GH2017.40 On The Waterfront

Port Charles Realty. Brooke, Lu, Cari and Lucas all arrive within moments
of each other.
Lu: Lucas Jones, Is that you?
Lucas: Little Lulu Spencer! All grown up, I don't believe it. How are you?
(They give each other a brief hug)
Lu: Aunt Bobbie didn't tell me you were in town. When did you get in?
Lucas: Just yesterday. I'm moving back to Port Charles. Getting a place to
stay seems to be a priority. I didn't want to move back to my old room at
the Brownstone even temporarily. (He shudders dramatically)
Lu: So where are you staying?
Lucas: The Port Charles Hotel. You'll have to allow me to take you and
your companions to The Grill for lunch. (He looks questioningly at the others)
Lu: Where are my manners? Nik would kill me! Brooke Ashton and Cari
Jacks this is my cousin Lucas Jones.
Lucas (Shaking hands with both but lingering over Cari's handshake) It's a
pleasure to meet you both.
Lu: (in an undertone for his ears only) Down Boy. She is jailbait. (He
looks over to Lu who grins and shrugs.) Cari is the one looking for a
place. She had to be taken seriously.
Lucas: I know I did. ( Looking her over critically) I think it'll work.
Brooke Ashton. I think I just had an interview with you in CD magazine.
Brooke: (Curiously) You had an interview?
Lucas: It is one of my magazines. One of the reasons I am moving back to
Port Charles is to keep the costs down on the magazines . . . there is a
healthier business climate here.
Lu: Well I am glad you are back. Hey I tell you what . . . why don't we
all go out together? That way we don't lose our lunch date here.
Brooke: If it is okay with Cari and Lucas?
Cari: Fine with me.
Lucas: I always appreciate a lady's opinion. Shall we find the agent?
(Together they enter the office to find the real estate agent)
REA: ( Referring her comment to Lu who is the first thru the door) How can
I help you today?
Lu: I am just along for the ride these two are interested in finding a place.
REA: (looking at Lucas and Cari assumes they are a couple) Well I am glad
you came to Port Charles Realty. Perhaps you could give me an idea of what
you were looking for?
Cari: (looking mischievously at Lucas) Honey, How do you feel about yard work?
Lucas (playing along) Hate it. But we would like plenty of room. Don't
want to wake the neighbors . . . you understand. (The REA is taken back at
the suggestion but recovers quickly)
REA: So a Condo or a property with a small yard.
Lu: That or (thinking intensely) perhaps a loft.
Brooke: They are really very decisive if you show'd them what you have I
am sure that something will strike their fancy. The time frame is rather
tight. For the right property at the right price we'll be able to move
quickly. (The REA, sensing that money will not be an issue, gathers her
multiple listing book and her keys and leads the party out to a van)

Lunch at the Grill. Lucas is surrounded by Cari, Brooke and Lu. Having
spent hours in a car with the agent, they are taking the time to discuss
what they saw without her there.
Lu: There was nothing that knocked me over.
Brooke: But the area by the waterfront is so nice . . . They have set up
running paths and there are great shops there. I even saw a fishmarket that
had fresh oysters
Lucas: You like oysters? ( the girls chorus emphatic no's)
Cari: But my father likes them on occasion. The only place she showed us
down on the waterfront was horrible.
Lu: But you liked that part of town?
Cari: Yes, it really seemed to be in the heart of things and with me not
driving it was within walking distance of everything.
Lu: Lucky will take care of that soon. Lucas, Lucky is going to teach Cari
how to drive.
Lucas: You'll have a good time . . . I think I was his first pupil. I was
home from Boarding school for break. Afterward the headmaster wasn't
pleased with what I learned during that break.
Brooke: What did you do?
Cari: You hotwired his car didn't you? ( Lucas grins mischievously) I've
never done that, mostly because I can't drive anyway and cars aren't as big
a thing in Europe as here. The computer on the other hand . . . (all
laugh) I can't believe I have another boarding school inmate here! We'll
have to compare notes sometime.
