CHAPTERS 75 & 76
GH2017.75 Violating The Prime Directive
Wyndemere: Coming on to dusk, Laura and Lu are flushed, high on caffeine
and piled high with packages. Lu has a large purse that is filled to
overflowing with papers and measurements of the warehouse that is within
a stone throw of her completed warehouse project.
Lu:(striking a pose) ...by the time I get done; I'll be a real estate
maven. A power in my own right!
Laura: I think that Stefan has created a monster!
Lu:(laughing) Nah, lets blame this one on Jerry and Georgie; they both
like tweaking Daddy's nose at times. Besides, I think that Daddy had a
good time before.
Laura:(concerned) This one won't be as "hands on" as the first... are
you okay with that?
Lu: (shrugging ) Sure, now I have all the contacts and know what I want
to do... but I think that the top window, you know the one that I mean,
I think it should be stained glass. That would be so distinctive...
I'll need to find a craftsman....maybe not a stained glass window... a
clock a large clock with a stained glass face. That would be so
fabulous. And the colors from the clock face could be carried over into
the penthouse apartment. I need to write some of this stuff down... I
need to SET some of this stuff down! Gees Mom, how many pairs of shoes
did I buy?
Laura: It seemed like all the ones that fit, honey.... All the ones
that fit. The bodyguard had to send for a cart to haul all the stuff
around. And there are still more that are being delivered.
Lu: I wonder what they'll look like after they look for bombs in all
the boxes?
Laura: Baby, I'm glad you found your sense of humor again. It's good to
see you smile.
Stefan: (coming down the stairs) Yes Angel, you look beautiful. And
who's this charming woman with you? Your sister, perhaps?
Laura: (laughing ) You're not Russian! The truth is out-- Stefan
Cassadine: closet Irishman. He's been kissin' the blarney stone. News
at eleven.
Stefan: Now I know they are fools, if they kiss stones when presented
with such lovely creatures. (Taking Lu into a quick hug, he kisses her
on the forehead and then releasing her, takes Laura's hand and draws her
close.)
Lu: Daddy, I have the greatest idea for a clock.... it's four feet in
diameter...I was thinking a stained glass face, that way as the sun
shines through the clock it would cast a colorful shadow on the floor.
Maybe I could put a pattern on the floor?... Sort of like a sundial so
that the tenant can tell time just by looking down. I have to write
this stuff down...(Gathering her stuff together, she starts running up
the stairs turning after about three steps) Daddy, will you have time
to do a security schematic for me?
Stefan: Of course, Angel. You'll be in your workroom? (There's no
answer as Lu has already run up the stairs) Lasha, What did you do?
She's brimming with life again. It's like she can't keep up.
Laura: She had a severe case of cabin fever. A couple of triple
lattes, checking out all the young hunks at the mall (Stefan winces),
buying at least a dozen pairs of shoes, Walking inch by inch through a
disgustingly filthy abandoned building whose sole redeeming feature is a
"perfect window space" and this is what you get.
Stefan: (Kissing her tenderly on the lips.) The things you do for your
children. You're a miracle worker.
Laura: How did you do in the miracle department? Is Nikolas still in a
foul mood? ( Just then yelling can be heard from upstairs. But only
one voice ---Lu's)
Stefan: (wincing again.) Yes, a very foul mood and I think he is
undoing all your hard work. He refuses to discuss Brooke. The
situation cannot be left alone and yet...
Laura: He's cutting off his own foot.
Stefan: What?
Laura: A wolf when captured, back when they had those leg traps, would
chew off its own leg rather than be trapped. Nik is feeling trapped by
the situation and is lashing out at everyone. I'm going to go try.
Stefan: (kissing her again) Good Luck
Laura:: (squeezing his hand) Thanks, I think I'll need it.
Nik:...Your behavior is reprehensible! What kind of example are you
setting for Staci?
Lu: (Continues to put shoes away in her closet)Staci wasn't with me and
even if she were-- I took precautions.
Nik: Your safety is MY responsibility. You will stay on the island
until this matter is resolved!
Lu: Now WAIT a DAMN, YIPPEE- SKIPPY MINUTE! You just back it up,
buddy. Who do you think you are? My father? No. My mother? I don't
think so. You are my brother; that doesn't give you the right to
dictate what I do and who I do it with. I am over the age of twenty-
one and I'll go any damn place I like and you'll just live with it. YOU
GOT THAT!
