General Hospital Transcript
Transcript provided by Suzanne
Proofread by Anita
Dante: Alright, alright, Anna. Thanks, anyway.
Drew: So that didnāt sound good.
Dante: Peterās belongings have already been delivered, and itās too late to recall the messenger.
Sam: Iāll reach out to Maxie.
Dante: Itās not Maxie. He stipulated someone else as executor of his estate.
Sam: Who?
Dante: Someone who hates him probably just as much as we do.
Drew: Britt. August made her his executor.
Britt: [ Scoffs ] Typical Peter. He knew I loathed him, that I ā I couldnāt wait to be rid of him. Ā Of course he appointed me his executor. His way of tormenting me from beyond the grave.
Maxie: Well, can you refuse to be the executor? You know, send the box back?
Britt: I have a better idea.
Maxie: Ooh, we open it.
Britt: We call the bomb squad.
Dante: Alright, alright, Anna. Thanks, anyway.
Drew: So that didnāt sound good.
Dante: Peterās belongings have already been delivered, and itās too late to recall the messenger.
Sam: Iāll reach out to Maxie.
Dante: Itās not Maxie. He stipulated someone else as executor of his estate.
Sam: Who?
Dante: Someone who hates him probably just as much as we do.
Drew: Britt. August made her his executor.
Britt: [ Scoffs ] Typical Peter. He knew I loathed him, that I ā I couldnāt wait to be rid of him. Ā Of course he appointed me his executor. His way of tormenting me from beyond the grave.
Maxie: Well, can you refuse to be the executor? You know, send the box back?
Britt: I have a better idea.
Maxie: Ooh, we open it.
Britt: We call the bomb squad.
Sasha: Ooh, I canāt believe weāre actually eloping in Niagara Falls. Weāre ā weāre on our way to get married right now.
Brando: I know. I have to keep pinching myself to remind myself that Iām not dreaming.
Sasha: It is not a dream. At the other end of this road is a wedding chapel and the start of our life together as husband and wife! [ Giggles ]
Gladys: Brando, itās your mother. Again. Why arenāt you returning my calls? I know youāre on a getaway with Sasha to have time alone, but Iām worried about you ā and Sasha. At the very least, could you please just send a text? Let me know the two of you are okay? I donāt know, maybe send a picture of where youāre staying. Especially let me know when youāre coming back. I love you.
Lucy: May I offer a word of advice?
Gladys: No. Iām off the clock.
Lucy:Ā I know. Itās not about work. I just want you to listen, okay? I know that youāre worried. But Brando and Sasha, they deserve all the time they need to heal. And when they come home, Sasha is going to be rested and relaxedā¦ and a whole lot richer.
Gladys: Yeah, well, money isnāt everything.
Victor: To a new beginning for the entire Cassadine clan. Iām sorry. I thought we were all on the same page. Now I have to wonder whether this invitation to your vow renewal is a real olive branch or just a way of using my genuine love of family for your own purposes.
Guard: You know, for a guy that canāt walk or talk, you sure know how to get under peopleās skin. [ Lock beeps, disengages ] Ooh, especially that hot new intern. Oh, man. [ Sighs ] Iād sure like to be the one to rile her up. You know what I mean? [ Cellphone chimes ]
Brando: I thought taking the back roads would be a shortcut to the wedding chapel.
Sasha: In other wordsā¦ youāre lost?
Brando: [ Scoffs ]
Sasha: Put your pride aside and turn on the GPS.
Brando: [ Chuckles ] I hate to admit this, but the GPS went out and I didnāt want to take the time to fix it.
Sasha: So much for marrying a mechanic and never having car problems. Here I was looking forward to all those free tune-ups.
Brando: Oh, okay, well, for the record, the GPS is more of a computer issue, not a mechanical issue.
Sasha: [ Chuckles ] Let me see if I can use a directions appā¦ canāt get a signal. Thereās a downside to being out in the middle of nowhere.
Brando: Donāt worry. Iām not one of those guys who hates stopping and asking a local for directions.
Sasha: What locals? We havenāt passed a gas station or even another car for miles. [ Sighs ] What if weāre really lost?
Brando: Weāll figure it out.
Sasha: Will we? Are we lostā¦ or have you changed your mind about getting married?
Lucy: Did I just hear you right? You said āmoney isnāt everythingā? That doesnāt sound like you. Oh, no! Do you feel okay? Do you have a temperature? Ohh!
Glady: I was kidding, of course. Now, I know that Maxieās back. Youāre full speed ahead to take deception public. What does that actually mean for Sasha?
Lucy: Well, you know that Sasha is a partner in deception, and thanks to Michael Corinthosā ninja negotiating skillsā¦ you know, talk about having the right boyfriend at the right time. I just wanted a brand-new āface of deception,ā but he wrangled an equity stake for Sasha in the company, which I donāt regret at all. She has been an incredible asset. Anyway, the point is, is that when we do take deception public, that girl is going to get a large share of stocks and her net worth is going to skyrocket.
Gladys: My Brando sure knows how to pick āem. I always knew that Gilmore girl had potential.
Lucy: Really? You know, thatās not exactly how I remember it. Since when did you become team Sasha?
Brando: Come on. Any mother would have doubts about Sashaās history. She was a supermodel. She was leading a supermodel lifestyle, hanging out with gangsters, snorting illegal substances.
Lucy: Wow! So very subtle.
Gladys: But then I saw how brave Sasha was when she and Brando lost little Liam. [ Sighs ]
Lucy: Youāre right, I do not doubt her bravery, and she was very courageous. [ Inhales sharply ] But you know what? I still ā I just ā I just am kind of worried that sheās rushing her recovery by coming back to work so soon.
Gladys:Ā I had the same feeling, but every time I mentioned it, she shut me down. Uh, politely, you know? Her manners are impeccable, of course, but a wall is still a wall no matter how pretty itās painted.
Lucy: Maybe itās ā itās not really right for us to expect that Sasha doesnāt think we should probably respect her privacy. See what Iām saying? We got to respect her privacy, I think, really.
Gladys: Lucy, Iām asking you something. Is there something wrong with Sasha? Something Brandoās mother should know?
Dante: Yeah. Britt. Howād you know?
Drew: Well, I just saw the dynamic when we were all on Cassadine island together. Peter used Britt as leverage to control Jason and her mom, but Britt never backed down. I mean, she let him have it about the ā the hell that he put Maxie through, about supposedly hating Faison and then essentially following in his footsteps.
Dante: Ooh, I bet Peter didnāt like hearing that.
Drew: No, he did not. But I think on ā on some level, envied his sister andā¦ even though she was the prisoner, she had more agency than Peter did, so it makes kind of ā it makes sense that he would mess with her any way he could, make her the executor just so sheād have to acknowledge his existence and not forget about him.
Dante: He probably got a kick out of the fact that heās forcing her to deal with whatever he left behind.
Drew: So we go to Britt, and we have her plant the bait. And then we let word get back to Victor what Peter left behind.
Sam: I donāt know. There might be a problem with your plan.
Dante: What? Whatās the problem?
Sam: Does Britt strike either one of you as the kind of person thatās going to safeguard Peterās personal effects?
Maxie: Well, what did Anna say?
Britt: The WSB x-rayed and vetted the contents. Thereās nothing dangerous inside ā no toxic substances or anything potentially lethal.
Maxie: Okay, so if itās harmless, what are you gonna do with it?
