John Clarke (Mickey)...Susan Flannery (Laura)

Episode # 539

Airdate: Monday, December 25, 1967

ACT ONE

(Although this episode is scheduled to air Christmas Day, we’ll avoid any direct references because of possible pre-emptions between then and now. Morning. Horton Living Room. Gift boxes are in evidence under and around the tree, some open, some closed, but all wrappings have been discarded by now. There’s a fire in the fireplace, the tree is lighted, the Horton home radiates warmth and epitomizes the American Christmas scene. Alice is wearing her new coat, is gently stroking her hand along the collar as Tom looks on approvingly, wearing a new Christmas sweater, smoking a new Christmas pipe)

Tom and Alice are recalling the hints being dropped about Alice having an old coat. Alice calls Tom out on trying to get hints when he asked her the question about the coat. Tom accuses Alice is acting surprised since he thinks his questioning was very blatant. She tells him that she was surprised because she had forgotten the day he asked her the question about the coat. She could never imagine getting a coat this extravagant and asks if Marie helped him pick it out. He tells her he picked it out all by himself. She kiddingly says maybe he has a guilty conscience. He’s flattered. She thanks him again and gives him a gentle kiss. He tells her to stop fussing with the coat and fix some breakfast. Alice goes to hang up the coat and down the stairs comes Sandy. Alice tells her that she’ll have breakfast ready in a few minutes. Sandy offers to help. She tells him to go and keep her grandfather company. Sandy sees Tom putting another log in the fire as he’s smoking his pipe. She has a bored look but smiles when she comes into the room. She jokes that he’s keep the home fires burning. Then he tells her she hopes she notices something else that’s burning- his new pipe. It was a gift that Sandy bought him. He so proud of it. As he’s tending to the fire, she asks about her father. She asks if her father looks like him. He tells her she’s seen the pictures. She says pictures really aren’t a good indicator, she wants his opinion. He tells her Tommy looks the most like him. Sandy keeps asking about his. Was Tommy serious or fun? Tom says he was more on the studious/serious side but did have a flair for living. Did he date? Tom says, sure, the ol’ dinner and a Saturday night movie. Then she asks if he was ever serious with a girl before her mother. Tom tells her that nope, he liked some girls, but not like her mother. From this information, she thinks it's strange that he married her mother before finishing school. Tom says he enlisted then met Kitty, who worked near the base, fell in love, and whatever plans he had, changed. She asks him how he felt after hearing about the marriage. He says he was surprised. Tommy only mentioned Kitty in one letter, in a passing way. Then he writes that he got married…just turned 21. If this is what he wanted, then we were all happy for him. Tom asks Sandy why all these questions. Sandy just tells him she wants more information on her father. She picks one of Tom’s pipes and asks him if Tommy wanted to be like him. Didn’t he smoke a pipe too? Tom tells her that they were very close…dreaming of some day practicing together- but that ended in Korea. She tells him she often thinks what her life would have been like if he wasn’t killed in action.

(Take her looking down at the pipe, then dissolve to the lab, to an extreme close up of Mark’s pipe as he fills it with tobacco, then brings it to his mouth, lights it. Then we see his face through the cloud of smoke:)

ACT TWO

(Short time later. Lab. Mark, pipe in mouth, looking into microscope, jotting down his observations along the way. Establish. Then door opens. It’s Bill wearing his resident’s garb, carrying two paper containers of coffee)

Bill jokes about Mark interrupting his finding an important scientific discovery. Mark tells him that surgeons are afraid of researchers putting them out of business. Bill counters that if that’s the case, he can always be a butcher. Mark looks at the coffee and guesses he’s on break. Bill tells him it's slow on up in surgery, so he thought he would stop by. Mark notices that Bill’s never been to his lab. Bill tells him that since his teens, he’s really never liked the lab.

BILL:  Why? Because it always was my older brother’s domain. Any spare time he had during pre-med, med school—he spent it here with Dad. As I remember, even Mike here was Tommy’s doing. They used him for experiments until Dad retired him a couple of years ago. Don’t get the wrong idea. My gripe isn’t, never has been with my older brother Tommy. Mickey was in law school, I’d just started high school—but I knew then that I was going into medicine. Dad knew it. But I had a father who couldn’t look beyond his oldest son. It was only after Tommy was killed that he turned to me, reached out—but by then I wanted no part of it. It was too late.

