Episode 7: "Stairway to Hell"

Episode 7: Stairway to Hell

Previously on Kensington Way:

- Dravis was freaking out when couldn't find Tiffany because he thought that she was the victim after having a dream about killing Tony. He finds her and when they are alone admits to his dream. She doesn't know what to think or believe.

- The body turns out to be Shanna's and everyone is a suspect. Debra is gloating that it happened and Timothy blames her and scares her when he gets a little violent with her.

- Bryant wakes up from being drunk and Carmen comes back into his life. He is surprised to see her and the two quickly reunite with one another. Carmen asks if she can move in so they can be a family again.

- To forget about Tiffany and Dravis, and even Carmen, Jamie goes to a party at Kensington Way University and meets an older punk rocker named Terry Lomburgh. The two strike up a friendship but when Jamie is unaware, he slips something into her drink and she naively drinks it.

- Ryley Schantz becomes head detective to Shanna's case and realizes that she had tons of enemies. When he goes to talk to Dravis, he gets a warrant to go inside the home. When he does he finds a bloody baseball bat. The same weapon used to kill Shanna.

Scene 1:

(Kensington Way Police Department)

(After being read his rights, dragged head first into a police car, and having all of the neighbors’ eyes burning a hole through him as if they were shocked to find out that Dravis was capable of murder, Dravis sat in a chair across from head detective Ryley Schantz who was writing information down on a pad of paper. It was humiliating but the only thing Dravis could do was stare forward and wait to be released. He knew deep down that he was innocent. The dream about killing Tony, meant something to him, but the only other person who knew was Tiffany. She wouldn’t betray him by leaking that kind of information to the police, or would she? It was a question that he had to ask himself. Another question he asked himself was how in the hell was there a bloody baseball bat in his closet? Either Tiffany was involved with the murder or the real killer was trying to frame Dravis for something he didn’t do. Whatever had happened, he could only focus on what was to come, and prison confinement was not going to be fun at all. He had his finger prints stamped and his picture taken with him holding a slate.)

Ryley:

You get one phone call. It’s advised that you should make it wisely as it is your one and only call. Any questions?

Dravis:

Yeah. When do I get the handcuffs taken off?

Ryley:

After you make your phone call and are in your cell.

Dravis:

Do I get a roommate?

Ryley:

Consider yourself lucky. You don’t get one tonight. Tomorrow is another day though.

Dravis:

Lucky me.

(Ryley helps Dravis out of his chair and takes him to an isolated room with a desk and a cream colored phone.)

Dravis:

How am I going to make a phone call with my hand cuffs on?

Ryley:

We’ll dial the number for you. Surely enough you are going to call your wife, correct?

Dravis:

Actually, I was thinking about calling my lawyer, but yes Tiffany will do.

Ryley:

We have the number and someone will be in here to assist you.

(Ryley leaves and just as he exits, a younger looking male cop, comes in and dials the number for him. He then walks back to the door way to guard him. The phone begins to ring on speaker phone. Privacy wasn’t big in the slammer.)

Dravis:

(to himself)

Come on Tiffany. You’re my only hope!

(The ringing stops and it sounds like someone is there.)

Tiffany:

He-Hello?

Dravis:

Thank you for picking up. We need to talk.

---

Scene 2:

(Dark Dorm Room)

(Jamie wakes up in a dark slightly cluttered dorm room. Her head feels like someone had pounded it with a sledge hammer. She didn’t drink that much though. All she remembers is having a drink with Terry. A guy that she hardly even knew. Jamie looks around at her surroundings. Had she gotten so drunk that she slept over in one of her friends rooms? This was no girl friend, it was obviously a guy’s dorm. The bed she was sleeping in felt uncomfortable.)

Jamie:

What the hell happened?

(Jamie looks across the room and notices a guy sleeping in another bed, but it wasn’t Terry. It must have been Terry’s roommate. The room seems to be pretty cold. A shiver had fluttered over her. That’s when she noticed that she had no clothes on. How could that be? A hand had touched her naked back. She turned her head to see Terry sleeping without a shirt on. And probably no pants either. She didn’t want to check, she already knew. Slowly, she slipped out of the bed, with a blanket covering her. Jamie found her clothes rumpled up on the floor and left as quickly as she could. The hallway was dead. Thankfully no one saw her. Jamie then got on an elevator and when the door closed, all she could see were tears.)

Jamie:

(screaming)

WHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY???

(Her fists begin to pound on the interior of the elevator. They were fists of hurt and anger as tears continue to pour out of her eyes.)

Jamie:

(sobbing)

Why...Why would someone take advantage of me?

