Dinner Is Served

Hello and welcome to Episode 3 of The Passionate & The Privileged! Let’s recap what happened last week on P & P…

Lyle was forced to find a new nanny at short notice, because his wife fired their old one for sleeping with the gardener on the job.

He offered the nanny position to the very beautiful Brynn Leveque, by recommendation. Of course he had no idea she was a Logan...

Brynn worried about them finding out her real name, but was convinced by her brother Arthur to take the job anyway.

Brynn arrived at the Randolph residence for her first day on the job only to have the door slammed in her face by a furious Simone.

Assured by Lyle that Brynn was not his secret lover, Simone reluctantly agreed to keep Brynn on for one week...

After all, they had to make it to Lydia’s dinner party that night.

Oh, and who was that handsome stranger Simone nearly ran over with her car?

Let’s find out more in Episode 3…

We open inside the glorious RANDOLPH ESTATE where guests enjoy pre-dinner cocktails in the lavishly furnished living room.

Champagne is being served as SENATOR ADAMS, late 60’s, arrives. Lydia stamps out her lit cigarette.

@pandpsenator Senator!

@pandplydia Lydia. You look stunning. How is it you never age?

@pandpsenator A glass of milk before bed and a lifetime of lovemaking.

@pandplydia Oh, that is quite a diet.

@pandpsenator *grabs his arm* Come meet my daughter. Meta darling?

Lydia’s daughter, META RANDOLPH, early 40s, stands in profile. She is attractive at first glance...

Until she turns, revealing a MASSIVE DARK MOLE erupting from the right side of her petit nose. Even Aaron Neville would be shocked.

Meta, this is Senator Adams.

@pandpmeta A pleasure.

Great to finally meet you and congratulations on your re-election. What is this, your fourth term?

@pandpmeta *stares at mole* Yes. I mean, no! My fifth and I’ve enjoyed every day serving the people of this great state.

Meta is my second eldest and quite the world wide web entrepreneur.

@pandplydia No one calls it that anymore, Mother.

@pandpsenator I own several internet start ups.

None of which have made a dime, but dammit, she perseveres!

Meta glares at Lydia and takes a long gulp of her cocktail.

I prefer to stay away from those terrible machines myself. Someday they’re going to grow skin and start rounding us all up.

Simone and Lyle enter the living room. Simone looks ravishing.

Lydia’s youngest son and Lyle’s brother TIMOTHY JAMES (T.J.) greets them. He’s impeccably dressed. He hugs Simone.

@pandpSimone How’s my favorite prize orchid owner?

@pandptj Oh, you know. Staying active, raising Max... smiling through my tears.

They laugh together. Lyle doesn’t look amused.

I think uptighty over here needs a drink.

@pandptj Nice to see you too, little brother.

Lyle walks over to the bar. T.J. leans in.

@pandpSimone How are you really, Simone?

@pandptj I’m great! I’m good. I’m... *exhales* I don’t know how I am.

@pandpSimone How’s the... you know...

@pandptj The same. We either can’t find the time or we’re too tired or... I don’t know. It’s like...

@pandptj ...something’s missing but I don’t know what.

@pandpSimone Have you talked about it?

@pandptj Of course we don’t talk about it. That would be the well adjusted thing to do.

Lyle returns with a drink. T.J. changes the subject.

@pandpSimone Well, you look amazing! What is that dress, Dior?

@pandptj Bravo! Someone knows his designers.

@pandpSimone I credit that to Addie. I should buy stock in Bergdorfs.

@pandptj Speaking of your lovely fiancé, have you set a date? I’d love an excuse to take a little 5th Avenue field trip.

@pandpSimone Not yet, I’ve been up to my ass in alligators with a new exhibition. Turns out the artist is the real piece of work.

@pandpSimone But we will. Soon.

We cut to MAX’s ROOM in the RANDOLPH HOUSE. Max and Brynn sit cross-legged on his floor. He arranges numbered blocks in piles...

@pandpBrynn The yellow ones always make more than the red ones cause I’m missing the red seven.

