Wow, Patti, wouldn't that have been a plot twist! But instead Maggie knocks out poor Philip, who only came to rescue her.
Maggie escapes and runs straight to Julia, thinking that Philip is dead. They go up to the storage room, unaware that Michael has been listening--and gloating. He gloats all the way to the antique shop, where he gloats to Megan that Philip is dead. She actually puts on her coat and goes to Collinwood, ignoring Michael's screams that she's ignoring him. Michael vents his anger on some innocent antiques.
Megan bursts into Collinwood and is practically hysterical when Julia says she can't see Philip--but doesn't explain why not.
Michael is actually picking up some of the antiques he threw around the store when someone comes into the shop. Without looking up, Michael says the shop is closed. A hand reaches down, grabs his shoulder, and turns him around. Michael gasps when he sees Philip, hale and well except for a bruise on his forehead. With utter contempt and fury, Philip reads Michael the riot act about terrorizing Maggie. Getting to his feet, Michael says, I didn’t mean it, I was only joking. I know you meant for Maggie to kill me, Philip tells him--but your strategy failed because Maggie wasn’t strong enough and the weapon wasn’t sharp enough. And now I am going to take care of you! he finishes. Michael shouts back defiantly, You can’t touch me! You know who I am! He has some idea of gaining the sanctuary of his room, where he is not just a little boy, but Philip grabs him and shouts, You are going to be sorry! Very sorry! Megan arrives and Michael runs to her arms. Even though he just tried to have her husband killed, she coos over him, then sends him off to her room. Megan and Philip wonder how they'll control him now, and Philip sadly remembers what their lives were like Before. But Megan instantly reverts to cult zombiehood.
Michael is gloating yet again while writing his name on the mirror in red lipstick. Megan comes in and tells him that although she doesn't even care what he did to Maggie, he's made himself too conspicuous. Something is about to happen to him that he won't like. Frightened, Michael covers his ears and refuses to listen. But Megan says, You must hear and accept as I must--no matter how lonely it makes me. This doesn’t make Michael feel any better.
Maggie arrives downstairs to check on Philip and is relieved to see that he didn't come to any real harm. Philip spins a tale that ever since Michael's parents died, he strikes out at anybody. I didn’t have any idea of this, Maggie says with compassion. You should talk to Dr. Hoffman. Philip smiles faintly at the idea that this might help.
Upstairs, Michael is throwing a Force 10 temper tantrum, screaming, Noooo! You can’t do this to me! I don’t want to, Megan tells him, but I must. You’re the only one who loves me, Michael says, and you’re the only one I love. Why don’t we run away? Then we won’t have to do what They want. We can’t run away, Megan says sadly, and we can’t be together--not anymore. You don’t love me! Michael rages. I do, Megan replies, and that’s why I’m willing to let you go. I don’t believe you, Michael says. I won’t love you anymore. I know, Megan replies--you will love Carolyn. As this thought occurs to Michael, he gets a lot calmer. He gets the lipstick, draws a giant heart around his name on the mirror, and writes in Carolyn’s name. This seems to confirm Megan’s theory, because she says with great decision, That proved it. There is no choice anymore. It must be done! Michael looks absolutely petrified.
Maggie and Philip are concluding their conversation and Maggie is thinking about going back to Collinwood when Megan runs down stairs and starts dialing the phone to call Julia. Something terrible has happened to Michael! she tells Maggie and Philip. Megan tells Julia, I found Michael unconscious, and I can’t bring him around! Julia promises to come right away. Philip consoles Megan as Maggie, now forgotten, slowly backs out of the shop, saddened by the news despite Michael’s tormenting of her.
Covered with the peripatetic brown afghan, Michael tosses and turns on Megan’s bed. I don’t want to be by myself, he raves. Julia finishes examining him and asks Megan what happened. He looked like something was coming on when he returned from Collinwood, Megan says, so I told him to lie down in my room. Then I found him lying unconscious on the floor. Philip comforts her, but she is nearly inconsolable. Julia says, Michael’s heartbeat is very irregular, and his vital signs are weak. She calls for an ambulance, but Michael, apparently in great pain, tosses and cries out, I don’t want to go, I am afraid! Megan comforts him, but suddenly he becomes quiet and very still. Megan calls Julia over, but Julia can’t get a pulse. He’s dying! Megan instantly screams. Julia says, Maybe I can shock him back to life. Don’t let him die! Megan implores her. Julia prepares to give Michael an injection.........
