GH2017.32 Musical Chairs

Brunch time at the grill. Tables fill with familiar faces. Jason , Justus
and Dylan are at one table while Stefan and Alexis occupy another. Jerry
and Georgie walk in and are seated. Laura and Gina are at another with
Robin; they are just finishing their meal.
Robin: I really appreciated what you both have done to support Jason and
Anna while I was out of town.
Laura: We couldn't have done anything else; you know that Robin. Actually
the person I feel most for in this whole mess is Georgie. Her coming
forward was instrumental in making sure this didn't go to trial and Stone
didn't end up with a criminal record. I know how she feels-stuffing things
for years. It always being in the background and then having it brought out
into the open: analyzed and picked over. It is like living it all over. I
hope she is getting some help. Having someone to talk to makes all the
difference as Anna can attest. (Laura notices the middle aged man with
Georgie.) Who is that guy that is with Georgie?
Gina: I have no idea. He sure is handsome. I think that I'll go talk to
Georgie for a bit before heading back to the hospital. Robin, do you want
to meet for afternoon break?
Robin: I am heading out early these days to pick the kids up from school,
at least on days when Jason is stuck in meetings. How about coffee after
Anna's session depending on how she feels?
Gina: (Standing) That would be great. I'll see you later. (She walks over
to Georgie and Jerry's table where the conversation falls as she approaches)

Gina: Georgie, Hi. I just wanted to thank you for what you did for Stone
and Anna. I was hoping to talk to you at the hospital but Carly told me that
you were taking a few days off . . . company? (She looks curiously at Jerry
waiting for an introduction).
Georgie: Gina Williams, this is Jerry Jacks. Jerry, this is Gina Williams.
She is as psychiatrist at GH. Gina, I met Jerry at the hospital. He is
with J&J of Alaska. Poor guy had hardly been in town when he got mugged and
put in the hospital with a gun shot wound. I'm doing some private duty work
for him until he gets full mobility back.
Gina: That is awful! I hope you are feeling better.
Jerry: Oh much better. Happy to be seeing something of Port Charles other
than a hospital bed. If I had a doctor as pretty as you, I would have
stayed longer and explored more.
Gina: What an accent! I thought it was J&J of Alaska not Australia?
Jerry: (thickening his accent on purpose) Really can't take a man far from
his roots. Perhaps you'd like to go to dinner some evening? ( Gina looks
at Georgie wondering if the guy was really making a date while out with
another woman. Georgie gives her a grin, a shrug and a thumb's up before
going back to her breakfast)
Gina: That would be nice. Here is one of my cards. Give me a call and
we'll firm up the date.
Jerry: I look forward to it.
Gina: Georgie, You know, if you ever need to talk; my office is open, right?
Georgie: ( making a decision) I'll give you a call later.
Gina: Good. I need to get back to the hospital so I'll look forward to
hearing from you . . . both of you. ( She leaves)

Meanwhile Laura joins Alexis and Stefan at their table. Over at Jason's
table Robin has joined her husband. She makes a few comments and then
leaves promising to see him after work. She kisses him goodbye and then she
leaves.
Laura: How did things go this morning?
Stefan: Very well. I was the epitomy of restraint and control.
Alexis: Meaning I was not. I wanted to rip that woman's throat out and
there was Stefan leaning back in his chair watching the show as if he'd
arranged it.
Stefan: Well . . .
Alexis: I know, I know. You did arrange it. I don't think we have heard
the last of Veronica Bowles. She didn't seem to take me seriously when I
told her that my goal in life was to put her in the poorhouse.
Laura: This is not a kind thing to say, but she really is not too bright.
So . . . she left spewing her garbage. What do you think, Alexis? Is it
safe for Stone to come back home?
Alexis: Unfortunately, the principal is dragging his feet and Stone will
need to be tutored a bit longer.
Stefan: Stone indicated last night a desire to take his equivalency and
start college classes
Alexis: Right! That is more about Claudia than an interest in higher
education.
Laura: Like it or not Alexis; What Stone did is all over the school . . .
Staci says that it is pretty evenly split between wanting to give him a
medal and thinking he bought his way out of a situation.
Alexis: He has to have a choice. I want him to finish this year at least
and then if he is interested in college he can make that decision over the
summer.
Laura: I need to get back to the house. I want to hear more about this
girl Claudia! (She kisses Stefan on the cheek and squeezes his hand. He
rises as she does, helping her with her coat.)
Stefan: I shouldn't be too much longer at the station. Will you tell Stone
to have his studies completed by two so we can review the television station
business?

