General Hospital Transcript
Transcript provided by Suzanne
THIS STILL NEEDS EXTENSIVE EDITING!
Maxie: Oh, my god. This is fantastic. Wow. Is it just me, or is it — even more gorgeous than the mock-up? Website traffic and social media mentions are spiking. If this continues, we’re in for one hell of a quarter. I got to say, brook lynn, congratulations. Well, thank you to all of us. No, I mean to you and all the work you did with carly to make this happen. Well, that’s why I’m here. Not to make this weird, but seeing you so invested in deception again, I have to wonder, are you reconsidering your plan to hand the company over to me? Absolutely not. The first moment it is possible, deception will be yours again, just as it should be.
[ Voice breaking ] Okay, I know it’s hard to tell because our waterproof mascara and eyeliner is just that fantastic, but I’m literally tearing up right now.
[ Chuckles ] So, what’s going on here? It’s like ever since I saw spencer go into the water, I’ve been, like, walking through a fog. And it’s like the world doesn’t have meaning anymore. And… everything that was important to me has lost its value. I hear you. But not everything has lost its value. I mean, what about art? What about your family and your friends? I mean, I-I love you all, but it’s more like something I remember feeling, you know? Yeah. I do know. I think I felt pretty similar after oscar passed. That is how I know you will get through this. Well, what makes you so sure? Because you’re you. And because I say so.
[ Chuckles ]
[ Sighs ] We’re both going through it when it comes to spencer. I just can’t believe that he’s gone. Well, he’s not the only one. What about dex? I just want to thank you again, spinelli, for going through this entire ruse, moving in with maxie and paying rent to help keep her afloat so she can sort out her finances. It’s meant a lot. I was only too happy to help.
[ Chuckles ] Well, I’m sure giving up your personal space has been a huge sacrifice. Which is why I am happy to report, fingers crossed, that your pipes might soon be fixed. My — my pipes were never broken. That was all part of the — oh. Oh, you’re — you’re saying that — I-I see. Yes.
[ Both chuckle ] Maxie’s almost back on her feet. So I was thinking that it might be time to put an end to our little “deception.” As it were. So you can finally pick up stakes and move back home. Won’t that be great? Yeah. Great. Lucy: Look at you two. Mm, thick as thieves. You know, it forces me to wonder, maxie, what inspired you to get so, so cozy with the resident rat? It’s nothing, lucy. We were just excited about the spread. Oh, okay. Well, I’m — I’m actually excited. I love it. It’s excellent, and it’s better than I imagined. And, you know, I do have a very vivid imagination. Clearly. Uh –sasha: I have to give it up for our team. The copy, the placement… this entire ad campaign looks fantastic! Well, you know what they say about appearances. We all have been deceived, and someone is going to be held accountable. The social media reports came in, and the online engagement about our coverage has been on a steady rise. So hopefully those numbers will impress our new management.
[ Gregory chuckles ] Nina: Me? Satisfied? Never. Look what you did! She’s a beauty, just like her editor. What’s the matter? Don’t you want to celebrate your first issue of crimson? Carly: I wish I could. But right now, I can only think about one thing.
[ Door opens ] Sonny. Hi. I did not think you’d be here. I’m just going to pick up something for the gallery. I’ll stay out of your hair. Sonny: Ava? You can’t avoid me forever. Well, I can try.
[ Chuckles ] Ava… we need to talk about your sister.