Mark decids to play devil’s advocate and tells Bill perhaps he’s being unfair towards his father. Bill says he didn’t like it. Mark asks him if his father was aware of his feelings. He tells him that kids can hold onto to anything…so no. Mark tells him, knowing Tom, he can't believe that he was so partial to one son, while neglecting the other. He tells him perhaps it's youth that’s blinding him.

BILL: I’ve told you that’s only part of it. The other part is a brother who was killed in action. Why? Because he had to enlist in the service to finally break this noose my father had put around his neck. An awfully sensitive guy who wanted out of medicine and didn’t know any other way out of it without hurting his father. (beat) As it turned out, he never did have to tell Dad. Because he never came back.

(Mark doesn’t relate any of this to himself. Bill, no one, has ever said that Tommy fought in Korea. Even then Mark wouldn’t identify other than to be caught in his own recall of his ordeal there)

Mark is again questioning whether his facts are accurate. Bill tells him why would a guy two years into medical school, suddenly quit and enlist? He then regrets he ever talked about this and tells him about the visitor tomorrow- Sandy. He tells Mark that being in his old lab might have some meaning to her. Mark thinks it may hold some meaning. Bill is skeptical. He doesn’t understand why all of a sudden Kitty comes to Salem after years of wanting nothing to do with his family. He agrees and decides to change the subject to that dinner invitation that has been on hold because of the wedding and holidays. He tells him if next Tuesday or Wednesday after the first of the year is fine. Mark says he needs to talk to Kincaid about his surgery, but he’s looking forward to meeting Bill's mother.

(Dissolve to Horton Living Room, to close up of the ornament with Tommy’s name on it. Pull back to reveal Alice who maybe touches it tenderly… And we see from her expression that her thoughts are at this moment of her oldest son whom she believes was killed in Korea)

ACT THREE

(Later. Scene in progress between Mickey and his father as they’re entering Tom's Study)

Mickey and Tom are talking about Kitty and Marie going over to Susan’s to drop off a gift. The conversation turns to the bridal shower and stag dinner that Laura and Mickey are having. Susan is determined to give Laura a shower and Tom thinks it's ok as long as her Mom's there to help. Mickey’s lawyer friends are throwing him the stag dinner at the “Lawyer’s Club.” Mickey asks how Tom knew about the stag dinner. He said as best man, he was invited. Mickey now warns him that those parties can be raunchy. Tom tells him that he's a big boy. Tom asks as best man, what should he be getting/doing that he hasn’t done to prepare for the wedding. Tom asks about his tails and Mickey says he’s already taken care of that. Tom asks about his nerves. Mickey says to have the phenobarb ready; that and the ring. Tom asks about getting them to the airport after the wedding. Mickey says, yes, he needs him for that too. Tom asks if the honeymoon is still a secret but Mickey tells him- Jamaica. Tom says to give him a report on Jamaica because he may want to take his mother there. They talk about Laura’s dad. Mickey tells him he staying at the Claremont and not with him because he’ll be moving out of his place before they leave for the honeymoon. He wants to move his stuff before because Laura is going from Jamaica to the medical convention in New York City and he’ll have trial as soon as he comes back. Tom hope he leaves his past in his apartment, especially the little black book. Mickey tells him not to worry, that another lawyer is going to take over his lease…and most of his belongings. Mickey then talks about Laura and Bill. He says that Bill was all about medicine and never did he think the lady intern was Laura. He says that Bill was too wrapped up in himself to notice and once he saw Laura, he wasted no time in asking her on a date. He goes on to say that poor Laura went through Bill’s drama- his loss of the use of his hand. She was wearing his ring, but they were drawn together when they worked on Susan’s case. Then she returned his ring and decided to marry me. Mickey wonders if Bill's accepted their marriage. Tom says that he has to. Mickey says that they both know that Bill loves her and hopes he doesn’t cause any trouble.

