GH2017.41 Babe, I Bet You Could

The apartment: Lu is back with a sheaf of papers. Brooke and Cari are
kicking back listening to music.
Lu: (Sarcastically) Oh! So you had to practice?
Brooke: (Righteously) I am working! Ma sent me this CD to check out . . .
She wants me to listen to it before Gram's birthday on Friday. Cari is
giving me the teenager's opinion.
Cari: ( Nodding) That's right.
Lu: Well, your portrait is done. All it has to do now is cure and dry and
it will be ready on Friday.
Brooke: Great. Let me call Dylan and make sure the ride is all set up. (
Brooke goes to the phone while Lu throws down the papers on the coffee table
and begins to sort through them with Cari. As they begin to discuss plans,
Brooke returns, and she is not happy)
Brooke : Good thing I checked my messages. Dylan left another number for
me to call seems he is in Switzerland ( Cari makes a startled movement,
unnoticed by the two women) and doesn't know when he will be back. (Lu
looks down and is trying not to laugh.) So I called Cousin Jason. He says
that he is driving down because Anna has an earache. Not enough to make her
a crank but just enough to keep her from flying which is just as well since
Dylan has the company plane. He says I am more than welcome to drive down
with them. But there is no way the portrait will fit in the car with the
kids and all.
Lu: (Can't hold it back any longer and starts laughing.) Don't you see it?
Mom and Daddy were complaining that they saw Georgie's fingerprints on Cari
staying here. Guess whose fingerprints I see on this?
Brooke: NO WAY! He couldn't have. He doesn't even know my uncle Dylan!
Lu: Which is why Dylan was out on the island today.
Brooke: How could he have known? Oh My God! I told him. I told him,
Dylan was driving me to Bensonhurst. I am such an idiot. ( She throws
herself on the couch and puts her hands over her eyes) What am I supposed
to do now? Call Nik and ask the big bad wolf for a ride to Grandma's house?
Lu: He should be back from Greece later today. Look-- it is no problem.
Just don't marry Nik; don't have his baby, and then you will have beaten
Stefan Cassadine. He can't control everything. Most things just not
everything! (As the girls laugh, Lu turns to the paperwork.) He really
helped me with this. He found me at least five buildings that fit the
criteria I gave him. They are all either for sale or owned by the city.
The foreclosures would be cheaper but the paperwork would be taller than
this coffee table. It is too dark now but why don't we go check them out
tomorrow early?
Cari: (looking at the details of the buildings) These places are huge! Lu,
I really don't think this is what Dad had in mind. He would be just as
happy in a hotel ordering room service.
Lu: There has been a slight change in plan. I am going to buy the building
and then rehab it. Your condo, should your father choose to buy in, would
be the first completed. I think that Lucas would be the next. Brooke, What
do you think about Dylan moving in?
Brooke : I don't know if I am on speaking terms with him. I can't believe
he went flying off to Europe before Gram's birthday. She is never going to
let him forget this. NEVER.
Lu: Before you get too stressed, he probably didn't know where he was
going, who he was meeting or even how long he would be gone. Dylan provided
Daddy with an opportunity and he took advantage of it.
Brooke: Is that why you were groaning at me at Cari's Welcome Dinner on the
island? What did I do? Slide into the Cassadine family credo or something?
Lu: Daddy's credo, one he passed on to Nik and me. He'll probably pass it
to Staci, if he gets the "opportunity."
Cari: My mom has it too. Lu, you have less than three weeks! You really
think you can convert a warehouse to a home in three weeks; you are insane.
Lu: Nope. Motivated. And Daddy is going to help me. I think I have him
excited about the project. He is a miracle worker when it comes to cutting
red tape.
Brooke: (suspicious) He is helping you? Can you afford that kind of help?
