Part XI

Olivia: What is wrong with you?

Josh: (defensive) What?  Nothing is wrong.

Olivia: You have been extremely jumpy for several hours now.

Josh: I just… I just… I have a lot on my mind.

Olivia: (searching) Like…?

Josh: I… uh… I'm gonna go get a drink.

Josh smiles nervously at Olivia and then quickly walks away.

Olivia: (sarcastically, to herself) Sure, I'd like a drink too.

Edmund: Well, Ms. Spencer, your monologues have become quite condensed.  Much to the delight of many, I am sure.

Olivia: (quickly turning in shock) Edmund!  What in the hell are you doing here?

Edmund: Olivia, my dear.  What kind of a greeting is that?  You are hardly in a position to interrogate.  Who exactly hand delivered your invitation?

Olivia: At least it is legal for me to attend.  Aren't you supposed to stay away from your brother?

Edmund: I am hardly fringing on any legalities by attending this feeble excuse for a gathering.  Haven't you heard, Olivia?  This is the United States of America.  Here I am allowed to wander the earth with all the other four-legged creatures.

Olivia: So you just had to come here to have your hand in ruining your brother's life yet again?

Edmund: And my presence differs from thy own?

Olivia is silent.

Edmund: I am actually here to represent another loyalty of mine: Spaulding Enterprises.

Olivia: Of course, Edmund; money before blood.  A predictably antagonist move, wouldn't you say?

Edmund: (annoyed, yet amused) I have on no account placed anything before my own heritage, Olivia.  You, of all people should realize at least that.

Olivia:  There are many things about you that I would rather not know.

Edmund: But enough about me.  Why have you decided to attend this dysfunctional celebration, Olivia?  Self-destruction is such a dreadful color on you.

Olivia: I am actually here accompanying my date.

Edmund: Date?  How inappropriate. And he has cause to attend?

Olivia: Certainly.  His sister-in-law… ex-sister-in-law is the bride-to-be.  He's here in a supportive nature.

Edmund: Now let me see.  I must refer to my Springfield Genealogical handbook.  (realization).  Oh Olivia, how classically trite.  Surely you are not attending said fiasco with Mr. Lewis of all people?

Olivia: You always were a sharp one, Edmund.

Edmund: Your flattery is absurd, Olivia.  As is your choice in companionship.  You do have a penchant for trying to attain the unattainable.

Olivia: I knew you would be amused, however, this time things are different.

Edmund: Spoken like a case of authentic denial.

Olivia: I don't need your approval or your assistance anymore Edmund.  Good evening.

Olivia walks away.

Edmund: Oh but you will, my dear. When the howling gale appears to consume your house of cards you will remember from whence you came.

Edmund looks to the staircase and smiles slyly.

Edmund: Right on cue. (He lifts his glass in a toast) Take shelter, Olivia.  I see the lightening flash.  The thunder will soon commence.  (Taking a drink)  And quite the appealing storm you are, Mrs. Lewis.

Alan: Edmund.  So glad you could attend.  This looks to be quite the evening.

Edmund: Such the understatement, Alan.  I, myself, am preparing for the downpour.

Alan: I wasn't aware that the forecast was dismal.

Edmund: Hardly dismal, Alan.  Tempests are an enchantment in all their power and destruction.  We cannot prevent their arrival.  Nevertheless we can revel in their presence and be strategically positioned for their aftermath.   

Alan: (he laughs) And that we will.  Come along though.  There is an associate of ours I would like you to meet.

Alan leads Edmund to the far reaches of the room as Reva remains at the top of the staircase, sizing up the crowd.  The country club is incredibly full at this point.  Businessmen, local citizens, and the like are all present.  Reva searches for a friendly face amidst the sea of strangers.  Suddenly a man's arms wrap around her waistline and pull her in tightly.  Reva turns around sharply and pushes herself away as the man just smiles and laughs.

Reva: Billy Lewis! (she hits him in the chest) You scared me half to death!  I almost got my mace out.

