they had in common, although Beth didn't let herself think about it either - she was in love with Phillip.

It all started with the Springfield High senior prom. When Mindy had a minor accident, she shared a room at Cedars Hospital with Beth who was also recovering from a fall. Phillip met Beth when he visited Mindy in the hospital. Even though they went to the same school and were both seniors, they'd never gotten to know each other. They came from different worlds - in fact, Beth's stepfather worked for Alan Spaulding as head of security.

Phillip was immediately taken with her quiet beauty and softspoken manner - a far cry from Mindy's aggressive style. Besides, she was a dynamite artist and when Phillip learned that she had designed all the decorations for the prom and didn't even have a date - he sprang into action.

"Beth Raines?" Rick asked, surprised. "I don't even know her!" he protested. "You'll love her," Phillip assured him. "Besides," he added, "you waited too long to get a date. There's no one else decent left. Come on, she's a great girl. Believe me," Phillip pressured him. So Rick asked her, she accepted - and before too long Rick was crazy about her, too.

Unfortunately, Beth's overprotective stepfather refused to let her go. But with her mother and Mindy's help, they managed to get her there. Beth went over to Mindy's to dress and Mindy almost sabotaged the naive girl's night. Mindy, who was determined to keep Phillip all to herself, had picked up on Phillip's attraction to Beth. So she dressed her in an unflattering dress and hairdo and put much too much makeup on her.

"Do you really like my hair this way?" Beth asked uncomfortably. "I told you, all the models in the magazines wear it that way," Mindy assured her. Fortunately for Beth, Trish arrived looking for her brother Billy and took in the situation immediately. "Come with me, Beth," she said and hurried the young girl into the bedroom. By the time the boys had arrived, Trish had transformed her into the lovely creature she was. The boys gazed at her in admiration. "Isn't she something?" Mindy said, smiling through her clenched teeth.

The night was Beth's. There she was at her senior prom with one of the most popular boys at Springfield High - looking gorgeous. Plus, her decorations had turned the school cafeteria into a fairyland. Everyone was buzzing. "Did you see Beth Raines? I didn't even recognize her," one girl said in amazement. "And she's with RICK BAUER," said another. Everyone started coming up to her and telling her how beautiful she looked and congratulating her on the decorations. She couldn't believe what was happening to her and when her name was announced among the finalists for prom queen, it all became too much. She bolted out of the room, as Phillip ran after her. Following her into the ladies room, he convinced her to come and take her place among the finalists.

Finally the announcer spoke, "The 1983 Springfield High Prom King and Queen are...Phillip Spaulding and Beth Raines." The crowd went wild and as a romantic song began to play, Phillip and Beth looked deeply into each other's eyes and began to dance. Beth was almost delirious with joy and excitement, tears filling her eyes. Phillip held her close, reveling in the moment.

When the dance ended, Rick walked up to the couple and said solemnly to Phillip, "I want to talk to you." Phillip followed him outside. "I see what's happening here, Phillip," Rick said. "You want her, don't you?" Phillip looked him in the eye and nodded, "Yes." Rick took a deep breath and then told his friend what was in his heart. "I've watched you go from girl to girl, Phillip. Sometimes people got hurt - but everyone had a good time, right? I didn't blink an eye when you took Mindy by storm - that was inevitable and she's in love with you now. But Beth is different - she's fragile." "I know that," Phillip interrupted. "Let me finish," Rick pleaded.

"You know you can have Beth Raines if you want her. She's never met anyone like you - you made this whole night happen for her tonight. She's overwhelmed - but you could break her into a million pieces," Rick said softly. "Are you sure that's what will happen?" Phillip challenged him. "Are you sure it won't?" Phillip, his voice a whisper, replied, "You're my best friend, Rick. Tell me what I should do." "I can't," Rick answered. "I can't help you on this one, old buddy, because you see - I'm crazy about the girl." Rick walked away, leaving Phillip in total misery. Staring out into the dark night, Phillip's eyes filled with tears. "I love you, Beth," he whispered. But he had made his decision and having made it, there was only one thing left to do - get drunk! The king would have to find himself another queen and that was a very hard fact for Phillip Spaulding to face.