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Characters: Mason, Veronica, with Lionel hiding.
Premise: Lionel came to Veronica’s apartment complex to speak with her. They’re
outside by the Jacuzzi when she receives a call from an agitated Peter saying he’s on
his way over to talk to her. Veronica is in a panic because she fears for her job if Peter
finds out that she had given Lionel copies of the tape. Lionel is trying to calm her
down when they hear the doorbell ring. They’re surprised that Peter had gotten over
there so fast. Lionel hides while Veronica goes inside and answers the door. It turns
out to be Mason. He walks out to the Jacuzzi with Veronica and they talk while Lionel
ease drops.
Veronica: I’m afraid you caught me at a bad time, Mason.
Mason: I know but I wanted to offer my sincere apologies for last night.
Veronica: Well, you already did and I accepted them.
Mason: Well I was hoping you’d accept this as well. (He hands her a small black box.)
Veronica: Oh Mason! You didn’t have to.
Mason: I wanted to, it’s just a small gesture.
Veronica: (She opens the box and looks astonished at what’s inside it.) A small gesture! This
is the most expensive perfume in the world. I’ve never even been close to a bottle of it before.
Thank you! Um, I don’t mean to be rude, but I really have to get ready for work now.
Mason: Well, don’t worry about being late. It’s your boss’ job that may be on the line.
Veronica: Peter? Why?
Mason: Well it’s just possible that my future brother-in-law may have been playing both ends
against the middle.
Veronica: Meaning?
Mason: Meaning that he’s not only on the Capwell payroll but working for and with Lionel
Lockridge as well.
Veronica: Oh Mason, I know you’ve never liked Peter very much but why would you think he’d
jeopardize everything to help Lockridge?
Mason: Most likely to get even with me.
Veronica: For what?
Mason: Who knows? I tried to break off his engagement with Kelly. That could do it, I suppose.
Veronica: I’ve been working with Peter for a while now, and I think you have him pegged
wrong. He’s not out for revenge.
Mason: Oh, don’t underestimate our physics teacher turned corporate executive. He’s smart,
and ambitious, and very sly. (He starts walking over to where Lionel is hiding.)
Veronica: Oh! (Alarmed, she grabs his arm stopping him from advancing.) But you’re smarter
than he is, Mason.
Mason: (Laughs). Well, thank you, Veronica. But he is a desperate man right now. He thinks
Kelly may be slipping away from him and he’s running scared.
Veronica: Oh, I’m sure he doesn’t have any idea what happened last night.
Mason: Oh, yes he does. I told him.
Veronica: You told him? (Looks worried.)
Mason: I saw him at the presidential suite and confronted him with the hidden microphone. He
pretended to be surprised.
Veronica: Well, maybe he was. I mean you don’t have any actual proof.
Mason: If he’s responsible for the bugging, I’ll find out. But Peter Flint is not my primary
concern at the moment.
Veronica: What is?
Mason: Destroying Lionel Lockridge.
Veronica: Haven’t you already done that by taking his land?
Mason: No, acquiring property that didn’t belong to him.
Veronica: Whatever. You own it now. Isn’t that punishment enough?
Mason: He has that tape, and he won’t hesitate to use it. He’s just twisted enough to play it for
my father on his birthday.
Veronica: How do you plan to destroy him?
Mason: By systematically seeing to it that he loses everything, goes bankrupt.
Veronica: You can do that?
Mason: There are ways. I think I’d enjoy seeing him go begging.
Veronica: You really hate him, don’t you?
Mason: Don’t you understand, Veronica. I’m planning to give my father the moist dazzling gift
he’s ever received, full-filling a lifetime dream of his, and this man wants to turn my father
against me and ruin everything.
Veronica: It’s the only card he has left. I guess he feels he has to play it.
Mason: He’ll regret ever even thinking that way. By the time I’m through he’ll come crawling to
me to beg my forgiveness.
Veronica: Well, Mason, I really have to go now. I’m getting chilled in this wet bathing suit.
Mason: Sure. I might see you back at the office. I’ll know you by the perfume you’re wearing.