CHAPTERS 97 & 98
GH2017.97 Phone Home
A Greek island. A servant comes into a music room that is equipped with
a piano and reams of sheet music
Servant: Mistress, there is a phone call for you.
Brooke: (frustrated) Quit calling me that! I'm not anybody's mistress.
Gee- I wonder who this could be? (she picks up the phone) Nikolas?...
Who else would be calling me here?... (deep breath and then another)
Okay. when are you coming back to pick me up?... Just Stop right
there! You and I are bound it disagree on the so called safety issue
and I don't want to fight. I want to talk to my mother and I want to
talk to Mark--NOW!. Nobody here will let me use the phone. In fact
your GUARDS are watching every move I make. There's some-- Yahoo
standing here waiting to grab the phone out of my hand as soon as you
hang up. This kind of .... crap could kill my mom-- my grandmother
definitely! You were just at her birthday party how could you do
something like this to her?! .... What do you mean what I tell my
parents is up to me? I've no idea what's going on and being here isn't
getting me any answers. What did you do to Mark? Was he in the plane
that flew over head yesterday? Is he okay? YOUR GUARDS WERE SHOOTING
AT A PLANE!... What do you mean they'll shoot at anything that tries to
land? ARE YOU CRAZY? ... That is taking protection and safety just a
little too far, don't you think?... OH and you think that this is good
for the baby? I don't care how pretty you've made this little gilded
cage; I want no part of it! What do you mean Dylan agrees with you?
That's a lie. A...flat ...out... lie.
The Warehouse: Dylan continues to make modifications to the security.
Lu:(from a curled up position on the couch where she can see Dylan
kneeled down by the security pad on the inside of the door changing the
security codes) Why are you locking me in, when I already promised to
stay? Nobody knows that code anyway.
Dylan: (absently)You do... and so does your family. (matter of factly)
Can't be too careful, not with your daddy and brother Nikky sitting
right across the water. You're the only insurance I've got. I don't want
you having second thoughts. (looks over at Lu's pale face) Don't worry,
you're going to be safe. I just want to be sure Brooke comes back safe
and sound too.
Lu: I'm not going to go anywhere, Dylan. I already promised you that.
You know I have to be here in case my mom calls again.
Dylan: It's just insurance, babe. What's up with your Mom?
Lu: (retorting sharply) You were here; you heard the whole
conversation. She and Staci are fine for now. What do you expect me to
do all day?
Dylan: (shrugging his shoulders) I don't care: play with your yarn,
play on the computer, read a good book. Just know you're going to be
safe and sound right here.
Lu(eyes wide): You must really hate me.
Dylan: (turning around his gaze burrowing into her) No, Princess. I
don't hate you. I could never hate you. I love you... I always have.
But it won't stop me from doing what needs to be done in order to
protect my family. Sound familiar?
Lu(voice soft and distant): But you must hate me to humiliate me like
this. To lock me in like you have even when I've promised to stay.
(rubbing her arms as if she's cold).
Dylan: Then you can imagine how Brooke feels.
Lu (walking off): I suppose I do.
Dylan clears his throat and returns to finish up the work on the
security codes.
Dylan: That should just about do it. You'll be all snug as a bug in a
rug while I'm gone. See you later, Princess.
Lu:(turning around and walking toward the door) You're leaving me?
Alone?
Dylan: I have to slay some dragons, princess. Now remember, No phone
calls out. If you do, I'll know it. The only calls that will be put
through are either long distance or my cell phone so go ahead and answer
those. Hopefully your father will be reasonable and the restrictions
can be lifted.
A marina in Virginia Beach. The well tended parking lot opens to
floating docks decorated with colorful hanging flowers and neatly wound
lines and hoses.
Laura: (inhaling shallowly the combined fragrance of fuel, flowers and
fish) Okay. What are we doing here?
Kris: I think we need a break to assess the situation. Driving through
can be fun but also careless.
Laura: I like the way you think, but it still doesn't explain what
we're doing here?
Kris: A buddy of mine has a slip here. He's out to sea right now but
he keeps the fees paid. In return he gets to use my boat.
Staci: You never told me about a boat?!
Kris: Who wants to brag about a hole in the water that you throw money
into? But it's big enough to stay on. And no one will ask questions.
Staci: (straining up on her toes looking one way then the other) Which
one is it?
Kris: Right over here. He leads the two women down a dock to a 75 foot
sailing ketch.
