Here is a suggestion for a new game. We can write our own RG movie script. It will be an evolving script, with everyone adding sections to what has gone before (a bit like the game where someone starts a sentence, and other people add bits). We could write ourselves into the script.

I have a few ideas for an opening scene. Maybe we will need to cast RG as an Arabian prince so that he can have a harem. Anyway, here goes. I will start and everyone else can add scenes to what has gone before.

The Stone Drake Story

The movie opens on a city-scape, roof level. It is night time and raining. The camera looks down to street level, and follows someone walking quickly from the right of the scene to the centre. The camera moves ahead zooms down and focusses on the door of a bar.

The camera is now in the bar, and there he is, our adored hero, RG [name of character not yet known] sitting at the bar. The camera first sees him from the back but slowly moves closer. He is wearing a very dark blue/almost black suit and white shirt. It is obviously the end of a long day for him. He is looking tired and a little crumpled. His shirt collar is undone and his tie loosened. The camera focusses on his face as he drinks - he looks tired and unhappy.

The camera now looks at someone else coming into the bar. It is Glenn [who we will soon discover is our hero's best friend]. He walks over to RG.

Glen: "You look like *#* ! "
RG: I feel like *#* ! "

camera zooms in on Glens face. Good looking. Clean shaven. Long stately nose. Sharp, penetrating brown eyes. Raven black hair.

Eyes start to glisten with tears.

Glen: "I don't know what to say. I came right over as soon as I heard. I had a hunch you'd be here."

camera takes them both in waste up

RG: "Yeah, I'm here. I'd rather be THERE. That's where I should be. There's no way in hell they're going to let me in.

Glenn: "Man, you don't need to be there. We've been over this. Let it go. Let HER go.

camera zooms in on RG face

RG: "You only half mean that"

RG's eyes glance upwards; beaded sweat on forehead

RG: "If I could turn back time. Just 72 hours. That's all I need." Both men stare into their drinks, silent, until they are startled by a soft touch on the shoulder.

"I knew I'd find you two, here."

"Good evening, Mare," said RG as he raised his glass in a toast. "Is business slow, or, are you looking for a REAL date?" "My, is that a genuine offer?" Mare gazed at him, twisting her honey-blonde hair around her fingers, nervously. Glenn noted that she was wearing a business suit; short skirt, high-heeled pumps - more conservative than the usual racy dresses that she tended to wear around the bar. RG sat his drink down, hesitated, then looked up to meet her gaze with the hint of a smile. "In fact, I DO have an offer, Mare." "I think you owe me one. Remember Miami?" "How could I forget Miami", she almost whispered. "You were the one who was in such a hurry to leave, I thought you had more class than to just leave some money on the nightstand." Stone winced, (RG Name, okay Patricia LOL) "I didn't mean that as an insult Mare, I just needed to get back to New York and I wanted to make sure you had money for the flight home".

Glenn watched the two of them and felt he was invisible to both of them. He had roomed with Stone all during their college years in the States. He knew Stone better than anyone else. Something was going on between his friend and Mare, he was surprised Stone had never brought it up to him. But then Stone was known to keep most of his feelings inside, he let the world see what he wanted them to see. Glenn made an excuse of having to be somewhere, the tension was electrifying. Mare and Stone barely noticed him walking out of the bar. Mare slapped several hundred dollar bills down forcibly on the bar counter, startling Stone. "Keep your money you bastard, I was never for sale". "I thought... "Mare, Mare, you know how I feel about you, but you know my life and refuse to accept the way I was raised". "I may live in the States temporarily but sooner or later I have to go back home". "And you expect me to share you with all your other women", she sarcastically asked. "The other women in my life don't mean to me what you do, but they are a part of my life, I love them each in a separate way", Stone fought with her. "You knew what to expect of me when we became involved, why are you trying to change it now"? Because I love you", she cried. "I don't want to share any part of you with any of your other women". "Stone", she implored; sitting on the stool Glenn had vacated, "we have something special, don't throw it away, or are you too good for the likes of me working in a bar"? Stone gave her a glare and stormed out of the bar not trusting himself what to say to her.

Mare sat oblivious to the tears dripping from her face. She turned and saw him reaching for the door handle and glanced down at those long, lean legs she remembered so well. The legs that were taking him away from her now.

Mare thought about sharing him with Lucy, Ethel and all those others. She couldn't share Stone with them. It wouldn't be fair to Stone to continue talking about that night in Miami, either. He'd shared so much of his soul with her that night. How she was the best he'd ever known (way better than Ethel...LOL) and that she must come back with him to complete his life.

"Annette, give me a double. It's going to be a long night." as the tears run down her cheek. Annette - was a beautiful girl with long flowing hair. She was from San Fransico, the Height Ashbury area. She plucked the daisy from behind her ear and gave it to Mare with the drink. Annette performed nightly here, strumming her guitar and singing folk songs in her tye-dye Buddah t-shirts. However, tonight, there was a sadness in her eyes. She knew what Mare was going through, because of the night in SF....

That night. That glorious night. Stone surprising her in her hotel room, wrapped in that blue silk bedsheet! Her toes tingled just thinking of it. She'd returned profoundly disappointed from a horrendously long day of pitching her screenplay to a total of 5 different filmmakers, with no takers. Not even a "don't call us, we'll call you". She had been summarily and uncerimoniously dismissed by one and all. Maybe her ex-husband was right; she wasn't a writer. She hadn't felt this bad in a long time.

To top it off, the cab she'd been riding home in had broken down 3 blocks from her hotel, and she had walked the rest of the way in a downpour. By the time she got up to the 11th floor she was in a foul mood indeed, angry and depressed. Annette remembered now how she felt as she entered her small, lonely suite, paid for with the last of the year-long savings from her bartending job, and thought, "What now? Back to Podunk. Back to the Black Pussycat and an illustrious career wiping up after drunks."

Just then she realized the light was on in the adjoining room...the bedroom. And there was soft music on the radio there. She panicked. Gingerly she took the few steps to the bedroom door, heart pounding. She pushed open the door very slowly.

"Ta-da!" He jumped up off the bed, one arm holding the sheet to his chest. She was flabbergasted, to say the least. She'd left him only 2 days ago in Texas, thinking she'd never see him again. He had told her he was leaving for Europe that night, having been given a once-in-a-lifetime invitation to meet his hero, Professor John Charles Schwimmer, the world's foremost brain surgeon.

What was he doing here??

"What are you doing here?" she gasped. "And where are your clothes?!"

{the close-up of Stone is amazing... those innocent eyes peering}

"I couldn't help myself." Stone said.

Annette melted and asked no more questions, seeing how the day had gone. Her mom always taught her not to look a gift horse in the mouth. "Realllllly...." she said with that teasing voice, Stone loved. "Well then..."

A new scene starts - we see Stone entering a very nice large mansion, it is still raining. Then we see Stone sitting in a room inside the mansion, it is sumptuously furnished. The room is full of beautifully dressed women. (maybe including the women from the earlier scene).

Stone says to everyone in the room:

"You all know that I love each and every one of you. You are all very special to me. I am here for you. I will always be here for you. I want us to live together in harmony, to care for each other. I will not pick favourites. I love you all, I want you all to grow and achieve your full potential."

The camera scans the faces of the women, some are looking down, others are looking adoringly at Stone.

Stone says: "I think we all need a holiday. We need to get away from this cold dark wet place." Some of the women nod in agreement. "I have ordered the plane to take us all to a discreet resort on a tropical island near the Great Barrier Reef in Australia." Laughing breaks out. "Yes, yes."

The next shot is of a Lear jet flying through the sky. Then we get some lovely scenes of a beach and palm trees, swimming pools and people swimming. And Stone in swimming togs.

Angel shielded her eyes from the sun and could make out Stone's figure on the wooden raft some distance from the sand. She looked hastily about her and dove into the warm water, her arms making strong strokes in the sea. She was a good swimmer having worked at Seaworld for the past few years teaching the whales tricks for all the tourists. It was how she had met Stone when he asked her questions about her job.

