EP 61 - THE OPAL CORTLANDT SPECIAL!

All My Children - Friday June 3rd, 2016

EPISODE # 61

Written By: Casey Hutchison

Executive Producer: Dawn Hayes

Directed By: James A. Baffico

Night is still upon the residents of Pine Valley. At Opal’s Home, Diane and Opal are in the living room. Diane throws her handbag on the coffee table.

OPAL: I never expected to see you, Diane. You look great.

DIANE: Thanks. You do too. Then again, I haven’t seen you since I was one week old.

OPAL: What brings you by?

DIANE: I wanted to see my mother.

OPAL: Really?

DIANE: Yes. It is time we had a talk. A real face to face conversation.

---

SPECIAL OPAL OPENING:

---

Back at Opal’s Home Diane crosses her arms.

OPAL: (sighs) So, where do you want to begin?

DIANE: I want to begin with why you left me. Why did you leave me?

OPAL: I was a teenager. I was not ready to take care of a baby in any manner. I was going to school, I went to a dance. I made love with a man. And, that man was a football jock. He wasn’t going to take care of a child. My parents were not going to take care of a child. I ran out of options, and so I did the only thing I knew how.

DIANE: You grew up. That is the thing I don’t understand. You grew up. You wanted to leave me behind, completely. You didn’t even mention me to your children. Why?

OPAL: Because…

DIANE: Because, you wanted me in the past.

OPAL: I…

DIANE: You never wanted me to come up, because your world would come crumbling down. Is that it? Is that the reason?

OPAL: Yes! (sobs) It is the reason. Diane, I am sorry. However, I am not sorry for giving you up. You lived a good life in California.

DIANE: I should have lived here in Pine Valley! I should have been here! You didn’t want me to be anywhere near you. That is until you got sick with a brain tumor.

OPAL: I wanted you to be here, yes. And, that is because I thought I was dying. However, (sighs) I got better.

DIANE: And, you called off the meeting. Why is that?

OPAL: Because, I couldn’t bare it. I thought I was not going to survive, but I did. And, I didn’t think it was fair for you to go through all of this.

DIANE: So, you wanted to save me from the “drama”?

OPAL: In a way, yes. Let me ask you a question. Why are you here?

DIANE: Job offer. I’m being serious. I was a reporter in California. I moved here, because I heard that the new cazzette was looking for reporters. I got hired by the way. Another reason is because I wanted to see you.

OPAL: Here I am.

DIANE: Here you are. I met my step sister, by the way.

OPAL: Excuse me?

DIANE: Her name is Nina. I met her when she came back for a little while. She texted me saying she had to get back home, and deal with things.

OPAL: Nina was here? You met Nina?

DIANE: I did. She is a very nice woman. Just an FYI, she knew all along. And, somebody else knew about your little secret as well.

OPAL: Who knew?

DIANE: Your deceased husband, Palmer.

OPAL: That is crazy. Palmer did not know.

DIANE: Nina said that he always knew. Told her.

OPAL: Palmer never brought you up.

DIANE: Maybe he didn’t want to make you upset over all of it. After all, why make someone upset over something they want to forget?

OPAL: I have never gotten you.

DIANE: You have forgotten about me for the past 48 years!

OPAL: You have always stayed present in my memory.

DIANE: Have I now?

OPAL: Yes, you have. (sighs) How long will you be here?

DIANE: For a very long time. That is the plan. I do not plan to leave this town anytime soon. Can’t wait to explore Pine Valley, more. Make friends. Maybe, even find a man.

OPAL: I want you to know that your brothers do know.

DIANE: Do they now? Adrian, Tad, Peter, they all know?

OPAL: Yes. I told them about it all.

DIANE: Am I supposed to make you a medal?

OPAL: I just thought you should know.

DIANE: It was nice meeting you Opal.

OPAL: What do you mean by that?

DIANE: It means that I have to go. I have a very early meeting at the paper tomorrow. Who knows, you might be the front page story?

Just before Diane grabs her handbag, and walks out, Opal stops her.

OPAL: I never meant for this to happen.

DIANE: What’s done is done.

OPAL: I love you.

DIANE: You don’t even know me.

Diane walks out, slamming the door. A tear strolls down Opal’s eye.