Nik: LESLEYLU SPENCER...
Lu: Don't EVEN use that parental tone with me, bro! I don't tolerate it
from Lucky; I'm not going to take it from you. You have two choices
right now. You can get the hell out of my room or I'll get off of this
island. I can be over in the warehouse in fifteen minutes flat and as
mad as I am with you right now I could probably row it in ten! (Nikolas
slams out of the room shutting the door sharply as he leaves. But he
can still hear his sister ranting from inside her room) AND DON'T YOU
EVER MESS WITH ME WHEN I'VE BEEN DRINKING LATTES-- I'LL RIP YOUR ARM OFF
AND BEAT YOU TO DEATH WITH IT! YOU HEAR ME, NIKOLAS CASSADINE? CROSS ME
AND YOU'RE DEAD MEAT.
Laura leans against another doorway listening to her daughter's
bloodthirsty rant. Then catches Nikolas' eye.
Nik: Well I hope you are proud of yourself! This is all your doing. I
can't believe that you encouraged this scant regard for the precarious
position we are in. I thought you understood.
Laura: Has it really been so long?
Nik: So long what?
Laura: So long since you've been happy that you don't remember what if
looks like? For the first time since your sister just missed being
blown up in her apartment, she was happy. Happy, Nikolas! This was the
first time Lulu had been off the island: to do fun things, normal
things, to remember why life is worth living. Tell me, Nikolas, How
many times have you left the island? How many people have you gotten to
see? You've followed your normal routine; coming and going as you
please.
Nik: ( growling ) THIS is not about me.
Laura: Really? It's not about Lu. She went out on an unannounced trip
with bodyguards to find something that she could do from the island.
It's not about Stefan or me. Because I think that actually-- we're
holding up quite well under the strain. You on the other hand...
Nik: Why don't you just say it!
Laura: Honey, you are losing it. I don't think I have ever seen you
so... mismanage someone as you just did with Lu. And I can only guess
what happened with Brooke since you refused to discuss it?!
Nik: I WILL NOT speak of her!
Laura: Why? Is she dead to you? Did she do something totally
unforgivable? Has someone finally topped my score in the betrayal
stakes?
Nik: Your sarcasm is not appreciated, Mother.
Laura: Nikolas, I'm not being sarcastic. I want to know what happened.
And if you don't tell me... Brooke will. There are ties between our
families, Carly is married to her cousin for goodness sake. Lu and
Brooke are thick as thieves. When this is all over, they'll probably be
sharing an apartment in the warehouse. You cannot just arbitrarily cut
her out of all of our lives. Stefan likes her for goodness sake! Do
you realize how rare that is?! Of course you do, and I like the way
Stefan is when he's around her. Brooke doesn't allow him to get stuck
on himself. She's Honest! A breath of fresh air around here.
Nik: HONEST! That's a laugh. She's a lying, manipulative little... She
fooled me but not again and not my family.
Laura: I think you need to cool down and look at this again. Sorry,
there is no way she would have fooled all of us.
Nik: Your opinion was not asked for, Mother. But I do wish you'd speak
to Lu about her disrespectful manners. Staci models herself after Lu and
I'll not tolerate such rebellion from her.
Laura: No. Sorry, Nikolas. It's a fact of life and growing up.
Someday your children will speak to you the same way you speak to your
parents. (With that Laura walks off leaving Nikolas to his thoughts.)
The Warehouse: Jason pulls up to the parking lot. Georgie hops out of
the car but then hangs in the open window her short skirt easing up her
thighs as she leans in to talk to Jason.
Georgie: Are you sure you don't want to come up?
Jason: It'll be a cold day in hell. Tell you what, one of these days
why don't you pry Cari loose and bring her over to the house. Robin and
the kids would love to see her. And anytime you get tired of living
with that geezer let me know there is always room at the Q's.
Georgie: (shudders) And be living with my boss? I don't think so. I
need distance from Carly in order to get everything I need done.
Jason: I don't know how you can do this lying thing constantly.
Doesn't it get confusing?
Georgie: Nope. I must be good at it. Maybe I should have taken up the
stage.