Britt: I never said it was harmless. It came from Peter, remember? And he knows how much I hated him. I mean, who knows what he left me to mess with my head? Fortunately, there is a dumpster in the alley behind the hotel.
Maxie: Soā¦?
Britt: So this is going in the garbage where it belongs.
Maxie: What? Wait, Britt! No, donāt do that.
Nikolas: When I thanked you for interceding on my behalf with Spencer, that was very sincere. I meant what I said.
Ava: I confess. I advised Nikolas to be careful of you at first, but that was before I could see for myself that your heart is clearly in the right placeā¦this time.
Victor: Laura has been doing her best to turn my family against me.
Nikolas: My mother can be overprotective at times. But given your past and your recent association with Peter, can you really blame her?
Victor: Oh, for the last time, my dealings with Peter August were extremely limited and, yes, a regrettable lapse in judgment, but Iām not the only one here. Peter deceived a great many people, including the formidable Anna Devane. But the man is, thankfully, dead, and may the discord he caused die with him. As for Laura [Sighs] For the well-being of my family, I agree to give her a pass ā something which, for the record, she would not do for me.
Ava: Thatās so big of you, Victor.
Victor: Yeah, well, consider it a wedding present.
Ava: Well, the real gift would be bringing us all together when Nikolas and I renew our vows. Of course, we canāt be certain that Spencer will accept our invitation.
Victor: Oh, I ā I have a good feeling about this. After all [Chuckles] His significant other supports a father-son reconciliation, and Esme seems to hold great sway with Spencer.
[ Lock beeps, disengages ]
Esme: I know your death stare terrifies most people, but Iām not most people. What were you thinking out there in the dayroom? Speaking out loud? Donāt you realize someone could have heard you when you opened your mouth to snap at me? After all your planning, all your months of silence, you could have blown the whole thing just to scold me.
Ryan: Actually, I was thinking about youā¦ ā¦and how youāve failed me.
Brando: I want to marry you more than ever. What makes you think Iād change my mind?
Sasha: Iām sorry for doubting you, Brando. But if the GPS isnāt working and weāre lost, then what do we do?
Brando: We are not a completely lost. Roll down your window. [ Water rushing in distance ] You hear that?
Sasha: I do. Weāre by a river.
Brando: Right. We are on a back road that runs alongside the river. If you listen hard, you can hear wedding bells. [ Bells tolling in distance ] Those bells are ringing for another couple.
[ Tolling continues ]
Sasha: And soon they will be ringing for us. And for Liam. His brief life will have meaning becauseā¦ we will know and ā and the whole world will know that he was born out of love.
Lucy: I admit that Maxie and I are a bit worried about Sasha coming back to work too soon after the trauma of losing Liam. And, um, speaking from firsthand experience, those kind of wounds take a long time to healā¦ if they ever heal at all.
Gladys: I tried to get through to her. She shut me out. I ā it seemed that with my Brandoās help she was getting betterā¦
Lucy: [ Sighs ]
Gladys: ā¦And [Sighs] I still believe Sasha will healā¦ [ Chuckles ] ā¦Especially when she gets back from that getaway and realizes what this IPO is going to do for the future of our family. But what if this getaway is just an escape from reality?
Britt: Thereās no way youāre feeling sentimental about Peter.
Maxie: Hey, I am not feeling sentimental, but Bailey is Peterās only child. Maybe he left something for her.
Britt: [ Chuckles ] Like he wrote her a letter?
Maxie: Iām hoping he left her something of financial value.
Britt: Look, I take my role as āAunt Brittā very seriously, and I donāt want my niece growing up with anything of Peterās to drag her down.
Maxie: I totally agree with you, and if there is nothing in that box worth keeping, I will help you junk it.
Britt: Okay, fine. But letās open it out on the terrace just in case thereās something inside that makes us howl with rage and disgust.
Maxie: Good idea.
[ Cellphone ringing ]
Dante: Itās Anna. I better take it. Hey, whatās going on?
Drew: [ Exhales sharply ]
Sam: Hey. Are you okay? Are you sure thereās no way that that card can affect you?
Drew: I know it won’t. Itās not the right card.
Sam: [ Sighs ]
Drew: But Victorās not going to know that. When he tries to activate me, then weāll know what heās up to.
Sam: Okay, but you know that that cardā¦ is the hook and youāre the bait. And if Victor does realize that somethingās going onā¦ youāre going to be at risk. Are you willing to do this? I mean, Iām not going to judge you if you back out.
Drew: No, Iām doing it. I want to take Victor down as much as you do.
Sam: Yeah.
Dante: Alright, uh, Brittās at the metro court, and sheās already got Peterās belongings.
Britt: Well, itās too late, then. Thereās no way Brittās going to hold on to his belongings.
Drew: Well, we got to try. We got to try. We got to move.
Victor: I believe that where Esme goes, Spencer will follow.
Nikolas: Iāve agreed we should include Spencer in the vow renewal once heās finished his time at Spring Ridge. As far as inviting Esme, I mean, do I have to remind you she is the one that torched Avaās car?
Victor: [ Scoffs ] Well, do I have to remind you that Spencer dislikes Ava as much as you dislike Esme? Look, if you want your son to put aside his pride and celebrate your vows, how can you exclude the young woman who has such an influence on Spencerās young life?
Ava: Well, I wouldnāt say that Esmeās influence has exactly been positive.
Victor: [ Sighs ] If weāre all going to start throwing stones, Ava, none of us are going to walk away unbruised.
Nikolas: [ Sighs ] Unfortunately, I think my uncleā¦ is right. Either itās an inclusive family celebration or it isn’t. Thank you for reminding me. I owe you.
Victor: Iāll add it to your tab. [ Inhales sharply ] Meanwhile, I should leave the two of you to get along with your guest list.
Ava: Mm.
Victor: You wonāt regret this, Nikolas.
Nikolas: What the hell happened to our intimate, romantic celebration for two?
Ava: Well, you know, we said it would be a night to remember. And with our new guest list, that’sā¦bound to be true.
Ryan: I am so disappointed in you, Esme. You had one job ā break up Ava and Nikolas. Iāve had to continue this exhausting charade pretending to be as animated as an eggplant! You have totally lost sight of the prize.
Esme: Thatās not fair. I did everything I could to help Spence terrorize Ava in hopes that sheād leave Nikolas. I thought leaving her dead daughterās hospital badge by her burnt car was an inspired idea. It is not my fault that Avaās love for Spenceās dad is stronger than her fear of a stalker.
Ryan: Ava doesnāt love Nikolas. She only thinks she does. And youāve been wasting your time playing this adolescent game of kiss-and-tell with Spencer and his friends.
Esme: What Iām doing is trying to make sure my relationship with Spence looks real. If Iām not convincing, someone might get suspicious. But my loyalty, first and last, is always to you.
Ryan: So you say.
Esme: [ Exhales sharply ] Please. Iāll do anything. Just ā just let me prove it to you. Daddy. You like it when I call you that, donāt you?
Ryan: You know I do. But as the saying goes, Esme, be careful what you wish for.
Sasha: Okay, I know itās a back road, but canāt we drive a little faster?
Brando: [ Chuckling ] Thatās a negative.
[ Cellphone ringing ]
Sasha: [ Gasps ] Look at that! We have cell service again!
Brando: Ah. Whoās calling? Maxie? Lucy?
Sasha: Your mom.
Brando: Ah. Well, I have been ignoring her calls. But that is my mom ā if one way doesnāt work, she will find another.