ACT FOUR

(Short time later. Laura and Alice in the living room)

Laura asks Alice if she can bring her wedding attire here because they have to catch a plane at 10, it will be more convenient to have everything here. She is delighted to help and asks if she can help the day of the wedding. Alice can’t wait to see her gown. Laura says it's a blend of traditional and modern. Alice asks about the honeymoon- has Mickey told her where they are going? Laura says all Mickey tells her is to pack a bathing suit.  Tom and Mickey come out from the study. Tom asks about the egg nog and Alice goes and gets it in the kitchen. Tom goes with her. Mickey comes up to Laura and puts his arms around her. They look at the tree and Laura comments on how beautiful it is:

MICKEY:  Yes. (beat) In many respects, darling, it’s more than—just a tree. It's a – family heritage. A good many of those ornaments were made by Dad’s mother shortly before she died. I can remember that day in December Grandma Horton brought them over, each wrapped so carefully in tissue. She’d worked months on them. She knew there wasn’t too much time—but she was determined to finish them. And she did. This is her legacy. Ornaments with each of our names on them. Others with spangles and beads and glitter.

(Take Laura as she looks closely at those with names. Two nearest the top and close together)

LAURA  Alice…Tom…(then lower, circling the tree) Addie…Tommy…Mickey…Bill…Marie.

MICKEY: Addie’s in Europe. And Tommy—somewhere in Korea. (beat) I’m sorry you couldn’t have known my oldest brother, darling. He had to be one of the most wonderful guys who ever lived. (beat, then:) I don’t know how I got started on this. When I really should be using this very private moment to give you your one last Christmas present. (She looks at him as he puts his hand in his pocket, leaves it there)  I wanted to give you this when we decided to be married, Laura, but thought better to wait—under the circumstances. But I think you’ve been without a ring on that finger long enough now.

(He takes the ring out, no box, just loose. She looks at him as he takes her hand, slowly put the ring on her finger. Then she looks down at the ring)

LAURA: Oh, Mickey, it's – it's lovely. Thank you, darling.

(She brings her hand to her mouth, kisses the ring. Then looks at him. He takes her in his arms—and make it a lasting kiss by the tree. Bring Tom with a tray of egg nog glasses… as he starts to enter room, stops. In a few moments, Alice enters, stops beside him. Make this a warm, tender moment for Mickey’s parents. Take them, then back to Mickey and Laura with Tom and Alice in the background...and fade out)

And, although not actually a Christmas episode, in honor of Susan Flannery's five decades in soaps, here is Laura Spencer and Mickey Horton's wedding episode from December 29, 1967!

ACT ONE:

Alice and Kitty are in the Horton Living Room getting the preparations ready for the wedding. The florist calls Alice for the time of the wedding, which is 6:30. Sandy’s helping too by getting the special tablecloth for after the wedding. She gets the wrong one and Alice asks Kitty to help her out. Marie and Laura come in the front door:

(Alice hangs up. The front door opens as Marie and Laura enter carrying her bridal gown which is in plastic or a garment bag, veil, and perhaps in another garment bag, Laura’s going- away outfit)

MARIE: (half-singing)  Here comes the bride…

ALICE: Laura, darling…

LAURA:  Hello, Mrs. Horton. Or is it time I started calling you Mother Horton?

ALICE:  I can’t think of a better time.

(There’s a very warm embrace)

ALICE: Laura, I don’t know when I’ve been so happy—or excited. (beat) Your bridal gown. (As she touches the garment bag)

LAURA:  Um-hmm..

ALICE:  I’m so anxious to see it.

MARIE: It may need a little last minute pressing here and there, Mom. When it’s all ready, we’ll call you.

LAURA:  Remember now, you promised to help me dress later on.

ALICE: Oh, I haven’t forgotten, dear.

MARIE: Mom, I left Laura’s suitcase in the car for one of the men.

ALICE:  They’re not here yet but I’m sure they will be soon. I’ll have one of them bring it inside. (To Laura)  I thought you could use Tom’s and my room.

