General Hospital Transcript
Transcript provided by Suzanne
THIS STILL NEEDS EXTENSIVE EDITING!
Nina, please meet Crimson’s new editor-in-chief. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity. Oh, no thanks necessary. I cannot wait to find out how your fresh, new perspective is gonna benefit Crimson.
[ Slow clapping ] Well played.
Hey, listen, I don’t understand the hold-up. When are you going to give me an update on our little operation? Lucy, I’m just trying to get my ducks in order with Tracy. But the good news is I’m meeting her here at the Metro Court this morning. How did you make that happen? Well, I, uh — I told her the truth. W-What? W-Which truth? The truth about you. What does that even mean? You listen to me. I-I am coming there right now. I am coming there. No, no, no. Hang on, hang on, Lucy. You’re gonna cramp my style. What style? You listen to me. You’re gonna explain every word that you’re gonna say to Tracy, or else I’m gonna pull all the hair out that is left on your head. And there she is! Hey, baby. Mwah! Where do you think you’re running off to in such a hurry, huh? Ah. Oh. Hey, Tracy. I’m glad you could make it. Against my better judgment. You said you had something to tell me. You know, the service is — is kind of slow here. Why don’t we go someplace else? I don’t think so. Never let them take you to a second location. Isn’t that what they tell potential crime victims? Yes. I’m here against my will, aren’t I? Look. Your grandmother’s here. Should we invite her to join us? Oh, look who she’s here with. I don’t want to be involved with whatever she has going on with Scott Baldwin. Brook Lynn’s right. Besides, we want to have a personal conversation with you. It’s about the wedding. And your part in it. It’s getting late, so if you’ll excuse me, Grandmother, maybe you can speak to Dante alone. Got a lot to do before my trip to Paris. I’d say you’ve done enough. Look, I know that you disagree with me about my decision to give Ace to my father, but please, it was very difficult for me. Yeah. Well, doing the right thing is rarely easy, which is why you’re gonna stay right here, and you’re gonna tell the PCPD everything you know about Ace’s kidnapping. You’re right. I should have been more careful. You warned me, and I didn’t listen. And now the worst has happened, and you are the only person that I can turn to. Tell your mother everything.
Of course. I’ll help any way I can. Good. I was hoping you’d say that. Dad… would you officiate our ceremony? Uh, you know, Tracy, I-I’ve known you for a long time, and I’ve never seen you do anything against your will. True. And for the life of me, I do not know why I agreed to meet you today. Well, I think you’ve got me all wrong. I know you see me as shallow as a mud puddle, but I believe in truth, justice, the American way. And justice is why I became a lawyer. And justice is why we’re here today. Lucy has it in for you. Do tell. Oh! Hey, you. Wow. Um, I-I didn’t even know you were back. You didn’t call me. Well, because — precisely. I didn’t want to, you know, spoil that adorably surprised look on your face when I walked through the door. Mm, mm, mm. Well, I am definitely surprised. And listen, darling, I am so sorry I couldn’t be there to support you during Bobbie Spencer’s funeral. And I thought I could begin to start making it up to you with two all-day passes to the Metro Court spa. Huh? Oh, that is so sweet. You say the word, and your facial awaits. Sweet, sweet, sweet, and special. I love their facials. And their body scrubs are divine. I know. Um, but is it okay if I, um, take a rain check? Uh… Yeah. Yeah, sure. I mean, I-I gotta admit, I was looking forward to spending some time with you. I mean, I haven’t seen you for days. I-I know, and I’ve missed you so, so much. It’s just, I have meetings booked right through lunch, and I’ve got to go, uh — I was just gonna grab a bite to eat at the Metro Court. B-By yourself? Um, you know how I love their pancakes. Oh, as a matter of fact, I do. I recall that from the first morning we spent together. Mwah. You know what I recall from that morning was how sexy you looked… Don’t. Don’t. …in that Santa suit. Yes, you were so sexy. My sartorial choices have changed somewhat since then, but my company is still as charming as ever. So, my lady, will you at least allow me to squire you to the Metro Court? Come on, now. You know you wanna.