[ Ringing continues ]
Sasha: Gladys! What a nice surprise.
Gladys: Hello, Sasha. Hi. I-I know you and Brando are on a little getaway, and I donāt mean to interrupt, but I havenāt heard anything from Brando. And, naturally, as a mother, Iām concerned. Is everything okay?
Sasha: Iām sorry, Gladys. We have really spotty coverage here in the falls, so youāre ā youāre breaking up on me, but ā but Iām sure weāll have a lot to talk about when we get back.
Gladys: Oh ā oh ā hello? Hello?
Lucy: Oh! Darn it! Bad connection, huh?
Gladys: Sasha couldnāt wait to get off the call, though she did blame the bad reception at the falls.
Lucy: The falls, as inā¦ Niagara Falls? Is that where they went?
Gladys: Whatās wrong with Niagara Falls?
Lucy: Nothing. You know, I think I got married there. No, no. I didnāt get married there. I-I think I almost got married there once.
Gladys: [ Chuckles ] Yeah. Mm. Yeah, ācause if you canāt make it to Vegas, you just head to Niagara for a little quickie wedding. [ Chuckles ] Hm! Mnh! You donāt think thatās what theyāre doing, do you?
Nikolas: Maybe while Iām making the drinks, you can explainā¦ your about-face. When did you go from suspecting that Victor was up to no good to inviting him to our vow renewal?
Ava: [ Breathes deeply ] Well, if you must know, your mother asked me to keep Victor close. We all do know that he is up to something!
Nikolas: Well, thatās safe to assume. Itās the Cassadine way.
Ava: Your mother is ā is mostly worried about Spencer, knowing that he is susceptible to Victorās āgenerosity.ā
Nikolas: I see. And knowing my mother, sheās concerned that I might be susceptible, too. Is that the gist?
Britt: Okay, I can still change my mind and I can drop this off the balcony and watch Peterās belongings just shatter on the ground.
Maxie: Okay. Wait one second. If you destroy that box ā you know, toss it, burn it, drop it in a vat of battery acid ā arenāt you always gonna wonder what is inside of it?
Britt: No. But clearly you are. [ Sighs ] Okay. Come on. Let’s just get this over with.
Dante: Britt. Stop.
Britt: Is there something dangerous in this after all?
Sam: Not dangerous to us.
Maxie: Then who?
[ Elevator doors whirring ]
Victor: Oh, excuse me. Iāll, uhā¦ Iāll have a top-shelf Manhattan, please. And you know what? Itās such a lovely evening. Iāll, uh ā Iāll take it on the terrace.
Waitress: Of course.
Victor: Thank you.
Drew: Mr. Cassadine. Your timing could not be any better.
Esme: You have another planā¦ Daddy?
Ryan: I have information, which is where all good plans begin. For instance, you followed my every instruction to steal the card keyā¦ and here you are. And Ava may really believe that sheās found ātrue happinessā with Nikolas, but soon enough, sheāll find a worm in that apple.
Esme: Oh, please tell me. Please let me in on things. I canāt help you unless you trust me.
Ryan: Hmm. Trust is a two-way street. And given how easily distracted you are by petty jealousies and these shallow co-ed shenanigans, Iām not sure I can count on you anymore.
Esme: [ Scoffs ] Really? Well, like you say, thatās a two-way street. You donāt trust me? Maybe your brother Kevin will trust me when I tell him the truth about you, that you can talk and have been able to for months! Aah!
Ryan: Youāre not going anywhere.
Sasha: I didnāt like lying to your mom, but what else can I say?
Brando: I donāt consider that lying. We just have to break the news to her as gently as possible. And by the amount of times sheās called me, itās clear she hasnāt even gotten used to the idea of us taking a few days to ourselves. And soon sheās gonna have to get used to seeing a ring on your finger and then our names on a marriage license. And finally, sheās gonna burst into tears and claim that I robbed her of planning her only sonās wedding. [ Chuckles ] But eventuallyā¦ after a few years, she will get over it. But if ā if youāve changed your mind and decided you want a more traditional ceremony, we can turn the car around right now, go back to the B & B, and ā and you can look at, uh, party-planning reviews. And ā but, I mean, letās be honest. If weāre gonna go that route, we both know that you would pick Maxie.
Sasha: I donāt need a big wedding. I just want you. I want to see those rings on our fingers as a reminder that we belong to each other, body and soul.
Brando: I want that, too.
Sasha: Mm.
Brando: Speaking of rings, look in the glove compartment. [ Glove compartment door opens ] See that box?
Sasha: [ Gasps ] Oh, my god! Brando!
Gladys: I canāt believe my son would elope and not include me.
Lucy: [ Chuckles ] Wellā¦ thatās kind of the definition of elopement. The parents stay home.
Gladys: I am not just any parent. I am a single mother who sacrificed everything for that boy.
Lucy: [ Sighs ]
Gladys: And itās not like him to sneak around behind my back, so Iām sure this was her big idea.
Lucy: Oh, no, don’t. Donāt you dare do that. Do not blame Sasha. She deserves every bit of happiness she can get after everything sheās gone through.
Gladys: I was thinking of Sasha. [ Stammers ] I am afraid maybe youāre right. She rushed back to work. Sheās rushing into marriage. Itās all just to avoid the terrible pain of the loss of Liam, and itās a big mistake. And thereās got to be something I can do to stop them.
Esme: Let me go.
Ryan: Wellā¦ I guess your time in Port Charles hasnāt been wasted after all, not if youāve developed a backbone that can stand up to me.
Esme: What can I say? I had an excellent teacher.
Ryan: I appreciate the compliment. I hope you make me proud.
Esme: Oh, I will. Thatās always been the plan.
Ryan: Just remember ā I call the shots. Are we clear?
Esme: Yes, sir. Youāre the boss.
Ryan: Thatās more like it. And you still have to regain my trust.
Esme: Iāll do anything.Just tell me where to start.
Ryan: Back at square one ā with Ava.
Nikolas: If we both agree he canāt be trusted, why not wait to get closer to him? Why invite Victor to share the happiest day of our lives?
Ava: Your motherās concerned that Victor has already made significant inroads with Spencer. And given what he knows about you with regard to Hayden, Iām afraid he thinks he has the upper hand with you.
Nikolas: My uncle and I are even now. My debtās been paid in full.
Ava: Nikolas, five minutes ago, you just told him that y-you owed him. And I know he will find a way to collect.
Nikolas: Do you really think I would let him get the better of me?
Ava: No. But I think he will keep trying. And I think he will use any weapon he can find, including your son. Thatās why I invited him to be there when we renew our vows. I want Uncle Victor to believe that we trust him. So that when he finally does show us his handā¦ we will be ready.
Victor: What is it you want with me, Drew?
Drew: Put you on notice. Look, we may never be able to prove that you helped Peter escape, but I will never forget the part that you played in stealing two years of my life.
Victor: That sounds a lot like youāre threatening me.
Drew: Really? āCause I-I meant it to sound like a promise. Just stay clear of me and my family and everybody that I care about, or I will find a way to make you pay for every single day that you had me locked away from my life.
Waitress: Mr. Cassadine.
Victor: Hm? Oh. Do you still want your drink on the terrace? Iāll, uh ā Iāll take it with me. Thank you.
Waitress: Okay.
[ Elevator doors whirring ]
Victor: Hmph.
Britt: -Look at that.
Maxie: -Can you believe it?
Britt: Wow.
Victor: I-Iām sorry. Do you mind if I join you out here? Or is this a private party?
