GH2016.3 Cyphers

Spoon Island: Stefan and Laura sharing a paper over coffee. sunshine
reflects through the stained glass window illuminating the softly stained
walls. Nik walks in.

Stefan: Lu made the about town column in the society page.
Laura: Any pictures?
Stefan: No, just very picturesque text.
Nik: I was afraid of that. She's back in town for one day and already drawing
attention to herself. You both spoiled her rotten.
Laura: WE spoiled her rotten?! (Staci comes in) Hi, baby.
Nik: Staci, you need to get ready for school.
Staci: Dad, I am ready for school.
Nik: No. You are not wearing that. Go change.
Staci: But...
Nik: If you wish to conduct your studies in casual attire, I can bring back the
tutors. (Staci stalks out running into Lu who has overheard the last of the
conversation. Lu grabs her niece and gives her a hug.)
Lu: I am taking a launch in thirty minutes if you can be ready by then.
Staci: I'll be ready. ( Staci leaves running upstairs)
Lu: I thought I had you all broken in for Staci. She looked fine, Nik.
Nik: This from the woman who was written up in the newspaper for her
inappropriate behavior last night. I bet if we turned on Veronica Bowles morning
show you would be the lead story. ( the two continue to banter)
Laura: It is like she never left.
Stefan:(reaching over to take Laura's hand) They were the ones that brought us
together all those years ago. (giving her a kiss, Lu looks over)
Lu: You guys never stop.
Stefan: One of the privileges of being married, little girl.
Lu: Dad, I am all grown up in fact that is something I wanted to tell you this
morning.
Stefan : that you are all grown up?
Lu: No. I rented an apartment in town yesterday.
Nik: NO. Absolutely not.
Laura: Nik, Let your sister finish.
Lu: I am going to be working at the club, sometimes until 2 or 3 in the morning
and I want to be able to crash in town.
Nik: There are certain precautions...
Lu: It is on the third floor: hard to climb up but the fire trucks can still reach it. It
is a security building with a guard in the lobby and a patrolled parking structure.
The entrances are keyed as are the elevators and doors.
Nik: And this is on your club salary?
Lu: yes with roommates.
Nik: Roommates.
Lu: Georgie Jones and Brooke Ashton
Nik: Brooke Ashton
Stefan: Wasn't she in the paper this morning?
Laura: Stefan, you are not helping.
Stefan: She doesn't need to work, in fact it is time she thought about getting
married. Alexis can draw up a list of appropriate suitors while she is making one
for Nik. (All eyes turn to Stefan who returns to his coffee and paper)

On the launch to town. Staci is wearing a plain blouse, a skirt extending to
mid calf and a wool coat.
Lu: It got interesting after you left. (Lu starts digging through a large bag
dumping items on the bench between the two girls.) Your grandfather may have
lost it. (hands Staci a colorful wrap belt) He's planning on drawing up a list of
suitors for me...It is so two centuries ago. (she pulls out a small velvet sack
removing a chunky gold necklace with matching earrings,handing them over) i
don't know if he is serious but he sure knocked your father off his pins. (reaching
into a zippered compartment pulls out a watch pin with art deco detailing and pins
it on Staci's coat) Evidently he is making one for your dad too.
Staci: you have got to be kidding!
Lu: Turn around. (Lu starts brushing Staci's long hair and then quickly plaits it
incorporating a variegated yarn that matches the belt) I don't know. Daddy can be
such a cypher. It could have been a distraction or planting a seed you know how
he does. There done. "Appropriate" but not boring. (handing Staci a lip gloss)
Staci: I've missed you so much. I am glad you are back. You are the only one who
can get through to Dad.
Lu: You just missed my bag of tricks. (both girls start piling items back into the
purse) I don't want to blindside you on this but I am getting an apartment in town.
Staci: You can't! You just got back.
Lu: Don't worry we'll see each other all the time. It's in the same building as your
mom. I figured your dad couldn't throw up to many roadblocks because Gina
already fought the battle. (the launch lands in PC) Come on I'll drive you to
school. How's it going?
Staci: (getting in the car and waiting for Lu to get on the road) Ms. Jones is great.
The high school is doing an experiment with combined homerooms. Stone
Corinthos and Anthony Roberts are both in my class so at least I know some
people.
Lu: All three grades in one class?
Staci: Yeah. School unity and the upperclass taking care of us newbies.
Lu: Ms Jones' sister Georgie is going to be one of my roommates along with
Brooke Ashton.
Staci: The Singer?! (lu nods) I can't believe that she lives in Port Charles. I can't
believe it. She is so great. I have her CD; what is she like ?
Lu: You'll get to meet her. In fact come by after school, apartment 326. You can
turn back into a pumpkin and help us get organized. Georgie has most of the
furniture and Brooke has all the electronics and (grinning) I have the accessories.
(pulling up at the high school and dropping off Staci) See you about...
Staci: (walking backwards) Noon there is a teacher inservice today. (turning
around and going in the building.