---

Scene 3:

(Kensington Way Police Department)

(The officer stands guard and watches as Dravis continues to talk to Tiffany on the police department’s speaker phone.)

Dravis:

I’m so happy to know that you’re not sleeping. It is two o’clock in the morning.

Tiffany:

There’s no way that I could sleep at a time like this.

Dravis:

Excuse me Tiffany.

(To the guard)

If you don’t mind could I please have some privacy? I’m not a lawyer but I do know my rights.

Officer:

Fine. Just to let you know that I’ll be outside and will come in when your time is done.

Dravis:

Thank you.

(The guard exits and closes the door. Dravis is now alone with Tiffany. Even if it is on speaker phone.)

Tiffany:

What exactly happened tonight? It was one thing to have that Ryley Schantz come in with a warrant but it was another when he found a bloody baseball bat. How the hell do you explain that?

Dravis:

Easy. Someone must have planted it.

Tiffany:

Did you kill Shanna?

Dravis:

How could you even ask me a question like that? I’m your husband. You’ve known me like no one else ever has or ever could. And you’re going to sit there and have that question come across your mind? I just don’t understand it.

Tiffany:

That question came up because there’s evidence used against you. That question came up because you admitted to me that you had dreams about killing someone and then you get some sort of unexplainable gash on your arm! The list could go on and on, but I don’t think you would like to hear that on your only call.

Dravis:

I made this call to you because I believe that I can trust you.

Tiffany:

What do you want me to do?

Dravis:

Call a lawyer. Talk to Bryant Barrone maybe he’ll take my case. Do whatever you it is you can to get me out of here.

Tiffany:

Let me think of a few things and I’ll come and visit you as soon as possible.

Dravis:

I miss you already. I don’t want to fight with you anymore. I want you to know that I love you. Even if you do or do not trust me.

Tiffany:

Think what you want...but I love you too.

(The guard comes back in to interrupt their conversation)

Officer:

You’re done Mister Heidel.

(Tiffany hangs up with Dravis and looks around in their bedroom. She sees the wedding photo that Dravis was talking about in his sleep. She found it a few days ago and was going to tell him but then other things came up.)

---

Scene 4:

(Kensington Way Plaza, Timothy’s Suite/Next Evening)

(Debra walks up to Timothy’s suite door marked 617. She is about to knock on it but then stops to realize that maybe it’s a mistake. Maybe she should walk away from it all and move on. Before she can leave, Timothy opens the door to find her.)

Timothy:

(surprised)

Debra? What are you doing here?

Debra:

Nothing, I was just about to leave.

Timothy:

As was I.

Debra:

What plans do you have tonight?

Timothy:

Just was going out for some drinks with a few friends. Lisa and Fred Cordel.

Debra:

I miss them. How are they doing?

Timothy:

Good. So you haven’t answered my question. A simple nothing can’t explain why you’re standing in front of me.

Debra:

Well just put me on the spot why don't you.

Timothy:

Please come in.

Debra:

No. You’re busy. I should go.

Timothy:

It’s okay. I have a few minutes to spare.

(Timothy leads Debra into his tidy darkened suite. He turns on the light to brighten the room.)

Debra:

It seems as if things are going well for you.

Timothy:

Yeah. Look, about yesterday, I want to apologize. Shanna’s murder has brought a great deal of pain to me and to others. Braving Inc. is going crazy because of it. She’s done a lot of damage.

Debra:

Well look on the bright side. Shanna can’t do any damage anymore.

Timothy:

That still doesn’t give me the right to do to you what I did.

Debra:

It’s okay. All is forgiven. Now that things are...

(forced)

Okay between us. Maybe I should get going. You don’t want to keep the Cordels waiting.

(Debra begins to head for the door. Timothy puts his hand out as if to stop her from leaving.)

Timothy:

Debra wait!

(Timothy places his hands on her shoulder. Debra closes her eyes and feels the grip that she once felt before. His hands do not persuade Debra to turn and face him.)

Debra:

Maybe I had hope that we could rekindle what we once had. It’s good that we’re not having an intense fight because of Shanna. You know how I feel about you.

(She turns around to face him.)

Debra:

I had plans of coming here tonight and throwing myself to you. But what kind of person would it make me if I did that? Besides, you probably would have rejected me at all costs.

Timothy:

No. No I wouldn’t.

Debra:

You don’t know that. Maybe it’s just what you want to tell yourself so that I wouldn’t get hurt again. The only way I want you is for you to realize that you want me. And when that moment comes, you know where I’ll be. At the home that you once knew.

(Debra leaves without saying good bye and for once smiles. A smile that came from within. Back in the suite Debra leaves Timothy with feelings that she knows all too well. Confusion. Anguish. Pain.)