Sam: Such a beautiful baby, Maxie. Definitely in the 99th percentile of total cuteness.
[ Maxie chuckles ]
Victor: Oh, I do love babies. And, Maxie, Iām so gratified to see that youāre finally reunited with your daughter.
[ Bailey Louise fussing ]
Maxie: Thanks.
Dante: Say, Victor, uh, did you know anything about Peter leaving any personal effects behind.
Victor: Ah, despite what everyone seems to think, I really wasnāt on intimate terms with Mr. August. Mm. W-why do you ask?
Sam: Itās just that that box that Britt is holding, it came from the WSB. Itās Peterās effects.
Britt: Yeah. I was gonna just toss it in the garbage. And then Maxie encouraged me to open it just in case thereās anything inside that could help pay for Baileyās college tuition.
Maxie: You know what, Britt? Just give it to me. Youāre taking too long.
Britt: Uh, take it easy, Maxie.
Maxie: I canāt wait any longer!
Britt: Iām the executor!
Sam: Maxie!
[ Sighs ]
Maxie: Sorry about that.
Britt: [ Sighs ] No, itās ā itās fine.
Sasha: We just decided to get married. How did you slip out and buy wedding rings without me knowing it?
Brando: Uh, well, they ā they arenāt what you think they are. When we, uh, decided to get married on the fly, I had to improvise. So those are actually just some spare engine parts that I polished up while you were in the shower. But theyāll serve their purpose until I have time to take you to a proper jewelry store. [ Laughs ] Iām kidding.
Sasha: [ Laughs ]
Brando: When I told you I was going to the gym, I actually just ran off to the closest jewelry store. Those are the real thing. Just like we are.
Sasha: [ Breathes sharply ] Brando, Iā¦ I donāt know what to say. I love them. [ Metallic rattling ] What was that? [ Bell chiming ] The ācheck engineā light is on.
Brando: Yeah, I need to pull over and check this out, see how bad it really is.
Lucy: What exactly are you trying to do? Come on. Brando and Sasha, well, theyāre adults. So even if you could find the chapel that theyāre maybe eloping at, youāre not gonna stop their wedding ā you canāt stop it. So please just let them follow their hearts.
Gladys: That is easy for you to say. Youāre just her business partner. Sheās on the verge of becoming my daughter-in-law.
Lucy: Okay, I-I really take issue with that because, first, Sasha is my friend. And, secondly, you would be damn lucky to have Sasha as your daughter-in-law.
Gladys: I do not disagree. If Sasha and Brando were getting married for the right reasons, Iād be all for it. But a few days ago, there wasnāt even a mention of marriage. Iām afraid the reason theyāre eloping is to hide from the pain of Liamās death. No. I canāt let that happen.
Ryan: So, my original plan to break up Ava and Nikolas came up short.
Esme: Hm. If anything, it made them closer. I know you love Ava, but sheās never gonna care about you the way that I do.
Ryan: But thank you for pouring salt on my wound.
Esme: So whatās plan b? And donāt tell me you donāt have one because you always do.
Ryan: You think you know me, donāt you?
Esme: Just like you know me.
Ryan: Youāve already completed the first step to insinuate yourself with the family. I think we can use Spencerās incarceration to our advantage.
Esme: How?
Ryan: By making yourself an even larger presence in their lives.
Esme: Nikolas doesnāt trust me, and Ava openly dislikes me. She doesnāt even try to hide it.
Ryan: Itās easy to control a teenage boy whose hormones are raging. Ava and Nikolas, youāre gonna have to try harder. If they donāt like you, then youāll have to make yourself more likable. Iām willing to try, but Iām pretty sure Nikolas already blames me for turning Spenceās head.
Esme: Oh, Iām pretty confident heāll come around. You know what they say ā like father, like son.
Nikolas: Victorās no oneās fool. Heās got to realize we have a motive for including him in our ceremony.
Ava: Thatās why we have to stay one step ahead of him.
Nikolas: You just remember ā Victor played king of the mountain with Peter, and Victor is the one who survived. My mother is right. He is up to something.
Ava: Let Victor give it his best shot. As long as you and I stick togetherā¦ he cannot touch us. And donāt forget, my loveā¦ I have a very long history dealing with people like Victor.
Maxie: Iām gonna help pick everything up.
Victor: Oh, let me ā uh, let me help you. Donāt you ā donāt you worry. Iāve got this.
Sam: Normally I would help, but I donāt want to touch anything that Peterās touched, ever.
Dante: [ Clicks tongue ] Hey, Britt, uh, I knew the WSBās done with that and they passed it on to you, but can I maybe take it down to the PCPD? We got some cases we need to wrap up that Peter was involved in. Maybe it could, uh, help us out.
Britt: Is there something the WSB missed?
Dante: No, but theyāre looking for espionage, and weāre looking for, say, tying up Francoās murder case.
Britt: Well, the WSB released this box to me, so you need to talk to Anna Devane.
Dante: Right. Okay. I-I understand. But Anna gave it to you, right? Because she was done with it already. So would it be cool to pass it on to me? Weāll give it right back to you. You let me know.
Britt: Yeah.
Gladys: I have to put a stop to this. Uh, tell the bartender to put the drinks on Carlyās tab.
Lucy: Uh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, wait. Wait. Youāre ā youāre not seriously gonna try and stop Brando and Sashaās wedding?
Gladys: I absolutely am.
Lucy: No. Gladys, don’t. Please. Please. Just ā just think about this. You know, youāre not really sure theyāre eloping. And ā and, besides, Niagara Falls, itās a natural wonder, a beautiful place ā hundreds of thousands of folks visit every year and they donāt get married.
Gladys: Brando didnāt return any of my phone calls. Somethingās up. A mother knows.
Lucy: Don’t. Don’t. No, no, no. Wait. Wait. Please. Do not try to stop the wedding. They are only gonna end up resenting you.
Gladys: These are two grief-stricken parents.
Lucy: [ Sighs ]
Gladys: They probably shouldnāt commit to buying a car, much less spending the rest of their lives together. There has to be something I can do to stop them from doing something theyāll always regret.
Lucy: Mm. Mnh. Mnh!
Sasha: Well? How bad?
Brando: Weāre gonna need a tow. I already called for one, but since we are in the middle of nowhere, it might take a few hours.
Sasha: I should have known that this plan ā this plan wasnāt gonna happen. Now we will never get to the chapel before it closes. [ Voice breaking ] Maybe ā maybe this is a sign. Maybe we were never meant to have a happy ending.
Brando: Hey. Hey. Listen.
Sasha: [ Sniffles ]
Brando: We got a blanket in the trunk and some hot coffee in the thermos there. And until help arrives, I am sure that we can find some way to keep warm.
[ Vehicle approaches ]
Sasha: Thatās the tow truck! [ Gasps ] So much for it taking hours! [ Giggles ]
Brando: Looks like weāre gonna get our happy ending after all.
Maxie: Sheās settling down. So much excitement. You better get used to it, Bailey Lou. Your mom is a magnet for trouble.
Britt: And so is your Auntie Britt! [ Gasps ] Yes! [ Laughs ] You know, Iām still not sure what happened on the terrace, but if it makes Victor pay for aiding and abetting Peter,
Maxie: [Clicks tongue]
Britt: Then it was worth it.
Maxie: Well worth it.
Victor: Thank you, Peter. While you rot in hell, Iāll make good use of this.
