EPISODE 15
Written by : Bre L. Drew
Last Time On Town and Country
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The Small Businessmen Gala took place at The Miller Inn.
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Esther and Daniel our both conspiring to break up Steven and Courtney.
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In a drunken state Lynn blurted out that Daniel is cheating on Louise.- Not knowing that she already knows.
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Shauna was hired by Daniel to decorate the interior of Home Farm.
LOCKHART LAKE COTTAGE
Many emotions were running through the mind of Sean Lockhart this weekday morning. Which is why he had been outside for about twenty-five minutes gazing at the calming water of the lake that faces the cottage. Hoping the fresh air would give him some type of peace of mind. After what was revealed last night, when one of his twins, Lynn had revealed in a drunken state that he had been cheating on Louise. He remembered the room had gone silent for what seemed like a lifetime for him. Louise helped her get up to bed, whilst, Tanner and him were on cleaning duty due to the party, the girls threw without their permission.
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"Mom, -- I think it is time for you to know that dad is screwing some THOT behind your back." Lenny's words constantly replays in his head.
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Around six am he had woken up to throw some clothes into his duffel bag, he hadn't forgotten that he had to go away for a couple of days, it was an unwritten rule between Louise and Sean that if he felt the need to be with her they would lie to the girls about his whereabouts.
He puts the bag on the side of the counter in the kitchen, he then pours himself a glass of orange juice. He had been under the impression that he was the only person in the household that had met the sun, but he stood corrected. His wife was now entering the room wearing an open silk robe, revealing her Viking Blue Floral Capri pajama set. Less than twenty-four hours ago, she was actually wearing a dress that displayed her curves at the Small Businessmen Gala. Realizing he isn't physically attracted to her now like he was then.
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Louise Saunders Lockhart shakes her head at the sight of the duffel bag. She then picks it up with disgust. " You're leaving to be with your sidepiece after what all happened last night? Sometimes I do question your manhood, Sean Lockhart."
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LEXINGTON DANCE COMPANY, LEXINGTON , KENTUCKY
Esther Saunders has never been one for having patience, so when she spent nearly three and a half hours during the morning rush on I-64. She thought about getting off at the next exit, and detour it back the other way to go back home.
But she knew this was the only time she had available to do this knowing her schedule will be soon full.
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Luckily, she hadn't missed the turn into the parking lot of the Lexington Dance Company. She approaches the one-story building and quickly pushes herself to make it into the lobby.
A young woman with curly red hair and freckles greets her at the front desk. She then asks who she is looking for. Esther then gives her the name who she wants to speak with. Then the lady with the red hair informs her that who Esther is looking for is still in the recital hall, but she is more then welcome to go in since the practice is open to the public.
She didn't need directions of where the room was located at because she could hear the loud classical Russian ballet music coming from down the hall.
The door to the recital hall was open, she enters the room careful not to walk hard on the hardwood floors. Around eight women varying of the ages between twenty-one to thirty-something were heavily prancing in front of the studio wall mirror. Esther was the only one in the recital hall that wasn't part of the dance company.
About ten minutes later, the practice ends, and dancers begin collecting their items and leaving out of the studio. Well, except for one brunette woman; dressed in leggings and an off the shoulder gray sweatshirt stretching her leg on the barre. Esther says a silent prayer before she goes over to her.
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The woman gets off the barre she hadn't been aware of the older woman's presence.
" What are you doing here ? " the ballet dancer asks.
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" Is that any way to speak to your mother-in-law, Lorraine? "
Lorraine Sullivan shakes her head as she goes to her bag in the corner and gets a towel to wipe beads of sweat from her face. " I think you forgot the " former " part, Esther. Does Steven even know you're here harassing me?" Lorraine assumes
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Esther and Lorraine were never close as in-laws, Esther saw her as the woman who focused too much on her career rather than being a wife and mother. Not to mention her son truly loved her and wanted to build a life with her. Yet, Lorraine was the one who filed for divorce and has been keeping her grandson Evan away from his own father out of spite.
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Esther rolls her eyes at her former daughter-in-law's accusation. "No one is harassing you. I'm here because it is about time that Steven gets access to his Son."
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HOME FARM
Shauna Jackson could not help but feel quite embarrassed driving her 1997 Lincoln Continental that belonged to her late grandfather to Home Farm. Since today is the first day at her new job as the interior decorator, The size of the entire mansion seemed like she definitely has a hectic task ahead of her. She walks up the three steps to ring the doorbell, she clings to her portfolio containing some of her sample designs, throughout her last two years at college and her internship.
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The rather large door is swung open by a plump woman with dark hair and olive skin wearing a permanent expression on her face greets her. Shauna informs her that she is the new interior decorator. The plump woman looks her up and down and then lets her in the house.
Before she can say anything, the woman she guessed to be the maid, who let her in has disappeared into the living room. Shauna takes in the dilapidation of the space trying to figure, What goes where? And what type of furniture will look the best in this room?