[ Chuckles ] I’m going. All right. Come on, baby. So when did you, uh, realize Ace was missing? And who do you think is responsible? The situation is rather complicated. My brother is with our father. Nikolas is back in town? He was. I didn’t see him, though. So what happened? Nikolas just walked in and took Ace? Nobody noticed? Not exactly. I’m sorry, Laura. I don’t think I understand. I let my father take Ace. That bastard Nikolas took Ace?! How dare he? He thinks that he’s untouchable, that he can just do whatever he wants. Yeah, of course he does. What’s his mother have to say about her precious son kidnapping her grandchild? Well, I actually haven’t told Laura yet. She — She would have too many questions, number one being why I haven’t contacted the police yet. Well, right. No, of course you can’t without Spencer shooting his mouth off about the old Esme being back. Yeah, which is why I went to go see Spencer’s great-uncle Cyrus. Cyrus Renault? Honey, do not buy into that guy’s evangelizing. The gospel truth is he cannot be trusted. I know, which he proved to me himself. I was desperate, and he didn’t even offer any help.
[ Scoffs ] Surprise, surprise. Which… is why I’m here. I was hoping that you might have an idea about what my next step should be. Run. And when you think you’re far enough away from Port Charles, run some more. That seems worthy of the Port Charles Players. I’m really glad that you enjoyed it. Now you can get out. Wait a second. Before you go, who tipped you off to the alleged insider trading in the first place? Well, you should really ask your good friend Olivia. If she wasn’t running her mouth so indiscreetly, maybe I wouldn’t have overheard. Her voice does carry. Eavesdropping. Shocker. Now go. With pleasure. Oh, before I leave, I just have one question. Now that you two have humbled me… …are we finally even? You want me to officiate your wedding? We want someone to lead us through our vows that knows us personally. Someone we love. There is nobody who can put into words the significance of the commitment that we’re about to make to each other more eloquently than you.
[ Sighs ] It would be… a privilege. I’m sensing a “but” here. I’m very, very sorry to have wasted your time, but as you can see, the police aren’t necessary in this situation. Uh, my baby brother wasn’t kidnapped. Well, technically, by New York State law, you’re, uh — you’re right. I said that it was a complicated situation. That’s why I didn’t report that Ace was abducted. Right. I mean, it would have been considered kidnapping had Esme had a legal custody order, but otherwise, the — the statute, the default is that both parents get custody. There are extreme situations where one parent can be convicted of kidnapping if they take the child without the other parent’s permission. Right, but this is not an extreme situation. My — My father just wanted to spend some time with his son. Right, without Ace’s mother knowing, who’s been raising him up until this point. What Esme have to say about all this? I am sure she’s just going out of her mind. Hasn’t she made a report? No, no, there’s no report from Esme. You see, this proves exactly what I was saying. Esme doesn’t want to go to the police right now, not given the stakes. Uh, what stakes are higher than a missing child? I think you’re right about me getting out of Port Charles. And as soon as I get Ace back, no one in this town is ever gonna see me again. No, no! Honey, you can’t wait that long. You’ve got to leave now. Without my son? No, never. No — No! You don’t have a choice, Esme. You don’t have any allies, baby, or anybody to help you, except me. I’m a little, uh, preoccupied at the moment. It is going to come out that you got your memory back, no matter what Spencer does or doesn’t do. No, you don’t know that. Esme, think! Honey, what are you gonna do? Just keep pretending that Ace is in the next room? You told me yourself Laura comes to visit him all the time. So she and Kevin are gonna figure out real quick that something’s up. And what are you gonna do when you can’t produce Ace? I hadn’t thought that far ahead.
[ Sighs ] Well, they’re gonna figure it all out, and then they’re gonna drag you back to court, stand you on trial for everything you did. Unless you want to spend the rest of your life in prison, honey, you’ve got to make a break for it now, before it’s too late. Well, what about Ace? Am I just supposed to abandon my child the way that you abandoned me? Well, you had to know there’d be some sort of reckoning, Nina. Your actions caused a lot of pain to a lot of people, nearly destroyed lives. Those are the kind of things that can’t go unanswered. You don’t think I’ve suffered enough? I lost my husband, I lost my daughter, and now, apparently, my job for something I did that was completely legal — informing the SEC that insider trading had occurred. Well, Drew’s the boss, and it’s completely legal for him to fire you. You’re loving this, aren’t you? Kicking me when I’m already down.