Jason: I think you have enough jobs already. Come by after Dimitri
contacts you. And if he starts making a pest of himself let me know,
I'll straighten him out.
Georgie:(suspiciously) You're not going to get all bossy now; are you?
Jason: Nah, but I introduced you two. Now if he becomes a pain in the
ass, I'll have to take him out of your life. It's a balance thing. (
He starts the sports utility vehicle up.) Heads up, Georgie. He thinks
that doing Petrovic is going to make you indebted to him. Our world is
run on whom you know and who owes you. Getting you indebted to him, he
figures will give him leverage with me or with Stefan.
Georgie: Stefan?
Jason: Yeah, when I told him you were a cop I also told him that you
were tight with Cassadine.
Georgie: Jason! How could you?!
Jason: Even playing field, Now you both know to watch your mouths.
Talk to you later. ( Jason revs the engine. Georgie steps back allowing
the vehicle to pull away.)
Georgie: (yelling after the car that is already half way down the
street) Policy of noninterference, my ass! You are just as much a
buttinsky as either Jerry or Stefan and the next time I see you, I'm
going to tell you exactly that, Jason Morgan!!! (Turning she strolls
nonchalantly into the building past the guard who smirks at her after
hearing all that she had hollered after her cousin's car.)
Guard: Evening Ms. Jones. Did you have a nice day?
Georgie: Bite me. (Punching the up button on the elevator, Georgie then
walks through the opening doors. The doors silently close behind her.)
Guard: (with a lingering look at Georgie as the door closed) There's a
thought.
The Jacks' Apartment.
Georgie: ANYONE HOME?! ( she slams the door)
Cari: Yeah, I'm in here. (Georgie goes to the nook off the kitchen that
is set up as a computer center. The book shelves above the desk are
filled with cookbooks, school books and books on
photography. Clearly, this is the area that Cari has made her own.)
Georgie: What are you up to? (Looking over her shoulder.)
Cari: Lu's bought another building... actually she got two but this is
the one she's going to do first. She's filling me in on the dimensions
and the other particulars.
Georgie: My buddy, the mogul. Since my apartment was blown to hell and
back you think she'll have something in there for me that I can afford
on a nurse's salary?
Cari: Oh please! Don't forget your stock in Timoria Communication. I
think that your dividends will coverage the mortgage of whatever place
you get. Although you know, I really like having you here. You're the
first friend I made in Port Charles.
Georgie: (squeezing her shoulders affectionately) Yeah, but not the
last. Cari, if your brother and I stay too much in each other's
company, I'm gonna kill him. And no jury in the world would convict me
as long as it was over half women... Did you HEAR what he said?!
Cari: (wrinkling her nose just a little) Almost said. Yeah, it was a
sucky comment to make. But he's getting his cosmic punishment now. He's
off seducing Veronica Bowles into revealing her sources and who the new
owner of the paper is.
Georgie: YUCK. Well I had a great day. Jason Morgan took me to New
Jersey to met some of his friends and then when we were done; he took me
to this great Italian restaurant down in Brooklyn where we had a
fabulous late lunch. And after lunch we went over to the Cerullos
because Jason wanted to check their security. Gloria sent me back with
a huge lasagna and some cannoli for our dinner 'cause she knows I don't
cook. Does heating Lasagna count as my night cooking?
Cari: Yes, please. I've heard Brooke brag on her grandmother's
cooking. Hopefully, I can figure out how she does it.
Georgie:(patting Cari's shoulder absently) You know, you have an
amazingly analytical mind.
Cari: Exactly how much did you have to drink at lunch?
Georgie: (dismissing) Just a couple glasses of wine. But I'm so
relaxed, I could just melt into a puddle right here. Where is your dad?
Cari: I think he's still on the phone to your father. He's in his
room.
Georgie: UH OH if those two are talking; I'm in deep kimchee. Promise
to come rescue me if the situation gets too volatile. As soon as they
start trying to run my life, I'm gonna let them both have it.
GH2017.76 Easy To Be Kind
Jacks apartment Jerry's room in the early morning. An inhuman groan
comes from the bed. The bundle of bedding starts to move and feminine
hand snakes out from under the covers to pull pillow over her head.
Georgie: Argh! someone turn out the lights!
Jerry: (too cheerful by half) That ain't the lights, darlin'; that's the
sun.