---

Back at Opal’s Home, time has jumped forward a little bit. Opal is drinking a cup of tea, and sitting on the couch. There is a knock on the door. She stands up, trying to regain her composure. She walks up to the door, and opens it.

ERICA: (barging in) Opal, I am so glad you are home.

Opal closes the door, as the two ladies walk into the living room.

ERICA: Listen, I need to talk to you about Bianca. I am concerned about her.

Opal tries to listen to Erica, but she cannot. She begins to cry.

ERICA: Opal…, honey, what’s wrong?

OPAL: I met my daughter. Diane.

ERICA: Oh my goodness. You poor thing. Come here.

Erica embraces Opal, as she silently cries.

---

Back at Opal’s Home, the two come off a hug.

ERICA: Honey, I had no idea she was in town.

OPAL: I didn’t either. I had no idea Diane was even coming here.

The two sit on the couch.

ERICA: Why is she here?

OPAL: She had a new job opportunity.

ERICA: How did you two meet?

OPAL: She came over here, tonight.

ERICA: How did that go?

OPAL: We had a huge fight. There was screaming. Sobbing on my part. Erica…, I just don’t know how I am going to survive this.

ERICA: Opal, you are a strong woman. You have survived, so much. You have been through the death of a child. You have been widowed twice. You have a heart disease. Hell, you even checked yourself into Oak Haven to see me.

OPAL: (slight laugh) I still can’t be the whole Oak Haven thing.

ERICA: Point is, is that you are surviving the bad parts in life with elegance.

OPAL: Thank you, Erica. So, you said you are worried about Bianca?

ERICA: Yes, I am. With the recent passing of Joshua, I just think she is reliving what happened last year to her, and this family.

OPAL: If you want me to talk to her, I will.

ERICA: I think she just needs to be alone.

OPAL: Probably for the best.

ERICA: Listen, I love you Opal. I am happy to have you in my life as a friend. You have always been a wonderful person in my life. I thank God for you.

OPAL: I don’t know where I would be tonight without you.

The two hug.

ERICA: So, what is the next with Diane?

OPAL: I don’t know. She’s my daughter. She’s here. For good.

ERICA: I just want you to know that someone else is here, for good. Me. I will always be here for you Opal. Always.

OPAL: Thank you.

ERICA: What are friends for?

---

At Pine Valley Hospital, Opal walks up to Joe, when she steps off the elevator.

OPAL: Joe, I’m glad you are still here.

JOE: Opal, what are you doing here?

OPAL: I needed to talk to you.

JOE: What about?

OPAL: (sighs) Diane came to visit me.

---

In the Conference Room, Joe and Opal walk in. Joe shuts the door.

JOE: i had no idea she was here.

OPAL: I didn’t either.

JOE: What was it like?

OPAL: (sighs) It was dramatic. It was something different. We had a fight. A huge blow up. We pulled everything out of the bag.

JOE: What was it like seeing your daughter?

OPAL: Emotional. She is 48 years old, now. 48. Last time I saw Diane was when she was one week. At that time, I was giving her up for adoption.

JOE: Opal, if she is staying here, can you survive with her here?

OPAL: I’m not moving, if that’s what you are implying. I have put down roots here. I have lived you for over 30 years. Over 30 years, think about that.

JOE: Opal, from what you described to me, you can’t do life with her in it.

OPAL: I have to Joe!

JOE: Oh my god.

OPAL: What?

JOE: Opal, do you want a relationship with Diane?

OPAL: Would it be so bad if I wanted a relationship with her?

JOE: No, not at all. I’m just not sure she would want the same thing.

---

At ConFusion, Diane is having tequila shots. The bartender continues to pour, as she continues to drink. She then has a flashback.

(FLASHBACK: 1967)

Diane has flashes of her being given up for adoption.

(PRESENT)

DIANE: Why did she have to leave me?

---

Back at Opal’s Home, Opal walks up to the doorstep. While she arrives, she sees a man.

OPAL: Excuse me, may I help you?

MAN: I think you can.

The man turns around.

OPAL: (laughing/smiling) Oh my goodness.

MAN: Hello mom.

OPAL: Adrian! Get over here, darling!

Opal could not be more happier to see her son. They embrace tightly.

***FADE OUT***

***END OF EP. 61***