The Mayor's press conference. Cameras line the back of the room and along
one wall. The journalists are seated in folding chairs reviewing their
notes and waiting for the Mayor as well as Police commissioner Garcia who
has been roped into the conference at the last minute. Familiar faces wait
impatiently for the Mayor: Veronica Bowles of the Herald, Lucas Jones of
Stansbury publications, Serena Baldwin with Claudia Markum of WVPC, and
Billy Onassis a free lance journalist. The mayor's press secretary comes
out. Testing the mikes briefly, she then hands out a printed statement
outlining the topic of the day. After the statements have been passed out
and quickly scanned, the secretary announces the mayor who walks out taking
his place at the podium. Commissioner Garcia stands back and to the right of
the mayor.
AJ: (clearing his throat briefly and then straightening his notes) Good
Afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen of the press. Here is what we know. At
approximately 9am yesterday morning an explosion rocked an apartment complex
in Downtown Port Charles. The timely response of the Port Charles fire
department brought the fire under control as soon as possible and stopped
the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. General and Mercy hospitals
quickly acted following their disaster plans to meet the crisis. The names
of the people who lost their lives are in the press release. Their
immediate families have been notified. Our hearts go out to the victims and
their families. The Charles Street foundation has set up a clearinghouse to
assist the people that have lost their homes. People interested in donating
clothing, household items or financial assistance can contact the
Foundation. Are there any questions?
Bowles: Mr. Mayor, Veronica Bowles of the Herald, Did this fire involve
negligence on the part of the Cassadines who own the building?
AJ: Interesting question, Veronica. Inspection records of the building
have been reviewed. As you indicated, the building recently changed hands
and another inspection was completed. The fire sprinkler systems in the
building exceeded standards. I can only assume that the fire would have
been much worse had those sprinklers not been working.
Serena: Mr. Mayor, Serena Baldwin of WVPC, Is the cause of the explosion known?
AJ: Serena, The explosion is being investigated as a suspicious one, and
nothing is being ruled out at this time.
Lucas: Mr. Mayor, Lucas Jones of Stansbury publications, Is this explosion
connected to the drive-by shooting at the outlet Mall yesterday at
approximately the same time? (AJ looks back at Garcia who steps forward)
AJ: Police Commissioner Alejandro Garcia can address that concern.
Garcia: There's a surface connection between the two. It's too early in
the investigation to draw more of a conclusion than that.
Bowles: Commissioner? ( Alex ignores her) Commissioner?
Billy: Commissioner? (Alex points at him) William Onassis, freelance, What
can you tell us about the John Doe that is at General Hospital? Isn't he a
suspect in the drive by?
Garcia: Mr. Doe was seriously injured in that car crash. He's a person of
interest in the shooting. At the very least I am waiting for him to wake up
so I can cite him for driving without proof of a license. (A small laugh
runs through the journalists)
Lucas: What was the cause of the accident, sir?
Garcia: Mr. Doe lost control of his car while driving in excess of the
speed limit. The car flipped over crushing the passenger who was not
wearing a seatbelt. (Billy looks at his notes and smiles at the sanitized
version that the commissioner is spouting. It sounds nothing like what Cari
had described to him the night before.)
Serena: Sir, Witnesses at the crash observed police officers removing
firearms from the vehicle.
Garcia: Yes Serena, those weapons were confiscated. They're being tested to
see if they had any relation to the shooting at the mall. If we discover
that the weapons were not used in a criminal enterprise and if Mr. Doe
provides proof that he has a permit to own and carry the weapons, they'll be
returned to him.
Lucas: How soon before you know the cause of the explosion, Commissioner?
Garcia: (shaking his head) It's too early in the investigation to tell.
We're still in the evidence gathering phase. As soon as we have concrete
information rather than theories, the information will be released to
members of the responsible press. Now if you'll excuse us, The mayor and I
need to tour the site. (Ignoring the questions called after them AJ and
Garcia leave. Claudia Markum makes a call on her cell phone and begins to
read her notes to the person on the other end.)
Claudia: That is all that was said, Alexis. Nothing really new. Is this
why Stone wasn't at work? Is it someone really after the Cassadines? ...
I'm TRYING to keep a low profile. Do you want me to bring you any files
from the office? (She makes notes.) I'll bring those by tonight after my
night class and email the rest when I get back to the office, okay? ... Oh
by the way, Veronica Bowles was here. Commissioner Garcia looked straight
through her. (She smiles as Alexis laughs) Serena is doing the stand up for
the news break now. It's going to tick off the soap watchers. There's
nothing new. You wouldn't believe the number of calls we got yesterday for
covering the fire and shooting and that was for interrupting golf coverage!
As soon as Serena is done, we'll head back to the shop. If Stone needs any
files for his project, have him give me a call I'll bring those out to you
too. Bye.
Billy:(smiling so charmingly) Ms. Bowles, I'm new in town; can you tell me
what in the hell was going on up there? The Commissioner seemed to be
avoiding your questions.
