GH2017.46 Give The Little Lady A Hand

The Cerullo's Sunday morning-- the sounds of the household rising are in the
background. Nikolas Cassadine stands before the portrait of Brooke. His
focus is on the details of the portrait: the red toe polish on bare feet
that matches her bright skirt; the blue off-the-shoulder blouse, the same
hue as her eyes and picking up the blue in the pendant she wore; Brooke's
left hand entangled in her hair obscured from view; Brooke's expression- a
mischievous smile as if ready to tell the punchline of a joke. He starts at
a voice behind him.

Jason: I'm trying to place the background but that pendant is familiar.
Alexis wears hers on family holidays.
Nik: Yes, the Cassadine pendant. I believe that Brooke, if she recognizes
it, will take it as an additional artist's signature and not as a hint. All
the female portraits in the latest show were family members so naturally the
pendant was in all of them.
Jason: A Hint?
Nik: He believes it is time I remarried; I think Brooke has received his
seal of approval.
Jason: You seem close.
Nik: It is new. And she is very different from Gina.
Jason: Night and day. Been hearing rumors that you were being pressured to
produce the next Cassadine. That's another difference between our
businesses. You don't have to have a set of balls to run ELQ.
Nik: And yet you are grooming Dylan.
Jason: Bradley, Michael and Anna are too young to even know if they're
interested in the company. Justus wants out; he never wanted the job to
start. Almost twenty years later, he is still stuck with it.
Nik: He and my uncle should get together and compare notes on being thrust
into power. Although I have never observed Justus embrace it the way my
uncle did.
Jason: Justus still misses politics. I don't get the attraction. (Shrugs)
The only thing he likes about ELQ is backing the party. That includes AJ.
Nik: (snorting) Not a winning cause there.
Jason: He's not your biggest fan either. In fact, he thinks you are behind
the latest difficulties-- that you have it in for the Quartermaines.
Nik: (matter of factly) I've always thought your brother was an idiot. I
think all of the alcohol has finally pickled his brain. The rest of your
family, while volatile, can be quite charming; and Emily is . . .
Jason: Yeah, She's finally figured out how to leave the others' emotional
garbage with them. Em has been a rock for Robin with all the stuff that has
been going on. Robin says that AJ is on the right side of the issues. He
gets things done even if he can't keep his lips or his trousers zipped.
Nik: If Carly is anything like Bobbie, she'll be intensely loyal but keep
him straight.
Jason: She is more like Luke. She likes a good fight.
Nik: You are good friends with her. Our lives nearly intersect in so many
ways, but I don't really know her.
Jason: She is tight with Gina. Keesha too. Something about AJ just brings
his wives together.
Nik: Perhaps I should pity the man? ( Ned arrives in the room in time to
here the last comment)
Ned: Pity who?
Jason: AJ
Ned: What an idiot. Lois put her foot down and said I couldn't read the
transcripts of the board meetings. I could feel my blood pressure go up
every time AJ made a comment.
Jason: I hope that Lois is taking this latest issue seriously. The people
that are receiving the guns are nasty. The Russian mob is into kidnaping
and executions, and the other is into sending them all to Allah and letting
Him sort out the faithful. When we cut off the weapons, there may very well
be a reaction-- a sharp, vicious one.
Nik: Uncle has already notified our people in Russia. There should be some
intelligence reports at Wyndemere when I return.
Ned: I thought your concern was J&J?
Jason: This is exactly the kind of thing that Jaxy boy would pull. He'd
figure we would be so busy with the death threats, bomb scares and
government scrutiny that the company would be easy pickings. Even if he has
nothing to do with this latest, if there is a reaction to us cutting off the
guns; he may believe ELQ is vulnerable. Justus will be keeping an eye open
on the official channels but I need your help on this, Ned. We have to
eliminate you and the girls as targets and I want you to find out what Jacks
is doing.
Ned: (Groaning) Lois is going to kill me.
Lois: ( Ned starts at the voice behind him) It's a possibility. So what
has this testosterone thinkless tank come up with? May I inject a little
reality?
Nik: Lois, the threat is real. If you think we are exaggerating, you are
welcome to call my mother; she has had access to all the information in
this instance. This is the time to prepare. They are unaware the rules and
the players have changed. I will be increasing security on my own family
members when I return to Port Charles. Brooke, as my sister's roommate,
will also be protected.
Lois: That won't be necessary. Tour security will protect my daughter.
Jason: I didn't know Brooke was going on tour.
Lois: It's been planned for quite some time. She's contractually obligated
to tour for the CD.
Nik: (aghast)You cannot be serious.
Ned: (ruefully) My wife doesn't joke about contracts. She sues. Brooke'll
go; she is like her mother, nothing will interfere with the tour. This
isn't the first time we have had to tour with additional security.
Jason: That leaves the rest of the family. It would be difficult for a
strange person to get into the neighborhood. There is always the mail or
any activity that takes the kids out of the neighborhood-- including school.
Lois: So provide a driver. The kids still think it is 'cool' to have a
chauffeur and I'll talk to them about ditching the security. Gentlemen, I'm
not an idiot. I'm part of a business that is exposed to nuts and kooks . .
. often, it is the talent. But this will not interfere with the kids.
I'll go talk to them now. (Lois leaves.)
Jason: The house across the street is for rent. I'm going to set up a
couple of my people in it. One of them will be the new driver. I think
that mail delivery needs to be stopped as well as all other deliveries. The
mail can be inspected and tested at the post office. Ned, Do you think that
Mrs. C would go for a housekeeper?
Ned: No. Unless . . . you made it a present for her birthday. Then she
wouldn't refuse even if she hates it. How long is this going to take?
Nik: These are not patient people. It shouldn't take long.