[ Alarm ringing ]
Let’s do this. Believe me, I am so proud of that magazine. I mean, I’ve never done anything like that before. And I know that I should be out there thanking my staff for all their hard work, but, um… …this happened. Olivia jerome is dead. The woman who planted the car bomb that killed morgan. I mean, seeing this headline, you know, it just opened a door that I’d been keeping closed really tight. So now all I can think about is my son and how he was taken from me.When I heard about her death, I thought about morgan, too. And in fact, I was — I was on my way to talk to you about it, to see how you were doing. But then I saw this, and I just thought — I just — I was so proud of you that you were able to focus on this, considering. But I should have — no. No, why? I mean, it should be a happy thing, right? It is. I wish I could feel that instead of all these feelings that are coming back to me. Carly, he was your son. His death was so sudden and senseless, drew. I know, I know. He was so young. He had so much life left to live. Ugh! You know, I should just be, um — you know, I should have processed this already, and I should be able to bounce back right away. I shouldn’t — right? I should just be able to bounce back. Why? There is no “should,” not when it comes to losing a child. You’re right. I have been avoiding you, but can you blame me? I’m sure I’m not… a person that you want to see right now. I didn’t ask you to steer clear, ava. No, I know, and I-I know that you’re not one to mince words. I also know that — that you wouldn’t tell me to leave. For avery’s sake. If you’re in my home, it’s ’cause I want you to stay. I don’t mind. I don’t mind, you know, if — if avery stays and I find someplace else. You know that’s not an option. And staying here is? Doesn’t my being here bring up an awful lot of memories, sonny? Carly changed the layout. In bad faith, I might add. We were promised a interview and a full-page spread in the first 20 pages. Maxie: We were. And then carly called us personally and told us there was a spacing issue. She got the change approved by brook lynn and by me. And she gave us an additional half page worth of ad space as compensation. Which means we got better placement and more space, all thanks to your granddaughter’s exceptional negotiation skills. But it wasn’t what we agreed upon. And we could have squeezed more out of carly. But clearly, you’re too close to her or maybe just too trusting to realize it. Tracy, why don’t you take another look at the issue yourself? I think if you keep an open mind… what little mind she has left. …You’ll see how fantastic this ad campaign is. Thanks to maxie’s guidance. It’s vital. It’s fresh. You can really see how much passion that went into it. Well, maybe if maxie loves what carly is doing so much, she should sell her shares of deception and go back to crimson.
I didn’t realize thatwe had a meeting this morning. Oh, we didn’t, but, um, I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t sit on my hands after reading your olivia jerome coverage.
[ Chuckles ]You know, we’re all very proud of our work on that piece. Not only did the invader get the scoop on ms. Jerome’s murder, but we also provided valuable context and insight into her life, as well as her death. It was so good. I loved it. I love it. That’s why I want to promote your work. I want to find you, alexis, your peabody, your pulitzer.
[ Chuckles ] I think that what you’re suggesting is a little ambitious. Of course it is. By that, I meant a little too ambitious. Nina, I know that you’re used to running a glamour magazine, but this is a daily newspaper. So the — the pacing and the style, it’s different. I get it. And I trust your instincts on journalistic integrity. But? But what I bring with me from crimson is more than a little expertise on circulation. And, you know, the invader, while good, it leveled off. Again, with respect, the landscape of journalism is a daily struggle. So what I would suggest is that you spend some time learning about the business, and then you make a big change if you wish. Oh, what a great idea. That’s a great idea. That’s why I want you to focus in on the important issues like quality journalism. Great. Thank you — and let me worry about the numbers. Right. What does that mean?
[ Lucy giggles ]What’s so funny? Um, oh, um…
[ Clears throat ] It’s just that I am so pleased to know that you haven’t lost your famous people skills. Okay, excuse me. Let’s all just take a minute to recognize that there is no deception without maxie. Have y’all even taken a minute to look at social media? Our campaign is doing great.
