Scene ~ Post-NB 99 Sonny: Is there a problem with you and Michael?
Jason: AJ. AJ used to say that- that I hated him. Wasn't true. But now it is. I can't stand the sight of him. But I don't want Michael to pick up on it. I don't know how to hide it.
Sonny: Something happen at the Nurses Ball?
Jason: After. Grandmother said that, uh, you know, Carly was upset about something. So I went- I went up to check on her. And she was with AJ. I don't know. It was just weird. It was weird to see that. I didn't think it would bother me. (But it did.....)
* * * * *
Later, at the warehouse Vito: You want me to tell the crew they'll be pulling a double shift? Or wait, and see how it plays?
Jason: Just wait.
Vito: Okay.
Jason: Okay? And then, uh... Fax that to Sonny.
Vito: Okay.
Jason: Thanks.
Carly: Wow. (she walks over to where he's sitting) You sound so...
Jason: (he stands) So... What?
Carly: So... I don't know. Like you know what you're talking about. I know I shouldn't be here. I doubt any of your guys are gonna run and tell AJ that I was here. But even if they do, I brought this little 'Time with Daddy' registration form I thought I could pretend to be dropping off. (but he doesn't take it, just tilts his head at her)
Jason: Why are you really here?
Carly: I just wanted to say thank you.
Jason: What'd I do?
Carly: At the Nurses Ball. It just- It meant a lot to me that you came out to find me. (she taps underneath his chin with her fingertips) I wish I could have stayed out there with you instead of going back inside with AJ. But you know what? He was... He was surprisingly nice. He was really trying to help. It's funny, I mean, I have every reason in the world to hate this guy. He threatened to take away Michael before he was born. He threatened to send me back to Ferncliffe. But sometimes he can be really nice. You know? Like he really cares. And it can get... sorta confusing, you know? You ever get confused, Jase?
Jason: (he smirks) Yeah, you know. I met this girl. She blackmailed me.
Carly: Hmm.
Jason: And then she asked for my help. And when I decided to give it to her, she did everything she possibly could to get rid of my girlfriend.
Carly: (mock horror) No!
Jason: And then most recently she went behind my back, told the cops that I was a kidnapper and that I abused her.
Carly: (wide-eyed, as if she can't believe it) Oh my god... But I bet you never hated her for any of it did you?
Jason: (shakes his head) No.
Carly: (she pauses) Never?
Jason: (he chuckles softly) You really want me to think about this?
Carly: (laughs) No. That's the difference, though. See, I... I- I've hated AJ. The worst kind of hate. Down and dirty, you get whatever you deserve kind of hate. And I guess kinda part of me still does, you know? But I did marry him. Lately, he's been really decent to me. And really nice. And... The other night, when we went home from the Nurses Ball. I was down, and he was being really nice. You know? Really sweet. And, uh, I slept with him. (She looks like she's expecting - hoping? - he'll be angry.)
* * * * *
Jason: What's going on? Did you speak to the captain?
Vito: Ah, yeah. He's gonna hang outside the harbour till the dock clears. It's like a holding pattern at the airport. You want me to pull some strings?
Jason: Nah. Just keep me posted.
Vito: Okay.
Jason: Thanks.
Carly: Can we go someplace?
Jason: Carly, I got work to do.
Carly: I just told you that I slept with AJ and you have to move more coffee around? This is important, Jase.
Jason: Well, if it's important, why are we gonna get in the middle of it in this warehouse?
Carly: Well, this is the only time I could come to you. And since you never care enough to come to me... That's why I'm here.
Jason: Vito!
Vito: Huh?
Jason: Can you clear the warehouse? Send everyone home?
Carly: No, we could just go to Kelly's-
Jason: The warehouse is closed. Everyone's gonna get paid for their full shift. I just want everyone out of here right now. Right now.
Vito: Alright, you heard the boss. Let's go. Let's go! Everybody out.
Jason: Okay. I'm listening. AJ was nice to you, you slept with him. What else do you need to tell me?
Carly: I slept with him because I couldn't keep putting him off anymore. And he was being decent and he wanted me, so... I gave him what he wanted. But it didn't mean anything. And I don't have to keep doing it. (he sighs) I can find a way to stop if you want me to. If that's... Do you?
(She looks almost hopeful, that he'll tell her he wants her to stop. He stares at her, almost angry, like he's mad that she's asking him that question... Or he thinks she should already know the answer without asking...)
* * * * *
Carly: I mean it, Jase. If you don't want me to sleep with AJ, just tell me.
Jason: What? I'm supposed to decide if you can touch your husband?
Carly: I don't feel like he's my husband.
Jason: You married him. (she shrugs, like 'So what?') Carly, I- I won't be your conscience. How you work your marriage is not my decision. If you want to sleep with AJ that's up to you.
(He goes past her. She turns and looks after him, angry.)