Jerry sees Stefan rise. He and Georgie rise also and move over to Stefan's
table. Alexis moves over to Jason's Table. Laura leaves.

Alexis: Gentlemen. Don't get up. Jason, I just needed to touch base with
you on something. Hello, Justus! I saw your sister this morning. Being DA
seems to agree with her.
Justus: She seems to have found her niche. Who would have thought that she
would be the one pursuing elected office?
Alexis: Well she did it for the best of reasons; she knew she could do a
better job. But Dara is a friend of yours; isn't she?
Justus: At one time. We were seldom on the same page when it came to
criminal cases however.
Jason: Alexis, what did you need?
Alexis : Nothing. Just to give you some information. Timoria
Communications will be incorporated this afternoon. Robin and Laura have
agreed to be trustees of the corporation but Georgie, Anna and Stone will be
owners. Stone has already started to get his feet wet.
Jason: ( smiling) You are such a troublemaker. You did this to get Bowles;
didn't you?
Alexis: Merely an added bonus. Nik says Georgie is now under Cassadine
protection. This will guarantee her an income. I know that Stone will take
his responsibilities seriously considering he is working for Anna's benefit.
Jason: Agreed. But neither of the kids need the money, Alexis. One thing
about my lifestyle, I make sure that the people around me are always
financially secure. Everything I know about Georgie says she is going to
throw a fit about this. She has a thing about gifts that come with strings.
Alexis: Stone wants a regular job. I'll try to ensure that he keeps his
weekends for family. (Looking over at Stefan's table) I think Georgie is
finding out about it now from Stefan. I also have every confidence in her.
Georgie will take what she needs and cut any strings that get in her way.
She has impressed both Stefan and Nik, no easy task. I need to get back to
the station. (Alexis picks up her briefcase) Jason, will you tell Stefan?

The men rise as Alexis stands. Jason moves over to Stefan's table. He
passes Georgie who is in the process of stalking from the restaurant when
Dylan flags her down and they begin talking. Alexis Leaves.
Jason: Alexis is heading back to the TV station. Quite the coup you
pulled. But then you are known for them, aren't you?
Stefan: Jason Morgan, may I introduce Jerry Jacks. ( Jason stiffens his
features going rock hard as he looks at Jerry) Like yourself, he is a
troubleshooter for a family firm.
Jason: J&J. I have heard of it. Lets lay it out on the table, Jacks; if
you or your mongrel brother are planning on trying to put your hands on ELQ
again-- this time you will lose more than a few fingers.
Stefan: (wincing) Jason, I can't believe you are making public threats to
an adversary.
Jason: Oh don't worry Stefan; you know me well enough; I am not tipping
my hand. Just telling Jacks the stakes of the table before he decides to
have a seat.
Jerry: Please call me Jerry; you seem to have me confused with Jax. I gave
up the dirty tricks when my father died and Jax took over the company. Now
I provide information using the contacts I have made over the years. I've
heard something that affects ELQ shipping from a contact in the middle east.
( Jason gives him a scornful look) Look I'll give you the info and you
deal with it as you will. You have a reputation of keeping ELQ squeaky
clean and airtight. This needs attention before the wrong people get hurt.
( Jason looks at Stefan for his opinion)
Stefan: Information from whatever source is power, especially if verified.
I've known Jerry for many years. He is a barometer of trouble. That he is
here at all is an indication of a problem.
Jerry: ( sarcastically) Thank you very much.
Stefan: You are welcome.
Jason: If this is going to be story hour lets get the CEO and the head of
ELQ shipping over here.

Jason waves over Justus and Dylan. Georgie sees Jerry giving her a small
hand signal to let him handle things. She nods and leaves. After
introductions are made Jerry begins to speak.