Georgie: Then pull the shades you cruel, cruel man. Can't you see I'm
sick?
Jerry: (without sympathy) Sorry darlin, self inflicted illness doesn't
count. (slapping her rump through the covers) Haul your ass out of bed;
we've got people to see today.
Georgie: Just you wait ... winter is coming; I'll get you for this when
your old bones start stiffening up. I can't believe you're being so
mean!
Jerry: I can't believe you went out with Jason and got blitzed! How
sloppy can you get?
Georgie: (sitting up in bed) I only had two glasses of wine over lunch!
(she winces then collapses back onto the bed.)
Jerry: Right. Here is some aspirin and orange juice.
Georgie: (covering her eyes and whining) This never happens when I drink
tequila. It's just not fair.
Jerry: Well now you know, now get your butt in gear and get in the
shower. We're suppose to be over at Wyndemere this morning.
Georgie: (plaintively) I was nice to you when you were shot!
Jerry: And when you get shot, I'll be nice to you too. I'm going to go
check on breakfast. If you aren't out at the table in 20 minutes, I'm
going to haul you out of that bed and put you under a cold shower until
you sober up!
Georgie: And you say I have a mean streak. I'll get you for this,
Jerry Jacks!
Jerry: (Shrugging his shoulders ) Why? I'm not the one who gave you
the wine or the one that made you drink it. twenty minutes Georgie, not
a minute longer.
A hotel in a nearby town. Brooke is up and around early. Mark comes
out of his room with his hair mussed.
Mark: (yawning) What are you doing?
Brooke: Cooking breakfast. I woke up this morning absolutely famished!
Mark: You'd have to be-- if you were willing to risk your own cooking.
Brooke: (flipping her hand around in a dismissing motion) Whatever!
Actually I've been so spoiled by Cari's cooking; I miss it.
Mark: Well I guess that the morning sickness has passed.
Brooke:(Leaning against a counter. ) I feel great; it's like all the
energy I haven't had for the last few months hit me all at once.
Mark: (Nods) Yeah, and will leave you just as quick. Get ready for the
rollercoaster, Brooke.
Brooke: (Ruefully) I'm the oldest of five girls, Mark; I may not have
been paying attention for the first couple of pregnancies but I remember
what Ma was like carrying my baby sister, Rendy.
Mark: Well it's been a long time since I was around a pregnant lady.
I'll have to brush up on my reading.
Brooke: GOD! Me too.
Mark: How about I take a shower and when I get out we hit a bookstore
and buy everything in sight?
Brooke: Shopping ?! You are taking me shopping! You angel!
Mark: (backpedaling rapidly) Now I didn't say anything about
shopping... I said a bookstore; there's a difference, a big difference.
Brooke: Ohhh got him on the ropes now! (Brooke starts waving a spatula
at him) Go, go! I'll have breakfast ready when you get out. At the
very least the bagels will be edible, I toast a mean bagel.
Wyndemere: Kris's room where he is slowly getting out of bed favoring
the side with the slowly mending bullet hole in it. Staci walking down
the hallway sees him crawling out of bed and winces in sympathy.
Staci: (from the doorway) Are you sure you should be out of bed?
Kris: I'd go batty if I didn't.
Staci: There are some that might say then you'd fit right in.
Kris: ( brief chuckle that turns into a groan) Don't make me laugh.
That is more exercise than my ribs can handle.
Staci: I'm really glad you are here rather than at the hospital. At
least here you're safe.
Kris: Staci, if I were meant to be safe I a--wouldn't have joined the
SEALS and b-- wouldn't have gone to work for your father. I'd be
working in some nice office hauling in the bucks.
Staci: Can I do anything for you? Would you like to play cards? or
something?
Kris: Cards with you? I don't think so. You cleaned me out last
time. (Kris sees that Staci really needs to do something...) Tell you
what-- why don't you get me a book. If I can just move around a bit and
have something to occupy my mind, I'll be fine.
Staci: (smiling) Sure, I'll be right back. (Staci turns and walking
down the stairs hears the ring at the door as she passes it. Checking
the door, she sees Jerry and Georgie standing there. Smoothly she opens
the door) Hello. I didn't know you were coming over?
Jerry: Well I called Stefan this morning told him we might have a bit
of news for him.