Laura: OHMYGOD. That thing is huge! A sailboat?
Kris: (shrugging) I think that we'll be comfortable. And there are
engines on it but why limit yourself?
Staci: (getting excited) Can we take her out?
Kris: I need to look her over first. It's been awhile since I've been
down here. (Kris climbs on board and reaches a hand over to first Laura
and then Staci.) You guys need to get out of those shoes though before
you ruin my deck. (Staci neatly kicks off her shoes before starting to
explore the topside of the boat.)
Laura: (softly) There's no way that you could afford this...even on
what my husband paid you.
Kris: (hands on hips surveying the scene) Ah yes-- but think of it as a
house payment and it starts getting a little more affordable. Mrs
Cassadine, I've always had my housing provided...first by the navy and
then by your family. And I'm not driving around in an antique pepto
bismol pink cadillac pouring C-notes into the tank every 200 miles.
Your son has the land yacht... I don't.
Laura: (threading her hand through his looped arm) Why don't you show me
around?
Lucky's place. Stefan sits at the family table. Lucky is not there.
Dylan walks in; he pauses briefly to allow his eyes to adjust to the
artificial dark before walking over to the table in the back corner.
Dylan: (standing over Stefan at the booth before sliding in across from
him) The place just isn't the same without her, is it?
Stefan: (his voice low and crystal clear) I should have killed you seven
years ago. Believe me-- it crossed my mind... more than once.
Dylan: Tsk-- Is that anyway to talk, Dad?
Stefan: You lay one hand on Lesley Lu and you will be a dead man,
Hornsby.
Dylan: And what if she lays a hand on me? She'd over 18.
Stefan: Now. She wasn't then.
Dylan: Believe me after that wild goose chase you sent me on to
Switzerland after I got back into Port Charles, I'm beginning to pick up
the pattern of what happened back then. I should have known. Don't
underestimate me again.
Stefan: (his eyes narrowing) Do not overestimate yourself.
Dylan: (changing the subject abruptly) Your wife called while I was
making security amendments at the warehouse. She and Staci are fine.
But she gave no indication where she was. Lu told her something about
ditching the car... and you trying to rein Nik in . You really haven't
been having a good couple of days, have you? Let's get down to
business. I need to talk to Brooke before I talk to her parents.
They're scheduled to come in tomorrow morning but it could be as soon as
tonight. If Brooke doesn't sign off on this little exchange then all
bets will be off anyway. The Ashtons will hit your beaches 20 minutes
after I meet with them.
Stefan: I've dealt with Ned before. There won't be a problem In the
past he's proven to be as gullible as you.
Dylan: Your veneer of civility is cracking, Stefan. Besides Ned won't
be who you have to worry about -- Lois will be. You get between her
and any of her kids, and she'll kill you. And if you touch a hair on
Lois' head then you'll have a bunch of crazy people on your hands...
including Brooke.
Stefan: This situation is not of my making-- or my liking. This is
something that you and Nikolas will have to resolve. I will make this
clear to the Ashtons if it comes to that.
Dylan: (Leaning forward) Nikolas isn't taking in the big picture here.
You and I both know it. We may not like each other; we probably never
will. But we both care about Brooke and about LesleyLu. Brooke was
very private about her pregnancy. She didn't tell anyone-- but that
damn newscast put her front in center with the looneys-- That's Nik's
fault. No matter how much I agree that she may be safer on the island;
it wasn't her choice. I need a guarantee that Nikolas will release
Brooke either immediately or when the hostilities are over.
Stefan: And so your move on LesleyLu.
Dylan: Can we come up with a compromise? Both of them at the warehouse
perhaps?
Stefan: I will consider this and discuss it with Nikolas. Now I want
to speak to Lesley Lu.
Dylan: You know the terms. (Stefan reaches into his pocket and dials a
number on the speed dial. He hands the phone to Dylan. Dylan does the
same for Stefan. By mutual consent they move to opposite sides of the
room).
GH2017.98 Parental Prerogative
Lucky's place. Stefan sits at the family table waiting for Lucky.
Dylan left long ago for the Quartermaine mansion after talking to Brooke
on the Cassadine island. (it's amazing what can be accomplished during
the commercial breaks) Lucky strolls into the club. Seeing Stefan at
the back table he rolls his eyes but heads on over.
