Episode 77, originally published 18-Dec-97

Greener Pastures

Malcolm opens the door at Dru's house. It's Sid. "Well, hello, Malcolm. I didn't expect to find you here," Sid says. "Sid, my man," Malcolm says noncommittally, "what brings you by?" Sid says, "Well, I came about a modeling gig--" Sid starts to say, but Malcolm cuts him off. "Well, then it's good you found me and not Dru because she ain't up to no modeling gigs right now--she's got troubles in her marriage and she needs to focus on getting things fixed with Neil before she goes on any more modeling gigs." "You misunderstood, Malcolm," Sid says. "I didn't come to ask Dru about an opportunity--she's already said 'yes'. I just came by to give her some details." "No, no, no, no, wait, I'm sorry, but that just ain't gonna fly here. You see Dru may think she's agreed, but what you're not getting is that Dru, man, she just ain't up to any agreein' right now 'cuz she just ain't seein' straight on anything right now." As he says this, Malcolm is jumping up and down getting more an more anxious, starting to flail his arms as if he's about to involuntarily go into a little boxing practice. "I'm sorry, Malcolm," Sid says, "but she has agreed, and I think she is seeing just fine. She wants to be away traveling, and I think that's just as well. It will give her time to think, time to examine her priorities, time not to be badgered by her so-called friends..." "Hey! Who you calling a 'so-called' friend?" Malcolm asks indignantly.

Malcolm is still quite obviously warming up for a fight with Sid. "You're right, Malcolm. I overstepped. I don't see anyone around here calling you her friend, so I shouldn't have called you a 'so-called' friend." "Oh yeah? Well, I am Dru's friend, and I just think she's doing the wrong thing, ok?" Sid shakes his head. "No, not ok. Malcolm, if you're her friend, you owe it to her to talk to her--listen to her side of things. Not just blindly defend your brother." "Hey!" Malcolm says, taking a mock swing at Sid now, trying to provoke him. Sid shakes his head disdainfully and continues in his usual calm way. "Malcolm, you need talk to Dru. Give her some support." "Support? After what she done to my brother? Sid, you're making me mad, now you get out of here and leave Dru alone before--" "No!" says Sid firmly. "I am here. I will wait for Dru. She needs a friend, and if you're not going to be it then I will be." "Listen here, my man," Malcolm says, still bouncing around flailing his hands menacingly at Sid, "Dru's been lying and she needs to come clean. Now you clear out of here right now or I ain't gonna be responsible. You ain't no good for Dru. So out!" "No." Sid says, lowering his head sadly and putting his hands together in front of him almost as if saying a prayer for him. Malcolm swings again, this time with intent to strike, but Sid calmly leans slightly to one side and Malcolm goes sailing past. "I suppose you thought that was funny," Malcolm says. "Do you see me laughing, Malcolm? This is a serious business," Sid replies. "Come on, now. Git!" Malcolm says. Sid doesn't move. Malcolm's fist shoots straight forward again. This time Sid's body doesn't move at all, but his arm rises in a swift and graceful arc that misses Malcolm's fist but deflects his arm enough that the punch doesn't land. Malcolm turns again, more upset.

"Alright," Malcolm says. "I've been polite long enough. The door is there, Sid. I've asked you, and now I'm telling you. Leave or I won't be responsible." Sid's hand has returned to his side. He stands calm and motionless. "I will await Drucilla, thank you." "The hell you will!" Malcolm says with rising intensity. He lunges toward Sid, again fist first. Sid grabs the fist in his own, palm down. Unshaken, he closes hard on the fist and uses it to twist Malcolm's entire body to the floor. Malcolm is obviously in pain. Finally he says, "Alright, alright!" and Sid lets up. "There now," Sid says. "Hey, what'd you do to me there?" Malcolm says, wringing his hand. "What was necessary, apparently," Sid says. "Some Tai Chi, some Aikido." "You never told me you were a fighter, man..." Malcolm mutters. "I'm not," Sid says. "The black belt in Tai Chi is not a symbol of a fighter, Malcolm; it is a recognition of my commitment to solving problems with my head, not my hands. I use it only defensively--as you and your brother should use your strength." Behind them, there is clapping as Drucilla enters focus. Malcolm looks up. "Dru? How long you been watching..." "Long enough to see my man Sid here put you in your place, both physically and otherwise," Dru says. "Dru, I--" Sid starts to say in an apologetic tone. "Hey," says Dru, "it's cool. I'm sure the way everyone's been flying off the handle around here lately he had it coming, di'n't you, Malcolm?" Malcolm sighs and nods. "Yeah, I probably did. Look Sid, I'm sorry, ok?" Sid thinks for a moment and then nods. Then he turns to Dru, "So what about it, Dru? Are you ready for the details on that tour?" She nods eagerly. "Lay it on me, Sid. Right about now, I can't think of anything I need more."

