October 13, 1981 SOD Update
Although Chris' first invention project fell through, Whyland has hopes of starting others. He and Chris agree on a partnership. Whyland will finance Chris' inventions. More interested in being an engineer and an inventor than a manager of the health club, Chris asks Jake to help Joshua. Chris buys a farm where he plans to spend most of his time. Whyland insists insists that David remain in his employ, but he refuses, feeling that his presence at the radio station will give Whyland bad publicity. Whyland relents, but makes it clear that he expects David to go back to work when he's found innocent of shooting Alex.
Sneaking into Alex's hospital room, Mary sits by his bedside. looks at him and recalls Alex calling her a spoiled brat. He had said that he never wanted to see her again. "Oh, Alex. Why did you have to talk to me that way? I loved you so," she says sadly. Since Jessica lost her temper and ran out of her office, Marlena advises Marie to make sure the girl sees a therapist. Marie knows Jessica won't listen to her. In a sleazy bar, Jake finds a rather sexy looking girl staring at him. Wearing heavy makeup and a tight halter top, she flirts with him. Having never met Alex and Marie's young daughter, Jake has no idea her name is Jessica! She tells him to call her "Angel." Jessica, as "Angel," has been working as a bar maid in the tavern! The other girls know nothing about her and dislike Jessica for her cool, arrogant, attitude. "Angel" intrigues Jake and he says he'd like to get to know her better. Laughing, "Angel" rebuffs him and goes to her small apartment. As she looks in the mirror, "Angel" recalls Jessica's Mother Superior telling her the religious order is not what she needs now! When the girl can fully commit herself to God, she may return. Smiling "Angel" tells Jessica, "You couldn't even cut it in the convent. You're just like her. Too bad, honey, neither one of you will ever know about me."
Fearing that Evan will tell Maggie he's the father of her baby, Whyland warns his son that Maggie might refuse to give up the child if she knows the truth. Before Maggie can say no, a reporter from a local newspaper questions her about why she became a surrogate mother. When Maggie doesn't answer, the reporter asks if she's doing it for the money. Crying, Maggie insists she wants to experience pregnancy and giving birth. She admits that Mickey is sterile. Just then, Evan walks in. He realizes what's happening and orders the reporter out of the room. Sobbing in Evan's arms, Maggie thanks him for helping her. Later, Maggie tells Mickey that Evan is a changed man he's more open and friendly. Meanwhile, Neil thinks that Evan is falling in love with Maggie. But Evan insists Neil is "on the wrong track." Yet, he wonders how he can keep the truth from Maggie. When the article appears in the newspaper, Maggie is upset. The reporter made it seem that Maggie became a surrogate mother for the money. Maggie apologizes to Mickey because it mentioned that he's sterile. Mickey takes it well. He tries to convince Maggie everything will go along smoothly. David is relieved when Maggie says says she knows he didn't shoot Alex.
While Marie is with Alex, he regains consciousness and calls out her name. But before he can say who shot him, he slips back into unconsciousness. When Marie tells Jessica the news, she remarks she had a hard time reaching the girl. Marie almost called the convent. Seething, Jessica warns Marie never to call the convent again!
Tod admits to Liz that he was drunk the night Alex was shot and he may have been the one who shot him! Liz offers to help him if he needs it. After hearing Doug tell Liz how sorry he was for having to testify that Alex and David fought, Julie forgives him. reminds Doug that she loves him. Chris and Joshua wonder about the mysterious girl Jake is interested in. All Jake could tell them was that she worked in a bar called "The Twilight." Hope overhears Jake's raving about "Angel" and naturally is jealous. When she sees Jessica, Hope admits she's hurt because Jake has another girl.
It seems that Lee is a changed woman. She thinks Renee is being unfair to David. After a session with Marlena, Lee notices a worried expression on Marlena's face. he's just read a letter from a mysterious stranger. "Why don't you help me? I don't want to do it. But I will if you don't stop me!" it reads. When Lee sees the message, she insists that Marlena call Don. But Marlena feels it isn't necessary and asks Lee not to say anything anything to him. Despite Marlena's feelings, Lee goes to Don's house while Liz is there and explains that Marlena got another letter. She asks Don to help. Liz couldn't be angrier. She's sure that Lee is out to split up her and Don. Don comes by Marlena's office and asks to see to see the letter. He explains that Lee told him about it. Don Scolds Marlena for not telling him about it herself. Worried about her safety, he makes Marlena promise to tell him about any further messages. Lee is relieved when Marlena says she's not angry with her.