Angel reached the raft and pulled herself up. Stone was lying with one arm under his head and the other over his eyes. She took the time to slowly look at him until she was startled by his voice. "I'm not sleeping". "What are you doing out here alone", she asked, "everyone is getting ready for lunch and the kids are looking for you"? " I needed some time to think", he said almost wistfully. "I can go", Angel replied the disappointment clear in her voice. A strong, firm hand reached out and grabbed her wrist pulling her down on top of him. "Does this mean you want me to stay", she grinned, teasingly shaking her long, wet hair of auburn, so drops of water landed on his face. "I should have left you with your whales", he smiled. "Then I wouldn't be here with you". "Maybe you would have been more happy", he said miserably. "Stone, how can you say such a thing, you know how happy I am with you". She reached down his lips drawing hers to him like a magnet. "Not here honey, everyone is just on shore, we aren't exactly in a private place", Stone said easing her off of him. "When, then when is a good time for you Stone", Angel snapped angrily. "There are always the others, you are always surrounded, never alone. I can't take much more", she cried. "Angelfish, don't cry darlin', I have to work some things out and we will have time together I promise. He sat up and cradled her against his shoulder, "Don't I always work things out babe"? "Yes, you do", she sniffed, "I thought you would enjoy having time with us alone, out here". "We are in the open, anyone could see us for God's sake", Stone retorted raking his hand through his hair. "Tonight, I'll make sure we have our special time tonight", he promised.

"I'm getting tired of promises Drake, and tired of being put on hold". "If you don't have time for me now the hell with you". Angel dove gracefully into the water swimming away from the man she loved. Loved and hated. It was her own fault, she had accepted his terms when he told her exactly how things would be between them. She had thought she would be able to comply with them, but with each stroke she made in the water, the angrier she became. She was going to have to show Mr. Stone Drake one way or another, she was the only woman he would ever need.

Tropical Island Scene Part 2 -

Stone is sitting on the beach enjoying the sun, looking much more relaxed and content. He is surrounded by a bevy of women and children.

Two kids race up to him: "Dad, dad, come and watch. We are learning these amazing tricks in the circus school." Stone lets the kids pull him up, laughing away. He snatches up some clothes and sandshoes, and follows the kids.

Circus school scene

The island does indeed have a circus school for kids. There are trapezes and nets and kids dressed up as clowns. We watch Stone and the kids having a wonderful time with plenty of laughing all around, and plenty of opportunities to see the athletic Stone flexing muscles and showing off.

The garden scene

The camera shows Eddie (previously incorrectly referred to as Glenn) lying on a deck chair in a garden on the island. There are lots of beautiful colourful flowers and birds. Eddie has been reading the paper, but in the warm sun he appears to have fallen asleep.

Suddenly we hear the lilting sounds of someone beginning to play Debussy's wistful Clare de Lune. Eddie awakes. He listens - he looks around, he gets up and peers through the bushes. He can just see into a room of the resort, where a petit dark haired woman is playing the piano. He continues to listen and look.

The woman closes her eyes, appearing lost in the song, a thousand miles away from the present. Her slender fingers seem to glide effortlessly across the keys. The diamond ring glitters on her right hand. She used to wear it on her left hand, just before the birth of her first child, and, before the turmoil that led her to pack up and bring her children to this place. She continues playing.

Stone was a real wild-card, then. She'd felt a mystery about him, and his eyes seem to pull her in, even against her own will. She'd made the mistake of looking too deeply into those eyes, and, had fallen madly in love with him. Then came the strange phone calls, the late-night disappearances...he'd frequently spoken in several foreign languages when his best friend, Eddie, was in their company, but, he'd always reassure her, "It's just business, love." But, slowly, over the months, she began to realize that Stone's "business" went much deeper than his initial explanation, telling her, "I invest in good things and hope to make a profit." She remembers his light-hearted laugh...

She is startled by a sudden knock on the family room door. The housekeeper hands her the phone. "Miss Terry, it's Culli. She said to tell you that it's VERY important..."

Unsteadily Miss Terry reached for the phone from the housekeeper. She wasn't sure if she wanted to heard what culli had to say, especially if it involved Stone and the mystery person who had called him earlier. As she placed the phone to her ear...she said, "Yes...can I help you?" Culli replied, "I think you are mistaken...I'm helping you". Terry replied, "Excuse me...what did you say?" Culli said, "Stone is meeting Angel at her beach hut on the other side of the island. Eddie had Stone followed". With a sigh and almost in tears she said thank you and placed the phone down. The floats of tears had finally surfaced and...now she knew Stone was never keeping his promise to her. Many things were swimming through her mind. Should she leave with the children never to return to him or stay to have Stone only walk all over her. She was all confused and wasn't clear in her thinking, when the door open and there stood... Eddie. Terry can tell from the look on his face that this is not a social call. His serious facial expression only makes her heart sink further, especially after the phone call from Culli.

"Come in, Eddie," she almost whispers, attempting to appear relaxed as she stands to greet him. "I don't have time for tea and chat, today, Terry," Eddie replies. "I need the envelope." She looks up at him, meeting his gaze, as old feelings of envy and resentment began to return. "You want let him do anything foolish, will you?" she asked. "If saving his friends is foolish, then, I'll have to say, 'yes'. Hurry up, now. I have to get going." She disappears into the next room and returns, momentarily, and, hesitantly slips the large brown envelope into his hand. Eddie simply nods, then, his face softens for only a few seconds, and, he turns and hurries out.

[ Scene changes to circus school]

A gold Mercedes is sitting outside the entrance to the circus school. Stone and the children are in full view from this angle. We see the driver's arm extend, getting a clear view of the wristwatch that shows 3:00pm. A tap is heard on the driver's side window. As the tinted glass goes down, we see the face of...

[Interpose Tropical Island scene (2) - Stone playing with the kids at the circus school and Eddie hearing a woman playing piano while in the garden.]

That night:

It is night, we see Stone walking through the dark garden, and up to a door. He enters and knocking.

In the room, we see a table set for two, candles, flowers. Stone calls out: "Angel, I am here. I am here for the whole night." Angel comes out and walks up to him. Angel glances nervously at Stone, then, takes a quick glance over her right shoulder.
Angel: "Change of heart, hmmm...?"
Stone looks into Angel's eyes and smiles.
Stone: "I AM capable of it, you know..."

Angel sits down, slowly, but is seated on the edge of her chair, unable to relax. She grips her purse, tightly, in an almost possessive fashion. She glances over at a tall, thin blonde sitting at a table across the room, alone. The bottle of rum on the table is sitting on top of a large brown envelope. Culli meets Angel's glance, smiles wistfully, and tips her glass at Angel, and takes a slow drink. Beneath her chair is a small, rather worn, black breifcase. Culli glances at her watch, and returns her attention to the people seated at the bar.

Angel looks back at Stone, attempting to appear relaxed, turns her head to one side, and sighs. Angel: "Yes, Stone...I know that you're capable of anything..."

Stone laughed but it was a nervous laugh. "What is going on in that beautiful head of yours", he asked reaching over to twirl a tress of Angel' hair through his fingers. "I don't know Stone, you have so many different sides to you, sometimes I'm not sure if your playing a role for my benefit or if this is the real you". "Babay, your imagination is running overtime, I am the man who you see seated across from you". Angel knew better, she glanced quickly at culli and saw her nod her head ever so slightly. The cue. "You have two children with Terry, doesn't that bother you". "They are beautiful kids born out of love, why should it bother you", he quipped. "What I'm trying to say is--do you plan on letting things go on as they are with Terry. Stone, what of the children". "I love my children very much Angel, it is none of your concern how I choose to handle things. But I see you are upset and I will allow you one question, one only". "Are you going to marry Terry, make them your heirs"?

Out to the street...

A shadowy figure lingers just outside. Peering through the window, watching everything that is happening inside.

"Alright, now's as good as time as any. DO it!"

Inside the power goes off...

The sound of gun shots fill the air for 20 seconds... afterwards there's the sound of sobbing and screaming.

The lights came back on, everything and everyone was in chaos. Stone checked on Angel who was on the floor but unhurt, just shaking. "He ran to the window where the shots were fired and climbed out. He looked around but whoever had been out there had made a clean getaway.

Stone came back inside trying to calm everyone down and making sure no one was hit. All were fine, shaken but not hurt.