Nikolas: The best way to stay one step ahead of Victor is by keeping him where we can see him.
Ava: And Spencer?
Nikolas: Once heās released from Spring Ridge, absolutely. And it goes for Esme, as well. But I can promise you one thing.
Ava: Hm?
Nikolas: No one will ever come between us again.
Esme: I need to go. The orderly will be back any minute. But before I leave, thereās still something I donāt understand. I mean, even if Ava leaves Nikolas, what then? Youāre still a prisoner facing a life sentence. Whereās all this leading?
Ryan: Oh, you leave that to me. You just do as I say, and youāll have your heartās desire. Not only Spencer and his fortune, but the family youāve always longed for.
Esme: Ava isnāt my family.
Ryan: No. But sheās family to me. [ Velcro tears ] And whatās mine is yours. My beautifulā¦ gifted daughter.
Sasha: Ooh, I canāt believe weāre actually eloping in Niagara Falls. Weāre ā weāre on our way to get married right now.
Brando: I know. I have to keep pinching myself to remind myself that Iām not dreaming.
Sasha: It is not a dream. At the other end of this road is a wedding chapel and the start of our life together as husband and wife! [ Giggles ]
Gladys: Brando, itās your mother. Again. Why arenāt you returning my calls? I know youāre on a getaway with Sasha to have time alone, but Iām worried about you ā and Sasha. At the very least, could you please just send a text? Let me know the two of you are okay? I donāt know, maybe send a picture of where youāre staying. Especially let me know when youāre coming back. I love you.
Lucy: May I offer a word of advice?
Gladys: No. Iām off the clock.
Lucy:Ā I know. Itās not about work. I just want you to listen, okay? I know that youāre worried. But Brando and Sasha, they deserve all the time they need to heal. And when they come home, Sasha is going to be rested and relaxedā¦ and a whole lot richer.
Gladys: Yeah, well, money isnāt everything.
Victor: To a new beginning for the entire Cassadine clan. Iām sorry. I thought we were all on the same page. Now I have to wonder whether this invitation to your vow renewal is a real olive branch or just a way of using my genuine love of family for your own purposes.
Guard: You know, for a guy that canāt walk or talk, you sure know how to get under peopleās skin. [ Lock beeps, disengages ] Ooh, especially that hot new intern. Oh, man. [ Sighs ] Iād sure like to be the one to rile her up. You know what I mean? [ Cellphone chimes ]
Brando: I thought taking the back roads would be a shortcut to the wedding chapel.
Sasha: In other wordsā¦ youāre lost?
Brando: [ Scoffs ]
Sasha: Put your pride aside and turn on the GPS.
Brando: [ Chuckles ] I hate to admit this, but the GPS went out and I didnāt want to take the time to fix it.
Sasha: So much for marrying a mechanic and never having car problems. Here I was looking forward to all those free tune-ups.
Brando: Oh, okay, well, for the record, the GPS is more of a computer issue, not a mechanical issue.
Sasha: [ Chuckles ] Let me see if I can use a directions appā¦ canāt get a signal. Thereās a downside to being out in the middle of nowhere.
Brando: Donāt worry. Iām not one of those guys who hates stopping and asking a local for directions.
Sasha: What locals? We havenāt passed a gas station or even another car for miles. [ Sighs ] What if weāre really lost?
Brando: Weāll figure it out.
Sasha: Will we? Are we lostā¦ or have you changed your mind about getting married?
Lucy: Did I just hear you right? You said āmoney isnāt everythingā? That doesnāt sound like you. Oh, no! Do you feel okay? Do you have a temperature? Ohh!
Glady: I was kidding, of course. Now, I know that Maxieās back. Youāre full speed ahead to take deception public. What does that actually mean for Sasha?
Lucy: Well, you know that Sasha is a partner in deception, and thanks to Michael Corinthosā ninja negotiating skillsā¦ you know, talk about having the right boyfriend at the right time. I just wanted a brand-new āface of deception,ā but he wrangled an equity stake for Sasha in the company, which I donāt regret at all. She has been an incredible asset. Anyway, the point is, is that when we do take deception public, that girl is going to get a large share of stocks and her net worth is going to skyrocket.
Gladys: My Brando sure knows how to pick āem. I always knew that Gilmore girl had potential.
Lucy: Really? You know, thatās not exactly how I remember it. Since when did you become team Sasha?
Brando: Come on. Any mother would have doubts about Sashaās history. She was a supermodel. She was leading a supermodel lifestyle, hanging out with gangsters, snorting illegal substances.
Lucy: Wow! So very subtle.
Gladys: But then I saw how brave Sasha was when she and Brando lost little Liam. [ Sighs ]
Lucy: Youāre right, I do not doubt her bravery, and she was very courageous. [ Inhales sharply ] But you know what? I still ā I just ā I just am kind of worried that sheās rushing her recovery by coming back to work so soon.
Gladys:Ā I had the same feeling, but every time I mentioned it, she shut me down. Uh, politely, you know? Her manners are impeccable, of course, but a wall is still a wall no matter how pretty itās painted.
Lucy: Maybe itās ā itās not really right for us to expect that Sasha doesnāt think we should probably respect her privacy. See what Iām saying? We got to respect her privacy, I think, really.
Gladys: Lucy, Iām asking you something. Is there something wrong with Sasha? Something Brandoās mother should know?
Dante: Yeah. Britt. Howād you know?
Drew: Well, I just saw the dynamic when we were all on Cassadine island together. Peter used Britt as leverage to control Jason and her mom, but Britt never backed down. I mean, she let him have it about the ā the hell that he put Maxie through, about supposedly hating Faison and then essentially following in his footsteps.
Dante: Ooh, I bet Peter didnāt like hearing that.
Drew: No, he did not. But I think on ā on some level, envied his sister andā¦ even though she was the prisoner, she had more agency than Peter did, so it makes kind of ā it makes sense that he would mess with her any way he could, make her the executor just so sheād have to acknowledge his existence and not forget about him.
Dante: He probably got a kick out of the fact that heās forcing her to deal with whatever he left behind.
Drew: So we go to Britt, and we have her plant the bait. And then we let word get back to Victor what Peter left behind.
Sam: I donāt know. There might be a problem with your plan.
Dante: What? Whatās the problem?
Sam: Does Britt strike either one of you as the kind of person thatās going to safeguard Peterās personal effects?
Maxie: Well, what did Anna say?
Britt: The WSB x-rayed and vetted the contents. Thereās nothing dangerous inside ā no toxic substances or anything potentially lethal.
Maxie: Okay, so if itās harmless, what are you gonna do with it?
Britt: I never said it was harmless. It came from Peter, remember? And he knows how much I hated him. I mean, who knows what he left me to mess with my head? Fortunately, there is a dumpster in the alley behind the hotel.
Maxie: Soā¦?
Britt: So this is going in the garbage where it belongs.
Maxie: What? Wait, Britt! No, donāt do that.
Nikolas: When I thanked you for interceding on my behalf with Spencer, that was very sincere. I meant what I said.
Ava: I confess. I advised Nikolas to be careful of you at first, but that was before I could see for myself that your heart is clearly in the right placeā¦this time.
Victor: Laura has been doing her best to turn my family against me.
Nikolas: My mother can be overprotective at times. But given your past and your recent association with Peter, can you really blame her?
