Rita's Voiceover: Previously on Silk Stalkings (Clips from One and Two)
Scene 1: Rita's place
(Scene starts from where the last one left off.)
Chris: Rita, you can't. You can't leave Rita.
Rita: Just stop! Stop calling me her name! I'm not her! I look like her,
but that's it. The Rita that you know...your best friend...she's
gone. (tearing) I'd love to get my memory back, don't you know that?
I'd love to be able to know where I bought this lamp and why I named
that fish Alfred. I'd love to be able to recognize the names of the
people in my address book. I'd love to be able to look in your eyes
and see my best friend staring back at me....but I can't. And it's
killing me. Don't you understand that?
Chris: (quietly) I understand. But you have to understand how this kills me
too. I look at you so upset and all I want to do is make it better. I
hate to see you hurting. If Rita was ever upset I would do everything
in my power to make it better. And when she was sad I would come over
here and she would make me watch one of her old movies or I'd make
her laugh or I'd (tearing) hold her while she cried. But it was
always something. And she'd do the same for me. And I look into your
face and I can't help it, I see her. And I know that she wouldn't
want to leave. One thing Rita never was was a quitter. I can't let
you walk out of that door. I wouldn't be able to live with myself.
Even if it takes awhile to get your memory back...even if it never
comes back....I will always be your best friend. Like it or not.
(There is a long pause.)
Rita: Rita was pretty lucky to have you.
Chris: I was the lucky one.
Rita: (tearing) Chris, I'm scared. I want to help her, I want to help me.
But I don't know how to do it.
Chris: I need you to trust that it will happen. We need to jog your memory,
the doctor said that might work. I need you to trust me.
(Rita hesitates, still crying. Then she slowly walks over to Chris and cries in
his arms. Chris gives a face like, "It's so good to have her in my arms after
so long. I need to help her. I need to get my Rita back." Now that might sound
complex but Rob is actually a very good actor besides the fact that he's drop
dead gorgeous so I know he can do it.)
Scene 2: The PBPD
(It is later that day. Chris is leading Rita into the bullpit. Cops around
smile but don't push her, knowing the situation.)
Chris: And this is your desk. Now we don't spend much time here because
we're usually on a case.
Rita: (sitting down at her desk) This is a nice place. This isn't what I picture a police station to look like.
Chris: I know...the neon file cabinets are a little much. It cost so much
money to bring in the neon that the department ran out of money to
finish the actual cabinets. So as it turns out only three of the
cabinets open.
Rita: (looking at her coffee mug) Is this mine? (Chris nods.) It's pretty.
Uh, do I like coffee?
Chris: (smiles) It's more of a love-hate relationship. You like the idea of
coffee, but you hate how it tastes, especially here.
Rita: I think I'll try it anyway.
Chris: I'll get that for you. You usually have it no cream, two sugars.
Rita: Sounds fine.
(As Chris gets the coffee, the Captain approaches Rita.)
Cap: (rather loudly) Hi. My name is Captain Lipschitz. L-I-P-S-C-H-I-T-Z.
But you can call me Harry.
Chris: (approaching with coffee) She's got amnesia Cap. She's not deaf.
Cap: (covering) I know that Lorenzo. But my name is rather difficult. I
don't like to admit this but it wasn't until the fifth grade that I
could spell it correctly. But anyway, it's nice to see you here Rita.
Rita: Thank you, Harry. Are you my boss?
Cap: Yes, but I'm more than that. (smiling) I think Rita thought of me as
her mentor. I mean, I would never use the word, but some say I was
her idol.
Chris: (coughing) Rewriting history Cap?
Cap: (to Rita) Lorenzo has always been a little jealous of me.
Rita: Really? (changing subject) How are your allergies?
(Chris and Cap look at each other with hope.)
Cap: How did you know...
Rita: Well, the pictures of you in my house always have you with a tissue
box. And there's a receipt on the kitchen table from getting your
medication.
Chris: (smiling) How are those allergies, Cap?
Cap: Just fine, Lorenzo. (changing subject) Look, I know that you might
not be ready for this, but my wife Frannie would really like to see
you. She's always been so fond of you. She's retired now so if you
have a free morning or afternoon, you could stop by. Or if you want
to come over for dinner...
Rita: That's very nice of you. I might go visit her now.
Cap: Really? She'd love that.
Rita: Good, I hate to always be bothering Chris.
Chris: It's no bother.