Crimson readers are going straight to the website, all thanks to maxie. Well, thank you, brook lynn, but you deserve just as much credit. Clicks and likes do not translate to sales. They literally do. People who go directly to the website end up buying usually more than one product, making up for those who are just browsing. And likes keep us trending, which mean more clicks, so… excuse me, where are you escaping to? Oh, uh, this is so boring. You know, all she does, that tracy, is complain, and I’m tired of hearing it. I’m sure you are, too. So I gotta go. Got a lot more important things to do with my time. Any — any number of — of bad things could happen to maxie. There could be a downturn in the market. Deception could have a downturn. The — the debt ceiling could be a socioeconomic trash compactor. Breathe, breathe, spinelli. Maxie’s financial advisor is confident that she’ll be fine. Do we trust this advisor? What are their credentials? Are they even a fiduciary? They could be an itinerant gambler, embezzler, or, god forbid, clandestinely involved in the performing arts. Well, I don’t really think that’s the case, but you never know, right? Your attempt at humor is no solace to me. I’m getting a very strong impression that nothing would be. Level with me, spinelli. Why don’t you want to move out? Talking about your sister, olivia? You brought her up. Yes, I did. I know that I probably don’t have to say this, but I think it does bear repeating. She and I were not close. I barely knew her. I mean, she — she did hold me hostage. I remember. And so whoever killed my dearly departed sister, I’m grateful. Well, I don’t know how grateful you’re gonna be when I tell you who did it. Okay, well? You gonna keep me in suspense? It was the people who tried to, uh, kill me at the metro court and in puerto rico. Ah. Well, I can’t say that I’m a fan of all their work, but I will give them credit for doing the one good deed of wiping olivia jerome off the planet. But where does this leave us, sonny? You know, there’s a lot of history under this roof right now, and… I don’t know how long we can sustain it. Well, you know what? I don’t even want to think of the past, ’cause there’s so much trouble going on in the here and the now. Can we agree on that?
[ Knock on door ] I’ll check on avery. What is it? Bodyguard: Boss, you have a visitor. I don’t — I don’t want to be disturbed. I’ll send her away.Selina: You’ll do no such thing. Sonny corinthos. You never write. You never call.
No, no, no, j-just hear me out. Fine, but only ’cause I have to. Okay, this is what you do. You take your two top op-ed writers, and you publish them on alternate days, so the invader will have space for a syndicated gossip columnist. When valentin told me that he bought this paper and hired you to be publisher, I told him in no uncertain terms that I would let this paper be turned back into a seedy tabloid. Not on my watch. Listen, listen, I promise you, you will be able to provide quality journalism for your readers. Great. Then we’re done here? But in order to fund and expand that work… apparently not. …We just — we need to increase revenue. And the only way to do that is by readership growth. See, one thing that I did learn from crimson — it pays to give the readers what they want. You’ve already hired someone, haven’t you? See, I like to work with people who, you know, are open-minded and who are unafraid of change. And I know that’s you, alexis, whether you know that or not. Help!
[ Sighs ] Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to convince her that there’s going to be no gossip column here, or — or we’re going to just hightail it out of here with our integrity intact. Will you say something? Don’t hate me… but I think nina might be onto something. It’s not that I don’t want to move out, it — it’s just that I’ve gotten used to spending time with — with georgie and james and bailey lu. And it would be a shame to abruptly end their tutelage of fantasy role-playing games at such a crucial juncture. Bailey plays fantasy games? We work as a team. She’s got a deft touch with the dice.
[ Chuckles ] Well, if it isn’t two of my very favorite people. Mm. Hello, cody. Hi, felicia. How’s mac doing? He’s still away. We talk a little bit every day, if we can. He sends his regards. Oh. Um, well, please send him mine, as well. Um, listen, I-I couldn’t help but overhear you two. So, spinelli, why not tell felicia the truth? Look, there’s things that I can’t tell you about why dex left. And I just want you to know that that has nothing to do with our friendship. I’m here for you, okay? So tell me what you can. What have you figured out so far? Spinelli wants to keep spending time with the kids. You know, wouldn’t it be jarring if he suddenly left, especially after they’ve gotten used to having him there so much? And I bet spinelli would miss them, too. Isn’t that right, buddy? That’s exactly right. Uh, well, I suppose we could work out some kind of arrangement to wean you out of the house. Talk to maxie. Lucy: Felicia. Excuse me. You, with me, now. Oh. Okay. Now. Um, excuse us, fellas. Mm-hmm. Excuse us. Come on! Come on, come on, come on! Oh. Uh, excuse me. It’s good to see you. Come on, come on, come on. Alright. Hurry. Hurry up. Okay. You do know felicia’s right, don’t you? Tracy: Thank god she left. We can finally get some work done. Before we do that, grandmother, I’d like to have a word. Maxie, can we please use your office for a second? Oh, yes. By all means. Maybe you can get tracy to see what a triumph we’ve made. Sasha, get out while you can. Finally. It’s just you and me. How do you want to manage this crisis? We don’T. Because there isn’t a crisis. Have you learned nothing? What I’ve learned is that there’s obviously something that’s upsetting you, and you’re taking it out on everyone else. And I’m pretty sure it has nothing to do with deception. Selina, you just happened to be in the neighborhood? First of all, I wanted to congratulate you. Why? What did I win? The woman who was responsible for the death of your youngest son is finally dead. Yeah, well, too little, too late. You know how that goes. Uh, anything else you need? Why did I have to hear from curtis ashford that I might be the target of a shooter going after…certain independent business owners? It’s okay. Ava knows everything. Even so. Care to answer the question? Yeah, well, I thought that you could, you know, handle it yourself. I appreciate the vote of confidence. But why should i believe you? I don’t really care if you believe me or not. Before all this happened, we were managing to peacefully coexist in port charles. But now, with all this secrecy, I’m thinking maybe that should change. Perhaps now is the time to bring our alliance to an end.
