These scenes are from a script dated February 20, 1984.
(Raines living room. Lillian is hanging up the phone when Beth enters from upstairs.)
Beth:
Morning, Mama. I'm going to get some coffee. Would you like a cup?
Lillian:
Honey, wait a minute.
(Beth pauses and turns)
Lillian:
We have a lot to talk about.
Beth: (evenly)
Yes. We do.
(Lillian looks at Beth, starts to speak, stops. Shakes her head.)
Lillian:
I was up most of the night.
Beth: (nodding)
I was, too. I heard you walking around down there.
Lillian: (Softly)
I couldn't sleep, because... I have to know something.
Beth:
What?
Lillian:
Can you ever forgive me, Beth?
[COMMERCIAL]
Beth:
Forgive you for what?
Lillian:
For refusing to see what was happening in my own house.
Beth:
Mama...
Lillian:
For wanting things to be right so badly--I wouldn't admit to myself how wrong they really were.
Beth:
I wanted things to be right, too.
Lillian:
It's natural for a daughter to wish, to pretend. But a mother should have her eyes open... I should've protected you--I should have realized what Bradley was doing.
Beth:
I tried to tell you, but...
Lillian:
You shouldn't have had to tell me. (They hold a look.) You must have felt so isolated after it--afterwards.
Beth: (moves to sit on sofa)
That's why I had to leave Springfield. Being away from all this--having Phillip there beside me every minute, with all his love and support... he gave me a chance to heal.
Lillian: (Shakes her head)
A home is supposed to be a refuge against the world. You had to run away from yours to save yourself. Because of my selfishness. I was so afraid of being alone. I let my own daughter be victimized.
Beth:
I always let you think I was just clumsy.
Lillian:
And the bruises...the broken bones... were all his work.
Beth:
Yes. He had me so scared.
Lillian:
He had me frightened too. (Leans in, urgently) But honey--you have to believe, I never thought for a minute that Bradley would--that he could...
Beth:
You better learn to say it, Mama. Bradley raped me.
(A moment. Lillian struggles, then nods.)
Lillian:
If you can face all of that, I'll learn to face it, too. Things are going to be very different around here from now on.
Beth:
What do you mean?
Lillian:
I talked with Mrs. Tyman a little while ago. Cedars has accepted my request for a leave of absence.
Beth:
You're taking a leave? Why?
Lillian:
So you and I can spend time together, just the two of us. As much as possible... especially between now and your wedding.
Beth:
But what about money? Won't that make it hard to...
Lillian:
Beth, I've worried about money my whole life. (This was crossed out: That was one of the reasons why I stayed with Bradley.) I'm going to start having some faith in myself--faith that we won't starve if I take a few weeks off.
Beth:
That's good.
Lillian:
That's not all, either. I called the Rape Crisis Center early this morning. They're sending a counselor to talk with us. She'll be here any minute.
Beth: (Surprised)
You did that?
Lillian: (reaches out and touches Beth's hand)
I'll do anything, honey. Anything.
(A knock on the door. Lillian rises crosses to the door, and opens it to Ruth.)
Ruth:
Good morning, Mrs. Raines. I'm Ruth Chapman. We met at the Center last week.
Lillian:
Please come in. (Ruth comes in the house.) Beth, this is...
Beth:
I met Mrs. Chapman at the center.
Lillian:
You went there for help?
Beth: (noddng)
Last week.
Lillian:
I'm so glad you were able to do that.
Ruth:
Yes, and I'm glad you went ahead and told your mother about what happened, Beth. That's an important step.
Beth: (looking at Lillian)
I know.
Ruth:
Is Mr. Raines still livng here?
Lillian:
He's moved out for good. I'm filing for divorce.
Ruth:
I see. Will your husband contest?
Lillian:
No, he said he wouldn't. I spoke to him yesterday. He came by the house unexpectedly and let himself in.
Ruth:
Were you at home at the time, Beth?
(Beth shakes her head no.)
Lillian:
I was able to get rid of Bradley. He promised not to come back. But I had the locks changed as a precaution.
Ruth:
A sensible idea.
Lillian:
That's my main concern at this point-keeping him away from Beth.
Ruth:
Beth can be legally protected from Bradley, that's pretty easy. But she needs to heal--to put all this behind her. So do you, Lillian. And the two of you have to do that together. (Beth and Lillian exchange a look.) You know, psychologists have proven that the mother-child bond is the important thing in early life (smiles) even for baby animals. That bond has been disrupted for the two of you, by the fact that someone you both trusted has betrayed the both of you.
Lillian: (Rises, agitated)
What Bradley did isn't going to come between me and Beth. We're both going to forget it, go on with our lives.
Ruth:
Yes you are. But you have to start to build your lives together, to accept this rape, and the betrayal of trust together. There's a form of therapy called dyad therapy that deals with re-establishing the bond between mother and daughter. I think you'll be good candidates for it. I also recommend individual counselling for you, Beth, to help you overcome any feelings of guilt or fear or depression you might have.
Lillian: (takes Beth's hand)
You shouldn't feel anything like that, sweetheart. Nothing was your fault.
(The Spaulding Mansion. Alan is working in the living room when Phillip comes in.)
Phillip:
I just got a call from Beth, she wants me to come right over.
Alan:
You're leaving now?
Phillip:
Yes, but I wanted to check with you first about the police. Did they ever get back to you about Bradley?
Alan:
Not yet.
Phillip:
That's weird.
Alan:
I'm sorry to say the police don't seem to feel that Mr. Raines' reappearance in Springfield is an urgent matter.
Phillip:
They would if they knew everything.
Alan:
What does that mean?
Phillip:
I can't say any more till I talk with Beth. But believe me, you've sure done the right thing, helping me get Bradley.
Alan:
I haven't done that much.
Phillip:
That's not true. You've done a lot and I appreciate it.
Alan:
Well, I've never wanted anything but your happiness, Phillip. I hope you know that.
Phillip:
I do, more and more. And seeing Bradley safely behind bars is going to make me very happy, and relieved. (Alan shifts.) You should feel the same way.
Alan:
Of course, for your sake. I...
Phillip:
Not just for mine. (Crosses and sits by Alan.) Bradley's the one who told me you weren't my real father.
Alan: (feigning surprise)
Really? How could he have known?
Phillip:
I'm not sure. But it was a pretty ugly way to find out. I've been real hard on you ever since.
Alan:
You had a good reason.
Phillip:
I did... but that's in the past. I want things to change between us--for the better.
Alan:
I hope they will.
Phillip:
They can now, I think. It's been a real eye-opener for me--the way you've been since Beth and I got back from New York.
Alan:
What way is that?
Phillip:
This business with Bradley for example. You're not insisting things be done only on your terms. I put out a call for help, and you answered. No questions asked.
Alan:
Well...
Phillip:
It means a lot to me that you came through when I needed you. It makes me see that I've been wrong to just hang on to the bad stuff.
Alan:
My keeping the truth from you about whose son you were.
Phillip:
Yeah. I learned from that. If I ever have a kid, I know I'll never let him or her be raised with lies. I'll do everything I can to be totally honest.