Peering around the bar he took in Terry at a table, culli was sitting cool as a cucumber still nursing her drink at the bar, but there was a new addition to the women he loved. Dem..............

Culli was nursing that drink alright! ROTFL! I guess it had been her 8th or 9th.... :-)~ LOL!

Stone was shot in the chest! Terry rushed to call the police as DEM checked on Angel. After Culli's halucination, who knew if Angel was ok or not.

"Angel? Are you alright?" Dem asked as she helped Angel to a nearby chair. "Stone's been shot! We have to stop the bleeding... are you ok?"

Angel was extremely shaken, unable to speak, as she clutched her purse tightly to her chest. God, she thought, this is all wrong...

Dem retrieved several towels from the bar and quickly began applying pressure to Stone's chest wound.
"Stone, can you hear me?"
"Yes..."
"Who did this? Who would do this?"
"I...someone...case..." Stone whispered, slipping into unconciousness.

Dem quickly wiped the tears from her eyes, then continued holding pressure to Stone's wound. Terry crouched over Stone, directly across from Dem, eyes filled with tears, holding Stone's hand gently, exclaiming, "Dem, why? Why?"

Dem looked around the room, frantically. Where were the Paramedics?

Angel sat silently, still visibly shaken, wiping tears from her eyes. She looked at Stone, unbelieving of what had actually taken place, then she looked up and saw that Terry was staring intensely in the direction of the bar. Angel turned to look, just in time to see someone in a black hat and black coat hurriedly exiting the building with a black briefcase.

"How is he doctor", dem asked afraid to hear his answer while holding onto Terry's hand. "Who are all of you", the man asked looking at all the women. "Uh, we are friends of Mr. Drake", annette replied looking from one woman to another. Most of them were there, Mare smoking a cigarette even though there was a no smoking sign. Annie, her eyes swollen and red from crying. Angel, asleep on a sofa after being given a sedative. Culli leaning against the wall, calm on the outside, but shaking within. "He's in recovery, we were able to get the bullet out and the police took it." "Your friend was extremely lucky, no vital organs were hit, the bullet did break a rib, but on the whole I think he will recover." "Can we see him," Mare asked, stubbing out her cigarette. The other women stepped forward, all accept angel who was dead asleep. "All of you, out of the question, this man isn't out of the woods yet", the doctor answered clearly flustered. "But you said he would recover", annie countered in return.

"And he most likely will, but he's still in the recovery room and needs his rest". "One of you can look in on him, but you have to decide which one, then I want you all to leave there isn't room enough for you all".

"So who is going to go in", annette asked wanting to go in herself, but trying to be fair to the others. "I need to go in", culli stated. "We all want to go in cull", dem said. "I haven't been alone with him for a minute since we landed on this dratted island". "Trust me, I need to see Stone, it's important and that's all I can say. I've never lied to any of you before, don't mistrust me now", culli pleaded. Annie looked from one to one, and they nodded their heads in agreement. Culli grabbed her briefcase and walked to his room.

"Stone, Stone, I know you can hear me dammit. Open your eyes, open your eyes now."

Stone was floating, his tongue was too big for his mouth, his chest was on fire, but he couldn't get away from the voice calling to him.

"What happened Stone, who tried to kill you", culli murmured brushing his damp hair from his forehead.

"Your in beyond your means love, and someone is going to find the truth out sooner or later", culli whispered.

" You didn't ... tell anyone...did you", Stone asked his throat dry and coarse, words difficult to get out.

"You know me better than that love, but someone wants you dead. And your hellbent on making people nervous."

"I contacted Patricia, she's your attorney, and I want her here to make sure you have police protection".

"I need Eddie".

"Yeah, well it's strange no one can seem to find your best friend on such a tiny island but then..........

Culli leaned close to Stone and whispered in his ear. And he responds, we can't hear what they say. She kisses him very gently on the forehead and he looks lovingly into her eyes and touches her face with his hand. "And the case?" Stone asked. Culli said "It has gone." "You must find it, you must ..." Stone starts to rise, but the pain overwhelmed him. He lapsed into unconsciousness again.

Next we see culli talking to the other women outside. "We must find the case."
"OK, we will have to search, but discreetly. We must do it ourselves."

The women continue to talk together.

The camera is looking over the shoulder of someone in a black coat. We are looking down into the case. Gradually it is opened, and we see .... We see that the case is full of official looking papers. The person is holding a mobile phone to their ear and we hear someone on the other end saying:

"What do you mean it isn't there!!! It must be on that island somewhere! You must find it!"

Airport scene: A small jet comes to a stop on the runway. A small woman with short dark hair and sunglasses gets off the plane, followed by two large muscle bound men. She walks confidently forward.

Next scene: The hospital waiting room - it is the next day, the women have washed and changed, but still look stressed. The woman who got off the plane speaks:

"Culli has told me the rough details. We need to be seen to be co-operating with the police. You can tell the police where you were and what you saw that night, but no more. I don't want them thinking it was one of you acting in a fit of jealousy. I want to be with you whenever you speak to them. If they visit or ring, tell them that you are willing to see them, but only with me present. Put them off until I am there." Everyone nods.

Patricia looked up at the big man behind her. "This is Paul - Russ is already keeping an eye on Stone. They are the best protection I have ever worked with." The women smile and nod at Paul, who fidgetted a little at Patricia's praise, but smiled displaying twinkly blue eyes.
"I will need to talk to each of you in more detail about what happened and where we are at, so I know what to expect when the police start asking questions. Angel, can I start with you please?"
"Sure" said Angel.

Patricia stood up - she motioned to Paul to join her at the edge of the room.
She whispered to him: "I want you to take care of Angel. Maybe it wasn't
Stone that was the target. Maybe it was Angel." Paul looked over to Angel. She was obviously distressed and nervous.
"Leave it to me - I will protect her" he said.

Stone's eyelids flutter as he slowly opens his eyes. He hears the usual hospital noises - beeps, alarms, voices...His vision is still blurred, and, he blinks his eyes several times in an attempt to see more clearly. A sudden movement to the right of his bed makes him turn his head quickly in that direction, still unable to focus his vision. A calm voice says, "I thought you were gonna sleep all week." He closes his eyes and smiles at the sound of his friend's voice.

"Eddie?" he said, half smiling,"Don't you have anything better to do than hang out in hospitals?" "Naw, I thought I'd sit around here and listen to you talking in your sleep for a few days." Eddie tries to cover up his worries, wondering who might have heard anything that Stone might have said as he lapsed in and out of conciousness, before he'd arrived. "Well," Stone sighed, "talking in my sleep is probably one of the few things that I've never had any control of."

"Yeah, well...the girls have been in and out, checking on you. Seems you've got quite the talent for scaring the hell out of everyone..." Eddie turns his gaze to the door, watching for approaching visitors.

"Tell me, Stone - who did this to you? Did you see anyone?"

"I didn't see a face, Eddie. I just saw someone...black overcoat...black hat...moved fast..." He grimaces and leans closer to Eddie, dropping his voice to a whisper. "I saw...somebody...don't know...they turned, just before the lights went out. I tried to see..." (coughs and grabs his chest) "They had...the CASE!" He gasps and winces in pain.

"Stop," Eddie replied, "just breathe...relax." Stone takes a few deep breaths and looks at Eddie after glancing around the room. "Before it happened, I'd walked outside the front of the building with Terry...you know, talking about the kids...things like that. I saw the same gold Mercedes that followed you and I from Angel's place, the day before. Couldn't see...same tinted windows. It was parked out front, so, I led Terry back inside. I didn't want her hurt..." A tear trickles down his face. "I didn't want ANYBODY hurt..!" He winces in pain, holding his chest, attempting to reposition himself again. Eddie stands and helps his friend lay back, and, tells him, " I just want you to take it easy, right now. I've got a friend with an eagle's eyes watching this room...and, you.

I'm going to pay someone a little visit and see if our chums in the Mercedes show up, ok?" "Be careful," Stone whispered, slipping into sleep, once more. "Be very careful." [ Scene changes to a small, dim-lit room, where we see the shadow of a man removing his headphones. We hear a deep voice say, "OK - we got it. Let's go."]