LAURA:  Thank you. I think I’ll go right on up.

ALICE:  Would you like some coffee?

LAURA:  Hmm, I think I could use a cup about now.

MARIE:  Two, Mom.

ALICE: I’ll send Sandy up with them.

(During the last few lines, Laura and Marie have started to make their way upstairs—although Laura will stop and turn when addressing Alice. Bring Kitty out of the kitchen.)

KITTY: Well, I see the bride is here.

LAURA:  Hello, Kitty.

KITTY:  Is it all right if I poke my head in after we have things straightened away down here?

LAURA: Yes, of course. See you shortly.

(By now Marie is up the stairs and Laura follows. Alice pokes her head into the kitchen. Sandy is out of the picture, don’t bring her to the entrance)

ALICE: Sandra, would you please bring some coffee to Marie and Laura up in our room? And maybe put a few cookies on a dish.

SANDY:  (off) All right, Grandma.

KITTY: (To Alice who turns back into the hallway) The dining room is all set up.

ALICE:  The champagne and cake?

KITTY:  The champagne arrived a few minutes ago and the cake will be here within the hour. Can you think of any more loose ends?

ALICE: (Beat as she thinks for a moment) No, I don’t believe so.

KITTY:  Then maybe we should think about getting dressed.

(At which point the door opens, Mickey, carrying his tails in a garment bag, enters)

MICKEY:  Well, I see the groom has a reception committee waiting for him. How are you, Mom?

ALICE:  I’ve never been better dear.

(There’s a warm embrace between mother and son)

MICKEY:  For a mother who’s about to lose a son—you’re much too happy.

ALICE:  I’m not losing a son, I’m gaining a daughter.

MICKEY: Hello, Kitty.

KITTY:  Can I take that for you, Mickey?

MICKEY:  Thanks. (Hands her the garment bag) Mom, where do you have the groom and his best man?

ALICE:  You and your father will be using Bill’s old room.

KITTY: I’ll go on up with this. (Kitty exits up the stairs.)

MICKEY:  What about your room?

ALICE: That’s where the bride will be dressing. Laura just got here a few minutes ago. By the way, weren’t you suppose to bring her father?

MICKEY: The good doctor went back to his hotel room. He’ll be taking a cab over later. Dad here yet?

ALICE:  He’s picking up Susan. They should be here now most any time. Oh, and before I forget, Laura’s suitcase is in Marie’s car.

MICKEY:  Yeah, I’ve got one outside, too. I’ll bring them both in later. (Beat) Well, Mom, it’s really happening , isn’t it?

ALICE:  Yes, dear, it is.

MICKEY:  (He looks at his mother, beat, then he tenderly takes her by the shoulders) How do I—Mom, how do I go about thanking you for everything.

ALICE:  (Finding his deep-felt mood) There really hasn’t been all that much to do, dear. And Kitty, Sandy and your sister have been such a big help.

MICKEY:  I’m not talking about—just today. I’m talking about all the—days of my life. How do I thank you—for being you? How do I tell you how deeply grateful I am that—that I was lucky enough to have you as my mother.

ALICE: (tears, but no sobbing)  I—I think you already have.

(Another warm embrace as we dissolve to Tom and Alice's Bedroom)

(To Marie as she hangs the wedding gown on a door, in clear view)

MARIE: Oh Laura it—it’s so beautiful.

(Take Laura as she goes over, looks at it, with happiness, with a near reverence. Hold.)

ACT TWO

(This is several hours later. Mickey is virtually dressed, Tom is adjusting his tie, his coat still off. Needless to say both men are dressed in tails. For this act, we can possibly get by with just a portion of Bill’s old room)

MICKEY:  Dad, you’d better get a move on. We should have been on our way five minutes ago.

TOM:  I trust they won’t start without us. And anyway, we’re not even sure the bride is ready.

MICKEY: Well, with all the help she has in there, I would guess she is. But from what I heard, Laura’s not budging from that room until you and I are out of this house.

TOM: If you want to be of some help, you might put on my boutineer.

MICKEY:  Isn’t it the other way around? Isn’t the best man supposed to be helping the groom?

