GH 2016.7 The Opening

A New York Hotel Suite of Rooms. Gina comes out of the bathroom wearing a
terry robe, her blonde hair in an untidy knot on top of her head. Going to a
bedside table she starts to rummage through her organizer.

Nik: You have 40 minutes to get ready.
Gina: (jumping) Nik, you startled me! Where did you come from?
Nik: Adjoining room. I appreciate you coming to the showing.
Gina: I didn't realize that when I signed in. Stefan would not let me see Staci's
portrait until the show. Thank you for the flowers they are beautiful.
Nik: You're welcome.
Gina: I hoped that we would have time to talk about Staci this trip. ( Gina walks
into the bathroom taking a midnight blue dress with her) Lu has moved into my
building and Laura told me that she and Stefan are going to Sedona after
Christmas. You and Stace are going to be alone on the island. (coming out she
offers Nik her back)
Nik: (drawing closer his hand running down her back as he grasps the zipper and
smoothly zips her up. A shiver runs down Gina's spine and goosebumps rise on
her arms) Are you cold?
Gina: You know I am not. Nik, I think that Staci should come to live with me.
Nik: No.
Gina: She needs my influence more now.
Nik: Agreed. Gina, we were fortunate to get Staci back unharmed when she was
kidnapped before. Lucky was living up to his name again that he found her
unharmed. ( looking in the mirror at their reflection, he releases the knot in her
hair, and he smooths it considering their image.) Come back to the island, Gina.
Come back to your family.
Gina: Nik, Don't do this. (turning around she grasps his forearms) Nik please,
free me. I know what you did to AJ. I know what you did to my marriage. What
are you up to now?
Nik: He did what he did. I just shined a light on it. (placing his hands on her
hips) Gina, he wasn't for you. (Reaching up he fastens a Cassadine pendant
around her throat) I think you should wear this tonight.

The Gallery. Two Couples share a toast before the opening. Stefan, Laura, Kevin
and Lucy. Kevin is in a suit wearing a shirt with an open collar. His long straight
graying hair is tied at the nape of his neck. One hand offers a toast while the other
rests on the waist of his companion who is wearing a long fitted jacket over a tank
style dress that is hardly longer than she wore twenty years before which is not
surprising considering that her legs are still better than woman half her age.

Kevin: Here's to another great show and Arizona winters. (all toast)
Lucy: Doc, are you nervous? I'm nervous. I don't know why I dragged you into
this. Yes, I do; your paintings are always fab.
Stefan : Lasha and I will be in Sedona after the new year but then we will be going
to Mexico.
Laura: He knows that I need to be near the water on occasion.
Lucy: Whales... you are going to see whales aren't you? I meditate to whale's
songs; they are so spiritual. Really get you in touch with yourself.
Kevin: (smiling into his glass) Lucy, do you want to go whale watching?
Lucy: Well it is something to think about. Laura, Have you tried my new perfume?
(reaching into her bag she pulls out a vial and a test strip)
Laura: (hesitantly) Lucy it doesn't smell like anything. She hands the strip to
Stefan who also wafts it by his nose.
Lucy: I Know; isn't it great! (confused faces surround her. Lucy hands the vial to
Laura) Take one drop and put it on a pulse point and wait a few seconds. (Laura
follows the direction) Okay. Now Stefan you smell it.
Stefan: That is incredible. It is totally different from the strip.
Lucy: I have the best chemists! Pheromones and chemistry.
Stefan : then it is an individual reaction?
Lucy: Yeah. Each body chemistry is different so it reacts just as individually. I
know that you two are a cosmic pair. The perfume isn't working on Laura it is
working on you. Your reaction to Laura's chemistry.
Kevin: So it also works in reverse. People who do not have a base chemical
attraction may actually be repelled sort of a chemical matchmaker/breaker.
Lucy: That limits the commercial applications but I think it will make a great gift.
I'm going to have a big batch ready by Christmas...Ohh people are arriving we'd
better meet and greet. Ta til later. (Laura, Kevin and Lucy move off to circulate
while Stefan stands deeply in thought.)

The main gallery. Tom and Alexis arrive. Alexis kisses Stefan hello while the
handshake between Tom and Stefan is brief.

Alexis: Tom I need to talk to Stefan for a minute.
Tom: No problem. I'll check in with Kevin and be back in a few minutes. (her
hand tightens around Tom's gratefully) Alexis do you want something to drink?
Alexis: Thanks. A wine would be nice. (Tom moves off)
Stefan: What is it, Alexis?
Alexis: The lists you requested have been compiled. (handing over two sheets of
paper.) The people are listed by proximity: top is the US after the line is Europe
and the rest of the world.
Stefan : You didn't put Gina on Nik's list but I see another from Port Charles.
Alexis: Gina would be ideal of course but how likely?
Stefan: I don't know. (looking over Alexis shoulder) Nik. Gina, how are you
both?
Alexis: (Turning she spots the Cassadine pendant and then looks up at Gina) Hello
to both of you. (She sees Robin and Jason enter behind the couple) Excuse me.
(As she passes Gina) Talk to me later. Jason, Robin, hello! How is my son doing?
Robin: We called home from the hotel. The house is still standing.
Jason: I left my cell phone number with Stone. He will call if there are any
problems.
Alexis: Good. I know he has mine too but I don't want to call. He hates it if he
feels I am checking up on him. Anymore news on your trip?
Robin: Set for December 1. All plan to be home for Christmas. Tommy will still
not be happy. Emily just got back from the Rainforest trip.
Alexis: Tom and I will try to keep him busy.

Meanwhile:
Stefan: well it was good of both of you to come and together . Where is Staci?
Nik: Staci is staying with Lu and her roommate. They evidently had room for a
"sleepover" since Georgie Jones is still out of town.
Gina: (feeling and awkward pause) So where is this portrait you have been
keeping a secret?