Patricia walked intently through the hospital corridors leaving no one in doubt who was in charge. She glanced at several of the women in the waiting room and nodded to her lieutenant to begin the questioning. Patricia signed in at the nurses desk of the Intensive Care Unit.

"I don't know if now is a good time to see Mr. Drake,", the young nurse stammered under the eyes of the older woman. "He's just been given a sedative and my orders were no one was permitted in his room."

"I'm changing those orders," Patricia said sternly. "I'm aware Mr. Drake has been seriously hurt and I need to ask him some questions."

"But...he's been sedated,", the nurse replied again. She was worried about what her superiors would say to this, only just obtaining the position a week ago.

"Well if you would quit your explanations then maybe I could have a word with Mr. Drake before he is fully sedated." "I'll only be a minute," she stated marching to his room. Patricia opened the door hearing the beeps of the machines. She questioned softly, "Mr. Drake," as she pulled the curtain open.

"What the hell, is this some kind of a game?"
"What's wrong Officer," the nurse asked running into the room.
"Where is Stone Drake?" Patricia asked angrily.
"OH MY GOD," the girl in white said holding her hand to her mouth as she went running for the head nurse.

[Scene changes to a warehouse in the heart of the city. Inside, in a small, dim-lit room, Angel and Terry each sit beside a very exhausted Stone. Culli sits, staring out the tiny, barred window, while Mare and Annette pace nervously, passing each other without looking up.]

"Well, what hospitable hosts we have, hmmmmm?" says Culli, sarcastically, without taking her gaze away from the view outside. "Seems someone knew exactly what they were doing."

Stone opened his eyes and looked at Culli, observing her profile closely. She turns and looks at him. He detected the sarcasm, and, now he could see the hurt in her eyes. New Orleans...that's where he first saw those eyes...she was dancing in the club, jazz music in the background, and, as she swayed across the stage, their eyes met...it was a week that, every time he looked at her, even now, he couldn't help but smile...

"I don't think that anyone in this group has knowingly deceived any of us," he calmly replied. "We just haven't been as careful as we should have. That case should have been kept in the same place...none of this shuffling it around from place to place," he replied in defense of everyone in the room. "Eddie has been saying..."

"Eddie says! EDDIE says...!" Terry's words burst out with tears. "If you could just think without Eddie...! Who knows what he might be out there doing, right now, while we're trapped in this god-forsaken place?" Terry stands up and moves over to the window beside Culli. They glance at each other, then out the window.

"Wha...? Terry...can't you just give Eddie a break..." But, Stone's words are interrupted by Mare.

"Annette, do you see what I see?" Both women are looking up toward the rafters. A rope, dangling in the air... Eddie is almost laughing as he lowers the rope toward them.

"Freedom...doesn't it look rather inviting?"

"Eddie, you're the best thing I've seen since Woodstock, right now!" laughs Annette. "C'mon, we've got to get out of here!"

[Scene changes to the club, downtown, where we first began this story]

And Stone is walking out with Culli...

"Mare drives me crazy!"
'aw, c'mon she's okay..'
"yeah, but let's escape! Just you and my Culli! Come on!"

Culli was unsure, she'd seen what the other's had gone thru. She lusted after Stone and knew it was only a matter of time. Either it was Stone or the Rum... which would do it?

Next scene: Culli and Stone are in a room alone. Culli shys away. Stone becomes strong. "Culli! I need you!"

Culli shivers....

Stone patted the king size bed with his hand, smiling at Culli.

"Why are you standing way over there babe, come on over and sit with me."

"Why, I know you blame me for losing the papers and don't try to deny it," Culli answered walking over to the bar.

She poured herself a liberal drink and gasped as Stone knocked it out of her hand. The glass crashed against the other glasses and splintered.

"I can't go through this again Cull, you gave up drinking once for me. And I never damn well said that I blamed you for losing the papers. We don't know what happened."

"I never had a drinking problem until I met you Stone. It's ironic isn't it."
"What is?"
"You have always blamed me for my drinking and the problems between us because of it. But did you EVER notice that I never drank until I became involved with you?"

"That's bull," he replied going back to sit on the edge of the bed. "No it isn't. I love you, God knows how I love you. And for the life of me I don't know if it is destroying me anymore. I don't think I can handle this--, she stopped suddenly great sobs ripping through her that surprised her as much as Stone.

He pulled her next to him on the bed holding her until her cries were just hiccups. "I hate myself for putting you in the middle of this don't you know that. The thought of something happening to you," Stone whispered wiping her tears away.

"And what about the rest, what about annette and Mare? Angel and Dem? Terry? "Do you hate yourself for putting them through this too?" "What about Eddie who always manages to pull you out at the right time?"

"I don't have answers for what your asking, I know you want to be the only one in my life but--"

"But that's not going to be the way it is, is it", Culli replied already knowing she had answered her own question.

"Stone, what happened with you and Mare in Miami, that's where all this started from?"

"Oh God cull, where do I begin."

"How about the beginning for a change, and don't keep protecting me anymore. I want the truth."

Stone pulled himself away from culli and walked over to the bar. "I think it's my turn for a bit of courage," he smiled sadly.

"Why? What happen? Culli asked. "You know how much we all love you, Stone. Please open up to one of us. Maybe we can help you".

"I doubt that", he said rather sternly.

Stone turned around slowly with a drink in his hand. He walked slowly to a nearby chair not wanting to look at culli. He knew he had to tell her….the big secret….to finally be at peace with himself without the feeling of quilt.

"Culli…I don't want to hurt you, Terry, Annette, Angel or Dem…"

"I know that Stone", she said.

"Please don't interrupt me. I need to finally tell someone before I change my mind." Stone finished his drink and walks over to the bar for another. He gulps one more scotch and poured another. He turned around slowly and said softly, "Mare and I …Mare and I …. are …..married."

"Whaaat", Culli's month fell open. Her face turned as white as a sheet in disbelief.

"Yes….there…..now you know the truth. God, I can't believe I finally said it."

Stone continued, "We have three children and I visit them whenever I can. They live in Miami."

"Where does Terry come in?" Asked Culli.

"I met Terry shortly after I left Mare. It wasn't intentional. I went to the mall one day to get away for a few hours. I was so confused. My job was in the crapper and our marriage was in limbo. She wasn't happy either. We argued constantly. The only good thing about our marriage was the kid's. Then when I decided to go home I bumped into Terry. Our eyes met and I couldn't help myself, I fell in love with her."

"Does she know?" Culli whispers.

"No…that's why I've never pop the question", said Stone.

"But what about the kid's? Don't they matter?" Culli burst out in tears yelling at Stone. "Don't they count or are you too stuck on yourself and selfish to care."

"Culli…it's not like that. I love all my kid's very much. I, also, love Terry. She's a very wonderful woman. I can't leave her she means too much to me."

"And….what about the others who adore you? What about them, huh? And…..me." Culli's tears had now become uncontrollable. Stone walks over to her to hold her, but she pushes him away.

"Please…..don't touch me," Culli said softly.

"I'm sorry Culli if I hurt you, but I wanted to come clean with you first. Please don't be upset. Please say you understand. Please!"

With those last words, Culli ran out of Stone room still in tears and not caring where she was going. She reached the bus stop and sat down on the bench. As she was wiping the tears away with her handkerchief and with her head down she notice a pair shoes standing in front of her….looking up….slowly….it was… Mare.

"Why are you sitting out here? Alone?" Mare asked. "Weren't you with Drake?"

"I was." Culli said coldy

"You look like you could use a drink, come on."

Culli didn't need this right now, but she couldn't turn Mare down. She had to confront her. It was a moral imperative... How could Mare lie all this time? How could Mare let Stone do this to the others? The anger began to build inside, but she choked it down, for the moment. She answered "Sure Mare."

As they walked, the words 'I'm married to Mare' kept swimming through her head. When Mare stopped and yelled "CULLI! Are you in there?" Culli had never even noticed they were at Mare's apt.

Scene: We're in Mare's apt, it's much nicer inside than it appears to be outside. It's warm and cozy, like something from out of an old movie. Dim lights and comfortable furniture. Mare turns on the stereo (Sade's playing) and fixes herself and Culli New Orleans style Hurricanes.