---

Scene 5:

(Kensington Way Cemetery/Next Morning)

(Bryant looks at Shanna’s deserted grave and with a rose in his hand, lays it down in front of her. Carmen is at his side and is trying to make a valiant effort to show that she wants to support him. With thoughts running through his head, thoughts that only he and Shanna could share, all he could do was shiver as the wind stings his face. The long black trench coat that he was wearing wasn’t keeping him warm.)

Carmen:

What are you thinking about?

(Bryant continues to stare straight at the grave.)

Bryant:

Her. She was someone who was very dear to my heart. No one in the world could replace her. She was someone who looked out for me and helped me in any problem or journey that I had. She had some family members but they were very distant and no one in this town would come to her funeral. Everyone hated her. Except me. It was because she respected me.

Carmen:

She sounds like a true friend.

Bryant:

She was.

Carmen:

You didn’t tell me how you exactly feel about her. I come back to town and I see that you were drinking by yourself, Jamie is out of control, and then this. Bryant, please tell me how you’re feeling.

Bryant:

You don’t want to know how I’m feeling.

Carmen:

Yes I do. I- I still have strong feelings for you and that’s why when I saw you, I thought you would have rejected me. You had every right to do it.

Bryant:

That was in the past. If you really want to know...I loved her. She was someone who I found to be sexy, provocative, and someone who could replace how I felt about you.

Carmen:

Thank you for being honest with me.

Bryant:

Why can’t we just go back to the way it was?

Carmen:

Maybe we shouldn’t be having this conversation now.

(Bryant turns around to face her with deep and remorseful eyes.)

Bryant:

Look. I have absolutely nothing to lose. So, I’m just going to say the hell with it.

(Bryant gets down on one knee and takes her hand.)

Bryant:

This isn’t the best place to do it but I always kept the ring that you returned in the envelope. With that note you gave up your ring and your life, but I always knew that you would be back someday.

(In his pocket is the engagement ring that he was talking about, it’s tied to a string in his wallet, he pulls it out, unties it, and slides it on her finger.)

Bryant:

Will you marry me again Carmen Ludiarez?

Carmen:

This ring feels the same as it did the first time when you asked me. Yes. Yes Bryant, let’s get married all over again.

(Shanna would probably be tossing over in her grave, if she wasn’t already. He couldn’t be controlled anymore. Bryant and Carmen hug and kiss each other to symbolize their happiness. Hopefully it could work out again. Hopefully, Bryant thought, as he realized that his next task was to make Jamie see the same thing.)

- - -

Scene 6:

(Dravis’s Jail Cell)

(If it was day or night, Dravis didn’t care. There was no window in his jail cell to tell him the time. The decor included a cool steel bunk bed with covers and one pillow. As he was lying down the only thing he could look at was the bottom of the top bunk bed. He didn’t want to see anything else around him. Not yet at least. Sleep was what he needed. He closed his eyes and fell asleep fast. It was almost as if someone had drugged him. His dreamworld was dawning on him fast. The setting quickly changes to a grassy field at night. Then he saw her. Vanessa.)

Vanessa:

(echoing)

Daddy! Daddy! Come here!

(Dravis willingly walks over to her to see that she is looking at something. It’s a grave. How ironic he thought to himself. The grave read Tony Viscanni.)

Vanessa:

This is Uncle Tony’s grave. You killed him daddy. Do you remember that?

Dravis:

Of course dear. In daddy’s defense, I was only trying to defend myself. If I hadn’t, he would have killed me.

Vanessa:

Why would he do something like that?

Dravis:

That’s a long grown up story.

Vanessa:

(Her voice changes to a sweet little girl to a devilish moan.)

DON’T TALK TO ME LIKE I’M A CHILD!

Dravis:

Now you’re scaring me.

Vanessa:

(Her voice returns to normal.)

Sorry.

Dravis:

I’m just going to tell you that your Uncle Tony and I weren’t seeing eye to eye on a few things and his answer to everything is violence.

Vanessa:

We still have other stops you know.

Dravis:

Oh really? Like where?

Vanessa:

We still have to go and visit mommy. She’s in the hospital.

Dravis:

You were telling me that some time ago.

Vanessa:

Let’s go then.

Dravis:

I still don’t get this. I don’t get why you’re here or why I’m here.

Vanessa:

Didn’t Uncle Tony tell you to find the truth? Daddy, I’m the one who will eventually take you to find your answers.

Dravis:

Answers to what?

(Vanessa takes Dravis’s hand and when he grasps it Tony’s grave disappears. The two begin running in the field.)

