GH2017.38 Meal Time Is Happy Time.

The front room Cari enters the room looking for Brooke. Stefan is cleaning
his brushes.

Cari: Hi Uncle Stefan, I was looking for Brooke. Is she here?
Stefan: She went to change for dinner. Carida, I was hoping we would get a
chance to speak privately about where you will be staying in Port Charles.
Why don't you have a seat. (While Cari maintains a calm facade she begins
to understand what a spotlighted deer feels like) You and your mother are
very dear to me. (He takes her hand in his, folding his other hand over to
enclose her hand within his warm, comforting grasp.) Her raising you in
Europe was a way to protect you-- to keep you out of the limelight. It was
a decision that was worried over many years ago. I would never forgive
myself if something were to happen to you while you were living in Port
Charles . . . (Cari feels her resolve begin to melt)
.
Meanwhile in the hallway Lu is greeting her brother Lucky who has just arrived.

Lu: Good, you are here; I may need reinforcements. Have you heard about
Cari yet? ( talking fast) She is Jerry Jacks' daughter but is related to
the Cassadine on her mom's side
Lucky: Ahhh! Another blood sucker flew in from Transylvania
Lu: That is NOT funny! And it was Switzerland. Anyway it is all set up for
her to stay with me in town but I know Dad is going to try and screw it up
so she has to stay here. So you have to help me. Mom won't interfere; she
already said so. (Brooke comes down the stairs in a nice dress) Brooke!
Isn't Cari with you? ( Brooke shakes her head) Oh great! She was looking
for you a minute ago. I hope Daddy hasn't found her.
Brooke: If she were looking for me she would have gone to the front room
which was where I left him. Sorry.
Lu: Come on before it is too late. ( She grabs Lucky's hand and pulls him
after her) Together the three walk into the front room where Stefan is
speaking with Cari.) Daddy! Cook just said that dinner is ready. Mrs.
Lansbury has outdone herself with the dessert. We should go into the dining
room.
Stefan: We'll be right there. ( he waits for the three to leave but is
unsurprised when they don't)
Lucky: (finally) Don't I get an introduction? I don't believe we've met.
I'm Lucky Spencer. My sister has been telling me all about you. (He
reaches a hand to her that she gratefully takes) I could sweet talk Mrs.
Lansbury into seating us together. I think we are going to be best buds. I
haven't seen Lu this excited since she decided to move off the island.
(Putting a hand to her back, he walks her to the dining room, winking at
Stefan over his shoulder.)

Around the big dining room table sit Alexis, Tom, Stone, Laura, Stefan and
Lu, Brooke, Cari, Staci and Lucky. Things have been going well. Polite
conversation and good food have mellowed the diners. As dessert plates are
removed, Lucky rises to have a cigar on the front porch when Stefan makes
his move.
Stefan: Carida, I really think it would be more appropriate for you to be
on the island than staying in a room with two girls who are barely older
than you. (Lucky retakes his seat, leaning back to enjoy the show)
Brooke: ( sputtering) Carida? I thought my name was bad.
Cari: ( kicking her under the table) It could have been worse.
Lu: It took me forever to live down Lulu. Lucky is not much better.
Stone: What would have been worse?
Cari: Well Rock-- they could have given it the traditional spelling and I
would have been known as either a character out of an Ian Fleming novel or
as a request for information!
Staci: What?
Lu: Q he was the gadget man for James Bond and Query to ask a question.
Staci: I know that, what is the traditional spelling?
Cari: Querida. Dad has this horrible habit of calling everyone Darlin' and
Mom stuck me with it.
Brooke: I think it's sweet.
Lucky: You would, Brooke Lyn
Cari: Isn't that a city in New York?
Brooke: You see what I mean? Count your blessings. Mom wanted it to be my
stage name. (Brooke shudders dramatically) I told her I would seek other
representation if she stuck me with that.
Stefan: Very Well. Cari, I think you should stay here. Tante Laura and I
haven't seen you for quite some time and I know that your cousin Nikolas
was looking forward to seeing you as well. It would really be more
convenient for you to stay here. A driver would be at your disposal for as
long as you visit.
Cari: One of the things I want to do is learn how to drive. Georgie told
me that having a parent teach you will likely drive them insane.
Stefan: A driver can take you anywhere you need to go and provides a
measure of security.
Lucky: ( Rolling an unlit cigar between his fingers) You never know though
when you might need to take over . . . One of those old geezers could have a
heart attack or something.
Stefan: (growing testy) Which is why all the cars have cellular phones;
Didn't you want to go smoke that cigar?
Lucky: No, this is just getting good. Cari, if you want to learn how to
drive I could teach you how. I've got just the car for it . . . built like
a tank. You'd be as safe as baby in its mother's arms.
Tom: (muttering) And what about the other poor souls on the road? (Alexis
elbows him)
Stefan: Exactly. Thank you, Tom. Carida . . . Cari, if you are interested
in learning how to drive there is an excellent driving school here in Port
Charles.
Staci: Does that mean I can take lessons too? Uncle Lucky, will you teach me?
Alexis: Cari, Tom and I have been rattling around the house since Stone
has been staying on the island. It would be so good to have a young person
in the house and it would give us a time to catch up.
Stefan: I would be concerned about Cari getting regular meals. The girls
keep odd hours and Alexis, you don't cook.
Cari: I cook.
Lu: You didn't tell us that! Sorry Daddy. Brooke and I are keeping her.
What kind of cooking?
Cari: ( shrugging) Anything that interests me. While visiting Daddy, I
stole recipes from Restaurants around the world. I even know how to prepare
oysters about a million different ways
Brooke: Don't worry about that. I think Lu and I would both pass on that
particular delicacy.
Stefan: I understand that you will be looking for a residence for you and
your father. It would be a simple matter to pull up some suitable
accommodations and facilitate the purchase of the one you choose.
Brooke: But I was planning on going around with her to the open houses. I
still haven't found all the nooks and crannies of Port Charles; Real estate
agents know the best places. Buying the first place you see defeats the
purpose.
Stefan: I thought the house was the purpose.
Brooke: Just the end. Finding the house will be an opportunity . . .
(groans are heard around the table) What? ... What did I say?