"Here sweetie! What's going on with you?" Mare says, lighting up a cigarette and taking a drink. "You look shaken, lady." Mare kicks off her heels and sinks into her favorite chair.

"Shaken? Do I!?!" Culli yells. "Stone just told me the truth, finally! How could you keep this a secret from everyone, Mare? I never thought you were so involved in this, too!"

"He told you?" Mare was shocked. "If he told you, then you know why I've never talked about it, right? I can't blow my cover."

Culli was amazed, "Your cover? Is that what you call it? I thought I knew you, but was I wrong! You gave me a job and have always been nice to me, but this is just CRAP!"

"Culli? What the hell are you talking about?" Mare asked.

"You call your marriage and three kids a cover? Where are your kids, anyway! Who's with them in Miami? What kind of Mother would run a bar here and leave her kids in Miami?" Culli screamed.

Mare looked at Culli and chuckled, "Well, I've been called a mother before - but never one with three kids. What did that son of a 'b' tell you? I've heard _everything_, now!"

Culli was feeling very confused... She expected any reaction except the one Mare just gave her. She thought how can she be so calm? Had Stone lied to her. She _did_ know Mare. They weren't all that close, but when you work together for three years & you get a feeling about someone. Mare didn't lie, Culli knew that. "Mare, Stone said you and he were married and had three kids...." she said in a low tone.

"Drink your drink, sweetie! I'm going to fix us a pitcher." Mare walked over to the bar. "So Drake said he's my husband and fathered my three children? That's interesting... wonder who's sperm he hired?"

"WHAT?" Culli couldn't believe her ears.... "Whatever do you mean, Who's sperm? What are you talking about? What about Terry's children?"

"Yeah, Terry's kids! What a joke! Why do you think Stone's never married her? He's sterile! Those kids are Eddie's!" Mare said, looking Culli right in the eyes. "Eddie's been in love with Terry since they first met - she's been enjoying both worlds the whole time. Drake can't make out he knows; he loves Eddie too much... Culli, Ed and Drake have been buds since they were kids. Eddie watches out for Stone and Stone for Eddie. Eddie doesn't even know that Stone is sterile.... see,kid?"

Culli just sat there and sipped her Hurricane.

"Kick off your shoes, kid... get comfortable, Annette will be here soon. Looks like it's going to be an interesting night." Mare smiled.

"I've never been with Drake, Culli! Not in the way you think." Mare went on. "I know we make it sound like that, but it's a good cover for what we did in the past. Yeah, *the past*; now it's Annette... that's why he left me the money in Miami. Annette was taking over for me. He had found someone younger, somebody new. I was out and looking for a new job. I bought this joint & the bar with that money and invested a little. I'm okay."

The doorbell rings, and Mare let's Annette in.

Annette enters and sees Culli sitting there. She looks at Mare a bit startled. Mare winks and nods - as if it was alright.

"Hey Baybee!" Annette says to Culli. "Never seen you here, at Mare's, before. What's up?"

Mare comes in with the pitcher of Hurricane's... "Annette get yourself a glass, you're gonna need it! Believe me!"

Annette smiles and gets a glass... sits... takes a gulp. "Ok, what's wrong?"

"Oh not too, much... Culli was with Drake tonight and _he_ told her the truth behind everything. That's all." Mare smirked.

"Blahhahahaha! The truth!?!?!" Annette couldn't control herself, she spit the words out as if they were bullets (LOL). "Which truth is he spouting out tonight?"

Culli felt cold inside... how could she have been taken in like this. She was a tough gal. She'd had her share of creeps and vowed to stay clear of crap like this. "What the fick is so funny, Annette!?!" culli asked in a raised voice.

"You are!" Annette answered. "Thought you knew the ropes, sweet Culli! Where's those street smarts? When does a guy like Stone fall for a stripper?"

"Ok, what are YOU to him Annette? What did YOU take over for Mare? It's time somebody tells the truth!" Culli exclaimed.

Annette looked at Mare... "I told her about Eddie and Terry and I told her that you took over for me... I waited until you showed for the rest. I think, since Drake told Culli I was his wife and we had three kids in Miami.... we should tell her the truth." Mare said rubbing Annette's neck from behind the chair.

Annette looked up at Mare and said, "Okay, I'll tell her. That's what you were waiting for right, hon?"

"I just didn't want to tell her alone, babe!" Mare answered.

"Yeah, it's true", Annette started. "Mare was the best! She was the best anyone knew."

"The best WHAT! I'm sick of this bull!" Culli stood up.

"The best cat burglar! Stone is okay, but he knew he needed help to pull off the jobs he was called to do... nobody was as famous as Mare!"

"Wha?" Culli sat down and finished her drink, "Mare, can I have a cig?"

"Stone Drake is a thief and a smuggler..."

"So he used me, lied to me," Culli murmured in shock.

"Listen girl, you have to toughen up, he lied to all of us, used all of us for his convenience. Please don't tell me you actually thought we were all going to live together happily ever after," Annette said angrily, most of her anger directed at Stone.

"You both have to give me time to take all of this in. I believed everything he told me, he took me out of that jazz club that I hated...

"Let me guess," Mare stated walking around the room. "He bought you new clothes, gave you a place to live, told you he never met a person like you and you could do so much more with your life, IF you let him help you?"

"Those were his exact words," culli replied in shock, "how did you know?"

Oh sweetie, because he said the same thing to Mare, to all of us. Haven't you ever noticed how he tries to keep us from having a good relationship with each other. He doesn't want us sharing his secrets," Annette answered. She felt sorry for culli, it was wrong of Stone to drag another person into this in the first place.

"So you two were really cat burglars for Stone? Why, why would you put yourself in danger like that?" culli asked.

"He has a way with words," Mare answered angrily, "you were not the first to hear them cull, he helped me out, put me back on my feet, but first I had to compensate him, and hitting the sack with him was not one of those compensations believe me."

"But what did he want from me, what could I give him, you and annette helped him to steal, he never asked that from me."

"Did he ever ask you to hold any papers for him cull," annette asked lighting another cigarette off the one she just finished.

"Oh God yes, he asked me to hold this case for him, I promised him I would never look at what was inside, and I didn't. I don't even know what I was carrying with me I trusted him so much. I guess I was a real fool."

"Those papers you were carrying for him could get you ten to twenty years cull," Mare said watching culli bend her head to her knees. "They listed every job we did, what we took, new addresses of people annette was supposed to burglarize. Stone was riding on a high, thought he was invincible. Time and time again I told him to burn those papers. I think he wanted them as a souvenier, a trophy if you will."

"But why, he's rich, why would he resort to stealing, I just don't understand any of this," culli cried out.

Annette and mare looked at each other, mare nodded to her friend. Annette knelt at culli's feet, "Stone isn't rich cull, he lied. He doesn't have a harem, he isn't a prince, he was raised on the streets of New Orleans."

"I feel dizzy, I can't believe this, I mean I believe you two but it doesn't make any sense."

"What a sweet deal Stone had", Mare sarcastically sneered. "Told us all the same story, but he told me he needed money to get home, his father wouldn't advance any to him in the States. I believed him too," she shrugged.

"What about Terry," culli asked?

"Terry, Terry", they both laughed. "She's in love with Eddie cull, but the thought of Stone's background and his money, well obviously her love for Eddie was for her own benefit," Mare said.

"But Stone knows the kids aren't his if he is sterile," she argued.

"Well Stone and Eddie are like brothers, but there is a part of Stone that is cold as ice. He knows how Eddie loves Terry, yet he has never had the guts to tell him the kids he looks out for and makes sure they are safe are Eddies,"Annette explained in a huff.

"Some friend if you ask me" mare retorted. I wouldn't doubt Terry was in this from the beginning, what about you hon, " she asked annette.

"Terry isn't naive, she's been playing two sides of the coin. I don't think Eddie is going to be her adoring man from afar when he finds out the truth."

"He has to find out the truth," culli spit out, "everyone does. We should not go down because of Stone and his selfish motives. Throwing out his good looks, and sweet talking everyone, acting like he was some sort of savior."