Staci: (checking her watch) He's probably in the rec room then.
Georgie: (sliding her sunglasses to the top of her head to reveal
slightly swollen eyes that are a bit bloodshot) Okay I'll make sure
that Jerry doesn't get lost.
Staci: (concerned) Are you okay?
Georgie: Yeah I'll be fine; I just must've gotten some bad vino
yesterday. Stay away from alcohol, kid.
Staci: It hasn't been an issue. I'll talk to you later then. (Staci
heads off to the library while Georgie and Jerry go into the rec room
where Stefan and Laura wait.)
Stefan: Jerry, you have news?
Jerry: I thought you might. Been getting some rumblings from Russia.
I got a call from my boss last night.
The monkey house of the Zoo. Mark trails after Brooke who is entranced
by the antics of the nimble creatures.
Mark: (totally bewildered) How did I end up here?
Brooke: You went to work for Jason. I'm sure this isn't the strangest
place you've been. Oh Mark-- Look at that. ( Brooke points at a newborn
monkey that clings to its mother.) He's so adorable. He's like a spider
with those skinny arms hanging on so tight.
Mark: He reminds me of Adam when he was born. So tiny so skinny. But
what's right for a monkey, isn't right for a kid.
Brooke: (curious) You said something before about Adam having problems
when he was born.
Mark: His mom and I were so stupid. I can't say that really; we were
desperate. Eating was more of a priority than doctors or checkups and
balanced meals were a foreign concept. Adam was born early and
underweight. He did; he looked just like that monkey over there. Eyes
too big for his face, no "baby fat" just skin and bones. He spent weeks
in the hospital while they fattened him up. I waited a long time to
name him. I thought that naming him would be a jinx-- something to put
on his tombstone, you know.
Brooke: That's why you've been so fussy about me and the baby.
Mark: Hell-- I was fussing about you before I knew you were knocked up.
But yeah. It's already rough enough for kids; we need to give them
every shot.
Brooke: (grimacing) Knocked up. such a pretty phrase.
Mark: I got a million of them. When are you going to tell everyone?
Brooke: It's not like I can keep it a secret forever. I wish that I
could hate Nik. That would make things so much easier.
Mark: Easier? Easier how? Easier to tell?
Brooke: Yeah. 'Cause my ma is going to kill him and if she doesn't--
then my father and Dylan will.
Wyndemere the rec room. Jerry, Georgie, Laura and Stefan are sitting in
the main area on the overstuffed couches.
Georgie: ... Jason had this idea but he needed someone who spoke
Russian, so he took me. It was no big deal. Stefan, If he would have
taken you; you would have stuck out like a sore thumb.
Stefan: Georgie, Jason's ideas are often dangerous and illegal!
Georgie: It wasn't that dangerous just coffee with a bunch of mostly
old guys and they didn't talk ...explicitly about anything illegal.
Look it was an idea, we won't know anything for awhile yet. Nothing
might come of it.
Laura: All the faxes I've been getting from the foundation office over
there say that Petrovich is keeping a low profile. They are buzzing
with it because it is so ...out of character.
Stefan: He is out of weapons and bombs, now he has run out of words?
Laura: Security is taking it seriously; they figure it's the calm
before the storm. They are trying to locate the exact place he is
staying.
Georgie: (confidently) I think that they'll know exactly where he is by
tomorrow.
Stefan: And why do you say that?
Georgie:(grinning) Cause you only hire the best. Besides Petrovich
won't have a reason to hide soon enough.
Lu: (stomping into the room.) Mom, Daddy, I'm going back to work
tomorrow.
Nik: (following her into the rec room and standing in the doorway) No,
it's too dangerous.
Lu: (pointing a finger at Nik) You and I had this discussion yesterday.
I am giving you the courtesy of notifying you of my plans so that you
can make appropriate security arrangements but I AM going to work
tomorrow. ( Nik looks at Stefan and Laura for back up.)
Stefan: Jerry, it appears I'll be in town tomorrow night. Perhaps
you'd like a game?
Jerry: That would be great. Our usual table?
Stefan: Lesley Lu, will my usual table be ready?
Lu: (with a sigh of relief) Yes Daddy, I'll have your table ready. (Lu
leaves the room glaring at Nik as she leaves.)
