Days of Our Lives Survivor

Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Day 120 on Survivor Island

Bob: [Clumsily, Bob trudges down the coastline, mumbling to himself.] Why in the hell did the Big BadAss send me to find Laura when there are still enough survivors on the island to form a search party? [With each step he takes the bulky camera equipment grows more burdensome. Releasing an annoyed huff, he stops to adjust the strap on his shoulder as a sliver of movement captures his attention. Squinting], Laura?

[Relaxing under the shade of a massive tree, Laura's tired sigh echoes her thoughts--long day. Quietly speaking to herself], Hell, who am I kidding? It's been a long month...long and stressful. [Time seems infinite as she stares out into the blue, foam-white sea. But with sudden dawning, she pulls two pills from her pocket...blindly grabs her bottled water, and washes them down. Strangely curious, Laura studies the powdered white sand stuck to her palms until the cool call of the sea recaptures her attention. Her lips curl into a child-like grin as her honeyed eyes travel down the length of her legs and on out to settle on the lulling waves creeping further and further inland--a liquid embrace curling round her wiggling toes. The faint trace of Laura's giggle beckons to Bob who quietly approaches. As he grows near, he can see the open book in her lap, the subtle movement of her lips moving quietly over unseen words...her face turned to the heavens, her eyes closed as dreamers eyelashes fan across her face in contemplation.] 

"Do not go gentle into that good night, Old age should burn and rave at the close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light."

Bob: [Quietly], Laura?

[With a start her eyes slit open as a self-conscious blush colors her cheeks. Shifting to look at him, Laura smiles weakly. Her voice low and tentative], Oh...hi Bob...[Embarrassed, she closes the book and flashes him the cover.] Uh...Dylan Thomas.

Bob: [Nods awkwardly], Yeah. [An uncomfortable silence settles between them and stretches out painfully. Finally], Uh...the others are worried about you.

Others?

Bob: Yeah, you know...Shane, John, and Marlena...

[At the sound of Marlena's name Laura's face clouds.] So that worked out, huh? I always figured John was the key. [Laura offers Bob an unreadable smile before returning to her book.]

Bob: [Thinking she would continue, Bob waits but no reply is forthcoming.] What about you?

[Dully], What about me?

Bob: [Chuckles darkly], You make it real difficult, you know?

[Confused], What?

Bob: To care...Shane cares...

[Wearily rubbing at the pain collecting behind her eyes, Laura interrupts. The dark intensity of her eyes boring into his.] Bob, I'm not a young woman anymore. [Quirkily], I don't particularly like admitting that fact...but, hey, not admitting it doesn't make it any less true. [Running anxious fingers through his salt-n-pepper beard, Bob smiles.] I've been around the block a few times. I've been married and divorced and married and divorced again. [With a faraway look in her eyes, Laura continues.] I've been blessed with a couple of great kids...a couple more darling grandchildren. And I've made my share of mistakes...Shane is a wonderful man--a beautiful, intelligent, sexy, funny man...[smiles sadly], who happens to be in love with his work and his ex-wife.

Bob: Did he tell you this?

[Sarcastically], Yeah...in the midst of afterglow. [Releasing a slightly exasperated laugh], He doesn't have to say it, Bob. Any halfway observant person can see it--it's in his eyes.