Victor: Oh, for the last time, my dealings with Peter August were extremely limited and, yes, a regrettable lapse in judgment, but Iām not the only one here. Peter deceived a great many people, including the formidable Anna Devane. But the man is, thankfully, dead, and may the discord he caused die with him. As for Laura [Sighs] For the well-being of my family, I agree to give her a pass ā something which, for the record, she would not do for me.
Ava: Thatās so big of you, Victor.
Victor: Yeah, well, consider it a wedding present.
Ava: Well, the real gift would be bringing us all together when Nikolas and I renew our vows. Of course, we canāt be certain that Spencer will accept our invitation.
Victor: Oh, I ā I have a good feeling about this. After all [Chuckles] His significant other supports a father-son reconciliation, and Esme seems to hold great sway with Spencer.
[ Lock beeps, disengages ]
Esme: I know your death stare terrifies most people, but Iām not most people. What were you thinking out there in the dayroom? Speaking out loud? Donāt you realize someone could have heard you when you opened your mouth to snap at me? After all your planning, all your months of silence, you could have blown the whole thing just to scold me.
Ryan: Actually, I was thinking about youā¦ ā¦and how youāve failed me.
Brando: I want to marry you more than ever. What makes you think Iād change my mind?
Sasha: Iām sorry for doubting you, Brando. But if the GPS isnāt working and weāre lost, then what do we do?
Brando: We are not a completely lost. Roll down your window. [ Water rushing in distance ] You hear that?
Sasha: I do. Weāre by a river.
Brando: Right. We are on a back road that runs alongside the river. If you listen hard, you can hear wedding bells. [ Bells tolling in distance ] Those bells are ringing for another couple.
[ Tolling continues ]
Sasha: And soon they will be ringing for us. And for Liam. His brief life will have meaning becauseā¦ we will know and ā and the whole world will know that he was born out of love.
Lucy: I admit that Maxie and I are a bit worried about Sasha coming back to work too soon after the trauma of losing Liam. And, um, speaking from firsthand experience, those kind of wounds take a long time to healā¦ if they ever heal at all.
Gladys: I tried to get through to her. She shut me out. I ā it seemed that with my Brandoās help she was getting betterā¦
Lucy: [ Sighs ]
Gladys: ā¦And [Sighs] I still believe Sasha will healā¦ [ Chuckles ] ā¦Especially when she gets back from that getaway and realizes what this IPO is going to do for the future of our family. But what if this getaway is just an escape from reality?
Britt: Thereās no way youāre feeling sentimental about Peter.
Maxie: Hey, I am not feeling sentimental, but Bailey is Peterās only child. Maybe he left something for her.
Britt: [ Chuckles ] Like he wrote her a letter?
Maxie: Iām hoping he left her something of financial value.
Britt: Look, I take my role as āAunt Brittā very seriously, and I donāt want my niece growing up with anything of Peterās to drag her down.
Maxie: I totally agree with you, and if there is nothing in that box worth keeping, I will help you junk it.
Britt: Okay, fine. But letās open it out on the terrace just in case thereās something inside that makes us howl with rage and disgust.
Maxie: Good idea.
[ Cellphone ringing ]
Dante: Itās Anna. I better take it. Hey, whatās going on?
Drew: [ Exhales sharply ]
Sam: Hey. Are you okay? Are you sure thereās no way that that card can affect you?
Drew: I know it won’t. Itās not the right card.
Sam: [ Sighs ]
Drew: But Victorās not going to know that. When he tries to activate me, then weāll know what heās up to.
Sam: Okay, but you know that that cardā¦ is the hook and youāre the bait. And if Victor does realize that somethingās going onā¦ youāre going to be at risk. Are you willing to do this? I mean, Iām not going to judge you if you back out.
Drew: No, Iām doing it. I want to take Victor down as much as you do.
Sam: Yeah.
Dante: Alright, uh, Brittās at the metro court, and sheās already got Peterās belongings.
Britt: Well, itās too late, then. Thereās no way Brittās going to hold on to his belongings.
Drew: Well, we got to try. We got to try. We got to move.
Victor: I believe that where Esme goes, Spencer will follow.
Nikolas: Iāve agreed we should include Spencer in the vow renewal once heās finished his time at Spring Ridge. As far as inviting Esme, I mean, do I have to remind you she is the one that torched Avaās car?
Victor: [ Scoffs ] Well, do I have to remind you that Spencer dislikes Ava as much as you dislike Esme? Look, if you want your son to put aside his pride and celebrate your vows, how can you exclude the young woman who has such an influence on Spencerās young life?
Ava: Well, I wouldnāt say that Esmeās influence has exactly been positive.
Victor: [ Sighs ] If weāre all going to start throwing stones, Ava, none of us are going to walk away unbruised.
Nikolas: [ Sighs ] Unfortunately, I think my uncleā¦ is right. Either itās an inclusive family celebration or it isn’t. Thank you for reminding me. I owe you.
Victor: Iāll add it to your tab. [ Inhales sharply ] Meanwhile, I should leave the two of you to get along with your guest list.
Ava: Mm.
Victor: You wonāt regret this, Nikolas.
Nikolas: What the hell happened to our intimate, romantic celebration for two?
Ava: Well, you know, we said it would be a night to remember. And with our new guest list, that’sā¦bound to be true.
Ryan: I am so disappointed in you, Esme. You had one job ā break up Ava and Nikolas. Iāve had to continue this exhausting charade pretending to be as animated as an eggplant! You have totally lost sight of the prize.
Esme: Thatās not fair. I did everything I could to help Spence terrorize Ava in hopes that sheād leave Nikolas. I thought leaving her dead daughterās hospital badge by her burnt car was an inspired idea. It is not my fault that Avaās love for Spenceās dad is stronger than her fear of a stalker.
Ryan: Ava doesnāt love Nikolas. She only thinks she does. And youāve been wasting your time playing this adolescent game of kiss-and-tell with Spencer and his friends.
Esme: What Iām doing is trying to make sure my relationship with Spence looks real. If Iām not convincing, someone might get suspicious. But my loyalty, first and last, is always to you.
Ryan: So you say.
Esme: [ Exhales sharply ] Please. Iāll do anything. Just ā just let me prove it to you. Daddy. You like it when I call you that, donāt you?
Ryan: You know I do. But as the saying goes, Esme, be careful what you wish for.
Sasha: Okay, I know itās a back road, but canāt we drive a little faster?
Brando: [ Chuckling ] Thatās a negative.
[ Cellphone ringing ]
Sasha: [ Gasps ] Look at that! We have cell service again!
Brando: Ah. Whoās calling? Maxie? Lucy?
Sasha: Your mom.
Brando: Ah. Well, I have been ignoring her calls. But that is my mom ā if one way doesnāt work, she will find another.
[ Ringing continues ]
Sasha: Gladys! What a nice surprise.
Gladys: Hello, Sasha. Hi. I-I know you and Brando are on a little getaway, and I donāt mean to interrupt, but I havenāt heard anything from Brando. And, naturally, as a mother, Iām concerned. Is everything okay?
Sasha: Iām sorry, Gladys. We have really spotty coverage here in the falls, so youāre ā youāre breaking up on me, but ā but Iām sure weāll have a lot to talk about when we get back.
Gladys: Oh ā oh ā hello? Hello?
Lucy: Oh! Darn it! Bad connection, huh?
Gladys: Sasha couldnāt wait to get off the call, though she did blame the bad reception at the falls.
Lucy: The falls, as inā¦ Niagara Falls? Is that where they went?
Gladys: Whatās wrong with Niagara Falls?