A relaxed Miguel in a casual but attractive shirt, unbuttoned slightly, stops by Sarah's room. Veronica quickly attaches her wig and peeks her head out of the door. "Yes? Oh, hello, Miguel!" "Hello. I just stopped by to let you know that Dr. Landers had called. He's waiting on a delivery but expects it will be all night. And, since Mrs. Landers is out of town, I guess we have the evening off." "Thanks, Miguel. That's very nice of you to come by to tell me." "Well, actually, I was wondering if--well, if you wouldn't mind coming over to my wing of the the Estate. We could select an old film from my complete movie library and watch it on the large screen TV in my movie screening room." Sarah looks surprised. "You have a personal screening room?" "Uh, yes--Mr. Newman buys things like this all the time for his wives and ex-wives. But they never end up using them, so over the years I've--well, you might say I keep everything in running order, dusted, and ready in case the family ever wants to use it. Which of course they don't." "Wow. Does it have popcorn?" "Absolutely!" Miguel says with a certain pride. "I take special pride in the quality of food available at the concession stand, as you can well imagine." She giggles. "It sounds like fun, Miguel. Lead on..."

A while later, Sarah and Miguel enter the Landers living room together, holding hands and laughing happily. Sarah carries a large box of popcorn, from which she is eating. Over her shoulders, almost as a cape, she wears a large blanket. Miguel is carrying a video tape. "You're sure you don't mind?" she asks. "That you prefer to watch this video on the small screen TV here in the living room instead of my large screen TV? Well, I admit it puzzles me, but I am not offended..." "Well," she explains, "it's just that I like a little danger. And with the Landers both out, I thought it would be fun to be in their space instead of our own, you know." "Oh, I see," Miguel says with a smile, "and that's why you chose this scary movie." "Exactly. This way if we hear a noise, we'll be all ready to jump. You'll like it--you'll see!" she says. "I hope so," he says with a combination of uncertainty and excitement. He puts the tape in the VCR/TV and they start to sit on the couch. "No," she says. "This won't do. Pillows on the floor. It's the only way." She starts disassembling the couch and making a big pile of pillows on the floor. They retire awkwardly onto the pillows on the floor, pulling the blanket over the top of them. Miguel presses a button on the VCR remote.

"This is great fun," Miguel says as they continue to watch TV from under their blankets. "I haven't had this much fun since my wife left." "Ellie? Was that her name?" Sarah asks. Miguel nods. "It was. It was short for Estrella." "Was she from Mexico?" "Her father was. But her mother was from Ireland. And she was the best of both." Sarah nods but says nothing. "After a time, she tired of the work load as so many Newmans moved to the ranch. She felt it left too little time for us to be a family." "So she left you..." Sarah says, more as a question than a statement. "That's right. She one day decided to ship our young children to Switzerland so that they could reach adulthood overnight, as Nicholas and Victoria did." "Was that wise?" Sarah asks, thinking of the devastating effects this has so obviously had on the Newman children. "I am sure it was not," Miguel says, "but everything happened so fast there was no way to stop it. And the next thing I knew, she had made plans to go back to family and friends..."

"So when `Ellie' left, you couldn't bring yourself to go with her?" "And leave the Newmans? I was only barely aware that they knew she existed, but they were apparently devastated when she told them she was leaving. How could I tell them I was going to leave too? Where would they find someone who could cook food for fifty on a moment's notice?" She laughs, and adds "Or juggle last names as well as you apparently do--you say they used to change almost weekly." "They still do," Miguel says. "Don't let the recent lull fool you. She won't be Mrs. Landers for long...." Sarah smiles involuntarily. "Do you think so?" she asks hopefully. "Yes, I get the feeling something is about to happen," Miguel says. "I've noticed you've developed quite a crush on the good doctor, for example," he adds teasingly. "Well, you never know," says Sarah thoughtfully. "Crushes come and go easily. Dr. Landers is a very endearing man--and, I mean, really, what woman isn't just a little hot for her gynecologist?" "Yes, I can see that. That's how Nikki and Joshua met," Miguel says. "See what I mean?" Sarah says. "But the truth is, a crush on someone like Joshua Landers can fade in an instant when confronted by a real man, like you, Miguel..." Miguel blushes, but she moves to kiss her and he doesn't push her away. They slide quickly under the blanket and are lost from sight.

The TV is playing the star spangled banner and switches to static. Veronica and Miguel look up, disoriented. (She is blonde again.) "Oops. Getting late," Veronica says. "Yes, I had better get this living room in order before Dr. Landers returns home," Miguel says. He stands. He wears boxers and his shirt covers only one arm. He pulls the shirt the rest of the way on and pulls up his pants. She likewise "arranges" herself, including replacing the wig, which has come off in the process. "You look much better without the wig, you know," Miguel says. "That's why I wear it," Sarah says. "So as to scare off men?" Miguel asks. "So as not to scare off female employers," Sarah says with a wink. "I understand," Miguel says. "You've had the same problem, then?" Sarah asks. "You must have," she adds, "as handsome as you are." "In previous employment yes, but not here. Victor knows I'm no threat, because he knows Nikki sees Hispanics as beneath her socially." "Well, on that I agree with her," Sarah says. Miguel looks up, surprised--almost alarmed. She giggles and says, "I like them very much beneath me ... socially, I mean." Sarah winks.