Bowles: His wife, the DA, and I don't get along.
Billy: (sympathetically) That seems so unprofessional. And isn't the Herald
the newspaper of record for this berg? Sounds as if he is cutting off his nose.
Bowles: (Basking in the glow of a seemingly impartial audience) It is
definitely who you know in this town. Reporting the facts can be hazardous
around here. I was fired from my last job because I said something about a
relative of the Cassadines. They swept down on the television station on
their collective broomsticks and I was out.
Billy: I've heard about them. A lethal bunch. (Leaning in with a teasing
tone) But aren't they normally compared to vampires?
Bowles: (laughing) I don't have proof of that one.
Billy: Can I buy you a coffee? I think I need to know who is running this
town.
Bowles: (hesitating) I should file this story.
Billy: Perfect. It will give me a chance to dig through the archive of the
Herald and do a little research for my story.
Bowles: I noticed you said you were freelancing. But I've seen your byline
before. Aren't you based out of Europe?
Billy: A story in itself. (He sights Lucas coming over and stiffens, his
eyes narrow) Jones.
Lucas: (equally cold) Onassis. What are you doing in Port Charles?
Billy: You don't sign my checks anymore; you don't have the right to ask.
Go fish, Jones. (Billy and Veronica walk off)
Bowles: Ouch... I thought I was going to get frostbite. What's between you
two?
Billy: He's the reason I'm freelancing. He thought that signing my check
could dictate the news. He wouldn't know a story if it bit him in the butt.
Bowles: I guess we do have something in common.
Billy: (flirting strongly with the woman older than his mother) And I'm
sure we could find so much more. Tell me-- before buildings started falling
down, what was the biggest story in this town?
Bowles: (nodding) That would have been Bruce Saunders.
Billy: (recognizing the name from the night of the party) An innocuous
enough name.
Bowles: A monster.
Billy: Tell me more. I love scary stories. I was raised on them ... and
the bard of course.
Alexis Hardy's home: She sits before the computer and reviews the material
that has been emailed to her by Claudia Markum.
Alexis: (sighing) I don't even like television. How did I get roped into
this? Ah yes-- I remember now. It was so I could spend more time in Port
Charles with my son and husband. Both of whom are not home. (Picking up the
phone she dials the island and waits to be connected to her son.) Stone? I
was just on the phone to Claudia. She's bringing some files by here
tonight; do you want her to bring anything for you? She said you were
working on a project? ...PSA's-- what are PSA's? ... public service
announcements. I learn something new every day. If you need an idea I
think that fire safety would be a good one about now... or how about the
danger of playing with guns? ... yeah, it's getting to me. Tom's still at
the hospital. Now that he's dealt with the immediate crisis, he and Gina
are working with the burn victims. Thankfully not too many of those... If
you email Claudia she'll bring the files to me. I'll bring them out to you
in the morning when I come over to talk to Nikolas. (She looks up as the
front door opens and Jason walks in.) Your Uncle Jason just walked in.
Yeah, I heard about Ms. Jones signing on as your tutor. I'm sure she's as
happy as you are, not having to deal with that principal. I'll talk to you
later, honey. I'm working at home today. Call me later okay? I love you
too. (Alexis hangs up the phone)
Jason: I was just over on the island. He and Staci were already closeted
with Maxie.
Alexis: That's Laura's influence. She always tries to make things normal,
no matter how bizarre they get.
Jason: (shrugging) Not a bad thing, I guess. Do you happen to know if Maxie
is qualified to teach elementary school?
Alexis: I think so. I've been reading up on the rules for home teaching
ever since I had a run in with Stone's principal. Are you pulling the kids
out of school?
Jason: Yeah, I got three more pupils for her.
Alexis: (with an uplifted brow) Is there something I don't know?
Jason: (smiling)Settle down. Robin and I have Mark's son with us while Mark
is on the road with Brooke. Adam and Michael get on great. And Anna runs
them both ragged. What are you working on?
Alexis: Television Station business. Here are my notes-- what was said at
the press conference and who was there. (She hands him the legal pad)
Jason:(smile turns to a smirk) And I thought Alan and Monica had lousy
handwriting.... (He pauses to read) AJ and Garcia didn't give them squat.
Georgie believes that John Doe is Russian. Just a matter of time until they
ID him. If they make this terrorist then the feds will be pulling into
town. You might have a reporter staking out the police station. The feds
are pretty easy to spot when they show up. Justus has been working closely
with the Charles Street foundation clearinghouse he might be a good source
too. And he doesn't mind talking on TV.
Alexis: You're good at this. Sure you don't want to be the trustee for
Timoria communications?
Jason: No thanks-- I'm trying to simplify my life.
Alexis: (shaking her head in bewilderment) So was I. So was I.
About Dinner time at the Warehouse. Billy has just arrived back after a
long coffee break with Veronica Bowles.
Cari: (answering the obvious questions before they are asked) Dinner is just
about ready. Dad is on the phone with my mom getting chewed out.
