Part IX

3 Weeks Later at Millennium

Reva sits at a table in the corner of the club.  She stares unmindful at her untouched drink as the ice slowly begins to melt and glisten.

A well-dressed man appears: Hello, Reva, I certainly didn't expect to find you sitting here all alone.

Reva: What brings you here, Alan? This isn't your usual crowd.

Alan: You would be surprised at the establishments I frequent.  However, believe it or not, I came looking for you.

Reva: (laughing) Why Mr. Spaulding, are you that desperate for companionship?

Alan: (ignoring her comment) I heard about your split from Josh. I thought you could use a friend.

Reva: (sarcastically) Old news, Alan. Did you miss the society headline? The whole town knows Josh and I are separated. Besides, I'd hardly call you a friend.

Alan: I know we've had our differences, Reva, but we were very close at one time.

Reva: (speaking softly so only Alan can hear her) Differences? Is that what you call them?  You stole Lewis Oil from my family when your psycho girlfriend was drugging my husband and then proceeded to facilitate Annie's escape from justice knowing she had tried to kill me. I'd say that puts you out of the friend category.

Alan: (amused) Frankly Reva, I could not have done so without the cooperation of your family. If the two of you hadn't been so anxious to protect your little secret Annie would have been sent away for a very long time.

Reva: Well, Annie is out of all of our lives so I suppose all of this is irrelevant. Besides, I hear she stole quite a bit of money from you before taking off to parts unknown.

Alan: Now you are the one sounding amused, Reva. Afraid of what she might do next?

Reva: I haven't thought about Annie in a long time.  She has a strong survival instinct, I'm sure she's putting your money to good use.  Then again, I'm sure you didn't come here to discuss your psycho ex.  What exactly do you need me for this time, Alan?

Alan: I have a proposition for you. One I believe you'll be very interested in. (pauses and sits down) I want you to come work for Spaulding.

Reva: (laughs) You have got to be kidding me. Why would I work for you?

Alan: I believe I could make it worth your while. Would helping to run Lewis Oil entice you?

Reva: (intrigued in spite of herself) I thought Phillip was heading it up. Is this yet another attempt to sever the threads of your tightly woven family?

Alan: (coldly) Phillip has other priorities these days.

Reva: (under her breathe) Doesn't everyone?

Alan: His San Cristobel project is in the forefront of his current business practices, but I don't suppose you're interested in that.

Reva: Not particularly.  (Pauses and looks to Alan questioning) So what exactly do you want me to do?

Alan: So you're interested?

Reva: Lets just say I'm listening.

Alan: You'd be getting a chance to be a part of the Lewis family's company…

Reva: Why would you ask me? I'm not a Lewis and its not like I've ever run Lewis Oil.

Alan:  You've been married to most of the Lewis men -  I'd say that makes you pretty much a Lewis.  Surely you learned something during the time you were married to H.B. Besides, wouldn't you like to show Josh and all of Springfield what exactly makes Reva Shayne tick?

Reva: Now I get it. You think hiring me to work for your version of Lewis Oil is a way to stick it to Josh. (Laughing) I don't think so, Alan. Josh is trying to move on with his life. He's decided he wants more out of life than he thinks I can give.

Alan: (scrutinizing Reva's face) Why if I didn't know better I'd think you almost believe that your "always" is over.  Surely I'm mistaken.

Reva: Lets just say I take you up on this offer. What exactly would I be doing and whom would I report to?

Alan: You'll be working somewhat with our new "acquisition" Edmund Winslow.  I assume you know him?

Reva: Conversation is over. Thanks, but no thanks.

Alan: (innocent) Is it something I said?

Reva: Did your sources neglect to tell you why Edmund was banished from San Cristobel?

Alan: (dryly) Newspapers said he wanted to rule in place of his brother--not much detail beyond that.

Reva: He tried to kill my son Jonathan, and he almost succeeded in trying to kill me. Now that I think about it, Edmund and Annie would make the perfect couple; they both view drowning as the best device to liberate their lives.

Alan: (sarcastically) Well, I could have told him that it isn't very effective.  I seem to recall saving you from that fate a couple times; you weren't very grateful the last time though. 

Reva: Coming back from the dead isn't as much fun as people would imagine. Rather disorienting in fact and I've done it more than most.

Alan: I do know that Edmund isn't to be trusted but he saved Phillip and Beth's lives. I owe him something for that.

Reva: (laughing) If he saved their lives its because there was something in it for him. You should keep a close eye on him, Alan.  Then again, he is just your type of man.

Alan: (ignoring her) Are you sure you won't consider my offer?

Reva: Assure me I won't be working with Edmund or on the San Cristobel project and I'll think about it.

Alan: (smiles slyly) That can be worked out.

Reva: Notice I said, "think".

Alan: Well then, should we drink to our "union"?

Reva: If that's what you want to call it.

Alan hands Reva her glass and picks up his own.

Alan: (smiling) To us, Reva, may our alliance last this time.