[ Scoffs ] Wait. Before I go… now that I’m the condemned woman, may I ask, when are you going to put me out of my misery? Well, that’s up to you.
[ Sighs ] Is the pity party almost over? ‘Cause we got a magazine to run, and you’re not entitled to our time any more than you’re entitled to a job here. We have two things in common, Carly. We’ll do anything for our family, and we both know how to settle a score. That’s enough. Just get out or I will throw you out!
No use staying when your moment is over. You got to see my face when you told me that I was fired. Was it everything you were hoping for? Just leave, Nina. But now the fun is over, because now you actually have to run a magazine. Good luck.
[ Exhales ] Took her long enough. Carly? What is it? What’s wrong? Spencer is convinced that Esme has not made a report about Ace being missing because she’s afraid that the DA’s office is going to reinstate the charges against her. But why would she be afraid of that all of a sudden? I mean, Trina agreed to drop the charges ’cause DA Scorpio said charges wouldn’t stick. A jury wouldn’t convict because Esme couldn’t remember the crimes she committed. She couldn’t then. But she can now. So are you saying that Esme has got her memory back? That’s exactly what I’m saying. And I’m also saying that you should go arrest her instead of my father. I didn’t abandon you, Esme. I gave you up because it was what was best for you at the time. Running off without my son is not what’s best for him. Look, I understand. Of course it’s not. But temporarily relinquishing your custody of Ace to ensure your liberty is. We both know that Nikolas is a feckless dilettante with an overactive libido. But he’s not gonna hurt Ace. You need to go find a place to hide where you can just regroup. And then someday soon,
[whispering] I’m busting out of this joint, and we’ll join forces and find Ace together. Same way that I found you. And look how well that turned out.
[ Normal voice ] I may be behind bars, but… I got my daughter back in my life, and that is worth every second in this hellhole. You and I missed out on a lot of time together. And I cannot even fathom being separated from my child for even a fraction of that. I wouldn’t know if he was eating, I wouldn’t know if he was sleeping, and it would kill me. I understand it’s hard. It’s hard. But Nikolas has Ace, and we do not have the resources at the moment to — to track him down. You have to play the long game here, Esme. So what, am I supposed to just hide out all alone while Spencer and Trina sail off into the sunset? Wait. Are you speaking as a mother right now or as a jealous ex? Scotty, you and Lucy are thick as thieves. Why betray her? Well, because I think it’s wrong that she’s gunning for you. Uh-huh. Does she have a specific plan to get even with me? Well, you know Lucy and her half-baked schemes. You know, she’s always got something going on in that crazy head of hers. Uh-huh. And whatever she’s cooking up you deem bad enough to warrant you coming to warn me? Why? Well, that’s simple. I’ve seen Lucy’s wrath, and I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of it. That’s very gallant. But isn’t that exactly what you’re risking? Becoming Lucy’s target? Well, I can handle anything she throws at me. And now that I’ve tipped you off, so can you. You know what, buttercup? I have the most wonderful idea. I think our reunion calls for some champagne. What would you say to some mimosas? Oh, I would love it, but remember I told you I have all those meetings later, and I-I really do need to stay sharp.
I’m so touched by your offer, but officiating your wedding isn’t as simple as me just leading the two of you through your vows. Chase and I thought that you might have some concerns, so we went ahead and did some research. And, actually, the process is super simple. It won’t take you any time at all to get licensed online. Wow.
[ Chuckles ] I think you two are a step ahead of me. I-I, uh, I don’t know what to say. Say yes, Dad. It would mean the world to us. I want you both to know how honored I am. But I’m sorry. I’m going to have to decline.