Lu: There will be a price, but if Daddy is helping then the chances of Nik
interfering are cut drastically. Since I want to use a part of the building
as a work space, Nik and Daddy would have been sticking their noses in
anyway. Believe me this is the better way. To cut down some of the
obstacles, I will own the building . . . not the Cassadine. Did Nik tell
you that he bought this building because Gina and I are living here? Now
if I can just convince Daddy that he likes me being just across the river
from him-- within telescope range so to speak . . .
Brooke: You are an evil, evil woman. You suckered him; didn't you? I
can't believe you; it sounds like something I would pull on my Pop.
Lu: ( very formally) I came up with a solution that is mutually beneficial
to all parties. ( Slouching back into her chair and laughing) He knows what
I am doing. Daddy always knows. This will be negotiated so that we both
can live with it. He is a chess player. That means he takes his turn,
makes his move and waits for the response. He may have sent Dylan off on a
snipe hunt but the next move is yours. He can't play with people who don't
play back.
Cari: You guys keep him busy because I don't know how to do anything you
are talking about. Being with Dad has always been like being on holiday.
It was a holiday. He's not the only one who doesn't know how to do this
full time.
Brooke: You poor, disadvantaged thing! How have you dealt with boys then? I
mean brothers and fathers are practice for the real world. Even when Pop
and Ma were on the road, I had my gramps and my uncles to practice on. Even
Dylan during his holidays.
Lu: (looking at her watch) I have to get to the club. I need to get some
paperwork done if I am going to keep my mornings free. Cari, why don't you
go over that material. Highlight anything you think sounds interesting or
unique. I just hope we don't get the building that Jimmy Hoffa is holding up.
Cari: Who is Jimmy Hoffa?
Lu: Sorry bad joke. Brooke, are you going to hang out here?
Brooke: Thought I might . . . why?
Lu: Just that you'll probably get to ask Nik for a ride if you do.
Brooke: What! I thought your father would wait for me to make a move.
Lu: Nik will check on Cari as soon as he gets back and I doubt he will just
call. (with a smug smile Lu heads to her room to change)
Brooke: I want you to ignore all the bad habits she is teaching you. What a
family! I would no more play RISK with that bunch than I would play
MONOPOLY with my father.
Cari: I am already in it up to my eyeballs. Maybe you should be learning
some of those bad habits instead. Here, take half of this. You go through
and highlight the interesting stuff you see I'll do the same and then we'll
swap. (When Lu comes out dressed for the club, Cari and Brooke are
engrossed in the paperwork.)
Lu: I 'm leaving for the club. (Brooke waves absently as they continue to
read and listen to the music sent by Lois Ashton.) Give Nik my love when
you see him. ( Brooke looks up and blows Lu a raspberry)

Hours pass. Brooke and Cari have moved to the dining room. They are still
pouring over the reports growing increasingly excited before even seeing the
properties. The kettle sings as the door bell rings
Cari: Who can that be?
Brooke: Well since the doorman didn't announce him I'll only give you one
guess. Why don't you get it?
Cari: ( grimacing) Fine but you make the chocolate.
Brooke: I'll even make one for the visitor. ( Cari opens the Door to Nik
who looks slightly toussled from the cold but very impressive.)
Nik: Carida, You are prettier than the pictures your mother sent me.
Cari: Impossible. She's aces with a camera. (Nik kisses her formally on
both cheeks and then gives her a hug) Lu said you would be here today. She
talked to Uncle Stefan. Come in. Brooke is making hot chocolate.
Brooke: (Calling from the kitchen) I could put a shot in yours if you
would like, Nik. It is cold out there. I am sure Greece was much nicer.
Nik (walking into the dining room with his arm still around Cari) Yes, the
weather was very nice. Not as hot as where I dropped off Georgie and Jerry.
(he feels Cari squeezing his hand and looks down to see her shaking her head
at him) Jerry told me on the plane that Carida would be staying here.
Cari: Cousin Nikolas, everyone calls me Cari. Even Uncle Stefan is trying
to remember.
Nik : Of course. Cari. What is all this? (He refers to the papers on the
table) Is someone going into business?