Rita: That's nice of you, but I see the piles of messages you have on your
desk. I mean you haven't been at work in over a week.
Chris: I'm taking personal time. I had plenty stacked up...
Rita: I'll be OK. I think it would be nice to talk to someone else...a fresh
perspective.
Chris: Great, I'll drive you there.
Rita: No, I'll take a cab.
Scene 3: Chez Lipschitz
(Rita took a cab over (Harry gave directions). Fran is expecting her.)
Fran: Come in dear. You're looking well. We were all so worried about you.
How are you doing?
Rita: OK, I guess.
Fran: Scared, overwhelmed, nervous, worried, confused?
Rita: All of the above actually.
Fran: Of course.
Rita: And Chris and your husband have been trying to help me, but there's just only so much they can do.
Fran: (smiling) Honey, I have to tell you something. Now I've already been
through this with Rita a couple years ago, but I want to make sure we
understand each other. Harry and I have been happily married for
twenty years. Young girls try to hit on him all the time, but you'll
have to restrain yourself. OK?
Rita: (trying not to smile) Of course.
Fran: Good, now can I help you answer any questions?
Rita: Well, Chris has been filling in a lot of blanks. But I just thought
it would be good to get a different perspective. I mean, what if Rita
didn't tell him some things, didn't share some things with him.
Fran: Then she didn't share it with anyone else, I'll tell you that. Rita
and Chris had the kind of relationship everyone wishes for. They told
each other everything, they were the best of friends. Through all the
good times and bad times.
Rita: Do you think? (pause) I don't know, but the way they cared for each
other, do you think..
Fran: She was in love with him? I asked her that question more than once.
She told me that she loved him very much, but that they were not in
love. She seemed satisfied with that answer.
(The conversation continues. Fran shares some of her memorable experiences with
her. After an hour or so, Fran takes Rita home.)
Scene 4: Rita's place
(Rita has finished her dinner. She picks up the phone and dials Chris.)
Chris: Lorenzo?
Rita: Hi. It's, uh, it's me.
Chris: Hi. How are you doing?
Rita: Good.
Chris: Did you have a good time at Fran's?
Rita: Yeah, once she warned me not to make a pass at her husband.
Chris: (laughs) Don't take it personally. She's warned me not to make a
pass at her husband.
Rita: (laughs) Well, I was just calling to say hi and tell you that things
went fine.
Chris: Well, thank you. Do you want me to come over?
Rita: No, I'm fine. I think I'm going to go into the attic and see what I
can find. I just...I feel like I'm snooping or something.
Chris: You have to remember this might be the breakthrough you're looking
for.
Rita: Yeah. Well, I guess I'll go do that now.
Chris: OK. Maybe I'll see you tomorrow?
Rita: Yeah. I'd like that.
Chris: Goodnight.
Rita: Goodnight.
Scene 5: Rita's place
(Later that evening. Rita is up in the attic. Did you know there was an attic?
Well there is one, OK? She goes through photo albums of her times with Lances
but she doesn't really recognize anything or anybody. She goes through memory
box of report cards and term papers, but nothing. Then she gets to a small box
full of a book, some photos and some brochures. Now the pictures are mostly of
her and Chris and some with Billy Warlock and even some, I hate to say it, with
Eric. But most are with Chris. Some of them on vacations together. Seems they
went to Disneyland together and there's a picture of Chris with Minnie Mouse
ears on and the actual Minnie Mouse ears are in the box as well. There are some
matchbooks from different C&R places (work with me here). Then she gets to the
book and realizes that it's actually a journal. The first entries are when Ritafirst joined the force. Here are highlights of some of the entries (Mitzi will
do these as voiceovers, of course). And of course flashbacks when possible:
October 23, 1986
Well, I got my new partner today in the Homicide Division. Thank God because
the departing one was too old and lazy. I don't think I'm cracked up for this
partner thing. That was what was so good about vice. No permanent partners.
Well anyway, this new guy is named Chris Lorenzo. You're basic hotshot rookie
cop. But look whose talking. Anyway, he seems to be pretty good, but he needs
to learn to think with his head and not with his....anyway you know what I
mean. The moment I meet him he's looking me up and down. Didn't help that I
was already dressed in the hooker outfit. But the undercover went well. He
chased the guy down that tried to attack me, and then came back to see if I was
OK. Seemed genuine. But in the next breath he asked me out. Oh well, I'll have
to work on him. There seems to be room for improvement though. And he does have
a nice butt.