Been a hell of a year for us. And I don’t want to risk losing you again, Lucy. Well, you — you won’t have to. I-I really want to focus on the future now. Our future. Well, I’m glad to hear you say that, ’cause it may sound childish, but, uh, I just think we’ve felt off lately. Matter of fact, I was beginning to wonder if your feelings for me had changed. Your wedding day is going to be a celebration of your love and all that you went through to get to that moment. I want it to be perfect. That’s what we want, too, Dad, which is why we would like you to be a part of it. And I will be, son. I’ll be the beaming father filled with pride, watching it all happen. And it’ll fill me with joy to witness it. But I can’t promise any more than that. I-I may not be at my best. Look, we know ALS is unpredictable, so Chase has already worked with the venue to address every possible accessibility accommodation, so you don’t have to worry about a thing. If you need any extra help… You’re so sweet. And I appreciate you both going above and beyond for me to — to make this happen, but it isn’t just a mobility issue. Then what is it, Dad? I know you both have done your research on ALS, so you’re aware that — that this disease can affect my ability to speak. Well, it — actually, it already has. I’m — I’ve had… some issues lately. I would hate to preside over such a momentous day and not be able to make myself understood.
I thought we were on the same page about firing Nina. We — We are. She deserved to go. I mean, up until she crossed that threshold, that was all about sticking it to her. Getting her out of my life, out of my business, all of it. Yes, and the win is gonna be for nothing if Crimson tanks and goes out of business. Oh. No, no. Carly, that’s not gonna happen. Crimson’s in great shape. Okay. All right. Look, this is your business. This is your area of expertise. You know what you’re doing. So I will stay on as Crimson’s editor-in-chief, and I will keep that seat warm for the moment. But you’re gonna have to find someone with more experience to take over, and soon. You sure about that? We were both sure about that. No, I-I know that we said that you would take this job temporarily, but I’m just… I mean, why does it have to be that way? Why couldn’t you love it and want to do it forever?
It’s been a while. Yeah. I haven’t seen you since everyone found out that I was the SEC informant And my husband wasn’t.
Look, I understand Esme put you and your friends through hell. And I want her to pay for her crimes just as much as you. Well, good news. You’re a cop. You can make that happen. Not that simple, Spencer. Yeah, Spencer. Unfortunately, Esme’s slip of the tongue and your gut feeling that she’s got her memory back isn’t enough for the police to arrest somebody or even detain who is, in the eyes of the law, an innocent person. Innocent? Yeah. This is Esme Prince we’re talking about, yes? Well, we’re also talking about you, Spencer. Maybe I should be arresting you instead. I can’t arrest Esme for anything right now, Spencer. But you — I could put the cuffs on you for what you did. Dante, you wouldn’t actually arrest Spencer. And charge me with what? I didn’t break any laws when I handed Ace over to my father. No? How about aiding and abetting a fugitive? Did you forget your father’s a wanted man? Did you forget that you had an obligation to report seeing him? It’s really interesting, because I would think that you, of all people, would understand what it’s like to love a complicated father. Haven’t you been struggling with whether or not to report Sonny for his many crimes all these years? I believe he once shot you over that. Spencer! What are you doing? I-I’m sorry about this. Really, Dante, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s gotten into my grandson. No. It’s been a very emotional day. Laura, it’s okay. Don’t worry, Spencer, I’m not gonna arrest you. It’s not gonna help us find Ace. But I will issue a BOLO for Nikolas now that we know he was in town last night. Look, I wasn’t trying to knock your old man or your love for him. I was simply trying to remind you of the lengths that family will go to for one another. Let me just give you a piece of advice, Spencer, if I may? When you love family, you know they don’t always make the best or most legal decisions, right? Point taken. Yeah. My only goal is to protect my little brother, and given what I know about Esme, I believe I did the right thing by letting my father take him. The problem is, Esme might have something to say about that. So I gotta get her statement. It’s time to bring Esme in. This isn’t about jealousy. This is about vengeance. I want every single one of them to pay.
[ Chuckles ] That’s my girl! Yeah, Nikolas, Spencer, Trina, Ava — they’re all gonna get what they deserve. Of course they are. And we’re gonna make it happen. Did you really think I’d allow those ingrates a single moment of peace in their miserable lives after they conspired to kidnap my grandson? Yeah, but what can you do from behind bars?