You want to end our alliance, that’s up to you. But I wouldn’t recommend it. Why not?Why don’t I leave you to it? No, no, don’t leave, ’cause I might need your input. Really? And why? Did we not forget that she was in the business? But not for quite some time now. Well, she knows the business from the inside and the outside, and she may even, you know, give you some insight. Unlikely, but one never knows. So tell me, why should you and i not dissolve our partnership? You never represented a threat to me or my business, and we both know you don’t want to, as a matter of scale. Then why not tell me the truth, that I have a target on my back? I was going to. That’s the actual truth. But then you changed your mind? Like I said, there was — there were other factors. Such as? Alright. If I tell you this, you need to give me your word that it doesn’t go out of this room. You have my solemn oath. There’s a leak in my organization. I see. Do you know who it was? I thought I did, but turned out to be a dead end. And I didn’t want to say anything to you until I was positive. I see the wisdom in that. As it turns out, you’re not the only one with a traitor in their midst. I always thought that if olivia jerome ever got what was coming to her, that I would feel some kind of, um… relief. Yeah. And then it happens, and… I feel anger and s-sadness. Hey. Why don’t you take the day off, okay? This is a lot to process. People will understand. No, no, I can’T. I can’t, because everyone worked so hard to put this issue together. I mean, everyone showed up, and they — they taught me the ropes, and they deserve some recognition. They do. So, how do I look? Do I look okay? You look amazing. I’m not upset about anything. Where’d you get that idea? I saw the way you reacted to lucy. She’s an airhead. Look. Ever since you lost luke, you’ve been a little… rudderless. Maybe even a little lonely, dare I say, though I know you’d never admit it. But, look, it doesn’t have to be that way. I know it must be scary opening your heart up after losing the man you love. But I also know you must want to. This is not appropriate workplace conversation. I’m right. It’s obvious that there’s someone you’d like to bring to the wedding, but — but you just haven’t asked them yet. You are not right, so how can it be obvious? Why else would you have pitched a fit for not getting a plus-one? Oh, come on! Okay, you know what? You’re right. I don’t know what I’m talking about. Thank you. Because if I did, then that would mean that you’re too afraid to ask. But you are tracy angelica quartermaine. You’re not afraid of anything, are you? The mock-ups are exactly the same. They’re just spaced out a little more, which means we have more ad space. They look less crowded, which is a win for us. I don’t even know what tracy’s talking about. Okay, maxie, stop. Sorry, sorry. I’m rambling. It’s just, tracy, she drives me so crazy sometimes. She drives all of us crazy, maxie. But you can’t take her too seriously. Besides, brook lynn knows how to handle her. You’re right. You’re right. I know that. And normally, I wouldn’t let something like this bother me. I would just dive straight into work. But this time… maxie? Are you okay? Yeah. Why? You just stopped talking. Oh, I could see how that would be a cause for concern. Is something else on your mind? My accountant. She said I’m close to being financially solvent again. Oh, that’s great. You must be so relieved. Yep, yep, I am. Are you sure? Because by the look on your face, it doesn’t seem like good news. Is something else going on? I know what you’re going to say, that you and maxie are just friends or co-parents or whatever, but I — as much as I’m loath to admit it… you’re right. My feelings for maxie extend beyond the platonic into the romantic. Again. Way to go! Look at you, buddy. I’m really proud of you. You said it out loud. Doesn’t it feel good? Yes, but… only because I know nothing will come of it. Uh, maxie will ask me to move out, which I will, and then everything will go back to normal. Or maybe now is the perfect time to tell her how you feel. And risk our friendship? No, I — how could I possibly throw that away just because of some fleeting infatuation? Has maxie said anything, I-I mean, about things — you know, things at deception? Other than working night and day on a new ad campaign? No! No, no, not — not about work. I’m — I’m talking about brook lynn. That viper. Brook lynn, not — not maxie. I mean, you know, she did help tracy steal deception from me and her — maxie, not brook lynn. Yeah, I got that. Okay, good. Well, see, I just — I can’t figure out, why is maxie trying to make brook lynn look so good? So, if sonny sent dex away, would he trust him to go? Or — or would he make his guards make sure that he stays away? Oh, my god. Trina, you’re a genius. I have most of sonny’s guards’ numbers, um, because of donna and avery. Can you trace them or something?