Reva: (smirking) If it even begins.

The glasses clink together as they raise them up to toast. Reva stops before she takes a sip but says nothing as she contemplates how different her life was going to be from what she wanted.

Reva: To us? (Laughing) I never thought that phrase would resurface in terms of you and I.

Alan: (gleefully) Well, hello Josh. 

Reva turns around to see Josh standing behind her.  She is not surprised to see anger, hurt, and suspicion on his face.

Reva: Uh... Josh, what are you doing here? 

Alan watches the exchange between them with curiosity and amusement. He had heard from various sources including his daughter-in-law that Reva was still in love with her former husband, Prince Richard of San Cristobel, but he hadn't believed it. He knew Reva well enough to be certain that her heart belonged to Josh no matter how much the two try tried to deny it sometimes. Watching Reva with Josh now confirmed to him that whatever had happened between her and the prince was over.

Josh: I was about to ask you the same thing. I didn't expect you to be hanging around Alan Spaulding of all people.

Reva eyes flash with anger at the self-righteous tone in Josh's voice but she keeps her voice calm. No matter how much she wanted him back, she has no intention of defending herself to him or anyone else.

Reva: Alan and I were just discussing old times, Josh.  Was there something about the children you wished to discuss with me?

Josh is shocked at the lack of emotion in Reva's voice. He can't believe that she'd dismiss him like that.

Josh: No… I mean yes, I was wondering if I was still able to spend Sunday with them?

Reva: The kids are looking forward to it.

Alan listens as the two discuss their weekend plans.

Josh: Were you… have you made plans for Sunday?

Reva: (speaking before thinking of the consequences) Yes, I have. Alan, we are still on tomorrow aren't we?

Alan (amused that Reva hasn't changed as much as she wants him to believe): Ah, yes, lunch as I recall.

Josh: (painfully) Okay then.

Reva is startled to see the pain on Josh's face, as he believes she is starting something with Alan again.

Reva: Josh, you have to know something...there isn't....

Olivia: (interrupting) Josh, I'm sorry I'm late...I got held up doing some paperwork.

Josh: (still looking at Reva) Uh…that's okay, Olivia.  I was just checking to see that I still had tomorrow with the kids. Let's find a seat. (Josh goes to lead Olivia away)

Alan: (standing) The two of you could join us if you wish.

Reva: Actually, the two of you can have this table...Alan and I were just leaving, weren't we, Alan? (Grabbing his arm)

Alan: (smiling) Of course, Reva. (Nodding to Josh) Josh, where are your manners?

Josh: (fuming) Excuse me?

Alan: You have failed to introduce me to your "friend".

Reva: (answering for Josh): You mean you haven't met Josh's assistant? Alan, this is Olivia Spencer. She was engaged to Richard before relocating her belongings to Springfield and her affections to my husband. (Olivia rolls her eyes) Olivia, this is Alan Spaulding. He's an old, uh, "friend" of mine.

Alan: (smiling knowingly) A pleasure to meet you, Miss Spencer. Now if you'll excuse us.

Reva: See you tomorrow, Josh..u... Goodbye, Olivia.

Josh watches as Alan takes Reva by the arm and walks out with her. Olivia looks at him with frustration as she realizes that once again he has Reva on his mind.

Olivia: Josh? What's going on?

Josh: (lost in thought and speaking softly) Damnit, Reva.

Olivia: (a little louder) Josh.

Josh: (startled) What? Oh, hi, Olivia.

Olivia: You want to tell me what's up with those two?

Josh: I'm not sure. I certainly didn't think she'd hook back up with Alan again.

Olivia: Who is he to her?

Josh:  I don't want to talk about it. I don't want to think about it.

Josh pulls Olivia closer to him and kisses her in an attempt to get Reva out of his mind. As usual, his efforts fail.

Outside Millennium...

Alan: Seems like old times, Reva, you using me to get to your Bud.

Reva: It just came out... but we really do have business to discuss... if I am to come work for Spaulding.

Alan: I have a splendid idea. We are having a party next Saturday night at the Country Club. I believe that would be the perfect time to announce you coming to work for Spaulding.

Reva: I still haven't agreed to all of this.  But you know I've never been one to avoid a party. What is the occasion?

Alan (carelessly): Oh, Phillip is attempting to strengthen his San Cristobel bond by throwing a party for Richard and Cassie.

Reva pauses for a moment at the thought.  Saddened by the distance between her sister and herself.

Alan: That won't be a problem, will it?

Reva (sincerely): It won't be for me. Although I would love to see Cassie, I'm not her favorite person right now.   

Alan: Let me worry about that...I'll see you tomorrow at Company for lunch. We'll discuss your job description in more detail then.

Reva: Why don't I meet you at your place? You still have a cook, don't you?

Alan: I'll see you at my house tomorrow at one then. Goodbye, Reva.

Alan watches her walk away

Alan: (To himself) This is about to become very interesting.