Lucky: Well I've been expecting to hear from you. NO, I have no idea
where Mom is and if I did-- I wouldn't tell you. Sloppy, Stefon-- Real
sloppy. One thing I never expected of you was to open your yap without
thinking... do stupid things-- sure, all the time-- but to not think
about the consequences of your words? That was unexpected.
Stefan:(indicating with a wave of his hand, his voice's tired) Have a
seat, it has gotten worse.
Lucky: (disbelieving) Worse?! Worse than the Cassadine back in the
kidnapping business and Mom on the lamb?! What could be worse? Oh
GEES-- what happened to Lulu?
Stefan: Her personal safety remains assured.
Lucky: (grinding out the words between clenched teeth) Spit it out!
Stefan: (wincing slightly) Morgan, or should I say Hornsby, has taken
her hostage to guarantee that Brooke will be returned unharmed.
Lucky: Jason is involved in this? No Way!
Stefan: I believe it was as much a surprise to Jason as it was to us.
This is Dylan Hornsby's brilliant idea. I've spoken to your sister.
She is at the warehouse. She says she is fine but I hear something in
her voice. I think the reality of what she agreed to has started to hit
her. I do not like this. I don't like it at all.
Lucky: Big flippin' surprise there. Lu agreed to this?
Stefan: (nodding once) There was little choice. Hornsby refused to take
me; for a single moment I was relieved your mother had left and took
Anastacia with her, then it hit me who his real target was. I don't
know what your standing in all of this is. You might have access to
your sister and only the Cassadine are to be punished. Or Hornsby may
attempt to deny access to all of us in order to leverage Nikolas.
Lucky: I'd better be able to see Lu or Hornsby is dead meat. I have
plans for later with Emily; I might be able to get some more information
then. Trust a Cassadine to f... screw things up royally.
Stefan: (Rising from the table) Dylan said a few things. Your mother
called Lu at the warehouse; she and Anastacia are both fine. The
Ashtons could be arriving at any time and that there may be room for
compromise. I am taking the possibility of having Brooke and Lu both
at their apartment in the warehouse as an option to Nikolas.
Lucky: You do that. Bro and I aren't seeing eye to eye on things right
now. We don't need this distraction.
Stefan: Agreed-- the time taken on this allows our enemies time to move
against us and puts your mother in increased danger.
Lucky: Mom will take care of herself. We just need to set our sights
on the real targets.
Stefan: Again agreed. By the way, congratulations on your betrothal.
Your mother would be very happy.
Lucky: (ironically) Yeah, right-- she'd be over the moon. It's a shame
she doesn't know about it.
Stefan: I will inform you of any developments.
Lucky: Do that.
WVPC. Alexis is sitting in the station manager's office. Her movements
are sharp as she contains her frustration with the situation. Breaking
away from her thoughts, she stares out the window.
Alexis: Damn it Nikolas. What in the hell were you thinking? Here I
am again cleaning up your messes, damn impulsive behavior. (She goes
over to the intercom.) Claudia, when is Serena Baldwin off the air? I
want her in my office ASAP.
Claudia ( her voice faintly mechanical through the box) She got the
message right before she went on air. She should be here anytime.
Stone is in studio two finishing up on the Public service announcements.
Alexis: Good. When Ms. Baldwin arrives, will you go down to the studio
and keep Stone down there until I arrive, please? He doesn't need to
hear this conversation.
Claudia: No Problem, Mrs. Hardy. (She clicks off the intercom) I
don't want to hear you putting Serena on the rack either.
Claudia looks up to see Serena Baldwin striding confidently toward the
general manager's office there is a lilt in her step that is almost
gleeful. 'She doesn't know what's going to hit her,' thinks Claudia.
Serena: Is she in?
Claudia: Yes, Mrs. Hardy wanted to see you as soon as you got off the
air. You can go right in. (clicking on the intercom again) Mrs Hardy,
Serena Baldwin's here for you.
Serena: Thanks Claudia. (Serena opens the door and strides through
leaving the door ajar behind her.)
Claudia: (rising to close the door, then moving away as quickly as
possible without drawing notice) Don't thank me.
Alexis (positioned to be looking out the window. She studies Serena's
reflection in the window allowing herself time to put on her game face
before turning around.) Have a seat, Ms. Baldwin.
It's been a long time.
Serena: (confused) Yes, I think we've been to some of the same
parties-- the Nurses Ball perhaps?