"What are you suggesting culli" Mare asked, glad that culli was finally getting angry instead of letting the hurt take over her. She had been there herself.

"I say we tell the others the truth, all of it, and then I say we confront Stone Drake. I'm sure that a police officer would be more than interested in what we had to say."

"Want him in jail sweetie," annette asked surprised at the change in her.

"I don't know what I want, it's just a matter of justice. I say we all stick together for once, and let Stone squirm like he's had all of us doing for some time."

Mare tossed down the rest of her drink and slipped into her shoes. "Let's go get him," she grinned as they all walked out the door arm in arm.

As the girl's walk arm in arm and thinking how to get even with Stone the scene changes to the other side of town.

Eddie was standing on Terry's front porch and was about to ring the doorbell, when his cell phone rang. "Riinnnnggggg!" It was Stone. "Eddie, I need to talk to you, can you come over?" He asked. "Sure…I'll be there in an hour. I have something I need to take care of first," said Eddie feeling a little guilty going behind Stone's back to see Terry.

He pushed the button. "Ding...Dong…"

She walks to the door and says, "Who is it?" "It's Eddie, I need to talk to you...it's very important." She opens the door and Eddie walks in closing the door behind him. "What's wrong, Eddie?" She asked.

"I tapped Mare's house sometime ago. Stone requested it for a reason. I guess his hunch paid off because Culli and Annette know Stone's secret. They know the kid's aren't his. Stone just called me. He wants to see me." Eddie explains.

"Eddie, they don't know he had surgery years ago to correct that problem….do they?" She asked.

"No. I'm sure it won't be long before they discover the rest of the story and about you and me". Eddie follows her to the kitchen.

"Would you like some coffee?"

"No. I rather hold you." He approached her and held Terry gentle.

"Oh Eddie, what are we going to do? I can't believe this is happening. Stone is becoming unstable more, more each day. He used to be so gentle, so loving. I...need to get away."

"You know he'll follow you." Said Eddie.

"Yes, I know. Regardless, I need to get away. I'm tired of seeing his bad treatment to the others. I don't love him...never have. Not like I love you, Eddie. Will you come with me?" Terry asked softly and looking at those baby blues she loved so much of Eddie's strong handsome face.

"I have to see Stone in a few minutes." Kissing Terry lightly on her cheek. "I'll meet you in an hour at the airport, okay!" Said Eddie.

"Okay. The kid's and I will be waiting for you. Please hurry and....be careful, Eddie." She whispers.

As Eddie stood by the door to leave he turns and gives Terry a very passionate kiss. Both were locked in each other arms. Then Eddie turned and open the door....and there....stood... Stone.

"I thought I'd find you here, Eddie. Making plans?" Stone said coldly. "You know I'll never let you have her, Eddie! I'll stop you. I'll stop you both!" Stone staggered across the room.

"You're drunk!" Terry yells, "You don't know what you're talking about... STOP WHAT? Get the hell out of here and go off to one of your witches!" Eddie grabbed Terry as she tried to hit Stone.

"What a picture! Just look at the two of you.... my brother and the mother of my three kids..." Stone yelled as he through a bottle at the wall.

"Shut up, Stone! You're going to far!" Eddie said, as Terry looked to Eddie saying, "Your brother? Yeah, he's been like a brother to you, but what have you ever done for him, you piece of dirt?"

Stone starts laughing hysterically..."Oh Eddie hasn't told you?"

Again Eddie yells "Shut up!" and lunges at Stone...

"C'mon BRO! C'MON!" Stone blurts out as he swings his fist into Eddie jaw.

Eddie hits Stone hard and Stone passes out as he falls to the floor. The kids all coming screaming into the room "What's wrong?!?!?!"

"Go pack up some of your clothes WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF HERE! GO NOW!" Terry rushes them out of the room. She turns to Eddie, "Let's hurry!"

Stone is lying on the ground. He is gradually coming round. The house is quiet. After a few attempts, he slowly gets up. It is obvious he is still a little drunk, but also feeling pretty awful.

He rubs his jaw and winces. He stumbles to the bathroom. He throws cold water over his face and head. He looks blearily into the mirror. 'You fool' he says to himself.

He stumbles into the bedroom and sits on the bed. He looks around. Drawers are half open and empty. He looks quickly in the cupboards. He is getting frantic. 'Terry, oh no, Terry'. He starts to cry. He half falls on the bed, head in hands. He looks at some photos on the bedside table. They show Terry and Stone in a wedding photo, photos of the kids.

'Terry - what have I done, what have I done.'

We move into a flashback of an earlier time. Stone is in a disco bar, looking very swish (think Breathless). A series of quick shots show that he is picking pockets. Then he sees Terry. We see him approach Terry, laughing and smiling and charming. They get up and dance. More shots of them laughing and talking together. Then, outside the club, we see Stone and Terry standing very close - he leans towards her, his hand touches her face and leans over for a very gentle kiss that gets more and more passionate as their bodies twine together.

Then we see them being married - small civil job - with Eddie as best man. Stone slips a ring onto Terry's finger - but we see another flash - of Stone stealing a tray of rings and jewellery from a shop at night. Then back to the wedding for another loving kiss between the two as they are pronounced man and wife.

The wedding night - Stone and Terry together - Stone gently takes off Terry's top, he kisses her and strokes her and holds her. Occasional glimpses of their naked bodies together as they make love.

Then Stone holding a newborn baby, looking at it full of love, sitting on the edge of a hospital bed with Terry in it - and more loving kisses. 'Oh Terry, he is just so beautiful. I love you.'

Then a few flashes - messy house, crying children, harsh words between Terry and Stone. Stone stealing from shops, climbing up walls and through windows stealing money. Stone drunk and yelling. Terry crying.

We merge back into the present with Stone sitting on the bed - looking at the wedding photo in his hands. He is crying. "Terry - you deserve better than me. I still love you, but you are better off without me."

"Going somewhere?", Patricia asks coldly. "What are you doing here," Eddie asked just as cold, standing in front of Terry.

"This has to be a first for you Eddie, letting Stone alone to face the music on his own." "Maybe it's about time I did, you've been around long enough Patricia to know I've always stood by Stone."

"Yes, you have been very loyal, I like you Eddie, always have. You've given more to Stone than he ever deserved. Where are you going, do you think he will just let you leave, you can't be that stupid," she taunted. "What is she talking about Eddie," Terry tearfully asked, afraid Patricia had the authority to stop them from leaving.

'I've worked with Stone and you against my better judgement Patricia. I always got you what you wanted. Let us go, let me have a life of my own for once," he pleaded.

Patricia felt torn, her loyalties were with Stone, but Eddie had always helped her over the rough spots with his brother. He knew that Patricia was in love with Stone and had always kept her secret. Hell, he had saved her life on more than one occasion. The selfish side of her won over, if she told them the truth just maybe she would have a chance with Stone. She had always been there to pick up the pieces before and he had been grateful. Very grateful. Now it was her turn for Stone to look at her in a new way.

"I'm going to let you two go with the kids, but first I'm going to tell you something and if you ever tell Stone this came from me I will hunt you both down and make you miserable," Patricia said. "What do you have to tell us that is so damn important," Eddie asked.

"Terry and Stone were never legally married." "WHAT", Terry screamed. "Keep your voice down, do you want security over here," Patricia said looking around.

"But I was his bestman, I saw them married," Eddie said in a daze. "The man was not a justice of the peace, he was someone Stone hired to play the part. He needed a wife to throw off his playboy image, I think he was getting a kick out of it at the time, being the devoting husband. But you know him, he gets bored very fast." "Our marriage license" Terry asked in disbelief, God did she even know the man she thought she had married. "Fake," Patricia answered, "the only thing that wasn't fake that day were your rings that he stole."

"Why are you telling us this now," Eddie asked, "what's in it for you." "A new start with stone, he always comes back to me you know. He feels some affection for Terry playing the husband all this time. But that will pass." "Of course you know he knows the kids aren't his," she smiled looking at her nails. "What are you talking about," Terry whispered, "of course they are his." "Stone never had that operation Terry, the man isn't stupid, he just told you he was having it because he knew how much you wanted kids."

