GH2017.31 Just Another Manic Monday...

The club: To Lu and Brooke is seems too darn early on a Monday morning as
Lu unlocks the doors and flips on the lights... Mike is right behind them.
The phone is ringing. He walks over to the phone and answers it before the
machine can pick up.
Brooke: The place looks so empty.
Lu: Now you know what it looks like without chairs and some tables. I
understand what Lucky and Nik did but when I look around I still get so
ticked. I am going to put on some coffee
Brooke : God Bless You. This is not my time of day.
Lu: Hey-- you volunteered. There was nothing in your contract about
cleaning up after bar fights. Mike, who was on the phone?
Mike: Someone who wanted to know when we opened...I tell you what, Lu. I
think I am going to take a mental health day. Looking at this wreck is
making me crazy.
Lu : You and me both! Don't worry about it. I'll talk to you later and
Brooke will keep me company. (Mike leaves making sure the door is locked
behind him)
Brooke: It would have been too quiet in the apartment anyway with Georgie
still staying at her friend's. What do you want me to start with?
Lu: Do an equipment check, will you? I didn't see anything happen to it
but there were glasses flying everywhere who knows what was dumped on it. I
am going to pull some glasses from the back. Lucky said he would stop at
the supplier to get some more chairs.
Brooke: What an amazing Monday! Lucky is functioning while the sun is
working toward it's zenith. But people in glass houses and all that
Lu: Don't even mention broken glasses or houses this is enough of a mess.

Meanwhile over at Jerry's apartment the doorbell is ringing. Jerry wakes
from the couch and walks to the door checking the time. He glances back to
see that Georgie has already left and the bed is made.
Jerry: (jerking open the door) Who the hell is calling at this....Honey!
what are you doing here? Why aren't you in school? Aren't you suppose to
be in Switzerland?
Girl: Aren't you going to invite me in? (Jerry moves away from the door
closing it as the tall, slender girl enters) How do you expect me to stay
in Switzerland when you tell me that you have been shot! I called mom
immediately and told her I was coming.
Jerry: How is your mom?
Girl: Just the same, but she didn't get shot; you did...How are you? Why
aren't you in hospital?
Jerry: Infernal places. All they do is poke and prod a person. People
get sick in hospitals, you know. Besides it was just a scratch; nothing to
fuss over.
Girl: Fussing is in my job description. but since you are feeling so great
you can make me breakfast. The food on the airplane was awful.
Jerry: Nothing changes...come on lets get some food in you. Have you
gotten taller since the last time I saw you?

The business day has started in the DA's office. Alexis Hardy walks in to
Keesha Garcia's office for the meeting that had been quickly scheduled that
morning.
Keesha: Alexis, great news. Saunders signed off on the plea bargain. He
hasn't completed the polygraph yet but he has cleared Stone.
Alexis: I am hoping that you have that in writing for me? I am going to
need it to get Stone back in school as well as to get Veronica Bowles fired.
Keesha : I thought you might. (she hands Alexis a memo outlining the DA's
decision not to proceed.) So if I can be so rude as to ask....how much is
this fiasco going to make Stone financially?
Alexis: Well, If you would give up this life of crime and join my office
you could help with the suits.
Keesha: (laughing) No way, Talk to me again after Alex retires and you
might get a different answer. For now this suits us both...Let me guess
though-- you are going after the school district, the TV station and
Veronica Bowles.
Alexis: I am getting so predictable. Actually I have come into possession
of a tape that was taken without your permission. I don't think it reflects
badly on you but it is something that would be better for you to hang on to.
(Alexis hands over the tape of Keesha and Veronica Bowles talking)
Actually, I think I am mellowing. I had a busy weekend and don't feel like
fighting today. If the principal gives me everything I want for Stone; I
think I'll leave the school district standing.
Keesha: (laughing) I hope so; my taxes are high enough without them
sticking it to us for higher insurance premiums. When are we going to get
together for a drink?
Alexis: As soon as Saunders is behind bars, I can go back to being the
company attorney again then we start comparing notes on kids. (Taking the
letter) Thanks again for this, I need to get going and get my child
re-enrolled. (she turns sharply and leaves waving to Keesha as she departs)

