Joan

    The Shangra-La.  It’s been a busy night, Joan realizes as she makes her way into her office.  She was appreciative of it actually.  The evening had given her the chance to keep her mind off of what was truly bothering her.
    Only a few days since Bill had come to her with a question she didn’t think she’d have to spend so much time thinking about.  It’s been months since their marriage hit the rocks.  Even longer since Joan had completely been able to trust her husband.  Why then, did his request pull at her very heartstrings?

Joan:  Why do you still get to me, Bill?  (She asks, wiping a tear from her eye.)

    As she sits at her desk, she looks at the dozen roses that decorate the desk.  They’d been waiting for her when she arrived this morning.  The card was from Kyle.  With warmest wishes on this Valentine’s.  –Kyle.
    She smiles as she folds the card away again.  

Joan:  You’re such a sweet man Kyle (she says aloud to herself.) 

     Opening her desk drawer, Joan moves aside countless opened letters and documents.  She reaches towards the bottom of the drawer.  She knows it’s there.  Finally, she spots it.  Opening the card, she realizes how silly it is of her to still have it.  Years had past since she first opened it.  Still, she’s found herself unable to discard it… especially of late.
    Joan Hart longs for her life back.  Before all the lies and difficulties.  She longs for her husband back.

          The Hart home is quiet this afternoon, as Joan makes her way into the kitchen.  Following her conversation with Gayle earlier, she didn't much feel like staying at the Shangra-la.  Gayle made sense when she insisted that Joan speak with her husband about her desire to have another baby.  After all, he is the only one that could make the dream come true.  Standing at the kitchen counter, Joan puts her purse down.
Joan:  How do you feel about this Bill.  Are you interested in another baby?
Bill:  Am I interested in what?
          Bill sudden arrival startles Joan, causing her to drop the car keys in her hand to the floor.
Joan:  I didn't know you were here.  (Joan says, as Bill reaches down and picks up the keys.  He stands, and gives his wife a kiss.)
Bill:  I just got here.  I tried calling you at the Shangra-la, but Jeffrey said you'd left already for the day.
Joan:  What are you doing here?
Bill:  Packing.
Joan:  For what?
Bill:  With James already away on business, a little crisis has come up in the Seattle offices.  He wants me to go put out the fire.
Joan:  Isn't that where you went last time?  There's no one else that can do it?
Bill:  You know as well as I do that I'm the best qualified to handle things when James away.  When I accepted this promotion, we both knew that travelling would be a part of it.  Don't worry, I should be back in a few of days.
Joan:  You better.
Bill:  So what exactly were you going on about when I arrived?
Joan:  (Covering)  I was just thinking about what would be good for dinner.  But you know, since you're not going to be here, I think Angel and I will just call for pizza or something.
          Bill makes his way closer to his wife.
Bill:  That's good.  But how about before I leave, you and I go ahead and have dessert?
Joan:  And just what did you have in mind husband of mine?
          As Joan wraps her arms around Bill, their lips come together in a kiss that reminds Joan of when they first met.
Bill:  How about you come upstairs and help me pack.
Joan:  If I help, I don't think we'll get much packing done.
          Bill looks to his watch, and then back to his wife.
Bill:  I think we've got enough time.
          Making their way up the stairs, their laughter is reminiscent of their youth of days gone by, and  times when life was simple.  When in her husbands arms, Joan is reminded of those times, and of the love she has for this man.  The man that she wants to father her children, and whom she hopes to spend the rest of her life with.
    She pushes the memory out of her mind. 

Joan:  God help me Bill… I want you back.

    Joan stumbles as she reaches for her office telephone.  She dials his number, not sure if it’s the right thing for her to do.  As the phone begins to ring, she realizes that it’s too late to turn back.

Joan:  Bill (she begins.)  I just wanted to let you know that I’ve made a decision about the trip…