Jerry : I have a source on the docks of Safat, Kuwait. Okay, he is a thief
which is a high risk job in a muslim country. He got on an ELQ tanker when
it landed and was looking around. He figured to help himself to some stuff
from the crew quarters but also took a look down below. He saw automatic
weapons, barrels of chemicals and what really had him freaked were the
containment suits. He evidently just saw a repeat of Outbreak on the
telly. What he saw there scared him but he figured that the information
would be worth some money so he called me. I had someone from the office
take pictures of people coming and going from the ship.
( Jerry pulls a file filled with photos and opens it on the table. As the
first clear picture is exposed, Stefan starts speaking with a forceful voice
in Greek and Russian. It does not take a linguist to know that he is swearing)
Stefan: ( taking his finger and tapping it on the photo) That is Ivan
Petrovic. He is the head of the Russian Mafia. He is also so-called
purist implicated but not arrested in ethnic eradication in Russia.
People, descendants of those who had been forced to moved to Russia
generations ago by the Soviets from eastern Europe, slaughtered in the
streets; their businesses bombed. Lasha and I were in Moscow during last
summer doing Foundation work to help some rebuild. (The next picture Jerry
taps the face)
Jerry: Stefan and I have both had run ins with this guy. He is the
military advisor for the Ayatollah in Iran. He did the world a favor when
he offed Quadaffi but he did it because he was not being a good Muslim not
because the guy was a vicious son of a bitch. Also a purist of sorts, he is
going to convert the world with a bullet if necessary. He attacked
oilfields that bordered Iran. The oilfields were adjoining holdings of the
Cassadine and J&J. Stefan and I had our hands full getting our people out.
The local government helped us get the property back but now after over 20
years we still only have Muslims working at those facilities. And he has
just gotten meaner and more irrational over the years. This has to be dealt
with and fast. That this ship was in Port Charles a week before the
pictures were taken is another concern.

The men at the table fall silent. Jason looks over at Justus who nods at
him before getting up and walking from the room.
Dylan: Where is Uncle Justus going?
Jason: This is not part of his job description and never has been. This is
my department. If we need governmental help later, he'll deal with that.
Dylan: So this is one of those situations where what is best is going to
happen rather than what is right?
Jason: I think that all the players have a different rule book; "right" is
out the window. They are using ELQ as a playing field, and it will not be
tolerated. Are you in or out?
Dylan: In.
Jason: Fine. This is on a need-to-know and the only people who need to
know are at this table. I still don't trust Jacks so I want you to verify
every piece of paper that has to do with this tanker. (Jason hands him a
photo of the tanker that has the name clearly pictured.) In fact, don't do
it at the office. For this to work, there has to be a leak in the
shipping department. Collect all the data and bring it over to the house.
I have secure lines there. Dylan, you screw this up and you'll be singing
in a different key.
(Dylan nods and rises walking out of the restaurant with a new purpose.)
Jerry: Sounds like you don't trust him.
Jason: The only people I trust are family. And I decide who family is.
Dylan isn't there yet and you never will be. What are you planning on
doing? Or are you done?
Jerry: If you start making it difficult for them to use ELQ, they'll try
with another company. I think it should be nipped in the bud. I can keep
getting information. Once I am cleared by the doctor; I'll take a first
hand look at the other end. Stefan, my daughter is in town visiting but
wouldn't mind a chess game if you give me a call.
(Jerry collects the file and departs, taking it with him.)
Jason: What do you know about that guy?
Stefan: Professionally, not much. I suspect that he is an international
police agent. His explanation of how he got the information was too glib
(Jason nods in agreement). I was not being inaccurate when I called him a
barometer of trouble . . . that he is here indicates that the situation is
both dire and complex. I'll notify the Foundation offices in Russia to
alert the people of the possible threat. I have to get back to the
Television station. Stone will be staying on the island a bit longer.
Perhaps the children would like to see him this evening?
Jason: I'll bring them out for a few hours before their bedtime.
Stefan: ( rising) I'm sure there will be more to discuss then. Perhaps,
Jerry will be there for a chess match.

Stefan leaves and Jason remains- alone at the table. He is focused on his
thoughts and beginning to plan his moves for destroying those who would use
ELQ for illegal gain. Something no one is allowed to do, not even him.