[ Laughing ] Oh, my sweet child. Incarceration’s never been an impediment to justice for me. Just leave it all to Mommy. Yeah, but has this form of justice ever involved locating a millionaire fugitive before?
[ Chuckles ] You know, I know that face. Y-Your father used to make it all the time. You don’t believe I can do this. Yeah, well, I don’t exactly know what to believe anymore. Honey, we will find Ace, I promise you. But you just can’t go off on your own trying to do this by yourself. Remember what I said to you last time? You are in the best possible position right now. Ryan is gone — cold in the ground or six feet under, whichever way you want to think about it — and the cops have nothing on you. Fly free, little birdie. You know, I remember something that you told me last time when I visited. Ace is everything. Without my son, I have nothing. If you have never trusted anybody in your life, trust me. Nobody loves you… like your mom. Honey, you will have everything you want. But you just gotta play it smart. You want me to stay on as editor-in-chief of Crimson magazine? That wasn’t the plan. Plans change. I mean, think about it. Nina didn’t know anything about running a magazine when she started here. She kind of learned as she went. And you’re not that familiar with publishing. I understand, but you know how to run a company. Yeah, I do, but that’s not the issue. I let you make me editor-in-chief of Crimson so I could see Nina’s face when I took something that she loves. And we accomplished that. Did you see the way she slunk out of here? Yes, and it was very rewarding. But it can end there. I don’t want to make a decision this big for the wrong reason, Drew. You taking this job doesn’t have to be just about sticking it to Nina. It can be — It can be about so much more. Think about it. I mean, we keep everything that’s working, obviously. But then we can — we can get rid of things that we don’t agree with, and we can make it our own. Yours and mine, together. Do you have any idea how rewarding that would be? But what about Bobbie’s? And the life I’m building there? So go ahead. Yell at me for blaming — blaming your husband for something that I did. Can this day get any worse? Go ahead. Let me have it. I don’t like to pile on someone who’s already in a bad place. Not even you, Nina. What happened? Drew fired me from Crimson. What? And he hired Carly as editor-in-chief. Oh, Mary, Mother of God. I gotta say, I did not see that coming. Yeah, I second that. Wow. You put a lot of yourself into Crimson, I know that. This has gotta really hurt. I don’t get you, Olivia. Your Carly’s best friend, but yet you offered to help me plan my wedding. I made your husband my fall guy, and you found out that I’m the one who blew the whistle on Carly and Drew, and you said nothing. Why? To keep the peace. You and Sonny were newly married. You and Carly were coexisting, and Drew was out of prison. What good would it do to — to bring up all the things that you’ve done? It’s not gonna give Carly and Drew any of the time back that they’d lost. It was just gonna hurt Sonny. So I kept quiet. And I convinced Ned to do the same. Don’t feel like you have to thank me or anything.
[ Chuckles ] Listen, Tracy, I-I’m not saying anything to you that I haven’t already said to Lucy. I told her to stop doing anything to you, especially after everything you’ve been through. What is that supposed to mean? Well, you lost Luke not that long ago. Irrelevant. Is it? I mean, I can relate. I think when you’re lonely, you can recognize it in somebody else. Tracy, I didn’t just ask you here to, uh, warn you about Lucy. I really want to see how you’re doing. I wanted to check on you. I would like to be your friend. Why would you question my feelings for you? Well, it’s, uh, kind of embarrassing, but, uh, the fact is, I let someone else get inside my — my head.
There is one person who knows Lucy Coe, warts and all, and through every despicable act has stood by her. That’s Scott Baldwin. What are you doing? Where are you going? You’re gonna have to forgive me. Suddenly I’ve lost my appetite. Dad, listen to me. If accepting this role makes you feel uncomfortable, or you hate the idea of all eyes being on you, then that’s one thing. But if you think that we’re gonna be disappointed because your words don’t come out perfectly when you’re marrying us, then you’re wrong. What matters is what you say, not how you say it. I-I appreciate that, son, but this is Brook Lynn’s day, too, and, uh, you can’t speak for her. Have you met me? I have no problem giving my opinion. True. That’s one of the things I like about you.