Dravis:

Answer me young lady!

Vanessa:

Answers to why your life is so screwed up! And why you’re in jail for killing that vixen!

(Dravis wakes up from his dream or nightmare, however he viewed it as, and starts to pant heavily.)

Dravis:

What is going on with me?

- - -

Scene 7:

(Jamie’s Bedroom)

(Jamie begins to toss and turn in her bed. She felt so alone. There was no way that she could tell anyone about what happened. Except for maybe one person. Maybe he was home and could spare a few minutes to talk. She picked up her phone and dialed the number. It rang a few times until Tiffany answered it.)

Tiffany:

Hello?

(Jamie doesn’t say anything.)

Tiffany:

Hello? Is anyone there?

Jamie:

Tiffany is Dravis there?

Tiffany:

Jamie is that you?

Jamie:

Yeah. Can I talk to him for a minute, it’s kind of urgent.

Tiffany:

I don’t know what to tell you but he’s away.

Jamie:

Away? Where did he go?

Tiffany:

I’m not sure if you are aware or not but- He was arrested for supposedly murdering Shanna.

(Jamie is shocked and drops the phone.)

Jamie:

No! No this can’t be happening!

(Jamie picks the phone back up to talk to Tiffany.)

Jamie:

Something has to be done. You know as much as I do that Dravis isn’t capable of murder!

Tiffany:

We all know that.

Jamie:

Bye Tiffany. We’ll stay in touch.

(Jamie hangs up the phone and before it was hung up, a distorted realization had come upon her. Her whole world was coming to an end. She was taken advantage of by a guy with a date rape drug and now the one person who she cared about was in jail. All she could do was sink down in her bed. Jamie was all out of tears.)

- - -

Scene 8:

(Bryant’s Living Room)

(Carmen is on the phone but no one is around. She checks to see if the coast is clear and it was.)

Carmen:

(To the person on the phone.)

Everything is going as planned!

(Bryant enters the room and kisses her on her cheek. The two then sit down on the couch together. Bryant and Carmen watch Channel 9 KWKA for the news as they sit holding each other tight. The top story shows a picture of Shanna and the titles underneath it read ‘Suspect Arrested.’)

KWKA Reporter:

Dravis Heidel was arrested for supposedly murdering Shanna Schoolor. The case which has brought the town to it’s knees, may have come to a close, but Dravis’s spouse disagrees.

(Tiffany is then interviewed.)

Tiffany:

My husband is not a murderer. Someone framed him and he will be released shortly.

KWKA Reporter:

However, head detective Ryley Schantz tells us differently.

(Ryley is then interviewed)

Ryley:

We had a warrant to search Mister Heidel’s home and when we did we found a bloody baseball bat. The same weapon that was used to kill Miss Schoolor. Dravis will be going through intense questioning.

(The report ends and Bryant is shocked.)

Bryant:

You really think you know someone, but you don’t.

(Jamie comes waking down the stairs and notices Carmen with Bryant. She is not happy with what she sees.)

Jamie:

What is she doing here?

(Both stand up and look at each other with agreement. It was time to let her know what was going on.)

Carmen:

Your uncle and I have something to tell you.

Bryant:

Carmen and I are getting married. Again.

Jamie:

NO! You’re making a huge mistake by letting her into our lives again.

Carmen:

Jamie!

Carmen:

You know how I feel about you. I don’t have to tell you again.

(Jamie runs up the stairs.)

Carmen:

(To Bryant)

I’ll talk to her.

(Carmen goes after her and the two stare at each other at the top of the steps.)

Carmen:

You can tell me that you hate me a million times, but it still wouldn’t change the fact that I’m going to marry your uncle. And we’re going to be a family again.

Jamie:

You’re not my family and you never will be.

(Jamie begins to walk away until Carmen yanks at her arm. Jamie lunges for Carmen’s engagement ring to tear it off. Carmen then slaps Jamie across the face. After the slap, Jamie goes for her hair and begins to violently pull it. Carmen begins to strangle her with all of her might.)

Bryant:

(Yelling)

What’s going on up there?

Jamie:

That ring and this house doesn’t belong to you!

Carmen:

Yes it does!

(Carmen and Jamie continue to struggle with one another. They both push each other until they are practically dangling over the railing that rests above the living room. Carmen slaps Jamie across the face again and Jamie grabs her hair. Jamie then pushes Carmen and begins to fall backwards but before she falls off completely, Carmen grabs Jamie and both of them fall off of the balcony and land on the living room carpet.)

On the next episode of Kensington Way:

Carmen and Jamie's fight leaves Bryant to panic

Tiffany stumbles upon something very dangerous