[ Indistinct conversations ] Well, I can’t, but I think I know someone who can.
I need to make sure that this office still meets your high standards. We’re satisfied with the repairs. Thanks. You know, carly, I have to say, you’re much more understanding than that boyfriend of yours. How so? Well, drew, he was so upset when the repairs were being done that he made a few choice phone calls to some very important people, and he crushed my dreams of starting my own magazine. But fortunately, I am resilient. I adapt, so I’m no longer in fashion. I am now in news media instead. Oh. Cable access? Oh. Oh, wait, you haven’t heard. Valentin bought the invader, and now I’m publisher. So I guess the moral of the story is everything always works out in the end. So thank you, drew. You freed me from the insular world of fashion, allowing me to broaden my horizons with the invader. So from now on, I’m on to far bigger, far better things. Nina wants a money maker that relies on subscribers rather than advertisers. Gossip columns began as populist journalism that was written by and for the elite. You know why the society page died? Because no one gives a crap anymore about debutantes and divorcees. I know you think it’s soft and unworthy of inches in your newspaper, but it also reveals what’s going on behind the closed doors of influential people. Columns about who wore what where don’t interest me. Well, you’re not your only subscriber. And don’t forget, not every newspaper’s dropped off at a doorstep anymore. Most of our readers prefer to come to us, and we want them to keep coming, do we not? Of course we do. So if we want them to eat their vegetables, I.E., The good stuff that we offer them, then maybe we need to entice them with a little dessert. I don’t like it. You don’t have to like it. What, so we just have to do it? Unless you can come up with a high-brow alternative that’s just as popular and profitable. I have a better idea. Why don’t you come up with a high-brow alternative as — whatever you said? Earn your paycheck.
[ Chuckles ] Alright. I’ll get back to you on that. In the meantime, I hope you won’t hold my falling in line behind nina against me, because… I have a favor to ask. Depends. What’s the favor? Of course I’m not afraid. Brook lynn: Then why not ask? It’s not your business. Yeah. Well, if I hadn’t inherited your relentlessness and insistence on meddling, then I’d let it go, but, alas. Fine. There is someone. I knew it.But I’m not going to ask him. Why not? Because it’s not necessary. Why not? Is he already going to be at the —
[ Gasps ] It’s gregory. Good guess.