December 24, 1986
Christmas seems to get worse every year. Ever since the Lances dies and Michael
left, I just don't enjoy it. Of course Chris wouldn't hear of this. He's coming
over tonight with a tree in hand and some decorations. I admit, I'm warming up
to him. His latest girlfriend won't be happy that he's stopping by here
tonight, but I'm sure he'll make it up to her..
March 1, 1987
I don't know why it usually scares me to call someone a friend. I guess it
involves too much trust. But I didn't mind it when he called me his best friend
tonight. I didn't say anything, I think he was a little hurt by that. But I
haven't had a best friend since Kelly Davis in high school. And besides, the
way he looks at me sometimes, the way I catch myself looking at him, the way we
flirt with each other--is that just about friendship?
January 19, 1988
Broke up with Mike today. Thank God. That was just not going anywhere. I called
Chris to come over for some pizza but he was out with Becca. I hate to admit
it, but I wish he didn't have Becca so he could be here tonight. I could use
him tonight.
May 26, 1990
Doctors think they know everything. But as I see it, you're not sick unless you
admit it. This stupid bubble in my head is not going to make me scared. Frank
doesn't understand that and so I argued with him over that. I had to tell Chris
the news. That was harder than hearing it myself. His face scrunched up like it
does when he's upset but to proud to show it. But as he held me close I could
fell his tears trickle onto my neck.
June 3, 1990
The people of Palm Beach are just weird. This place we worked tonight had this
underneath dungeon. Real kinky. Even Chris seemed out of place. Chris. That's
the other thing. We kissed tonight. I mean we had to, it was part of the job.
It's not a big deal, it was business as usual. But I didn't have to enjoy it so
much. No big deal though. Just got lost in the moment.
(Other entries in here about SOB, In the Name of Love, and Dirty Laundry. How
get the gist of what she would say. Try not to admit how she was falling for
him, but compliment him at the same time.)
November 14, 1991
Okay, he's not much of a dancer. He did look good though. Now if my friends
ever found out I got paid tonight to ogle my partner as he stripped in front of
me, they'd lose it. But I never said he was ugly. But then again, I've never
been in bed with him before. Not that anything really happened: it was all for
the video camera in the corner. But life could be worse...
February 20, 1992
In all our years together we'd never played a married couple before thisweekend. And it was okay, until we got to the mansion. It was actually fun
pretending to be husband and wife--pretending we could afford to spend a
million dollars without thinking twice. But when we got stuck at George's
mansion, it got a little weird. Once again another pervert with a video camera.
So we once again had to pretend that we were going at it, but something
happened. For a brief moment we weren't pretending. And it wasn't just me
because Chris felt it too and he stopped. He tried to talk about it the next
day, but I brushed it off. This is the last thing I need. I need Chris to much
as a friend to louse it up with anything more.
March 30, 1993
The Institute of Cosmic Connection. Mental note: never go back. That place
doped me up until I didn't know what I was feeling. They had us look into each
other's eyes--long enough that it gave me goose bumps. And then the Soul Kiss--
a whole hour. Talk about willpower not to keep going. But Chris reminded me
that the drugs were probably affecting my sensibilities--I sure hope so,
because I was thinking things I shouldn't have been thinking.
(OK. Continues on.)
Scene 6: Chris' place
(It is the next day--late morning. Chris is calling Rita's place but getting no
answer. There is a knock on the door. Chris hangs up phone and goes to answer
it. It is Rita.)
Rita: Hi.
Chris: Wait...you found this place...are you...
Rita: Just handy with a map. I had your address in my book. Am I disturbing
you?
Chris: No, not at all. Can I get you some coffee or something?
Rita: Oh no, that's okay. I already had some.
Chris: How did you make out last night?
Rita: OK. I actually found some useful stuff.
Chris: Oh yeah?
Rita: Yeah I found a journal.
Chris: You used to keep one but you stopped a year or so ago. Anything
interesting?
Rita: Just gave me some better insight on things.
Chris: Good. I,uh, found something that might be of use to you. It's an old
videotape.
Rita: Yeah. We sometimes used it for surveillance and stuff like that. The
department gave it to me to hold. They call it the Lance and Lorenzo
tape. Some other of our undercover evidence is on here too. But the
first one is us when we're not undercover.
(He inserts the tape. It shows the two of them in Chris' place testing out the
video in her purse gadget. )
Chris: Are you sure this thing is working Sammy?