Alexis: (her smile without humor) You could put it that way. Ms
Baldwin, what do you know about Timoria Communications?
Serena: It's a company in trust for three minors and you're managing
it.
Alexis: ( her gaze entirely focused on Serena in an effort to make her
squirm) Close. It's a trust for my son, Jason Morgan's daughter and
Georgie Jones. Three people hurt by the actions of this station and
the reporting of Veronica Bowles. I thought I'd cleared all of the
sloppy reporters from the station. Was I wrong? (There is a click of a
door shutting that draws both women's gaze)
Mark: Hey Alexis! Are you going for the heat lamps next? You know
questioning a client without her lawyer present is inappropriate and
could get you sanctions.
Alexis: (surprised, she quickly rises from her chair and moves around
the desk to draw Mark into an affectionate embrace) Mark?! What are you
doing here?
Mark:(squeezing back and then kissing her on the cheek) My client gave
me a call.
Alexis: (drawing back to look at him) Since when have you started taking
on clients?
Mark: We kind of bonded over being shot at together.
Alexis: (stepping back placing her hands on her hips) Exactly. How
STUPID could you possible be? The bus explosion was one thing. There
was no way you could have know that was going to happen. And I was very
happy that Brooke had you with her. But to intentionally fly into a
hostile, unknown situation like that. HOW COULD YOU?! I am putting you
on notice right now, Mark Drake, I refuse to raise your son because
you've done something so incredibly stupid as to get yourself killed!
Mark: Now Alexis...
Alexis: Don't "now Alexis" me. Damn it, Mark! What about Adam? He
has one parent, Mark-- just one. You can't be taking risks like that.
I nearly had a heart attack when I found out that you were on the
plane... which is another bone I have to pick with you .. WHY DID I HEAR
ABOUT IT ON THE NEWS?!
Mark: Now Alexis....
Alexis: I told you I don't want to hear that. I want answers-- NOW
Mark! (Serena clears her throat drawing both Alexis and Mark's
attention.)
Serena:( her head cocked to one side taking in the floor show) I take
it you two know each other?
Alexis: (Her face flushed; she shakes her head at her own inattention.
Alexis adjusts her suit jacket and goes back to her chair behind her
desk. ) Ms Baldwin, You've put me in an awkward position. I am both
counsel for Nikolas Cassadine, who might feel that you infringed on his
privacy and may want me to sue you and the station for harassment, AND
counsel for this station, charged with defending you and the content of
what we put on the air. I reviewed the tape. Your information appears
to be factual but skates the edges. And you knew that. You
intentionally circumvented the checks which are in place to verify
information before it goes on the air. IF one word of what you put on
the air couldn't have been verified, you would be GONE. Do you
understand me-- GONE. Because you did violate station policy there will
be a formal write up in your file. The Timoria Communications Group
does not suffer fools in silence, Ms Baldwin, go outside of policy
again and I WILL fire you. You put Mark in danger again and I'll do you
severe bodily harm. Are we clear?
Serena: Yes, I believe so. There's one thing, Mrs. Hardy-- About the
bullet hole in my plane?
Mark: (Alexis's internal thermometer starts going up. Mark, familiar
with the signs, quickly interjects) Don't worry about that, Serena; I
told you I'd pick up the tab for that one.
Alexis: (grinding out between gritted teeth) That won't be necessary,
Mark. Serena, fill out a reimbursement form. You were on company
business; the station will pay for the plane repairs. And next time--
FLY COMMERCIAL! You may leave now. (Both Serena and Mark stand to
leave) OH NO Mark; you and I have more to discuss.
Mark sinks back into his chair. Serena gives him a commiserating
squeeze on the shoulder before leaving, shutting the door behind her.
Serena sits at Claudia's desk and goes into the file cabinet behind it
where the reimbursement forms are kept. Her head whips back around to
the desk when the sound of voices comes from the intercom. She can hear
every word that Mark and Alexis say.
She reaches to turn it off... her hand hesitates over the button.
Alexis: Do you realize how bad it's gotten?
Mark: What do you mean?
Alexis: Evidently Jason and Dylan Hornsby have decided to go into the
hostage business themselves. Lu was taken off the island yesterday and
is being held by them. Jason is trying to keep me out of this. And Tom
still has not idea. He will freak when he finds out.
Mark: I didn't know, Alexis. It's still better than what Jason and I
were planning before Robin talked us out of it-- full assault on the
island.