Brooke: (Carrying in the three mugs of hot chocolate) I take it you did not
stop at the island first. Here. Gee what has happened since you have been
gone? What has "Uncle Stefan" done? Hmmm do I have to keep it under 200 words?
Nik: You don't sound happy.
Brooke: Things balance out, I suppose. He finished the portrait I am
giving to my Gram on Friday and then made sure I had no way of getting there
with it.
Nik: What do you mean?
Brooke: My uncle Dylan was sent out of the country on what Lu calls a
"snipe hunt". I wonder who he has in mind to give me a lift to Bensonhurst?
What are you doing on Friday? Made any plans? I think I can guarantee you
a good time. Jason and Robin will be there. Maybe Alexis and Stone.
Nik: Why can 't you get a ride with one of them?
Brooke : The Portrait. I need to either go up with another person or fly
up on a private plane.
Nik: Rent a car.
Brooke : I don't drive.
Cari: YOU can't drive? Why didn't you say anything? Mr. Spencer could
teach you to drive too.
Brooke: I'd love to know how your father figured that one out.
Nik: Easily. ( He looks disgusted) I knew it also. It was in the
background report that was done on you. We can fly down on Friday. I'll
contact Alexis and see if she needs a lift also. I'll speak to my uncle
tonight. Now what is all this that has you so busy?
Cari: Lu is looking for a place for dad to buy. We went out with a real
estate agent today but couldn't find anything . . . Now she has the idea to
remodel a warehouse into a place.
Nik: This seems excessive for just the two of you.
Brooke: I think she is planning on Cari and Jerry merely being the first
tenants. Lucas Jones is back in town and looking for a place. I need some
practice space other than the club. The warehouse started filling rapidly.
Nik: (Looking at the papers) They are all on the waterfront.
Cari: Uncle Stefan picked them out. (Nik looks at her quizzically) Lu made
some kind of a deal with him. I think she is trying to keep him busy.
Brooke: (looks over at Cari and gives her a big grin. Then as she is taking
a sip of her chocolate, Brooke gives her a thumbs up for the creative
interpretation) I don't think you have a problem with that; do you, Nik?
Nik: A worthwhile goal in itself. But I have the feeling that is not the
only reason. Perhaps when I am discussing my weekend plans with my uncle;
I'll ask about this. Carida, since Brooke and I are out of town and Lu
will be working, I hope that you will come out to the island and stay with
your aunt and uncle. (smiling charmingly) Just for the weekend, I promise.
I am hoping that you and Anastacia will become friends. (Rising) Brooke, Why
don't you walk me out?
Brooke: (walks Nik to the door) Sorry, I was witchy about Stefan's
interference. I know it wasn't your fault.
Nik: But it was on my behalf-- no apology is necessary. I'll speak with my
uncle.
Brooke: Lu thinks we should ignore it-- that any reaction will garner
another move from him.
Nik: Perhaps (his hand rises as if by its own volition to her face. His
thumb traces the outline of her lips. His voice grows softer as his face
moves closer to hers.) Maybe this reaction doesn't need a catalyst...maybe
it generates enough heat on it's own. (He kisses her, deepening the kiss as
Brooke, not only doesn't protest but actively participates, draws closer and
presses up against him. From the dining area comes the scratching sound of
a chair being pulled out from the table)
Brooke: (whispering... her lips a breath from his) Your timing is terrible
or you are a terrible tease. First in subzero weather and now with an
impressionable teenager in the next room.
Nik: (equally soft) She won't be with us this weekend.
Brooke: No, but we'll be in a house full of Cerullos. Privacy is nonexistent.
Nik: Maybe I won't invite Alexis to fly down with us afterall.
Brooke: Oh that might be too exciting for me. I am a nervous flyer.
Musicians and airplanes don't have a happy history.
Nik: I think I could keep your mind off flying. (He kisses her again, this
time swiftly before leaving. Brooke closes the door behind him and sags
against it. She takes deep breathes until her heart beat returns to normal)
Brooke: Babe, I bet you could.