Back at Jerry's apartment a card is slipped in the lock and the door pops
open quietly.
Georgie: Jerry, Where are you? you interfering old Goat! (Georgie drops
her coat in the hallway as she walks back toward the kitchen and the smell
of food) I just saw my boss at the hospital and she says that I am off the
schedule per Stefan Cassadine! This is all your fault...that is IT; you are
dead...(her voice fades as she see the sun streaked blond sitting at Jerry's
table the finished breakfast plates still in front of them.) I'm sorry. I
didn't know you had company.
Girl: They do seem to be getting younger and younger.
Jerry: Hey watch your mouth! You are not too old to turn over my knee!
Girl: Exactly my point. And where did you meet this one?
Georgie: I am a nurse at General Hospital. Why is it your business? (both
Girls look at Jerry for answers. He takes a sip of coffee to buy himself
some time. the girl rises to pour herself another cup of coffee brushing by
Georgie in the process)
Girl: You are a little thing aren't you?
Jerry: Enough! Cari, your mother raised you better than this. Georgie,
this is my daughter, Cari; Cari, this is my PARTNER , Georgie.
Georgie: Jerry!
Jerry: Look, my family knows what I do with the exception of my brother
and his family. Cari may be young and (glaring at his daughter) lippy but
she can keep a secret. In fact you remind me of her sometimes.
Georgie: And this is why you feel comfortable with basically getting me
fired at the hospital! (turning to Cari) Does he treat you the same way?
Cari: Imagine trying to get a date by him....I was going out with some
friends last time I visited and he was sharpening this HUGE knife in front
of the guy who picked me up. put a definite damper on the evening.
Jerry: (muttering to himself) You are too young to date anyway. I can't
believe your mother lets you.
Georgie: (Sitting at the table and surveying the situation.) Well, well.
Cari Jacks, I can think of a situation where this will work and that is we
team up, so the old goat won't have everything going his way.
Jerry: No fair. I am injured, you know.
Georgie: But since I don't have a job anymore that leaves plenty of time
for physical therapy doesn't it?
Jerry: Sadist. (Cari grins at her father's whining)
Cari: I think I am going to like it here.