"What a surprise for him when you became pregnant though, he knew it wasn't his, so whose was it," Patricia smiled cattishly looking at Eddie. "he knew all this time and never said a word," Eddie asked guiltily, "why." "I just found out not long ago that the kids were really mine, do you think I would have abandoned them?" he asked. "He never said anything because he knew his so called wife was fooling around on him, he wanted to know with whom. That's where I came in too, I followed you two for years and knew the kids must be yours eddie. What I want to know is why you didn't tell Stone from the beginning."

"Because I didn't know about the kids," eddie repeated, "and I was in love with his wife, what kind of

"What kind of brother does that make you," Patricia finished his question.

"Oh no eddie, is it true, are you and Stone really brothers. Why didn't you tell me all this time. Why didn't you trust me. Damn you, WHY didn't you tell me," Terry screamed.

Another person appeared in the midst of them. "So why didn't you tell her Eddie?"

Eddie's narrative: (we see the movie scene's Eddie describes as he narrates...)

My only regret was Angel's death... seems small compared to the whole story, I guess. It wasn't suppose to end up this way... but he'll pay!

My twin brother, Stone, yes twins - my good fortune was we weren't identical twins and looked completely different... we fooled everyone! We learned young, as our mom was a wino and dad left for untold fortunes elsewhere, to be con artists. Stone always had the charm. All the girls loved him. He's always been incapable of love... me? Well, I picked up the pieces... that was always my job. He was the star. I hated him... I hate Him!... always making me feel inferior. Who always got him out of trouble... even at the age of 10? It was me.

At the beginning I thought we could work... yeah, we were young but there are people in New Orlean's that would give us a paying job... NO, not Stoney... he was tough, I mean TOUGH! Even the bullies shied away from him. What chance did I have?

I just hung around watching him make the moves.... I learned early that I needed another last name. That's when I came up with Allistar. He saved a little girl in our neighborhood from this gang... but he ended up using her for months because of it. Stone has a way with women... they can't resist him... it even goes farther than that. He has a way of charming anyone including men. There's just nobody like Stone when he's doing a deal. His charm always wins out.

Take Mare! She was a successful and discreet burglar... on the high end. She trusted one wrong person and Stone swooped in to claim her. He knew when to step in to any arena... they always owed him. And I sat there and watched.

Terry, Culli he just used them to shuffle and smuggle... Terry didn't even know. She really believed Stone was her husband. I should have known, he even fooled me.

Annette was too smart and even though she played the part, she never really fell for him. Good for her! HA! She always loved Mare and it was just getting comfortable.... That's one Stone didn't know.

However, that night! That Night! The night that Stone had planned on killing himself was more than I could bear.... Yeah, Culli was in on it and so was Angel, dear ,dear Angel... Why did she have to die? My brother is a maniac! He knew how dangerous this was and he didn't care. He and Annette had stolen this gem.... from the mob. 5 billion dollars for one stone. He couldn't resist... Mare had to help plan it, even though she kept telling him there was no way out. We'll all end up dead, Drake. (Mare seemed to keep herself clear of any relations with Stoney by calling him a military type DRAKE. LOL. She's weird, but I always liked her. And I have to laugh because she's one of the few that didn't end up in bed with Stone.) No, Stone wasn't really going to be shot, it was to be a set up. He could escape with the $5,000,000,000 and be dead. Culli was in way over her head and poor Angel didn't have a clue.

Culli trusted me, and I told her to give me the case when the lights went off and the shots were fired. She did. I think it's about time, Stone looses and I have that stone.

CUT TO Mare, Culli and Annette.

"Are you sure Mare is going to meet us here annette. And did you call all the others," culli asked nervously pushing the button in the elevator to Stone's Penthouse. "Mare will be here culli, God you have to calm down if you want to pull this off. You heard me for yourself call the others." "I hope they all show up, what if they don't", culli asked again.

"They will all be here, you have to get control of yourself girl. You wanted this meeting and it's going to happen in a few minutes, I know your scared but you have to put on a cool and collective face for stone," annette told her sternly.

They reached the penthouse and annette grabbed culli's shoulders. "You can do this culli, I'm right beside you and Mare is getting Angel. Now take a deep breath and walk in there like you own Stone Drake."

Culli and annette walked into the luxorious room. But to their surprise the only woman in the room was Dem. She was sitting on the leather sofa next to stone sipping a martini.

"Where is everyone," annette asked? "What the hell is going on with you two," Stone yelled jumping up off the sofa. "Don't you know what has happened, culli thank god you are here and safe," he said hugging her to his chest. Annette shrugged behind him not knowing what was going on.

"Angel's dead," dem murmured. "What did you say," annette asked turning to her. "Angel's dead annette," stone answered running his hands through his hair. "Oh my God, how, when, what happened," culli asked in tears. "Someone broke into her home, shot her, the bastard just shot her," Stone sobbed. "How could this have happened," he asked.

"Why don't you tell us Stone," Mare asked coldly, her eyes red from crying. "I went to pick up Angel and the police were all there, I heard them talking about her death and left right away." "I don't know what happened Mare, God I don't know, this all got so out of hand," Stone yelled smashing his hand down on the table.

"Damn you Drake, enough with the fake tears, you know what happened to angel. You let her take the fall for you just as you were willing to let culli take a bullet for you to," Mare lashed out.

"Oh God," culli said shaking her head. "I protected you all this time Stone, did you ever care for any of us? Did you let angel die? Was I disposable too_

"Cull, you have to believe me I would die for angel if I could, I didn't know this was happening so fast, I was careless. I tried to find you tonight to protect you." "Protect me from what Stone", culli asked?

"From what I was involved in culli, how did this all turn into such a gd mess. I need a drink," Stone said tiredly going to the bar.

"What were you involved in and why the hell did you involve me or any of the others," culli shouted. Mare put her hand on culli's shoulder but she threw it off storming up to Stone. She grabbed his wrist and demanded to know what he had involved them all in.

"I didn't want angel killed, you all have to believe that, I never thought one of you would be hurt." "Why was she killed stone, who would want to kill angel." "Because she found out the truth about eddie and me being brothers, and the gem that annette helped me to steal. I can't believe he took it from me and left me to deal with the mob," Stone said looking far away. "Eddie never left me."

Mare walked over to stone leaning against the bar, "it's time to tell all drake, you've lost." He looked at her with anger in his eyes, "I'm sure you won't shed any tears for my benefit Mare." "I call them as I see them drake, I always have," she replied sarcastically. "Now fill us in on all that's been going on that we don't know, I have one number to call and he'll be up here in a minute." "Reinforcements Mare, you never needed them before when we started out," drake answered sarcastically.

"Just TELL us stone," culli implored.

"I never wanted to hurt you culli, I know you don't believe that. Hell, I never wanted any of you hurt. It was a game, I just got in over my head. I wanted to get out from all the small time thefts. I found out about a gem that was held in a hotel not far from here. I enlisted annette's help in getting it for me. It was going to be my last theft. I was going to leave the country, lose myself, start all over." "I guess that's not going to happen now," annette snorted, "your loving brother got away with the gem and all the papers of all the jobs Mare and I did. I guess he got tired of playing second fiddle."

"WHAT happened," Dem asked from the sofa.

"I didn't know we were stealing it from the mob, I thought it was from a jewelry firm, to display in a museum." He ran his hands through his hair, one of his habits when he was nervous. "They started following me, all of you, I set up the scene in the restaurant that night to get shot. Eddie knew where to shoot me so no major organs were hit," Stone went on.

"Eddie shot you, Oh my God, culli said not believing she was hearing this.

"We knew the hospital room would be bugged, so we played along as if eddie was protecting me and looking for the shooter. I was suppose to pretend to die and then escape with the gem, but it didn't work out."

"No, it didn't," Mare said drawling on her cigarette. "Guess your brother saw freedom and decided to take it with terry and the kids."

"He told me to give the case to him," culli murmured remembering eddie telling her he needed it to protect stone. He was supposed to put it in an airport locker.

"It wasn't your fault culli" stone said, "why wouldn't you have trusted eddie."

"That's big coming from you," annette said raising her eyebrows. "Did you know Eddie had the case."