Billy: (surprised) Chewed out? For what?
Cari: Hmmm could it be that I was in a gun battle yesterday and then in a
high speed chase where I ran someone off the road?
Billy: (studying his little sister carefully for signs of stress) That's not
the way that Police Commissioner described it at his press conference.
Cari: Is that where you have been all this time? How boring!
Billy: No, I ran into someone I'd been hearing a lot about. I thought I'd
check her out myself.
Cari: Who's that?
Billy: Veronica Bowles.
Cari: (making gagging noises) Yuck.
Billy: Yes, I think I'll take a long hot shower.
Cari: I'll keep your dinner warm. It may take awhile. I invited Lucky and
Grandpa Mike to dinner. They can tell you all about Ms. Bowles. If
Grandpa Mike doesn't have a stroke first, he despises her. (Billy leaves
the room loosening his tie as he goes. He passes Jerry without a word)
Jerry: What's with him?
Cari: He just spent the afternoon with the journalistic equivalent of a pit
viper.
Jerry: (wincing) Veronica Bowles huh? I saw her at the party at Lu's I
thought your aunt Alexis was going to spontaneously combust along with a few
of the other guests.
Cari: Stone says that Aunt Alexis isn't through with her yet... just
waiting for Veronica screws up again so that she can tear her up. You are
looking fairly intact. I could feel my ears burning though.
Jerry: (somewhat gleefully) I put all the blame on Lucky. And since your
mom vouched for him when I was in Switzerland she didn't have much to say.
She is coming to Port Charles soon though, I can feel it.
Cari: She have that antsy tone in her voice?
Jerry: Yeah, I think she's waiting for the breakthrough on the puzzle
Stefan gave her so she has an excuse. If she just turns up out of the blue,
she thinks she's hurting my feelings. (There is a ring at the door) I
thought this was supposed to be a secure building?
Cari: (walking over to open the door) I told security that Lucky and
Grandpa Mike were coming to dinner. (She opens the door to the two men.
After greeting Mike, she asks about what is closest to Lucky's heart now
that his family is safe.) How's the car?
Lucky: It'll be okay. The toughest part will be matching the paint. (
Mike and Lucky follow Cari into the kitchen area. She walks over to the
fridge and pulls out two bottles of beer.)
Cari: Glasses? I have some frosted.
Mike: Fine as it is, Honey. So when do I get to meet this Billy you have
been telling me all about?
Cari: He's getting washed up for dinner. You would have met him if you
didn't have that hot date with Jake the night of Lu's party.
Lucky: I'm glad he did. That way Lu got called into work. (Raising his
bottle) Here's to timing.
(All take a drink.) Well Cari, I think I have free therapy lined up for you.
Cari: What?
Lucky: Gina's feeling grateful.
Cari: She's the one that should be in shock. Daddy, you should have seen
her. Bullets were flying and she was working on Kris as calm as you please.
Jerry: Now that our daughters have bonded, I guess I'll have to take her out.
Billy: (Just arriving from upstairs) Won't that overturn Georgie's apple cart?
Lucky: She told Nik that she was staying with you since her place got bombed.
Cari: It's only fair. I was staying at her place when we were getting this
place ready. Billy, tell them who you spent the afternoon with...
Billy : (grumbling) I thought you said it would give your grandfather a stroke.
Mike: Let's clear something up right now. The brother of my granddaughter
is my grandson. And you can call me Mike. Got it-- Boyo?
Billy. Well Mike, what would you think of your 'grandson' spending the
afternoon with Veronica Bowles?
Mike: (Growling good-naturedly) You're disinherited. Why would you want to
spend time with that vulture?
Billy: I wanted to hear what she had to say to anybody... not the guy who
is now roommates with Georgie Jones and a relative to the Cassadines or the
Jacks. Just one reporter to another. It was quite interesting. Of course
I researched every question I asked her so I knew how much she was varying
from the official word.
Jerry: Georgie will probably handle it okay. But Alexis isn't rational
anymore where Bowles is concerned.
Mike: She's got cause. Bowles makes a name for herself by mudding the
reputations of others. And she'll scoop anyone, no matter who it almost
gets killed.
Lucky: Mom finally lost it when she violated Stone's privacy.
Billy: (playing devil's advocate) He's a public figure.
Jerry: (firmly) He's a minor. And it's not the first time she used a child
to advance her career. (Billy looks curious)
Lucky: She came across some info when my niece was kidnaped. She put it on
the air and it almost got Staci killed. She's sloppy. She traded on her
looks for so long she doesn't know how to do a credible job. I'm surprised
she got a job at the Herald. Mom put up with her as long as she was going
after the adults: Mom, Dad Stefan even Sonny but she won't put up with her
going after the kids. Mom was the one who came up with the idea of buying
the TV station. And Alexis was the one who figured out how to get rid of
her...legally.
Cari: Enough about her. She'll ruin everyone's appetite. Come on, let's eat.
