Sam snoozed at his desk. Amanda came in and took a right-angle ruler thingy out from under his head to make him more comfy. She looked daggers at him when he mumbled, "Come on, Joyce."
Everyone's calling Nicole -- papers, stores, everyone. John came over to the Love Mansion to talk to Donna about the twins. Michael cruised through on the way to pick up Marley from the airport. Donna convinced him to go alone by claiming she didn't want to alarm Marley by breaking down when she saw her. Exit Michael. John told Donna he'd started something to find out if the twins were his, because he needed to know.
Nicole has yet to hit it off with a banker. Chad is holding auditions today. Dawn is skulking. Zack asked Nicole why she didn't try the very obvious Michael for her loan.
Amanda blew on Sam and crashed around in a snit. He woke up. She very efficiently fed him coffee and doughnuts and helped him work. Things were hectic. Sam yelled at Joyce on the phone because he thought she was someone else. Ed Kilgore announced the end of the NFL strike. Sam told Rachel that one Debbie Todd was as good as any other. (?) OH. They need a photograph of a DEBUTANTE, and he doesn't think it matters which one. He wanted a photo of Amanda, but Rachel said it would look like nepotism. Amanda relaxed. Sam resigned himself to waiting for another debutante. Exit Rachel. Sam yelled at Joyce when she called again, for the same reason. He realised he wouldn't have enough time to finish the Rothman presentation before the meeting. Amanda went to see about that.
John has instigated a tissue test. Donna asked why. He assured her everything would be confidential. She said the twins had to be Michael's. He said no one would know but them -- and Dr Miller.
That Old Carrot shook hands with Dr Miller. They're very close. That Old Carrot was a great help during a malpractice suit once upon a time, and Dr Miller faithfully reported John's tissue test. That Old Carrot gave him an envelope to make certain the test came out right.
Nicole said Michael had enough problems. Cass suggested That Old Carrot would seriously displeased if Michael helped her. Chad began auditioning. First up was the terrible Suzanne Silver, singing "People". Everyone stared in horror.
Rachel took Amanda into her office for a minute. Scott appeared, looking for Zack, closely followed by Mary, coincidentally looking for Zack herself. She has divorce papers to drop off. She made a lunch date with Rachel, who retired into her office to argue benignly with Amanda about her alter-ego. Amanda promised it wouldn't be long.
Scott and Mary chatted.
Donna told John she'd hidden Victoria's photograph. He can't believe Victoria was taking snapshots of compromising positions. Donna said it didn't matter because it would all come out when she regained consciousness. John tried to convince her Victoria might not have seen, or might not blab. Marley and Michael arrived. John stared at Marley when Michael introduced them. Marley hugged him. Bridget and Clara fell all over her. (Anne Heche is wearing a very convincing short wig.) Everyone chatted about Victoria. Marley left for the hospital.
Scott told Mary about Dawn and Cheryl. She advised him to go for what he wanted.
Amanda got phone numbers from Michelle and called Rothman's to postpone the meeting (she crumpled paper instead of giving her name. Bad connection ploy.)
The next to last audition was "not so bad." [Send in the Clowns.] The last is Deborah Davenport. She sent word ahead she wanted an intro. Chad began playing the piano. She came out and sang a couple of bars of "Take My Breath Away" before Chad recognised her voice and turned on her. Cass and Felicia smiled.
Peter read to Victoria about someone named Jason, very like himself -- because he wrote it at fifteen. Purple prose. Enter That Old Carrot. He offered to take over the vigil. Peter congratulated him on his success with Victoria. That Old Carrot told him smugly that he had arranged for things to come out without Victoria's being involved. Peter was not any better pleased. That Old Carrot said he was beginning to bore him, and asked if he didn't want John and Donna to pay for the grief they'd caused Victoria, and Peter said he doubted they should pay for what they [he & his father] had done. Exit Peter.
Chad yelled at Dawn. Felicia and Cass insisted he give her a chance. Scott emerged from the elevator as she began again.
That Old Carrot told Victoria (voice trembling with emotion) that he'd never wanted to hurt her and she was such a Love. Enter Michael. That Old Carrot set eyes on Marley. Marley came in and had eyes only for Victoria. She held her hand.
Sam rushed around. Amanda came in and told him what she'd done for him. He was astonished. He called her a genius. She massaged his shoulders and played soothing music to relax him. He relaxed. He said he had a half-brother. She said she had three. He told her he admired Titian. She told him how much she admired The Sacred and Profane Love, and quickly denied having been to Europe. He said he'd like to go to Europe. They smiled foolishly at each other for a minute. He offered to take her to lunch. Ed Kilgore had some doubts about the strike.
Marley insisted on staying alone with Victoria. Dawn has a weirdly babyish singing voice. She stumbled when she saw Scott.