"No, damn it I didn't. If I did I would have warned him. When culli didn't have it I thought she gave it to angel, I forgot about the room being bugged and mentioned it to eddie," he said putting his head in his hands.

"That's why they killed her," Mare said softly. "They thought she had it and when she couldn't produce it they brutally shot her to make an example of her to you, you bastard."

"I didn't know they would go after angel, you have to believe me, when I found out I knew the next person would be culli," he said regretably looking at the blonde, her face ashen.

"You cold hearted, selfish pig, what did you need us all for? Why the lies and pretences of helping us all out with our lives and loving us in a different way," Dem yelled at him.

"I know you won't believe anything I have to say any longer Dem, but I did love you all. And I grew up poor and each time I saw one of you struggling I wanted to help in some way."

"That's a crock and you know it, you got exactly what you wanted from each of us. You didn't do it out of the goodness of your heart, you liked what you saw and you took it. You might have helped us, but we paid you in full one way or the other. Angel paid with her death, what do the rest of us pay with," culli shouted.

"Who knows about the gem, about eddie having it besides you drake and now us," Mare asked. "No one," he said. "Then we have to get it back someway, track eddie down and make him listen to reason. Not one more of us are going to die because of your dreams of living the rich life," Mare said.

"Whatever you want to do mare, I'm too tired to go on with this anymore. i just want it to be over. Culli, I loved you, please believe that and I would have done anything to protect you."

For a brief moment she believed him and allowed him to gather her in his arms though she had let her love for him die with the death of angel. But then she wondered if she ever did love him truly, or just craved the attention and security he gave to her.

The door to the penthouse opened and a scathing voice said "what a loving scene." "Patricia," Stone said surprisingly over culli's head. "Get away from him you bitch,", she yelled, "he's mine." "Have you gone mad, what the hell is the matter with you,"Stone asked.

Then they all noticed the gun she was holding by her side. Dem stepped softly behind the sofa. Mare and annette looked at each other, knowing they were about to die. "What are you doing with the gun Patricia," Stone asked releasing culli slowly. "Why don't you put it on the table and we can talk."

"Laughing she pointed the gun at culli. "We will talk stone, after all these other women are out of your life. And then you and me can find eddie and get rid of him and terry. I even know where they went, he was so trusting, just like you."

"Angel", stone asked?

"I thought I did I a convincing job of ransacking her house and putting a bullet in her head. She begged Stone at the end, begged that she didn't know what I wanted."

"You knew she didn't have the case, why did you have to kill her", he asked murder in his eyes. "The same reason I have to kill all your other women, there's only room in your life for one, and that is going to be me."

"What makes you think I would even want you", stone asked trying to keep her talking and walking slowly towards her. "Because you always come back to me babe, I always pick up the pieces, clean up your messes. You need me in your life, just think of the life we could have with all the money. Living in another country. OF course, I will be a very selfish woman, I won't have any other women in your life."

"Your crazy", culli said, "you can't get away with this." "Who is going to stop me, the locals think the mob is after stone, they'll come up here find all of you dead and stone missing. And just assume they took stone, by then we will be on a private jet out of this charade."

"So the whole time I thought you were protecting my interests you were making plans of your own," stone said keeping his eyes in direct contact with patricia. "I was making plans for us stone, you don't need these women. They take you away from me, and I mean to have you one way or the other. You either go with me after eddie or I'll shoot you with them and go after him myself."

"True love," mare said to annette. "You think your so funny," Patricia sneered at Mare, "I've put up with your mouth and acting like you owned stone for all this time, but no more. I'm calling the shots now, so to speak," she smiled.

"Honey, we can settle this, I'll get rid of these women, we can go away by ourselves," Stone said in a soothing manner watching her hand with the gun. "Can we stone, can we? Somehow I don't believe you. Maybe if I shoot one of them you will see I mean business and come with me," she smiled her sanity gone.

"No, don't do it Patricia, I'll come now," stone said seeing the demented look in her eyes. "I think you will be the first, or should I say the second," Patricia laughed pointing the gun at culli. Mare and annette cried out and culli closed her eyes waiting for the bullet to hit her, but as the gun went off stone jumped in front of her and Patricia screamed wildly.

"You bitches, look what you made him do," Patricia cocked the gun again pointing at culli who was kneeling by stone. A shot rang out and Patricia dropped the gun slowly and fell face forward, blood oozing from her back.

A man dressed in khaki pants and white shirt walked in the room putting his gun back in his holster around his shoulder. "You ladies okay", he asked? They all shook their heads, culli was holding stones in her arm. "Call someone," she screamed. "It's too late cull", he whispered smiling at her. "It had to end this way, I was the bad seed of the family, my father always told me so. I did love you all if that's any....."

"He's dead miss," the man spoke to her gently. Mare and annette held each other in their arms. Dem weeped softly against the back of the sofa.

"Who are you," culli whispered tears streaming down her face as he helped her up. "Costner, you can call me Kevin. Drake hired me a while ago to watch you, to make sure you were safe." "He hired you, but why? WHY weren't you looking after angel?" "I wasn't paid to look after her, he made it clear from the beginning I was to keep you in my sight at all times. Guess he had an instinct something was going to happen."

"I want the rest of you ladies to leave while I call 9ll, and then I'm going to slip out the side door. No one was here tonight, do you understand me? No one. When the police get here it will look like an intruder shot drake and shot his girlfriend in the back."

"What about the two different bullets," Mare asked still in shock. "Smart girl, I like that", he winked at her. "I'll fix the bodies so it looks like a robbery attempt, and the woman misfired and shot drake, and the intruder shot her in the back."

"

Isn't that a little far fetched," annette asked looking at the bodies. Still not believing that stone was dead.

"I'm telling you all one last time to leave, one at a time. I will clean up, wipe off fingerprints any of you left. Mare you take the glasses you and dem were drinking out of, and I'll flush the cigarette butts you smoked." "But how do you know my name or dem's" she asked shocked.

"Because what drake said was true. He was over his head in this game, but he did love you all in his own way. I knew about each and everyone of you, but culli was the one in most danger and he knew it. Now lets stop haggling over this and we'll meet at your bar when I'm through here. Now all of you get out," he ordered.

"I don't know how to say thank you for saving my life," culli said to him. "We'll talk later, now go so I can call the cops." "Aren't you a cop", Mare asked wondering. "I'm a lot of things mare, some legal some not, depends on the job," he grinned.

Later at the bar the women all sat together in the back room. They had shed their tears for stone, and would probably again later. But they all came to the same reality, they had all been a piece in his puzzle of his making, and they were lucky to get away with their lives.

Kevin knocked on the door while opening it at the same time. "See you all took my advice."

"What happened," culli asked? "I watched from outside of the hotel, the police brought the body bags out, and the detectives were talking about him getting his just desserts. I don't think they are even going to look into the matter." "He died taking a bullet for me," culli replied tearfully. "That bullet could have killed you if he hadn't of shot Patricia," Mare said. "I know your upset cull, we all are over drake's death, but I'll be the first to admit I'm glad it wasn't one of us instead in one of those body bags."

"What about eddie and terry", annette asked. "Are they just going to get away with this." "I already have someone meeting eddie at custom's when the plane pulls in. He's going to have a hard time explaining what he is doing with a five million dollar gem, and I doubt if he'll want to come back to the States with the mob looking for him".

"So it's all over, we are free and in the clear," Mare asked? "It's over, just don't get caught up in another too good to be true scheme", Kevin warned her. "We won't", Mare smiled at annette. "I'm going to crash upstairs Mare," dem said tiredly, "I still can't believe all this happened tonight".

"Culli?" Mare asked. "I'm going to go home, I have a need to feel my own thing about me," she explained. "I'll escort you home", Kevin said looking at her from under his dark, long eyelashes. Mare and annette grinned knowingly at each other and looked at culli who was blushing. "If it wouldn't be to much trouble Mr. Costner, I think I'm so tired I would feel safer with you than a cab. And I still want to know how you followed me and I never knew it."

"He winked at the other ladies and grinned, "Well, darlin', you just weren't looking in the right places." "I'm looking now," culli sparkled. "Let's get my car", he grinned taking her hand, " did I ever tell you about.......

The End and Amen
Hope it was good for you LMAO