Lu: There were some warehouses for sale down by the waterfront.
Brooke: (Groaning) Do you know how much work you are talking about . . .
Jerry is going to be back in less than three weeks, you're talking about
building not a home but a house from the walls in!
Lu: But lots of windows, lots of space, endless possibilities.
Brooke: (Thinking chewing on her lip) The acoustics would be a challenge but
incredible if done right.
Cari: We will be driving the Real Estate Agent nuts if we go back there and
tell them we want to look at industrial space. And what about Lucas? He
still needs a place.
Lucas: I think it sounds interesting. Watching the wheels turn is
fascinating. I do have some connections; the offices I leased needed to be
remodeled. They just happen to be close to the waterfront. And a
contractor who got things done on time and on budget. Also a sister who
does happen to be married to the mayor . . . It might smooth some things
with city hall. If I were interested and if I purchased a piece of the
building . . .
Brooke: My Uncle Dylan says living at the Q's Mansion is driving him nuts;
he might be interested in getting out from under. He is also a Boarding
school refugee. He is supposed to be giving me a ride this Friday to my
Grams' birthday bash. You know, I really need some practice space other
than the club.
Lu: We are getting ahead of ourselves; we don't know if anything is
available. I think this is where Daddy could come in handy. He could give
us a list of particulars within a few hours.
So we are looking for a property that can be divided into quarters . . .
sufficient parking . . . in good repair . . . ( she continues to think that
wheels turning as she pulls out a notebook and starts making notes.)
Lucas: Ladies it has been a slice, but if I am to be able to afford this
dream home I need to get into the office. ( He pulls a business card and
writes his room number on the back) Give me a call. If you can pull this
off, it sounds like an enticing possibility. Even if I decide against it,
I'll try to smooth things for you at city hall. ( Lucas leaves)
Brooke: He's cute.
Lu: I haven't seen him for a long time. He was at boarding school, then
college, and then went to New York to work. Seemed he only got back for
the holidays and sometimes not even then.
Cari: Are you sure about this? This is a huge project.
Lu: I don't know. Before we kiss it off, let's look at the details and run
a few numbers. If it turns out to be impossible then we know what it will
take in the future. The idea is really growing on me . . . It might be the
only way I would be able to get all of the things out of the sewing room at
Wyndemere. I certainly don't have room in the apartment. I think I need to
talk to Daddy. Do you want to go with me?
Brooke: I should practice, sorry.
Cari: I was hoping to talk to Lucky and arrange a driving lesson.
Lu: Okay, you chickens go to the club. Send in the Calvary if I haven't
called in a few hours.

Spoon Island
Lu walks in to the front room where Stefan is working on finishing Brooke's
portrait. Not wanting to disturb him, she moves to the table and takes a
seat until he is ready to take a break. As she sees him straighten and his
focus move from the canvas, she makes a small noise to draw his attention.
Stefan: Hello, my angel. Thank you for waiting. I needed to complete this
part.
Lu: How is the portrait going?
Stefan: Almost finished. It will be dry by the time your friend Brooke needs
to take it to New York. But I can see this is not what is on your mind.
How can I help?
Lu: Jerry gave me carte blanche in helping Cari decorate whatever place
they found. We went around with a real estate agent and didn't find
anything that struck any of us.
Stefan: (facetiously, still a little put out by being cut out of the loop)
That is too bad.
Lu: (looks at him and doesn't believe a word.) But we did find an area of
town that appears promising. Cari is interested in the waterfront.
Stefan: Absolutely not! The crime level there is appalling. Carida's
mother would be heartbroken if anything happened to her while she was in
Port Charles.
Lu: Daddy, you know Jerry is not going to live in a glass bubble of your
choosing, and Cari will be living with him. You are blowing your
opportunity to have some input. If we wait until Jerry is back, you will
have no say at all. (She moves behind him and wraps her arms around him
giving him a hug)
Stefan: (softening as she knew he would) You are a manipulative devil.