Billy: Reva Shayne owns mace? (laughs) I find that hard to believe.  The look on your face is stronger than any tonic a poor man could bottle.

Reva: Ugh! (hits him again) If you weren't so damn cute, I would throw you down these stairs right now.

Billy: Now, hold down there.  I believe a staircase got you into a truckload of trouble a few years back.  Let's leave the tricks to the circus clowns.

Reva: Well there are enough of them here tonight.  Starting with the one in front of me.  What the hell are you doing here, Billy?

Billy: That's a fine question.  I really have no idea.

Reva: You just wandered off the street?  Now that's the Billy Lewis I know… looking for trouble.

Billy: My troubling days are over, Reva Shayne.  Of course, if I'm making friends with a pretty little blonde I just can't seem to help myself.

Reva: We're both out of practice, you know that?

Billy: Just like riding a bike, darlin'.  So while we're on the subject.  Why did you drag your pretty little behind to the main event?

Reva: (turning away) Well… I'm a guest of Alan's.

Billy: You're what?  Reva Shayne, don't tell me you are hooking up with that pile of horse's doo-doo again?

Reva: Oh geez, Billy.  Give me a little credit.  I'm not hooking up like that!

Billy: Well what are you doing?  Reva Shayne doesn't just show up at a party without a plum good reason: especially this one.

Reva: I'm just… let's just say I'm weighing my options.

Billy: Options about what?  I don't like that look in your eye.

Reva: Well Billy, neither do I.  But sometimes a girl's gotta do…

Billy: I don't think I wanna know what a girl's gotta do…

Reva: I'm not here to cause trouble, Billy.  I've just decided that I can't go sitting around all the time waiting for people to make my life for me.  I've got too much riding on my life to let everyone else play the cards.

Billy: Darlin', I don't know what code you are talking in, but just keep yourself out of trouble.

Reva: Now when have I gotten myself into trouble?

Billy: Which chapter do you want me to read?

Reva: Hush.  I will behave.  Too many people are depending on me not to.

Billy: Too many people?

Reva: My kids.  The kids come first, Billy, you know that.

Billy: And what about my messed up little brother?

Reva: You had to go and bring him up.

Billy: There ain't no bringin' up about it, Reva.  He's your life and you can't stand here and deny it.

Reva: I can't stand here waiting for him to come back to me either.

Billy: That's my girl.  You need to go out and get him yourself.

Reva: That's not what I'm talking about Billy.  I'm not that loud red-dress wearing girl anymore, Billy.

Billy: I don't see the red dress, but I know for a fact you ain't turned quiet on me.

Reva: I'm serious Billy.  I love Joshua, you know that will never change.  But we are in such a different place right now and I can't wait around for him to decide he wants me back.  I've gotta move on.

Billy: With Alan Spaulding?

Reva: Maybe.

Billy: Reva Shayne, you are gonna get yourself in a mess of trouble, you know that?

Reva: Well I'm getting no help from you!  What was that little "surprise meeting" you arranged a few weeks back?

Billy: What are you talking about?  You two would have found each other with our without my help… you just needed a little… push.

Reva: It turned into more than a push.

Billy: Well everything seemed to be going exactly the way it should.  What did you two do to mess up and end up back where you started?

Reva: It doesn't matter, Billy.  (Intently) What does matter is what that night created between the two of us.

Billy: Hopefully a new beginning.

Reva: You could say that.

Billy: Now that's the talk I like to hear.

Reva: (snapping back into the present) Okay, I'm over this conversation.  Let's get off this stairway so everyone quits looking at us like we are in the center ring.  We need us a couple of sassparillas.

Billy:  Sassparillas?

Reva: Look a girl who's trying on a new life needs to have her mind clear, don't ya think?

Billy: Girl, you will always be a piece of work.

Reva: Would you want me any other way?

Billy: Never.  It's why I love you so much.