Lucy: Nothing. You know, I think I got married there. No, no. I didnāt get married there. I-I think I almost got married there once.
Gladys: [ Chuckles ] Yeah. Mm. Yeah, ācause if you canāt make it to Vegas, you just head to Niagara for a little quickie wedding. [ Chuckles ] Hm! Mnh! You donāt think thatās what theyāre doing, do you?
Nikolas: Maybe while Iām making the drinks, you can explainā¦ your about-face. When did you go from suspecting that Victor was up to no good to inviting him to our vow renewal?
Ava: [ Breathes deeply ] Well, if you must know, your mother asked me to keep Victor close. We all do know that he is up to something!
Nikolas: Well, thatās safe to assume. Itās the Cassadine way.
Ava: Your mother is ā is mostly worried about Spencer, knowing that he is susceptible to Victorās āgenerosity.ā
Nikolas: I see. And knowing my mother, sheās concerned that I might be susceptible, too. Is that the gist?
Britt: Okay, I can still change my mind and I can drop this off the balcony and watch Peterās belongings just shatter on the ground.
Maxie: Okay. Wait one second. If you destroy that box ā you know, toss it, burn it, drop it in a vat of battery acid ā arenāt you always gonna wonder what is inside of it?
Britt: No. But clearly you are. [ Sighs ] Okay. Come on. Let’s just get this over with.
Dante: Britt. Stop.
Britt: Is there something dangerous in this after all?
Sam: Not dangerous to us.
Maxie: Then who?
[ Elevator doors whirring ]
Victor: Oh, excuse me. Iāll, uhā¦ Iāll have a top-shelf Manhattan, please. And you know what? Itās such a lovely evening. Iāll, uh ā Iāll take it on the terrace.
Waitress: Of course.
Victor: Thank you.
Drew: Mr. Cassadine. Your timing could not be any better.
Esme: You have another planā¦ Daddy?
Ryan: I have information, which is where all good plans begin. For instance, you followed my every instruction to steal the card keyā¦ and here you are. And Ava may really believe that sheās found ātrue happinessā with Nikolas, but soon enough, sheāll find a worm in that apple.
Esme: Oh, please tell me. Please let me in on things. I canāt help you unless you trust me.
Ryan: Hmm. Trust is a two-way street. And given how easily distracted you are by petty jealousies and these shallow co-ed shenanigans, Iām not sure I can count on you anymore.
Esme: [ Scoffs ] Really? Well, like you say, thatās a two-way street. You donāt trust me? Maybe your brother Kevin will trust me when I tell him the truth about you, that you can talk and have been able to for months! Aah!
Ryan: Youāre not going anywhere.
Sasha: I didnāt like lying to your mom, but what else can I say?
Brando: I donāt consider that lying. We just have to break the news to her as gently as possible. And by the amount of times sheās called me, itās clear she hasnāt even gotten used to the idea of us taking a few days to ourselves. And soon sheās gonna have to get used to seeing a ring on your finger and then our names on a marriage license. And finally, sheās gonna burst into tears and claim that I robbed her of planning her only sonās wedding. [ Chuckles ] But eventuallyā¦ after a few years, she will get over it. But if ā if youāve changed your mind and decided you want a more traditional ceremony, we can turn the car around right now, go back to the B & B, and ā and you can look at, uh, party-planning reviews. And ā but, I mean, letās be honest. If weāre gonna go that route, we both know that you would pick Maxie.
Sasha: I donāt need a big wedding. I just want you. I want to see those rings on our fingers as a reminder that we belong to each other, body and soul.
Brando: I want that, too.
Sasha: Mm.
Brando: Speaking of rings, look in the glove compartment. [ Glove compartment door opens ] See that box?
Sasha: [ Gasps ] Oh, my god! Brando!
Gladys: I canāt believe my son would elope and not include me.
Lucy: [ Chuckles ] Wellā¦ thatās kind of the definition of elopement. The parents stay home.
Gladys: I am not just any parent. I am a single mother who sacrificed everything for that boy.
Lucy: [ Sighs ]
Gladys: And itās not like him to sneak around behind my back, so Iām sure this was her big idea.
Lucy: Oh, no, don’t. Donāt you dare do that. Do not blame Sasha. She deserves every bit of happiness she can get after everything sheās gone through.
Gladys: I was thinking of Sasha. [ Stammers ] I am afraid maybe youāre right. She rushed back to work. Sheās rushing into marriage. Itās all just to avoid the terrible pain of the loss of Liam, and itās a big mistake. And thereās got to be something I can do to stop them.
Esme: Let me go.
Ryan: Wellā¦ I guess your time in Port Charles hasnāt been wasted after all, not if youāve developed a backbone that can stand up to me.
Esme: What can I say? I had an excellent teacher.
Ryan: I appreciate the compliment. I hope you make me proud.
Esme: Oh, I will. Thatās always been the plan.
Ryan: Just remember ā I call the shots. Are we clear?
Esme: Yes, sir. Youāre the boss.
Ryan: Thatās more like it. And you still have to regain my trust.
Esme: Iāll do anything.Just tell me where to start.
Ryan: Back at square one ā with Ava.
Nikolas: If we both agree he canāt be trusted, why not wait to get closer to him? Why invite Victor to share the happiest day of our lives?
Ava: Your motherās concerned that Victor has already made significant inroads with Spencer. And given what he knows about you with regard to Hayden, Iām afraid he thinks he has the upper hand with you.
Nikolas: My uncle and I are even now. My debtās been paid in full.
Ava: Nikolas, five minutes ago, you just told him that y-you owed him. And I know he will find a way to collect.
Nikolas: Do you really think I would let him get the better of me?
Ava: No. But I think he will keep trying. And I think he will use any weapon he can find, including your son. Thatās why I invited him to be there when we renew our vows. I want Uncle Victor to believe that we trust him. So that when he finally does show us his handā¦ we will be ready.
Victor: What is it you want with me, Drew?
Drew: Put you on notice. Look, we may never be able to prove that you helped Peter escape, but I will never forget the part that you played in stealing two years of my life.
Victor: That sounds a lot like youāre threatening me.
Drew: Really? āCause I-I meant it to sound like a promise. Just stay clear of me and my family and everybody that I care about, or I will find a way to make you pay for every single day that you had me locked away from my life.
Waitress: Mr. Cassadine.
Victor: Hm? Oh. Do you still want your drink on the terrace? Iāll, uh ā Iāll take it with me. Thank you.
Waitress: Okay.
[ Elevator doors whirring ]
Victor: Hmph.
Britt: -Look at that.
Maxie: -Can you believe it?
Britt: Wow.
Victor: I-Iām sorry. Do you mind if I join you out here? Or is this a private party?
Sam: Such a beautiful baby, Maxie. Definitely in the 99th percentile of total cuteness.
[ Maxie chuckles ]
Victor: Oh, I do love babies. And, Maxie, Iām so gratified to see that youāre finally reunited with your daughter.
[ Bailey Louise fussing ]
Maxie: Thanks.
Dante: Say, Victor, uh, did you know anything about Peter leaving any personal effects behind.
Victor: Ah, despite what everyone seems to think, I really wasnāt on intimate terms with Mr. August. Mm. W-why do you ask?
Sam: Itās just that that box that Britt is holding, it came from the WSB. Itās Peterās effects.
Britt: Yeah. I was gonna just toss it in the garbage. And then Maxie encouraged me to open it just in case thereās anything inside that could help pay for Baileyās college tuition.