[ Chuckles ] Thank you. Then please listen to me and know that I’m telling you exactly how we both feel. If you want our wedding day to be perfect, there’s no way it’s gonna be perfect unless you marry us.
Have either of you seen Esme? No, I-I haven’t seen her yet today. She’s also not returning any of my calls or my texts. I don’t know where she is either. All right, I’ll see what I can turn up. If you see your father again — I won’t. If you do see your father again, call the police. For both your sakes. Dante, thank you for looking into this, and please call me with any updates, no matter how small. Will do.
I’m sorry, Grandmother. I know that you’re angry with me for letting my father take Ace. I’m not as angry as I am worried. If you’re right about Esme and she’s reverted to her old ways, then we should not underestimate her. There’s no telling what she could do now. I used to be terrified of you, and I know that I’ve said some unkind things to you. Who hasn’t? But now that I’ve become a mother, I see things differently. Now I can appreciate how you always knew where I was and what I was doing. You stopped at nothing to protect me. That’s the kind of mother I intend to be. And you will be, someday soon. But remember what I said, honey. For now, you just gotta bide your time. Thank you, Heather — Mother — for everything you’ve done for me. But taking it slow doesn’t work for me. I’m out of time. Honey, whatever you’re thinking of doing, don’t! Esme, listen to me! Esme! Don’t do it! Well, you two appear to be in complete agreement on this, so who am I to argue with the bride and groom about what they want on their wedding day? So I’d love to officiate the ceremony. Oh, I’m so glad, Dad. You’ve made us so happy. But I do have one request, though. Anything. Uh, can we have a backup officiant, just in case? Uh, sure, if it would make you feel more comfortable. But we’re not gonna need it. I think we’ve had fun today. I think we should do this again real soon. What do you think? I’m not saying no. Hey, Jesse, let me have a bottle of your best champagne. We’re celebrating! What has gotten into you? What’s gotten into me? What’s gotten into you? You know something, after a while, your repeated inattention really starts to stick in my throat. Okay, I’m sorry. I am sorry. You’re right. I have been very, very distracted. But you know that Tracy Quartermaine has made my life a living hell recently. So you can’t really blame me for wanting to keep an eye on her. Come on. I promise you will have my full, undivided attention. I’ll stop. Please just stay. Please? On one condition. Anything. You tell me what the hell is going on between you and Scott. Being hands-on at Bobbie’s is so important to me. It’s a part of my mom that I get to hold onto now that she’s gone, and I don’t want to let that go. No, I don’t want that either. I-I would never ask you to sacrifice something that means that much to you. I just — I don’t know what it is. I guess seeing you in here like this, suddenly I just — you as editor-in-chief of Crimson could be so incredible, so meaningful to both of us. But we don’t need Crimson for that. We could be that to each other. I mean, I think what we have is special, you know? You’re right. Okay, wait, wait. But, I mean, we’re talking, so… I mean, my mom did double duty at the diner and at GH. And you are every bit as capable and as hard-working as Bobbie was. She set the bar pretty high, but I hope I can make her proud. Oh, you are making her proud. I don’t know! I don’t know. I mean, what — what if we try this, you know, and it doesn’t work and something has to give? Well, then you take some time and you decide which job you’re gonna step away from, and I will support you no matter what in whatever decision you make. But I just hope you can just take a second and picture how incredible you would be running Crimson. I mean, the more I think about it, the more I know you’d be amazing. We would be amazing. Let’s do it. Oh, my God! Let’s do it! Let’s be partners, personally and professionally. Deal.
Ah. I mean, look, we’re gonna be spending a lot of time together. You sure you’re not gonna get sick of me? Are you kidding me? Never. Good answer. I am not okay with the things you did. You caused a lot of pain for the people that I care about most. Call me crazy. I still believe that peace is possible. You’re suffering a lot of losses right now, but they don’t have to be permanent. The best thing for you to do right now is to move on gracefully, for everyone’s sake. You’re probably right.
But if Carly and Drew want a war, they’ve got one.
Under new management.
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