Rita: Trust me Sam.
Chris: I think we should check it out.
Rita: We are. But if you doubt me, I'll leave my purse in the bathroom as
you shower and we'll see if it really works.
Chris: I'll trust you on this one Sam. Unless you are looking for an
invitation...
Rita: Don't hold your breath.
Chris: OK, well. What is going to be the code word?
Rita: Okay...What about when I say, "Slow down."
Chris: No. Chances are you're going to have to say that a lot tonight. You
really should wear something to cover yourself up more Rita. The
moment this guy sees you he's gonna try to get his hands on you. I
wish you would wear something a little less sexy.Rita: Chris, I'm supposed to be a hooker. They usually don't wear button- down sweaters.
Chris: I hate that you are always the one in this position.
Rita: If you want, I could get you into a wig. But something tells me you'd
make an ugly woman.
Chris: I don't know if I should be insulted or flattered.
Rita: That's it: the code will be: "I'm flattered but.."
Chris: Sounds good. Now let's see if this thing worked.
(Chris hits pause.)
Rita: Sam?
Chris: That was our nicknames for each other. From Slammin' Sammy Snead, the
world's best golfer.
Rita: You golf?
Chris: Not on the green. That was just our metaphor for, well...
Rita: Got it. Is there anything else on here?
(She hits the play button before Chris can protest.)
(Chris approaches screen and then it goes fuzzy. As it turns out, Rita didn't
use camera for that night so the next thing on this video evidence compilation
is, surprise, surprise a copy of the Ladies' Night Out tape that the PBPD so
conveniently put on this tape. So there you see C&R rolling in the bed. You are
familiar with the scene, aren't you?)
(Chris pauses the tape.)
Chris: I can explain.
Rita: I don't know if I want to hear this.
Chris: We were undercovers....I mean undercover.
Rita: I read this in the journal, but I had no idea it was so realistic...
Chris: You read this in the journal?
Rita: Are you wearing something under that?
Chris: What did it say in the journal?
Rita: Nothing special.
Chris: Nothing?
Rita: No, I mean it said: "Nothing special." (Chris gives a disappointed
look.) (Rita smiles) Just kidding.
(Chris is silent for a moment then smiles. Rita, still smiling, catches his
eye.)
Rita: What?
Chris: You did that like Rita.
Rita: What part?
Chris: The kidding, the smiling. For a moment...
Rita: That's the first time I've smiled since...
Chris: You should do it more often. It makes your whole face glow.
(Awkward moment)
Rita: Let's see if there's anything left on the tape.
(She plays the tape to find the "Social Call" scene. Chris can't help but be
struck by the scene. He stops it once they break apart.)
Chris: See more of just the same...
Rita: The Wellmans?
Chris: Yeah. That was in the journal too?
Rita: Yeah. But to Rita, that wasn't more of the same.
Chris: I knew it. She blew it off but I knew she felt that...
Rita: I feel like I'm tattling or something. But it just seems weird to me.
Here the two of you are--spending so much time together, caring so
much for each other...and yet you haven't discussed what happened that night. Or the day of the Soul Kiss. Or how every time she breaks up with a guy, she goes to you.
Chris: I thought the way she brushed it away, that she didn't feel the same
way...
Rita: But she must have if she wrote it in her journal.
Chris: (to himself) And now it's too late.
Rita: Huh?
Chris: I said it's gotten late. How about dinner?
Rita: I don't know...
Chris: Please. Today was....today is Rita's birthday. Ever since we met
we've gone out to dinner on her birthday...always the same place.
Rita: Chris...
Chris: Please? It's just dinner. You got to eat sometime right?
Scene 7: Luigi's Restaurant
(Chris and Rita have just finished dinner.)
Chris: How about desert?
Rita: Well that chocolate moose cake looks good.
Chris: That's Rita's favorite.
Rita: Chris. There are five choices, I picked the right one. It's just
luck.
Chris: I know.
Rita: I know you don't mean to, but you're trying so hard to see Rita in
me. You're only going to be disappointed.
(Waiter comes and takes their dessert order.)
Rita: I can't blame you. I try myself. Anytime I look twice at anything I
think maybe it holds sentimental value to her. But then again, maybe
it's just nothing. There's no way to know. I just need to be patient.
Chris: You know, you're amazing. I wouldn't be able to handle what you're
going though.
Rita: Well it's not like I have a choice.
Chris: No, but you're sticking with it.
(Dessert comes.)