TOM:  Help is given where help is needed. Now get with it, will you?

MICKEY:  (he smiles) Yes, sir.

TOM:  I must say you seem to be holding up well.

MICKEY: Just make certain you bring the phenobarb. Beneath all this bravado is a guy whose nervous system is crawling the walls.

TOM:  (Tom smiles, then a beat) It seems to me as your father I should be making a speech of some sort about now. But it’s a little late for anything about the birds and the bees. (Mickey smiles, then holds the coat for his dad as Tom slips into it) I suppose I could also lecture you on the responsibilities of a husband. But since you’re both an attorney and in you mid-thirties, it seems a little late for that, too. (Then he turns to Mickey) Son, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you—you’re marrying a very wonderful, a very special young woman. Make sure you take good care of her—or you’ll answer to me.

MICKEY: I’ll remember that.

TOM: Just bring the same sense of values to your marriage that you’ve brought to your life so far—and I know that you and Laura will have a happy and rewarding life together.

MICKEY:  Thanks, Dad.

TOM: (beat, then:) Well, I think I’m about ready if you are.

MICKEY: Yes, I—I’m very ready. (Mickey opens the door, as Tom follows) I think I’ll shake up the girls a little before we leave.

(He goes over to his parents’ bedroom door. Knocks, starts jiggling handle.)

MICKEY:  I’ve got to come in there a minute to—

(Then Kitty, Alice, Sandy and Laura all shout in unison, “Don’t you dare… “Stay out of here,” etc… Mickey smiles, then projecting)

MICKEY: Darling? I’ll see you at the church.

LAURA:  All right, dear.

(Then let there be a little laughter, whatever, behind the closed door as Tom and Mickey walk toward the stairs)

(Cut to: Horton Living Room where we see Susan dressed in her gown, sitting—with Laura’s father nearby, in tails)

SUSAN: I don’t you think you can know, Dr. Spencer, how grateful I’ll always be to your daughter. If it wasn’t for what Laura was able to do during the trial—well, I don’t know what would have happened to me. Laura and Mickey. And here I am a few short months later—a part of their wedding, Laura’s Maid of Honor.

JOHN: May I say, Susan, that I don’t think my daughter could have found a more wonderful young woman to be her Maid of Honor.

SUSAN:  You hardly know me.

JOHN:  But I’ve heard Laura speak of you so often. Yes, I feel I know you very well.

(Bring Tom and Mickey down the stairs)

MICKEY:  Well, we’re on our way. Dr. Spencer, you and Susan getting along all right down here?

JOHN:  We’re doing just fine, Mickey.

SUSAN: Well, don’t the two of you look handsome.

TOM: Thank you, Susan. Can I get either of you anything before we leave?

MICKEY:  Dad, will you forget about being the host and give a little thought to being the best man.

TOM: What he’s trying to tell me is that we’re running a few minutes behind schedule. We’ll see you both at the church.

SUSAN:  You run along, we’re just fine, as Dr. Spencer said.

MICKEY:  See you both shortly.

(At which point Tom and Mickey leave. Bring Sandy and Kitty down the stairs, dressed very lovely for the wedding. All the ladies are wearing their corsages, Dr. Spencer, his boutineer. Remember, although we didn’t play it on stage, all these people, including Dr. Spencer, have met before)

JOHN: (Rising if he’s not already up) Well, I’m really being surrounded by beautiful ladies this evening.

KITTY:  But, Doctor, wait until you see the bride. Your daughter looks—well, breath-taking is the only word.

SUSAN:  I’m so anxious to see her.

KITTY:  You should have come up, Susan.

SUSAN:  Well—Dr. Horton doesn’t want me climbing any stairs.

KITTY:  Oh, I’m sorry! That was a little thoughtless of me.

SUSAN:  No, it’s all right, Kitty.

ALICE: (After a beat, hear Alice off:) Are you all down there?