[ Laughs ] So now you see there’s no point. But wouldn’t it be great to show up on gregory’s arm, as opposed to just happening to be at the same place? They must be almost done with the repairs in spinelli’s apartment. And that means he’ll be moving out soon. That’s too bad. You really seem to enjoy having him at your house. Oh, we drive each other crazy. We always have. But in a good way, right? Sometimes. I guess I missed seeing spinelli every day, because now that I do… I don’t know, I just — I love telling spinelli about my day, and I love explaining the business to him and listening to him talk about chemical compounds and situational ethics for product testing and hearing about his day, most of which the details are completely incomprehensible. It’s like listening to r2-d2. Who doesn’t love r2-d2? Right? But he loves what he does, and I love hearing him talk about what he loves. For somebody who uses 500 words when 5 will do… I can’t imagine what that must be like. …He’s a great listener. Spinelli always helps me put my day into perspective and remember what matters the most. If things are going so well, why don’t you ask him to stay? Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Why not? No. Because, sasha, I have already asked so much of him. How could I ask him for anything else? Go find dex. And when you do, never let go of him. I don’t know what’s going on with maxie and brook lynn. I mean, all I know is they have a very strong bond. You don’t care for the same child without developing a deep trust and understanding. Friendship, though, is one thing. Business is quite another. I-I don’t know why maxie is being so generous with brook lynn, or why brook lynn is so suddenly invested in deception. They’re probably just working out their differences, and it’s as simple as that. I wish I could be more of help to you, but — but I can’T. Mm-hmm. I gotta go. Do you know I used to woo maxie with karaoke?
[ Laughs ] Oh, those were the days, my friend. That’s an expression. We’re acquaintances at best. Yeah, I’m well aware. Hi, spinelli. Oh, hey. Josslyn. Um, my condolences about spencer. Oh. Thank you. Um… can I talk to you? Any idea who the leak is? With all due respect… I to– you can trust her. It’s heartwarming that one of us does. It’s okay. I was just about to fix myself a drink. Cheers, ms. Jerome. I take it you heard about the attack on me and my men? Yeah, I heard something about that. I-I don’t know the details. Anything else I should know? Between us, I was quite taken aback… to find that I’d left myself in so vulnerable a position. I know the feeling. After the attack, I discovered that one of my most trusted guards had been accepting bribes. He’d tipped off my location. I need to talk to this guy. That can be arranged. But I’ll need something from you in return.
Can you find the locationof a cellphone off the number? It’s possible, but it does depend on a variety of factors. It might help if I knew who you were looking for. Trust me. The less you know, the better. Do you and maxie have any plans tonight? Not that I know of. You do now. Uh, yeah. Bring her down to charlie’s, okay? Spinelli will be waiting. Do not take no for an answer. We’ll be there. Now that is a favor I am more than happy to grant, so let me check my schedule. Hang on. Tracy: Excuse me, alexis.
[ Knock on door ] Hey. Gregory, your assistant said I’d find you here. I-I don’t really have an assistant, but — oh, well, somebody knew where you were. It’s always lovely to see you, tracy. What brings you by? Uh, I actually had something personal I-I wanted to talk to you about. Uh, by the way, I just wanted to let you know that my schedule is free, and I am available to be your plus-one. Plus-one for what? Uh, brook lynn and chase’s wedding. Oh. Did you want to go somewhere and discuss — no, no, actually, um, lois has been harassing me about nailing down the rsvps, but now I can just tell her that we spoke. And, alexis, it’s so great that you will be joining us on the — on the big da– big day. I’m so excited about my new venture that I just had to share. You know, being publisher of the invader is allowing me to tell these new stories. I’m especially interested in exposing how those at the top are willing to do anything to stay there. So don’t you dare cancel your subscription. You won’t want to miss a beat. God! Can you believe that woman? Yeah, she’s hateful. We knew that. So why go out of your way to antagonize her? Lucy: Brook lynn. Lucy. Brook lynn, you and maxie are up to something. And you are going to tell me exactly what that is. Just trying to run deception, that’s all. Really? Hmm. Okay. So if I were to go to tracy and suggest that maybe her true-blue granddaughter isn’t all she’s pretending to be, would you stick to the same story? I mean, really. Think about it. If I were just to suggest to your dearly beloved granny tracy, what do you think she’d think if she knew that you and maxie are conspiring against her express wishes for deception? You don’t need to upset her that way. So tell me. What do you want to make sure that doesn’t happen? Easy. I want in. What do you need? I want to resume my poker games. They were rather profitable, and their absence has sparked a demand for their return. And in exchange, you give me access to your guard. Access? Is that all? And free rein to get whatever answers I need, by whatever means necessary.
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