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She then sees Daniel Covington coming into the room he was wearing a button shirt and slacks. He sticks out his hand in which she takes and shakes which she felt it was firm yet well-meaning.
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"Well as you can see this entire estate needs a once over." Daniel says in a voice that he dislikes letting the renovations getting behind due to work and other personal matters.
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" I'm sure it will be a rewarding challenge, Mr. Covington," Shauna replies.
Daniel then informs her that she can sit down on the couch, which she does. She is about to show him her portfolio when someone steps into the room.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt." the young man around mid to late twenties with dark brown hair said.
"Shauna, this is my oldest son, Max this is Shauna Jackson who will be giving this place a much-needed makeover."
"You have your work cut out of you," Max replies in a sarcastic way that makes Shauna think he is doubting her talent.
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"Before you showed up, I was telling your father, I don't mind a challenge." Shauna defends herself. She didn't need some spoiled brat to tell her otherwise.
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Daniel is fixated on the screen of his iPhone. " Uh, I got to take care of something. Max can you show our lovely decorator around the estate and show her what would you like for your bedroom. And of course you officially start next week and remember money is no object," Daniel concludes. He then makes his way out of the door leaving behind his son and his newest employee.
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"Looks like I'm the official tour guide, imagine my luck. " Max says
Shauna shuts her eyes at his statement before she lets him lead the way out of the living room.
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JOJO'S CAFE
Courtney Covington and Steven Sullivan decided before they parted from one another's company at the gala last night. That they will meet one each other for breakfast. So that is why they're there on a sunny weekday morning at JoJo's Café on Main Street.
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"I can't believe that you actually like drinking that." Steven mentions pointing to Courtney's green tea smoothie which by now that he noticed is her drink of choice.
Courtney takes a sip of it. "It's not really that bad besides between work and my growing social life. I don't get in enough time for the gym." she then smiles.
"Well, it is doing wonders because you look really good. " Steven says.
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"Thanks and let me know if you want a taste of it. "
As Steven digs into one of Belgium waffles on his plate with his fork, Courtney couldn't stop thinking about how both of their families not liking them together romantically. She wishes that it is something that she can do to try and soften their reaction everytime they come into contact with one another.
"I think I might have an idea on how to bring our families together," Courtney admits.
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LEXINGTON DANCE COMPANY , LEXINGTON , KENTUCKY
Now with the studio empty, the two women were now free to talk without anyone overhearing anything they were sayin
"Are you threatening me?" Lorraine asks her former mother-in-law.
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" I wouldn't call it a threat Lorraine, more of a promise, you know Steven didn't want a long drawn out custody fight with you the least you could do is to get over your pride and let the father of your son spend time with him. By the way, where is my grandson?"
Lorraine looks down at Esther trying to regain her composure. "At daycare, Look I appreciate that Steven didn't take me to court over Evan. "
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Esther folds her arm onto her ample chest. " If you don't bring your behind to Radcliffe with Evan in a few days so Steven can spend time with his son."
"Or what?" Lorraine begs the question.
Esther steps forward to her "Or I will persuade my son to take your narrow tail to court to get custody like he should've done when you two were getting divorced.
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" Hold up Esther, why all of a sudden you want all of this?" Lorraine demands
Esther hoped with her little threat that Lorraine would bring Evan to town and it would cause problems between Steven and Courtney. Also, it will show Courtney that it isn't easy dating an older man with a five-year-old son. Meaning Courtney will break up with him. Resulting in her getting that 20 % of the farm that rightfully belongs to her.
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"All right I will do it. "
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Esther hides her emotions from showing upon her face at the response she was looking forward to hearing. "Good, Good, I will see you then and keep this between the two of us, bye. " Esther then leaves her behind in the studio as she smiles at her victory.
" Looks like you're going to lose Daniel Covington, " she says to herself before heading to the parking lot.
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LOCKHART LAKE COTTAGE
"I know that I'm a son of a bitch, you don't gotta tell me otherwise. " Sean tells his wife.
Louise holds onto his duffel bag a little firmer than earlier then she shoves it into his chest which makes Sean wince a bit.
"You know what then go and I will explain to our daughters that you have been sleeping with that whore of yours for going on two years now."
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Sean puts his hand up refusing to hear the rest of it. " I was going to talk with the girls before I left. "
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Louise taps her fingers on the counter. "GO!"
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"What? "
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"I said go to your whore and when the clock strikes midnight and you have to come back home do me a goddamn favor, sleep in the guest room. " She then goes to get a tray to place a bottle of water, aspirin and then puts two slices of bread in the toaster.
" You know what Louise it's not like I'm some unfaithful pig remember when I suggested a divorce, and you told me you were not going to do it because you wouldn't let me make a fool of you. And then you came up with this arrangement of seeing her and still being married to you. All because you want to show to everyone that you can have a long-lasting union like your parents. " Sean slowly realizes that he finally expressed himself after years of keeping those words in the far reaches of his mind.