Carly: (she follows him) You know what you act like? You act like this is easy for me, Jason. I'm doing the best I can for you, for Michael, and for myself. The least you can do is tell me - What are you thinking? (quieter) What are you thinking? I mean, I slept with AJ, okay? (he sighs, looking down) Now I've done it. (she grabs his chin to make him look at her) He is gonna expect me to do it again. How do you feel about that? I mean, does it bother you a little? Does it bother not at all - or a lot?
Jason: Why are you asking me now?
Carly: Because AJ is gonna want an answer. And whatever I do with him depends on how you feel.
Jason: Since when? Why are you asking me for my permisson now? Carly, it's your body, it's your plan. If you want to do it with AJ in your room, that's up to you. (pause) Carly, just do whatever you want. Okay? (he goes past her - again)
Carly: (again, she turns) What do you mean - 'Do it in my room'? How did you know it was in my room? I never told you that. (pause, she sighs and makes a face) You saw us, didn't you? (he sighs, and she starts to take a few steps closer to him) You were on the balcony, weren't you?
Jason: Yeah. For a second. (pause) Grandmother said that you were upset so I went up to check on you.
Carly: Oh. You were worried about me. So you came to my room? Why didn't you give me a signal then? A little sign? You know, I would have gotten rid of AJ-
Jason: You were a little far gone for that.
Carly: I didn't want to be. (pause) I didn't wanna be. You coulda stopped me. I just needed a sign, you know? Just a little sign. That's all I need now. (she raises her eyebrows a little, hopefully)
* * * * *
Jason: You should go. I got work to finish. (he goes over to look at his clipboard)
Carly: You just cleared the warehouse, Jason. You sent everybody home. What's wrong with you? (she reaches to touch his chin again, but he moves away and holds up a hand to signal her not to) Are you embarrassed, because you watched me, with AJ?
Jason: Carly, I left. It's none of my business.
Carly: I felt bad, you know? I felt worthless. Making a fool of myself was all I remembered of the Nurses Ball. He wanted to help. He took me to bed. You know, I didn't hate it. (he stares at her with that pained look) But it didn't feel like it would've if it had been you. Doing something out of gratitude, and doing it because you want to-
Jason: (now he gets angry) No, no, no. See, you always do what you want, Carly. I told you not to marry AJ and you went ahead. You put yourself in this mess. You stay in, or you get out. But don't pretend you need my opinion or that you'd listen if I gave you one.
Carly: That's not what I want!
Jason: Then what is it, Carly! What do you want from me!
(She kinda glares at him and smooths a strand of hair back off her face. She flicks an eyebrow, giving him a look that says, 'You should know what I want.')
* * * * *
Carly: I want to keep my one friend. You're the only one that I can tell the truth. You know me, you know Michael. And you're right, I'm in a mess. Everything's confused.
Jason: You're confused because people never act the way you want. They act the way they want. You can't control how everyone else feels. You can't even control how you feel from one minute to the next.
Carly: I'm just trying to make things right for us, Jason. That's my goal, man. That's what I'm- That's what I'm trying to get to-
Jason: No. What you're trying to get to, everybody is gonna lose. (long pause) The only way to save it, is to stop it. One person turns around and walks away clean. That's it.
Carly: Nobody walks away. (whispers) Nobody. It's too late, man. I'm halfway done. I'm married to AJ. And I am gonna make the rest of it work too. You want me to sleep with AJ? (pause, she nods) That's fine. (she starts to go past him)
Jason: (he turns with her) I- I didn't say that, Carly-
Carly: No, but you didn't say you didn't, either-!
(She trips and he catches her, pulling her to him in an embrace...)
Jason: I didn't say that.
(Their arms wrap naturally around each other. After a second, she moves back a little, just enough to look up at him. Their hands go to each other's faces... She leans forward till their foreheads touch, and they're so close... Then they look at each other. Jason smooths a strand of her hair back from her face while her hands caress his neck and jaw, then run down to his chest. She starts to move forward to kiss him, but he turns his face away and takes hold of her arms, pushing her back. Her face filled with disappointment, she looks down at her hands.)
Jason: (softly) The warehouse is not a good place for a tantrum. (She closes her eyes for a second, then looks at him with tears on her cheeks, hurt and angry. He runs one of his thumbs over her cheek to wipe away one tear. Then he lets go of her.) Go home. (She turns and gets her purse off some bags of coffee, slightly jerking her elbow out of his grasp.) Go home.
(Carly makes an unbelieving noise and shakes her head as she walks to the door - though there's a big open garage door thingie not two feet to the left - and closes it behind her. Jason closes his eyes and sighs a little, shakes his head, then looks over at the door. He looks like he wishes that they hadn't ended it like that, like he wishes that she hadn't left, like he wishes he had kissed her... Like he wishes she would come back.)