Rita: I was going to give up, remember? You were the one who convinced me
to keep going.
Chris: It was easy for me to ask that of you. You're the one with the hard
job.
Rita: But what else is there? I mean I've seen pictures of basically
everyone I've ever known in my life. I've been to my old house,
school, college. Nothing. I mean you were the most important person
in her life-- if you're not jiving it, who can?
Chris: The doctor said a small thing could do it. It could be anything...a
word...a place...that's how the brain works. Any context clue and it
could trigger the whole frontal lobe to react.
Rita: So what are you suggesting-- reading the whole dictionary?
Chris: (smiles) If it comes to it.
(They finish dessert, pay the check and leave the restaurant.)
Scene 8: Outside of Luigi's Restaurant
Rita: I think I need to walk off that dessert. Care to join me?
Chris: Sure.
Rita: I like this place.
Chris: Yeah. It's one of my favorites. A little ahead you can see all the
yachts.
(They walk in silence for awhile. Rita is shivering so Chris gives her his coat
(now the question is does it match what she's wearing? Wardrobe has its hands
full on this one.))
Rita: (staring up at the stars) Isn't there some saying about the first
star of the night?
Chris: Yeah. "Starlight, star bright. First star I see tonight. I wish I
may, I wish I might, Have this wish I wish tonight." Where is it?(He
comes up in back of her.)
Rita: Right there(pointing) you see it? (Chris is now almost head to head
with her)
Chris: So make your wish.
Rita: I wish...(looking right into his eyes) I wish you and Rita could have
another chance together.
(Chris is touched, as he was wishing the same thing. He looks deeply into
Rita's eyes and tries to convince himself that she's in there somewhere. They
both move toward each other, but before they kiss, they break it off.)
Chris: We can't do this...
Rita: I know. You're in love with another woman.
(Chris doesn't know what to say. Rita smiles then walks away (as they had taken
two cars over here and don't have to leave together.))
Scene 9: Rita's place
(Rita has arrived home and heads to the phone.)
Chris: Lorenzo?
Rita: Hi. Sorry to bother you. But I realized halfway home that I still had
your jacket. Do you want me to bring it over?
Chris: That's OK. I have plenty more like it. (That's the scary part)
Rita: Are you sure? It has your wallet in it and stuff.
Chris: I'll come pick it up tomorrow.
Rita: OK. Goodnight.
Chris: See ya!
(Chris hangs up phone, but Rita remains there with phone in hand, looking
quizzically. All of a sudden she drops the phone and sits down, her head in her
hands. After a moment or two, she lifts her head up and looks around. She takes
it in a minute, and then sighs happily (if that makes any sense). She picks up
her keys and rushes out the door.)
Scene 10: Chris' place
(It is twenty minutes later. She lets herself in (key is on her key chain) and
sees Chris has fallen asleep on his couch, the C&R video they watched last
night is finishing up on the screen. Rita goes to him quietly and smiles when
she sees him sleeping so cutely. She stays there a minute, taking in all that
has happened the last week. Then she takes the remote out of his hand and shuts
off the TV. She kneels down next to the couch and strokes his face. He stirs a
little but doesn't wake up. She is overcome with emotion and kisses him gently
on the forehead. He opens his eyes.)
Rita: Hey Sam.
Chris: (sleepily) Tell me this isn't another dream.
Rita: (smiles) It's not. (she pinches him on the butt)
Chris: Ouch. Why did you do that Sam? (He starts to actually wake up now and
realize what has happened. He has a shocked, hopeful look on his
face.) Rita?Rita: Yeah. (grins) Yeah, it's me.Chris: But I thought....what happened?
Rita: Of all things, all it took was your "See ya!" on the phone tonight.
Chris: You remember...
Rita: Everything! I remember Christmas in Maine when I was five. I remember
skinning my knee when I was thirteen. I remember Donnie, and Cotton.
I remember everything--this whole week too.
Chris: I can't tell you how much I've missed you.
Rita: I saw it in your eyes these last few days.
Chris: Sam, I think we need to talk.
Rita: We've done enough talking this past week. I think we're all caught
up.
Chris: But...
Rita: If I learned one thing these last few days, it's that there's no time
like the present. You never know if "later" will happen.
Chris: Rita...
Rita: (smiles) Why don't you shut up and kiss me?
(Chris stares at her for a moment and then kisses her passionately. They fall
back on the couch. Scene fades to black.)
THE END
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