Having assured that the living room is free of telltale popcorn, Miguel kisses Sarah goodnight and she heads off to her quarters for bed. Miguel heads down a different hall toward his wing of the Estate. When he opens his door and turns on the light, he is surprised to see Dr. Landers, fully dressed but asleep, on his bed. Dr. Landers opens his eyes faintly, shielding his eyes from the light. "Oh, hello Miguel." "Dr. Landers, are you all right?" "Oh, I'm fine, Miguel. I came home earlier and saw you with my ex-wife on the living room floor. You looked so content, I didn't want to risk waking you. I figured I could just sleep here for the night and then head out in the morning before you got up--didn't count on your coming back to bed so soon." "Excuse me sir, but did you say `ex-wife'?" "I must say--I knew from the first time I gave her an exam there was something familiar about her. Yes, it's a long story, Miguel, and I'd just as soon not lengthen it by retelling it if I don't have to. I just wonder what she's doing here? You don't think she's after me do you?" "No, sir. Not any more." "Oh, good. 'Cuz I can tell you, Nikki would not like that one bit. Then again, she's not going to like thinking Sarah isn't after me either. She's a peculiar woman, that Nikki. Keeping her happy can be very difficult." "Mrs. Newman does like to be the center of everyone's universe, yes, sir," Miguel says agreeably. "But you say she's no longer interested. You're sure?" "Yes, I am," Miguel says both proudly and confidently. "Good, good. Well, just tell Veroni--uh,--Sarah not to let up too much on the crush thing. It'll worry Nikki if she does. Nothing overt--the occasional gunshot in the night or attempted poisoning." Miguel nods. "Just enough to keep Nikki thinking her husband is worth fighting for?" "You're a good man, Miguel," Joshua says, extending his hand to shake Miguel's. "Thank you, sir. Can I help you to your room?" "No, thanks, Miguel. I'll find my way. You have a good night." "You too, sir. Pleasant dreams."

It's a little after noon. Dru is with Sid at Gina's for lunch. "You're ready to go?" Sid says. "Ready? I am dying to go, Sid. You are a total lifesaver. If you hadn't come along with this offer, I'd still be moping around my apartment tending to my wounds. But this is my chance to get away, to be me, to do what matters for me for a change." "Good, I'm glad to see you being positive about yourself and your life, Drucilla. It's very refreshing. You deserve to be happy." "Say, Sid, I had me an idea..." Sid chuckles curiously. "Ok, shoot," he says. "What if you and me--like--what if we pretended we was like... an item. You know. Do you think that'd put some sense back in my man?" "Drucilla, I'm going to be brutally honest with you--" "You think it's a bad idea, huh?" "Actually, I think it's a great idea--but not with any pretending." Dru looks confused. "You lost me, Sid. Do you think we can pull this off or not?" "I don't think Neil can be made to change his mind," Sid says. She nods sadly. "I guess you're right." "But I DO think you and I as an item is a good idea..." "You what?" Drucilla says. He pulls out a small box and hands it to her. She opens it to find a beautiful emerald. She looks disappointed. "I thought for a moment it was going to be a diamond," she says.

"It is a diamond, Dru," Sid explains. "A green diamond--an emerald." She looks surprised and checks it out in more detail. "And you bought this for me?" He nods as she slips it onto a free finger and admires its sparkle. Then she stops and looks at him, suddenly concerned. "This ain't just some `friendship ring' is it?" she asks suspiciously. "'Cuz you know, Neil gave me a ring once--and I thought it was an engagement ring, but he kept telling me it was a friendship ring--some days I wish that was all it had been." "Well, you're married right now," Sid says. "Yeah, to a jerk," Dru says. "He is the father of your child..." Dru laughs. "Ha! He thinks so. Remind me someday I'll tell you the truth about that one." "Well," Sid says, "some day, maybe you'll have time to tell me the truth about a lot of things--some day, I hope you'll be my wife." Dru smiles. "You gonna twist my arm like you did to Malcolm? Get me to kneel and say `yes'?" Sid shakes his head. "No. But when the time comes, I'll get down on my knee all by myself--without you having to twist my arm, how's that?" Dru smiles. "Aw, that's sweet. I'll think about it, Sid. I really will. Because from where I sit, it sounds mighty tempting--mighty tempting. But for now, let's just get some lunch, find Lily, and go on the modeling tour of our lifetimes, ok?" Sid nods and says, "Sounds just great to me, Dru!"

That's all for this episode. Hope you learned something. Don't miss Episode 78!
If you missed any older episodes, see the index.

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