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"Louise is done compiling the tray and is now carrying it. " That was before our daughters found out and it led to one of them getting drunk because of it. "Now if you excuse me I got to tend to Lynn who has her first hangover. " She then exits the kitchen towards the staircase.
Sean wanted to go upstairs and have a serious talk with both Tanner and Lynn about what they found out about him cheating on their mother.
He knows that it wouldn't do any good right now. He then pulls his keys from his pants pocket and makes his way out of the door and towards his truck. He really needs to see her since she is the only person that he can confide in about everything in his life.
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HOME FARM
Shauna has never been invited to a house of grandeur in her life and she has fallen in love with just about every wing and suite that Home Farm has to offer. Yet, she wishes Max could've been a better tour guide, other than showing her around, he gave her little to no conversation nor show any enthusiasm at all. The two of them finally make their way back to the living room.
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"Any questions?" Max says more out of duty than anything else.
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Shauna was about to say no then she instantly gets inspiration on how she can decorate this room. She goes over to an oil painting of what looks to be of Central Park on the wall.
"We need to get rid of this," she says
"No, you aren't." Max says with more grit in his voice.
"Look, Max, your dad told me that I can do anything I want and this painting does not go with what I envision."
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"That portrait -- was done by my mother - she died last year and it really means a lot to us if it stays right there. " Max admits.
Shauna could hear his sincerity in his voice when he told her. " All right I will do another theme that will encompass the painting, I better go. "
Shauna then finds herself on the other side of the door. She walks over to her car knowing that she will be working late in order to not only decorate Home Farm but to make this place belong in this century too. She refuses to let Max Covington question her talents.
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JOJO'S CAFE
It seemed the stereo system in the café was on an 80's kick with Harden My Heart by Quarterflash playing at a decent volume for the customers and baristas..
"Dinner? both of our families? Are you sure Courtney?" Steven asks after receiving the idea from his girlfriend that both of their families need to get to really know each other at a dinner of some kind.
"I know it sounds crazy, but it might work if we're going to keep seeing one another our families at least need to be civil towards one another, especially my father and your mother. "
Steven polishes off his last strip of bacon. "Okay, so where do we do this feast at? "
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" I would say the estate, but we are about to renovate, what about The Chateau? "
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Steven chuckles. "What if things get overboard? I don't want all of us to be thrown out of the nicest restaurant in town, the dinner should be at the farm."
Courtney wipes her hands with her napkin. " You think that's wise Dr. Sullivan? "
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Steven isn't quite sure that his family is going to be receptive to breaking bread with the Covington family in the family home. However, if he can get Sarah Lynn on board than everyone else would be up for it. He knows full well that no one can easily say no to his aunt.
A dinner with our families at Franklin Farm, well we're definitely going to need some liquid courage, aren't we? " Courtney says as she takes another drink of her smoothie.
"Mm-hmm," nods Steven.
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ARDMORE PARK
Kids off on their summer vacation from school were playing on the playground as their parents and guardians were watching them attentively and gabbing with one another.
Sitting on a bench near the trees was a man in his early fifties wearing a Cubs ballcap with a vacant expression was waiting on someone.
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"Sorry I was late so what did you find? " Daniel asks the Private Investigator he knows as Murph.
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Murph pulls out his iPad from his messenger bag and begins scrolling towards the information he found on Steven Sullivan. "Nothing outta the ordinary sir," he says
"Damn," Daniel mutters hoping that Doctor Dolittle had a skeleton or two in his closet. Knowing Esther might actually get her grubby little hands on the shares that he inherited from his father. He looks at nothing quite interesting, his birth certificate, recent credit card purchases and even his degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Eastern Kentucky University. However, his eyes are stunned when he sees something he hadn't planned to see.
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"Is this what I think it is, Murph?"
"It is a record of marriage." Murph informs him.
Daniel has a look of sheer delight hoping it means that bastard is still married. Meaning he will have the ammunition to blow that entire Saunders clan out of the water with him maintaining the shares of Franklin Farm.
Well, he and missus got divorced almost a year ago, but the two of them share a son together. "
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Daniel uses his finger to go down on the tablet to find Steven son's birth certificate. It was no point for him to ask him to dig up anything further. He has known Murph for years now and his reputation of being one of the top Private Investigators in the country. Daniel couldn't necessarily use all of this to his advantage what was he was suppose to say to his daughter? Your new boyfriend used to be married and has a little boy. Besides, she might already know all of this about him. Notwithstanding why she would stay attached to that man regardless?
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Daniel thanks the man for his time and promises him that he will receive payment in a matter of hours in his checking account. If he wants to maintain interest in the farm, then he must find a way to keep that 20 % his self somehow.
END OF EPISODE
NEXT EPISODE OF TOWN AND COUNTRY
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The Saunders and Covington Families have a unforgettable dinner at Franklin Farm.
Louise leaves a message on Sean's phone.
A surprise guest makes life more complex .
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