A little while later... Lu and Lucky arrive at the new apartment.
Lu: So Nik will be swinging by this afternoon to pick up Staci and check out the
apartment.
Lucky: Think he will have the background checks done by then?
Lu: At least requested. I figure that he has a file on Georgie already. (door opens
and Brooke enters)
Brooke: Oh Good you are here. I have a service elevator full of stuff.
Lu: that was fast. Georgie is scouring the Brownstone attic and basement. There is
at least 30 years worth of stuff there.
Brooke: Ma would never let me be without top notch electronics-audio, video and
communication. But I need a hand to unload this stuff. (all leave propping the
door open) At least the apartment has a lot of built-ins so I can start unpacking it.
(when the trio return it is weight down with boxes and a handcart filled with
more) Lucky: you were not kidding this stuff is better than what I have in the
club.
Brooke: Nothing but the best for Ma. We haven't talked schedule yet.
Lucky: Five clubs four with in travel range of Port Charles and the fifth in PC
which Lu will be managing. Sunday and Monday we are closed. The university
books some acts if you are interested.
Brooke:I've got half the material for my next CD done so I can preview my new
stuff on an audience.
Lucky: Try to do a few standards for the old folks.
Brooke: Not a problem. I was raised on them. I talked to the folks last night. Ma
is booking short leg tours of the US to support the CD. As soon as the fax is
hooked up we can merge the two schedules. We wont have a phone here til 2
which is still to early to call them, they probably didn't get to bed until a few
hours ago.
Lucky: (looking around) Well what can I do to help?
Brooke: Stereo first, then computer. (cell phone rings)
Lu: Hello...Hey Georgie, how's the scavenger hunt going?... Great! wait a sec
(looking over at Lucky) Can I borrow the truck? (lucky nods) Okay I am on my
way. (hanging up and grabbing Lucky's keys) We have furniture.

The stereo is set up and playing in the background Brooke and Lucky are sitting
on the floor consuming a beverage when the phone rings.
Lucky: Yeah...Okay send her up. (hangs up phone) Your biggest fan is on the way
up: my niece Staci...be kind.
Brooke: I'm used to people going nuts over my pop not me. (doorbell rings,
Brooke answers the door) Hi! you must be Staci (Brooke reaches out a hand which
Staci takes. Brooke pulls her into the apartment.) Your aunt and uncle have told
me all about you. What they won't tell me is about your father. Whenever I ask
they just laugh at me. Why is that? Lu said I was to let you raid my closet and put
you to work. That is a great belt. Lu and I saw one just like it in Spain. Actually
we are kind of caught up until Georgie and Lu get here with furniture and the
phone gets turned on. Do you like latin music?
Lucky: Brooke take a breath.
Brooke: What? Oh am I talking too much? It's just that she reminds me of my little
sister, Rendy. The kids are staying with my gram while the folks are on tour but
now that I have this place....so do you like latin music?
Staci: (bemused) I don't know I haven't heard a lot of it.
Brooke: come on lets get you changed and I'll pick out some CD's (voices fade as
they exit the room)
Lucky: (to self) Maxie was right- it is an unholy alliance.