WVPC: In the owners office an older man of upright carriage and European
grace reviews a memo in front of him. His glasses added a scholarly
appearance to his features. Around the station everyone appears busy but
there is a frantic quality to the work and there is an unusual hush of
everyone on their best behavior... something is up. the memo was on every
screen so the news of the buy out was in everyone's email. Those souls who
delayed reading their mail heard the whispers of their coworkers.
Questions, about what he was doing and what he was waiting for, spread
like wildfire; unheard by the occupant of the office. In a rush a woman in
a business suit strides to the office and opens the door without knocking.
Stefan: You are late.
Alexis: I know, I know. The school is going to be more trouble than I
thought. The principal is evidently more concerned about losing face than
lawsuits. He refuses to reinstate Stone. Or should I say he is willing but
he refuses to remove all traces of this incident.
Stefan: He is doing fine with the tutors. Last night he seemed quite
enthused with this latest project but he appeared to be equally enthused
with a Claudia?
Alexis: She is a part time receptionist who was working yesterday. She is
the one that selected the finalists on the video resume search I gave you.
Stefan: I am researching those individuals now. I should have the field
narrowed within a few days. Your personnel department can handle the hiring
process from there. (Alexis grimaces at the addition to her workload)
Alexis: Where is Bowles?
Stefan: I believe that she is just completing her morning show. (looking
at his watch) she should be getting to her office momentarily. I will
handle the introductions. She probably won't recognize me. You have had
your face before the cameras many times as a result of your legal work. If
you would have security alerted-- if she should become...difficult.
Alexis: (Smiling) Oh I think I can ensure she becomes difficult before the
discussion ends.
Stefan : (absently as he picks up the intercom) there will be time for
that. (to the secretary) Would you please have Ms. Bowles come to the
office. ( back to Alexis and indicating to the adjoining room) Don't you
have some calls to make? (Alexis goes to the adjoining room leaving the
door ajar just before Veronica Bowles enters.) Hello, Ms Bowles. (he
extends a hand to shake) I didn't want to disturb you before your show but
I am sure you have seen the memo by now about the station being purchased by
Timoria Communications? I am their representative. Why don't you have a seat?
VB: That was quite a surprise. Had it been in the works long?
Stefan: Not long at all. We believe in moving swiftly. Timoria is a
family organization and so the decision-making process is quite simple. I
am being rude. I know your name, but I should introduce myself. My name
is Stefan Cassadine. (Veronica Bowles stiffens) I see you do recognize the
name. I don't know how we have avoided meeting before now, My wife, Laura,
seems to be very well acquainted with you and your work. In fact it was she
who brought WVPC to my attention.
VERONICA BOWLES: What is going on?
Stefan: Just the normal review of personnel that is part of a takeover Ms
Bowles. There are some problems, however. When reviewing your morning show
ratings, I discovered that the costs seem to be out of line for a station
this size. The costs of creating that show, the salaries, and the insurance
costs against defending lawsuits make it a better business decision to go
with a syndicated show. Our representatives have already been in touch with
Tiffany Hill's people and they are in need of an outlet in this area. We
will ,of course, buy out your contract for the remaining 4 months.
VERONICA BOWLES: Then I will be back to reporting full time. (Stefan
shakes his head no)
Stefan: Regretfully, your contract with the news department has lapsed.
How such a grievous error could have happened; I have no idea. In the
future, Timoria's legal staff will keep a much closer eye on the contracts.
VERONICA BOWLES: That is no problem, Mr Cassadine I'll continue working
while the contract is being negotiated.
Alexis: (coming in from the next room) But I do see a problem, Ms. Bowles.
Your contract will not be negotiated. You no longer work for this station.
VERONICA BOWLES: (standing up) This is a set up. You can't do this. I'll
sue you and this Timoria company.
Alexis: (snarling) You have no grounds. I believe that DA Garcia warned
you about sloppy reporting habits and taking on people with better lawyers.
Go ahead and sue. When I am done with you, you will not only not have this,
(holding out a check for the balance of the contract) but I will own
everything that you have or ever dream of having. I will drag this out so
long and rack up attorneys fees that will rival the debt of some third world
countries. When I win the frivolous lawsuit that you are contemplating,
you will not only have your attorneys fees to pay but also those of the
station and Lady, it will not be cheap.
VERONICA BOWLES: You can't do this! I was doing my job and reporting on a
story. This is a personal attack.
Alexis: You violated station policy when you reported the name of a minor
over the air. This with the number of documented write ups in your file and
the number of lawsuits that this station has paid out due to your
incompetence would have resulted in your termination whether Timoria bought
the station or not.
VERONICA BOWLES: Fine. (snatching the check out of Alexis hand) I'll get
my things but you haven't heard the last of this!
Alexis: Your things are being packed as we speak...in fact (looking at the
window to the hall way) I think that it is already done.
VERONICA BOWLES: I'll get you for this you bitch. (pointing a finger at
Alexis) I'll be working for the competition in about 5 minutes. And then
well see who still standing.
Alexis: I suggest you talk to your attorney first about those threats you
just made against me. Oh and by the way, don't plan on having a morning
show at the next station you go to. If you do then you are violating the
remaining conditions of your contract here...(her voice grows icy cold) and
we will own that station too. And if you plan on continuing to libel those
related to the Cassadine remember that we don't have to lie about you-- just
make any prospective employer aware of the contents of your employee file
here and they won't touch you with a ten foot pole. (there is a knock on
the door and a security guard enters) Ms Bowles was just leaving.
(Veronica Bowles leaves escorted by security a hand cart of boxes behind her)
Stefan: It is such a pleasure to watch you going after someone other than me.
Alexis: Stefan, We have not had a battle in years! When was that argeement
that we would quit interfering in each others lives?
Stefan: I was never consulted about that so called agreement. As I recall,
it is something you and Laura worked out together and presented to me as a
"done deal."
Alexis: And it was a joy working with her. If the agreement has becoming
confining, Laura and I could always renegotiate?
Stefan: Bite your tongue and leave me at least the illusion of control,
Alexis. This bloodletting has given me an appetite. Would you accompany
me to the Grill for a late breakfast?
Alexis: That would be lovely but you are buying since I provided the
entertainment.