Maxie: You know what, Britt? Just give it to me. Youāre taking too long.
Britt: Uh, take it easy, Maxie.
Maxie: I canāt wait any longer!
Britt: Iām the executor!
Sam: Maxie!
[ Sighs ]
Maxie: Sorry about that.
Britt: [ Sighs ] No, itās ā itās fine.
Sasha: We just decided to get married. How did you slip out and buy wedding rings without me knowing it?
Brando: Uh, well, they ā they arenāt what you think they are. When we, uh, decided to get married on the fly, I had to improvise. So those are actually just some spare engine parts that I polished up while you were in the shower. But theyāll serve their purpose until I have time to take you to a proper jewelry store. [ Laughs ] Iām kidding.
Sasha: [ Laughs ]
Brando: When I told you I was going to the gym, I actually just ran off to the closest jewelry store. Those are the real thing. Just like we are.
Sasha: [ Breathes sharply ] Brando, Iā¦ I donāt know what to say. I love them. [ Metallic rattling ] What was that? [ Bell chiming ] The ācheck engineā light is on.
Brando: Yeah, I need to pull over and check this out, see how bad it really is.
Lucy: What exactly are you trying to do? Come on. Brando and Sasha, well, theyāre adults. So even if you could find the chapel that theyāre maybe eloping at, youāre not gonna stop their wedding ā you canāt stop it. So please just let them follow their hearts.
Gladys: That is easy for you to say. Youāre just her business partner. Sheās on the verge of becoming my daughter-in-law.
Lucy: Okay, I-I really take issue with that because, first, Sasha is my friend. And, secondly, you would be damn lucky to have Sasha as your daughter-in-law.
Gladys: I do not disagree. If Sasha and Brando were getting married for the right reasons, Iād be all for it. But a few days ago, there wasnāt even a mention of marriage. Iām afraid the reason theyāre eloping is to hide from the pain of Liamās death. No. I canāt let that happen.
Ryan: So, my original plan to break up Ava and Nikolas came up short.
Esme: Hm. If anything, it made them closer. I know you love Ava, but sheās never gonna care about you the way that I do.
Ryan: But thank you for pouring salt on my wound.
Esme: So whatās plan b? And donāt tell me you donāt have one because you always do.
Ryan: You think you know me, donāt you?
Esme: Just like you know me.
Ryan: Youāve already completed the first step to insinuate yourself with the family. I think we can use Spencerās incarceration to our advantage.
Esme: How?
Ryan: By making yourself an even larger presence in their lives.
Esme: Nikolas doesnāt trust me, and Ava openly dislikes me. She doesnāt even try to hide it.
Ryan: Itās easy to control a teenage boy whose hormones are raging. Ava and Nikolas, youāre gonna have to try harder. If they donāt like you, then youāll have to make yourself more likable. Iām willing to try, but Iām pretty sure Nikolas already blames me for turning Spenceās head.
Esme: Oh, Iām pretty confident heāll come around. You know what they say ā like father, like son.
Nikolas: Victorās no oneās fool. Heās got to realize we have a motive for including him in our ceremony.
Ava: Thatās why we have to stay one step ahead of him.
Nikolas: You just remember ā Victor played king of the mountain with Peter, and Victor is the one who survived. My mother is right. He is up to something.
Ava: Let Victor give it his best shot. As long as you and I stick togetherā¦ he cannot touch us. And donāt forget, my loveā¦ I have a very long history dealing with people like Victor.
Maxie: Iām gonna help pick everything up.
Victor: Oh, let me ā uh, let me help you. Donāt you ā donāt you worry. Iāve got this.
Sam: Normally I would help, but I donāt want to touch anything that Peterās touched, ever.
Dante: [ Clicks tongue ] Hey, Britt, uh, I knew the WSBās done with that and they passed it on to you, but can I maybe take it down to the PCPD? We got some cases we need to wrap up that Peter was involved in. Maybe it could, uh, help us out.
Britt: Is there something the WSB missed?
Dante: No, but theyāre looking for espionage, and weāre looking for, say, tying up Francoās murder case.
Britt: Well, the WSB released this box to me, so you need to talk to Anna Devane.
Dante: Right. Okay. I-I understand. But Anna gave it to you, right? Because she was done with it already. So would it be cool to pass it on to me? Weāll give it right back to you. You let me know.
Britt: Yeah.
Gladys: I have to put a stop to this. Uh, tell the bartender to put the drinks on Carlyās tab.
Lucy: Uh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, wait. Wait. Youāre ā youāre not seriously gonna try and stop Brando and Sashaās wedding?
Gladys: I absolutely am.
Lucy: No. Gladys, don’t. Please. Please. Just ā just think about this. You know, youāre not really sure theyāre eloping. And ā and, besides, Niagara Falls, itās a natural wonder, a beautiful place ā hundreds of thousands of folks visit every year and they donāt get married.
Gladys: Brando didnāt return any of my phone calls. Somethingās up. A mother knows.
Lucy: Don’t. Don’t. No, no, no. Wait. Wait. Please. Do not try to stop the wedding. They are only gonna end up resenting you.
Gladys: These are two grief-stricken parents.
Lucy: [ Sighs ]
Gladys: They probably shouldnāt commit to buying a car, much less spending the rest of their lives together. There has to be something I can do to stop them from doing something theyāll always regret.
Lucy: Mm. Mnh. Mnh!
Sasha: Well? How bad?
Brando: Weāre gonna need a tow. I already called for one, but since we are in the middle of nowhere, it might take a few hours.
Sasha: I should have known that this plan ā this plan wasnāt gonna happen. Now we will never get to the chapel before it closes. [ Voice breaking ] Maybe ā maybe this is a sign. Maybe we were never meant to have a happy ending.
Brando: Hey. Hey. Listen.
Sasha: [ Sniffles ]
Brando: We got a blanket in the trunk and some hot coffee in the thermos there. And until help arrives, I am sure that we can find some way to keep warm.
[ Vehicle approaches ]
Sasha: Thatās the tow truck! [ Gasps ] So much for it taking hours! [ Giggles ]
Brando: Looks like weāre gonna get our happy ending after all.
Maxie: Sheās settling down. So much excitement. You better get used to it, Bailey Lou. Your mom is a magnet for trouble.
Britt: And so is your Auntie Britt! [ Gasps ] Yes! [ Laughs ] You know, Iām still not sure what happened on the terrace, but if it makes Victor pay for aiding and abetting Peter,
Maxie: [Clicks tongue]
Britt: Then it was worth it.
Maxie: Well worth it.
Victor: Thank you, Peter. While you rot in hell, Iāll make good use of this.
Nikolas: The best way to stay one step ahead of Victor is by keeping him where we can see him.
Ava: And Spencer?
Nikolas: Once heās released from Spring Ridge, absolutely. And it goes for Esme, as well. But I can promise you one thing.
Ava: Hm?
Nikolas: No one will ever come between us again.
Esme: I need to go. The orderly will be back any minute. But before I leave, thereās still something I donāt understand. I mean, even if Ava leaves Nikolas, what then? Youāre still a prisoner facing a life sentence. Whereās all this leading?
Ryan: Oh, you leave that to me. You just do as I say, and youāll have your heartās desire. Not only Spencer and his fortune, but the family youāve always longed for.
Esme: Ava isnāt my family.
Ryan: No. But sheās family to me. [ Velcro tears ] And whatās mine is yours. My beautifulā¦ gifted daughter.
On the next “General Hospital” —
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