SUSAN:  Yes, Mrs. Horton

(And anticipating the bride, they all go to the landing, the foot of the stairs. Now please take time here. Build the suspense for the audience, make Laura’s entrance very moving and dramatic. The drama, of course, is in the gown, in the evening. Let Alice come down the stairs, alone, get to the bottom stair, then look back. Take reactions, then let Laura slowly come into view and down the stairs, looking radiant. Take Laura, then get reactions, back to Laura)

SUSAN:  You were right, Kitty—breathtaking is the only word.

ACT THREE

(Take the Church of Salem, in the background let the chimes be sounding the hour of seven. We do a job of pictures here. Alice, Kitty, Sandy, and Marie are already in their places in the front pew. We’re going to need a very small anteroom where Tom, Mickey and the Reverend will be waiting to go out. In the back of the church, an area for Laura, Susan and Dr. John Spencer. But only take the four people in the pew now. Establish the church, near the back the organist and the soloist. Wait, then let the soloist start singing “Because.” If you need time, then let him do another appropriate selection. It is only after he begins his song that we cut to the various other groupings for solemn reactions. Certainly we should see the emotion of all the words and meaning of this piece. Let no one fight tears here. When the number is completed {or numbers, as the case may be}—then cut to the waiting room with Tom, Mickey and the Reverend, and have them begin their movement to the altar. Once there, Mickey and Tom turn, as you know, and all face the back of the church. Let us then hear “ The Wedding March.” First, Susan—slowly—then followed by Laura and her father. Take many and long reactions here – but certainly favor Mickey, Laura, Tom and Alice at this point. Then as Laura comes to Mickey, he takes her hand, and give us a very magic moment here as they stop, look into one another’s eyes, then as they start to face the Reverend:)

ACT FOUR

(Everyone having assumed his or her proper position, the good Reverend opens his book and:)

MINISTER:  Dearly beloved. We are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted by God. It is therefore not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons come now to be joined. I require and charge you both, as you stand in the presence of God, to remember that love and loyalty alone will avail as a foundation of a happy and enduring home. No other human ties are more tender, no other vows are more sacred that those you now assume. If these solemn vows be kept inviolate, and if steadfastly you endeavor to do the will of your heavenly Father, your life will be full of joy, and the home which you are establishing will abide in peace. (Beat)

Michael Horton, wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness, and in health; and forsaking all others keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

MICKEY: I will.

MINISTER: Laura Spencer, wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and forsaking all others keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

LAURA: I will.

MINISTER: Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

JOHN: I do.

(Then the minister shall cause the man with his right hand to take the woman by her right hand and say after him:)

MINISTER: I, Michael, take thee, Laura, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

(Mickey has repeated these words. Then they loose their hands and the woman, with her right hand taking the man by his right hand, shall say after the minister:)

MINISTER: I, Laura, take thee, Michael, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I plight thee my troth.

(Which Laura repeats. They shall again loose their hands; and then the two rings are brought forward)

MINISTER: These rings are an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace, signifying unto all the uniting of this man and this woman in holy matrimony. (Beat) Let us pray. Bless, O Lord, the giving of this ring, that he who gives it and she who wears it may abide forever in Thy peace, and continue in Thy favor. Also that she who gives it and he who wears it may abide forever in Thy peace, and continue in Thy favor.

(The minister shall then deliver the ring to the man to put on the third finger of the woman’s left hand. {Laura does not wear her engagement ring.} The man, holding the ring there, shall say after the minister:)

MINISTER: In token and pledge of the vow between us made, with this ring I thee wed.

(The procedure is repeated for Laura as she holds Mickey’s ring)

LAURA: In token and pledge of the vow between us made, with this ring I thee wed.

(Pause, then the Minister joins their right hands together and with his hand on their united hands says:)

MINISTER: Foreasmuch as Michael and Laura have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their troth each to the other, and have declared the same by joining hands—and by giving and receiving a ring: I now pronounce that they are husband and wife together. And what God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Amen.

God the Father, bless, preserve and keep you: The Lord graciously with His favor look upon you, and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and love that you may so live together in this life—that in the world to come you may have life everlasting.

(Laura turns to Mickey, Mickey to Laura; Laura puts her veil back—an embrace and very, very tender and loving kiss. And with the organ music up… The others gathering around…fade out)