After Whyland reprimands Evan for going out of his way to see Maggie, Evan assures his father he'll try to stay away from her in the future. On the first day of David's trial, Renee is questioned by Don. She explains how she saw David standing over Alex's body while holding a gun. Mickey gets her to admit that she never heard the gunshots maybe Alex was shot before David entered the room? When Don asks if Renee saw anyone in the vicinity of Alex's room, she says no. Taking the stand, Doug admits he witnessed a "heated discussion" between David and Alex. He saw David grab Alex by the collar and threaten "to take care of him." Mickey Mickey asks Doug if David was a changed man when he returned to Salem. Explaining that he trusted David to manage the club in his absence, Doug comments, "He was more mature, stable, and serious as well as being totally honest." When the trial is recessed, David thanks Doug for his kind words and apologizes for giving him a hard time. The two men embrace as Julie looks on. Don's other witness, Renee, is busy giving interviews with the press.
At the hospital, Marie and Mary learn that Alex has regained consciousness and is talking. As Marie rushes to his side, Mary asks Neil if Alex mentioned her name. he's relieved when she hears he didn't. With tears in her eyes, Marie tells Alex she's been at his bedside every day. Nervously, Marie asks Alex if he remembers who shot him. He strains his memory, but he can't! Marie leaves Alex's room in disappointment. Several seconds later, Mary goes into Alex's room and asks who shot him. smiles when she learns he doesn't know who it was. As Alex insists Mary leave, she informs him that David has been accused of the crime! Feeling that Alex may remember something if he sees him, David goes to the hospital. Alex is hostile and orders David out. But David remains and begs Alex to believe that he's innocent. Grinning, Alex remarks that the police have enough on David whether he is guilty of the shooting or not. "But I'm facing a life sentence!" David shouts. "You should have thought of that before you decided to take care of me," Alex says. Later, Alex tells Marie he's sure David is guilty! Although Jessica is relieved that Alex is all right, she still spends some of her time as "Angel." As Jessica, she cries to Alex that she can't love Marie.
As all of Salem wonders who shot Alex, a gloved hand holds the newspaper bearing the message that Alex was shot. The hand puts a dagger directly into Alex's picture! As David's trial resumes, he and Renee have a confrontation. He yells that he can't wait to see her face when he's found innocent. "I may forgive you for what you did to me, but not what you put my family through!" he shouts. Don questions the police officer who found Alex's body. The man reveals that the gun used to shoot Alex was stolen from a pawn shop. Next, the fingerprint expert takes the stand and explains that there were two sets of prints on the gun. One belonged to David, and the other was unidentifiable because it was smudged. Mickey has an idea that might help David's case. He asks the judge to have other experts compare the sets of fingerprints. If the smudged one isn't David's, then someone else held the gun and could have shot Alex!
Wondering if Marlena is really putting Don out of her life, Liz confronts her rival. In a cool tone, Marlena says she's not interested in having a personal relationship with Don. He's only spending time with her because she's been receiving mysterious letters. Realizing he's still unsure of his feelings, Don admits to Mickey he doesn't know if he should marry Liz. Mickey remarks that Don shouldn't feel guilty about caring for two women. He always had feelings for Laura, his first wife, even after he married Maggie. Now he couldn't be happier. "Maggie's made my life complete," Mickey says. "That's the kind of marriage I want," Don remarks. Mickey advises his friend to give marriage with Liz a second chance. Later, Don tells Liz he's been unfair to her, because he hasn't been showing her how much she means to him. "If you'll have me, I'll try to make up for the past several months," he says. "I love you," Liz cries.
David tells Julie he's sure Trish still cares for him. But Julie wonders if David is mistaking Trish's concern for love. Mike fears that Trish is still in love with David and, if this is so, he wants to know now before they marry. Maggie can't understand why Evan refused to come to dinner at her house. She tells Whyland she thinks Evan is still troubled. Both Neil and Whyland agree that Evan should transfer to another hospital, so he won't be tempted to tell Maggie she's carrying his child. When Whyland asks Evan if he'll leave, his son says he agrees it's the best solution. Working at Whyland's house, Maggie runs into Evan and confronts him about his avoiding her. She thought they were friends. Evan tries to explain he's still having difficulty facing people, because of his wife's death. Maggie reminds him that he used to turn to her for help. He was even able to comfort her when she was upset. Why can't he be that way again? Evan says his feelings no longer matter, since he'll be leaving town. His research work requires that he transfer to another hospital. Maggie thinks he's running away from his problems.