Lu: No need to be nasty. I learned it from the best.
Stefan: Are you referring to your mother or me? (patting her hands)
Lu: (Smiles, not answering that question) Do you still want to help me?
Stefan: ( sighing) What did you have in mind?
Lu: An industrial building in sound condition on the water. No more than
four stories. If you can target the area that is close to the landing then
you would be within minutes of the building by boat. Much closer than my
apartment.
Stefan: (suspiciously) Lesley Lu, what are you up to? Is this for Carida
or for you?
Lu: I admit I rushed into the apartment. I felt it was better to move
while everyone was out of town. It is not ideally situated. The club is
the midpoint between my apartment and the island. Ideally, my apartment
should have been the midpoint. Also, there is not enough room for my
supplies. I haven't worked on a major project since I came home. I finally
have things set up as I like them at the club and the apartment, but I feel
cut off from a piece of myself having such limited access to my work room.
You've been investing my allowance since I was four. Daddy, I want to buy
the building you find.
Stefan: That is quite a jump from decorating a place that Jerry selects.
Lu: (thinking out loud bouncing from thought to thought) This would be the
biggest thing yet. The upper floors would be remodeled into four living
areas. The ground floor could be rented as shops maybe even parking. That
part of town has been half trying to revitalize anyway; we could show them
how it is done. One of the living areas would be a workroom for Brooke and
me. I could move my supplies from here. She could practice without
driving the neighbors nuts; the sound proofing is inadequate at the
apartment. The light would be wonderful.
Stefan: Angel, it is just as foggy on that side of the water as it is here.
Lu: But it would have huge windows.
Stefan: That are probably broken or horribly inefficient. Your heating
bill would be higher than the cost of the building. What do you mean four
living areas?
Lu: Well Cari and Jerry's of course. And we ran into Lucas at the Realtor
he is looking for a place. Brooke thinks that her uncle Dylan might want to
move. And then the workroom for Brooke and me.
Stefan: How is Lucas? I thought he was still working in New York? I met
this Dylan this morning. He was here on business.
Lu: Lucas is great. He moved his company back here. I thought that Dylan
worked for ELQ?
Stefan: Joint project. So you have all your vacancies filled but you have
less than three weeks to buy something and make it habitable.
Lu: ( Her voice cajoling) But you bought a television station over a weekend.
Stefan: Yes, but I didn't build one over the weekend. You're impulsive
like your mother.
Lu: Maybe. But I know when I need help to pull something off. Come on; it
would be fun. You're almost done with Brooke's portrait and you said you
were postponing going to Mexico. I'd let you do the windows and all the
security precautions. Just think you could have everything doubled so that
the security force here could monitor the comings and goings. It just can't
look like a fortress and the windows would have to be able to open. This
could be just as much fun as all that wheeling and dealing you do and then
it would be right across the water from you so that on a clear day you could
see what you accomplished..
Stefan: But you are not planning on living there?
Lu: I have less than three weeks to get a place for Cari and Jerry. I have
a place to live. I need a workroom now. ( She shrugs) I'll plan it as if
I am going to live in it but that is down the road. Let Nik get used to the
idea of me out of the house before I move again. Are you tempted?
Stefan: There might not be anything available. ( He sits in front of the
computer and puts on his glasses focusing on the screen.)
Lu: There are plenty of vacant buildings down there, Daddy. Remember I
just came from a tour of the area. It will be easier and quicker if you
help me but not impossible if you don't.
Stefan: ( not looking from the screen where he is pulling up the requisite
information says mildly) Now who is being nasty? You do want me on your
side in this, don't you angel? You do realize what a bureaucratic nightmare
you are jumping into. Permits and inspections . . . more and more paperwork.
Lu: Right now even that sounds like fun. (Hugging him again.) You've
worked on things before with Lucky and all the time with Nik but this is the
first time you have worked on a project like this with me. Maybe you think
I am growing up? Just a little?
Stefan: Do I have any choice?