Reva: And I love you, Billy Lewis.  (they hug) Now quit your gawking and get me a drink, boy!

Billy: Yes ma'am!

Billy and Reva walk down the stairs.  Moments later, Cassie and Richard make their appearance.  Everyone in the crowd begins to applaud as Billy and Reva turn to see the excitement.

Billy: How come no one was clapping for us?

Reva: Get yourself an island and they'll clap.

Cassie and Richard stand at the top of the stairs smiling to the crowd.

Billy: (to Reva) You okay?

Reva is silent as she stares at he sister. Billy notices the exchange and simply puts his arm around Reva in comfort.  After several moments, Reva's face begins to light up in joy as she can see how happy her sister is with Richard.  Suddenly Cassie's eyes stop and her face turns to one of regret.  Reva's smile, however, makes Cassie's emerge yet again.  Amidst a room filled with cheering, the two sisters create their own bond and exchange a sort of forgiveness.

Olivia: He's still quite a handsome man, isn't he?

Reva ignores Olivia by keeping her back to her.  Her facial expression however, turns immediately at the sound of her voice.  Billy quickly recognizes the look on Reva's face and decides to intervene.

Billy: (sarcastically) Well Olivia, what in the sam hill are you doing here?  Social call?

Olivia: Social… and business.

Billy: Business?  I don't seem to remember Lewis having any business with the Spauldings.

Olivia: Well, Billy.  Things could always be in the works.  You never want to burn any bridges. Actually, bridges in general are a dangerous thing.

Reva: Well said, Olivia.  You should really stay away from bridges.  Could land you in a heap of trouble.  Years later you could find yourself trying to replace clingy assistants and not a temp agency in sight.

Olivia: Well, so good to see you Reva.  Richard invited you, I'm sure.

Reva: Who invited me is neither relevant nor important.  My sister is the bride to be.

Olivia: Last I heard, you had managed to sabotage that relationship also.

Reva begins to fume, but composes herself.  Billy breaks the moment.

Billy: So… Olivia.  Great to see you.  Maybe you should get back to your "business".

Olivia: Certainly.  You will give my regards to Richard, won't you?  I'm sure you'll find yourself alone with him at some point before the evening has ended.

Reva contains herself and smiles as Olivia walks away.

Billy: Well Reva Shayne.  I'm as proud as a peacock.

Reva: Nothing to be proud of, Billy.  There is no sense wasting my breath on a tiny inconvienence like Olivia Spencer.  At least not now.

Billy: I'm still in shock though.  I've never known Reva Shayne to just stand by while a woman throws dirt in her face.  Especially a woman who is messing with her Joshua.

Reva: This is a new Reva Shayne, Billy.  Your brother will figure out what he wants in due time and Olivia can kid herself into thinking they have something real.

Billy: But you're just going to stand by and do nothing?

Reva: I'm hardly doing nothing.  She knows the truth deep down.  She's not psychotic like other women in Joshua's past.

Billy: (goes to speak)

Reva: You just hush, Billy Lewis.  I'm a whole different breed of psychopath.

Billy: You can say that again.

Reva: (hits Billy) Olivia is just very insecure, Billy.  I'm not going to force Josh to come back to me.  I've just got too much at stake to get Josh back by way of pity.

Billy: You keep talking about having too much at stake.  Something I should know about?

Reva: I just don't want him back out of pity.

Billy: You know he would never come back to you like that.  He loves you like his own life, darlin'.  Hell, you are his life.

Reva: In another time and place, Billy.  I believe it will be that way again, but for now, for the sake of our kids, I have to try and have a normal life.

Billy: Ain't no such thing, sweetie.  You're a Shayne by birth and a Lewis by the laws of nature.  That gives you one hell of a recipe for living.

Reva: You always tell it like it is, don't you?  I think I'll hang onto you, Billy Lewis.  (they hug)

Billy: You don't have much of a choice, girl.  I ain't going anywhere.

Reva: That is one thing I will always count on.