The other side of the world in a luxury hotel suite in Sabat, Kuwait.

Jerry: ( frustrated ) This is a waste of time. There are already WSB teams
covering the area. All we're doing is rehashing what we already know and
stepping on toes.
Georgie: So what's left? Following the money?
Jerry: (thinking) There is that. I know someone in Zurich who can check the
Swiss accounts.
Georgie: And if it isn't there?
Jerry: Then perhaps we should be looking closer.
Georgie: The First Banking Centre?
Jerry : Still the largest bank in North Africa and where any good Muslim
keeps his money. It's within hours of most of Europe. Darlin', you up for
a little trip?
Georgie: Tunisia is beautiful this time of year, I hear.
Jerry: Cooler than this furnace but warmer than Port Charles. The Jacks
just happens to maintain a villa there. Totally secluded but with all the
modern conveniences. You would finally be able to get out of this. (He
fingers the robe that is flung over a chair in case company should come.)
Georgie: Do modern conveniences include tequila?
Jerry: And the limes of course.
Georgie: I'll send email to Daddy, Stefan and Cari to tell them of our
change in location. "Lead on McDuff"
Jerry: (Wincing) Please . . . no Shakespeare quotes, I had enough of that
with my ex-wife.
Georgie: Sorry. I think I am going to try to call Cari see how the house
hunt is going back in PC.
Jerry: Well, let me talk to her if you connect.

The apartment the phone rings catching Lu just as she is ready to head out
the door.

Lu: Georgie! How is your vacation? ... No, Cari is staying over on the
island . . . Just for the weekend . . . Brooke is out of town for her gram's
birthday. Stefan thought there were not enough fun things for her to do
while Brooke was gone and I was working . . . Yeah, I am going out to
rescue her now. We've picked out the place for Jerry and Cari . . . Yeah,
it's going to be a loft . . . What do I mean 'going to be'? ( Lu starts
laughing) I can hear Jerry panicking in the background. Tell him to relax;
he's going to love it . . . Fine, talk to you later . . . I'll give Cari
your love. Bye.
(Lu gathers all her sample books and measuring tape and heads for the door
when the phone rings again)
Lu: Gees! (picking up the phone) Grand Central station - may I help you?
No, No Brooke it's okay. How was Mrs.C's party? Great. When will you be
back? ... Really! So he finally showed up. Are you flying back with Nik or
Dylan? ... What did your mom do to pick a fight with Nik? I can't picture
it . . . I take it back; I can picture it. Nik will have his say- it will
either be on the plane or back here. Right- I'll see you this afternoon .
. . I'm going to leave the address of the building by the phone . . . Come
on by and check it out. (Lu hangs up the phone and starts heading to the
door allowing the machine to pick up the ringing phone.)

Spoon Island about an hour later a flushed Leslie Lu comes into the house
and into the front room where her mother and Stefan are finishing coffee and
the Sunday paper.
Lu: ( kissing them both and then heading for the coffee and scones) Hi,
Where is Cari?
Laura: She's having her first driving lesson this morning. Lucky took her
out to a parking lot before all the stores opened. Lucky said he would meet
you at the warehouse; he wants to check it out too.
Stefan: I believe it is time I inspected your choice, as well.
Lu: Great! Just remember this is the foundation, Daddy. It is not going to
look like the Taj Mahal over night. Today I am going to get all the
measurements. You wanted to check out the windows. This is going to be so
much fun. ( She jumps up, kisses him and then kisses him again.) I'll meet
you down at the launch. ( She leaves taking a scone with her)
Laura: I haven't seen Lu this excited for a while.
Stefan: I know. Unfortunately, it comes when she may be required to move
back to the island.
Laura: You think the threat is that imminent?
Stefan: The word coming from Russia isn't good. I haven't heard from Jerry
yet.
Laura: It might be best for Cari to stay as far away from us as possible;
if you are right. She's not an obvious target.
Stefan: But staying with Leslie Lu makes her one. Lasha, I think I will
give Lu my full attention to get this project completed.
Laura: ( grasping Stefan's hand as he passes) I know you worry, but
remember she did put you in charge of security. You can do everything
reasonable to keep them both safe.
Stefan: (smiling ruefully) why do I hear your voice running through my head
saying 'and a few things that aren't reasonable'?
Laura: Because we've been living in each others head for a long time. (
She gives him a kiss before releasing his hand) Keep them both safe. Lucky
needs to know what is going on; maybe today would be a good time.
Stefan: There won't be an argument at least. The family's security is a
topic on which Lucky and I see eye to eye.

The warehouse. A large cavernous building. When Lu and Stefan pull up,
Cari and Lucky are already there. They are sitting on the hood of the Caddy
while Lucky is smoking a cigar. When Lu and Stefan join them, Lucky gets
the first comment in.
Lucky: What a dump.
Lu: Why aren't you inside?
Lucky: It is warmer here sitting on the hood of the car than it is in that
building. Little Sis, I think you are Lulu by name and fact. Must have
been that marrow transfusion; the craving for dark, dank and depressing is
finally coming out.
Lu: (haughtily) You have no imagination. And you will lose whatever taste
you once had, if you keep smoking those disgusting things. Come on Cari,
Don't listen to him. (Together Lu and Cari enter the building. Lucky rises
to follow.)
Stefan: Lucky, wait- I need a word with you. (Lucky looks at him
impatiently) This is regarding your mother and the girls. (Lucky focuses
in on Stefan's face slowly exhaling cigar smoke)
Lucky: You've got my attention.