GH2016.13 An Offer Made

Lucky's club where Brooke has just finished a set and is given a piece of
paper by a passing waitress. Brooke moves off stage stopping at the bar for
a cool drink before reading the note and looking around. In the corner
table she sees what she is looking for and moves over.

Brooke: Mr Cassadine, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am a tremendous fan
of your work. I took my gram to see your showing on my last day off. She
says that you capture peoples souls on canvas.
Stefan: That is a fine complement, Thank you. I have been hearing so much
about you from my step daughter and grand daughter as well as from my nephew.
Brooke:(laughing) I can imagine what your nephew says.
Stefan: (reaching across and grasping Brook by the chin) you have a
striking face, very animated. I would like to paint you.
Brooke: That is a fine complement.
Stefan : It is the truth. You have a gypsy quality to you that would set
fire to the canvas.
Brooke: (thinking) would painting me satisfy you or would you want the
portrait too?
Stefan : (sensing a deal) Why do you ask?
Brooke: My grandmother's birthday is coming up soon.
Stefan: My fees are quite steep these days.
Brooke: I bore so easily...modeling has never been an interest of mine.
Stefan: I was watching you on stage you do seem to have trouble holding
still... even now.
Brooke: Music is my core. I am told that my father sang to me even while my
mom was pregnant. I was probably conceived to music but I would rather not
think about that. The right music and I can be as still as a mouse. Can
you work with music playing?
Stefan: I am very focused while working I doubt if I would hear it.
Brooke: Perhaps something could be worked out.
Stefan: ( Smiling in understanding) I think so. Can I expect you over at
the island tomorrow?
Brooke: I normally sleep late as a consequence of my late hours would 1pm
be okay?
Stefan : Perfect.

Late afternoon the following day. Nik enters the room where Stefan is
drawing and photographing his sleeping model. In the background soft
instrumental music is playing. Nik walks over and is surprised to see
Brooke laying on the couch.
Nik : (softly) How did you get her to hold still?
Stefan:(in an equally low tone) The music. listen to the beat and then
watch her breathing.
Nik: they match!
Stefan: She brought the music with her said it was a guarantee that she
wouldn't move around too much. It really is soothing.
Nik: what is she wearing?
Stefan : when I asked her to pose for me...I told her she had a gypsy
quality to her that I wanted to capture. I think she took me seriously.
(Brooke starts to wake and as she opens her eyes sees Nik standing at the
back of the couch)
Brooke: (smiling ) hi.
Nik: I told my uncle I wanted pictures of you asleep...No one will believe
me otherwise.
Brooke: (laughing then asking Stefan) Is it okay if I move around? I am
feeling a little bit stiff.
Stefan: We can take a break. (Brooke rises moving around the room before
stopping in front of the fireplace. the men watch the dark haired beauty in
the gypsy costume and bare feet as she paces the room. She looks up to the
Portrait of Laura that hangs over the mantle)
Brooke: She is your heart isn't she ?
Stefan: Yes.
Brooke: My father believes that the man is the head of the family but the
woman is the heart. I grew up hearing stories of the time when he was a man
without a heart. He was cold and calculating, a robot who dared not look
inward because the pain of seeing what he had lost would overwhelm him. He
and my mother were separated by his family. He said when he lost her he
lost his heart and his voice. He fought everyone and anything that stood in
his way of getting back to her. He said he messed up many lives but nothing
was as important as getting back to mom. Nothing. (looking at Stefan for a
long moment) You know what it is like to lose your heart don't you?
Stefan: Yes. Yes I do. You don't just look like a gypsy.
Brooke: No need to cross my palm with silver. The women in my family know
things. Not the future or the past more when things are right or wrong.
You feel right...as if things are finally the way they should be for you.
You appreciate that and guard it because it was too long in coming. You
never want it to be as before. (looking back at the portrait) She gave you
back your art didn't she?
Stefan: (beginning to feel unsettled by this young girl's insight) You know
I am sure they burn witches somewhere in the world.
Brooke: actually one of the things that Mom found out when she was visiting
me in Europe and researching the family tree was that we had lost a few
member to the Inquisition. Probably a good thing that our family didn't
move to this country til the last century; I hear the Salem witch trials
were troublesome. We are such a kinder gentler country now; we just try
people in the press.
Stefan: I am almost afraid to ask what you think of my nephew.
Brooke: (looking at Nik for a long moment) He doesn't trust his heart; he
thinks it has betrayed him too many times in the past. Don't you realize
you are just like him? (pointing to Stefan) You may conquer the world but
never be happy without taking that risk. (abruptly changing the subject)
Are we done for the day? I need to get to the club and rehearse?
Stefan: Yes. Can you come back tomorrow?
Brooke: (reaching for her shoes under the couch) Okay. I have the night
off so I'll be awake tomorrow. do you want me to leave the music?
Stefan: Yes, It has proven invaluable. (Brooke leaves, only the sound of
the music fills the room)
I feel as if a wind just ripped through the place.
Nik: She is trouble. I don't like the things she has been teaching Staci
or the influence she has on Lu.
Laura: (from the doorway) I do. For too long the Cassadine have lived life
from the negative side of the spectrum. Lois left Brooke's father when she
felt herself being pulled into the darkness that surrounded his family. He
fought back and has everything now: love, family, wealth and happiness. The
only people you have let into your heart are Lu and Staci. They are the
only ones you trust. It is a cold place to be Nik because some day they
will leave you and have families of their own. I need to go for a walk.
(Laura leaves abruptly)
Nik: (bewildered ) She thinks I don't love her.
Stefan: She knows you don't trust her. After all these years you still
think she is going to abandon you. And that is my fault, mine and Helena's.
( the phone rings)
Nik: Hello...Uncle it is for you..
Stefan: Cassadine... Jerry, I was wondering when I was going to hear from
you. My nephew told me he had run into you. A rematch? Sure. when and
where? What are you doing in General Hospital? (Nik draws to attention)
Jerry, one would think by now you would have learned you don't win against
a bullet. well " mate", I will bring the board by after dinner for a game.
In fact I'll bring you some dinner. It seems no matter how much money the
Cassadines throw into GH the food is still an abomination. Until tonight.
(hangs up the phone)
Nik: Where is Georgie?