@pandpmax How about you tell me a story about them?

@pandpBrynn A story?

@pandpmax Sure. You can make a story out of anything.

@pandpmax So, let’s pretend all these yellow blocks are... explorers. And these red ones are... pirates. ARG!

*holds up a red block* Jack Sparrow!

@pandpmax That’s right! Now... tell me a story about how the red seven went missing.

Meanwhile... back at the LYDIA'S PARTY… Everyone is seated as the first course is served.

Lydia sits at the head of the table. An EMPTY PLACE is set to her right. Senator Adams is seated next to Lyle.

@pandplyle *whispers* Are we missing a guest?

@pandpsenator My mother always sets a place for my sister Rosalee. She’s no longer with us.

@pandplyle Of course, my apologies. I just saw the empty chair and...

@pandpsenator No apology necessary. I find the tradition a bit offputting myself. But it comforts her, so we all go along.

Lydia stands up. Taps a spoon on her glass.

Thank you all for coming. The Hunston Herald is in its 236th glorious year with the Randolph name behind it for nearly two centuries.

Lyle notices META IS TEXTING at the table.

@pandpmeta *whispers* Meta. Meta...

Together we will continue to serve as the anchor of Hunston Hill...

@pandpmeta META!

Lydia stops and shoots daggers at Meta.

@pandpmeta Mother’s making a speech.

*shuts her phone* Sorry. *chugs her drink*

Where was I? Oh yes, in the words of Napoleon... four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets! Dinner is served!

Outside the LOGAN MANOR that night the handsome hitchhiker, JACE, walks up to the door. He checks a printout from GOOGLE EARTH...

Satisfied, he rings the bell a few times. Waits. He knocks. Nothing. Knocks again loudly. A dog barks in the distance.

Meanwhile, back inside at the LYDIA'S PARTY… The staff swirls around, serving quail and sweet potato mash.

@pandpsenator Senator, I don’t believe you’ve been properly introduced to my wife, Simone.

No, but how could I not notice the loveliest woman in the room *kisses Simone’s hand*.

@pandpsenator Very nice to meet you.

Oh, Simone is an angel. I always say, my son is the luckiest man in the world!

@pandpSimone How is that Ghost Orchid you spend so much time tending to, dear?

@pandplydia It’s drying out.

Meta flags down a server.

Macallan and soda, rocks.

I suspect it’s not the only thing that needs drying out.

@pandpsenator I heard the stimulus broadband grant came through last week. Well done.

@pandplyle 5.5 million courtesy of the USDA.

@pandpsenator *low voice* Senator, I’m hoping you might indulge me in a private meeting.

@pandplyle Regarding?

@pandpsenator Broadband service in Greater Hunston County will mean quite a change.

@pandpsenator I believe Randolph Media Group needs to stay ahead of that change.

@pandplyle My scheduler will give you a call.

Later, inside the RANDOLPH HOUSE, Brynn tucks Max into bed and turns out his light.

As she walks down the stairs, her cell phone vibrates. It’s Arthur.

@pandparthur They should be back within the hour.

@pandpBrynn Where were you?! Someone’s been at our door!

@pandparthur What? I was putting Max to bed. How do you know?

@pandpBrynn The bell’s rung 3 or 4 times, I think I heard some knocking too.

@pandpBrynn Oh, God, my hearts about to explode... *coughs* I’m freaking out... *coughs*

Coming up THURSDAY MARCH 17th on P & P…

@pandpmax I’m going to take you to school today, is that okay?

@pandpBrynn Yep.

@pandpmax Is there anything special you’d like to do when you get home?

@pandpBrynn You’ll be too busy feeding Kitty.

@pandpmax Kitty?

@pandpBrynn Our dog. Mommy let me name her. She’s been sick.

Simone enters wearing a stylish outfit. She ignores Brynn, focusing instead on the vase of wild flowers.

Where did these come from?

@pandpSimone *smiles* I brought them. I know you love flowers and I thought...

@pandpBrynn Well, they’re hideous.

Thanks for watching! Join us again on THURSDAY MARCH 17th!