Alexis: THAT DAMN REPORT! (Alexis shakes her head) Stefan was this
close (holding two fingers about an inch apart) to having Nikolas bring
Brooke back here. Nikolas heard that damn report and that was it. He
isn't budging about bringing her back.
Mark: Alexis, he can't do that. She's a grown woman and I've heard a
few of their conversations. She was JUST mellowing toward him again.
This is going to send Brooke through the roof.
Alexis: I don't tell my cousin what to do. Mark, I've been very careful
to keep you away from my family. You have no idea what they can be
like. Let me make this clear to you now however, my cousin can do
anything he wants, anything-- without legal consequences. He can make
any problem go away. There's only one thing that has a higher priority
than The Cassadine himself and that is the family-- the continuation of
the family. (Mark winces) I see that you are beginning to realize the
dilemma. Nikolas is now on autopilot. No matter what his feelings
about Brooke; she will be safe. AND THAT DAMN REPORT! It was picked up
on satellite before I could stop it. It is everywhere, EVERYWHERE!
There is only one leverage point on a Cassadine and that is the child
and the enemies of MY FAMILY know this.
Mark: (feeling winded) Holy Jesus! Jason has been trying to fill me in
on this but I don't think that he really gets it either. Alexis, Ned
and Lois are on their way to Port Charles; they may even be here by now.
Alexis (leaning back in her chair and exhaling sharply) Between Scylla
and Charybdis. (Mark looks confused) I did neglect that part of your
education, didn't I? The devil and the deep blue sea, Mark... the devil
and the deep blue sea.
Mark: Jason thinks Serena might be in danger?
Alexis. (nodding) Not only from the enemies of the family but also if
Nikolas starts thinking again-- from him as well. She knows where the
island is. The island itself isn't much of a secret but Brooke's being
there is. You need to keep a low profile as well; your name was
mentioned in the report. (Getting up, she begins to pace the room)
Mark: You could find out exactly where on the island Brooke is being
held.
Alexis: (paling) Don't ask that of me, Mark. I couldn't betray my
family that way no matter what I think of what they've done. Even Ned
wouldn't ask that of me.
Mark: Sorry, I had to ask. Jason said he'd been on the island but
years ago with you and Mrs.Cassadine. He doesn't remember much about
the island. What about Mrs Cassadine?
Alexis: She's gone. Laura disappeared within an hour of hearing what
Nikolas had done. No one knows where she is. And Laura learned how to
disappear from a pro-- she could be anywhere. Lu made Stefan and Lucky
promise to not try to track her and made sure that Laura had an eight
hour lead. The more people looking for her, the more danger she's in.
Mark: Damn.
Alexis: May I suggest that now would be a good time for you to go on
vacation? Take Adam with you, go fishing whatever. See if you can talk
Ms. Baldwin into going with you. I'll write it up as a suspension for
drawing outside the lines.
Mark: I need to clear it with Jason.
Alexis: I don't care if you're still working for him by fax and phone,
just don't be where someone can put their hands on you or on Adam.
Nikolas wouldn't touch Adam but the enemies of the family would slit his
throat in a heartbeat if it would get you to tell them where Brooke is.
Mark: What about you?
Alexis: Why do you think Stone is living on the island? Do you think
it's what I want? And I'm armed again. I locked my pistol away when
Stone was a baby, I kept in practice more as a mental exercise; I never
thought I'd have to carry a pistol fulltime again.
Mark: (rising and moving silently to the door) I'm sorry, Alexis. I'll
let you know where I'll be.
Alexis: No-- don't. Just let me know you and Adam are safe.
Mark walks out the door and stops abruptly, seeing Serena at Claudia's
desk the reimbursement form half filled out in front of her. From the
intercom he hears the sound of Alexis picking up the phone. He shuts
the door sharply behind him.
Mark: You little sneak.
Serena: (defensive) Hey it was left on!
Mark: Right. Did you get an earful?
Serena: How much danger is Brooke Ashton in? She was exaggerating
right?
Mark: You and I need to talk. Come on let's get out of here. (Reaching
down he grasps Serena by the upper arm in a bruising grip.) I think
that at least our conversation should be held privately. Don't you?
Serena: OW let go! I'm coming; no need for bruises. I bruise easily,
you know.
Mark: Just shut up until we get out of here, okay?
