Tag: Young and the Restless

Young & The Restless Transcript

Transcript provided by Suzanne

Nick: I think I should talk to ashland in private.

Victoria: Well, I understand that, but I’m not going anywhere.

Ashland: Victoria is here because I want her to be.

Victoria: So, what is it that is so important that you felt you needed to share it with us? Was it some ancient dirt that you uncovered when you were in new jersey? That’s right. I know you went on a little trip to new jersey, thanks to phyllis. She was her usual cagey self, and she couldn’t explain why you were visiting the town where ashland got his start. I told my fiancé all about it.

Nick: You sure you want victoria here for this?

Victoria: Here for what, nicholas?

Nick: Ashland, why don’t we talk about a 40-year-old car crash that killed a guy named bobby defranco?

Abby: Shh, shh. Okay, dominic. Why don’t you consider going to sleep before mommy has to go to the restaurant? Sleep, baby. Sleep. Shh. The nanny is gonna watch you while I’m gone, but mommy is gonna be back so soon before you wake up. And I am gonna feed you and I’m gonna take care of you because that’s what mommies do. You can always count on me.

Mariah: Mmm. Something smells good.

Tessa: [ Chuckles ]

Mariah: Lemony.

Tessa: Chicken piccata.

Mariah: [ Gasps ] With extra piccata?

Tessa: Well, you know, that’s not a thing. You always tell me to order it like that, and the wait staff always looks at me like I’m a crazy person.

Mariah: You’re probably just saying it wrong. Thank you for getting me dinner. And I don’t even have to move, so, really, it’s just a win-win for me.

Tessa: Well, I know that you’re tired and you need your rest, but you need to eat, too.

Mariah: You take such good care of me.

[ Knock on door ] Uh, did you order a special dessert that needed to be sent up separately?

Tessa: Uh, no.

Sharon: Hi!

Tessa: Hi.

Sharon: Um… did I come at a bad time?

Amanda: Did you make reservations?

Devon: It’s the middle of the week. I figured we should be alright.

Moses: Hey. Sorry. Coming through. Sorry.

Devon: Hello.

Amanda: [ Chuckles ]

Devon: [ Chuckles ] Hey.

Faith: Hey.

Amanda: Hi. Is everything okay?

Faith: I’m not sure, but i think our big surprise date is off to a shaky start.

Ashland: [ Exhales heavily ]

Victoria: Are you okay?

Ashland: [ Sighs ]

Nick: Clearly that name means something to you.

Ashland: Bobby defranco. That’s a name I never wanted to hear again. Especially from anyone in victoria’s family.

Nick: Then I am on the right track.

Victoria: I would like some answers here. Who is this dead man, bobby defranco?

Ashland: That dead man is me. And tonight’s winning numbers are 18,

Additional sponsorship

provided by… when asthma symptoms strike, airways narrow.

Victoria: You’re bobby defranco?

Ashland: I was…before i became ashland locke.

Victoria: Well, we all know that he changed his name. We all know that. It’s not a big deal.

Nick: This crash doesn’t concern you?

Victoria: So what? So he tried to cover his tracks by pretending that his original identity died in the car crash. It’s not so terrible, nick.

Nick: Nothing fake about it. And no one’s pretending. A young man did die.

Victoria: Is that true?

Ashland: Yes. It was foolish for me to think that I could run forever from what happened.

Victoria: Run from what?

Ashland: Uh…I was born robert defranco. Everything that I have told you about my past is true. I ran away from home. I had an abusive father and — and an enabling mother. But there was more to it. There was someone who… gave me the courage to — to change that situation I was in, a friend of mine that my parents didn’t even know. And his name was ashland locke.

Victoria: You named yourself after him?

Ashland: Yeah.

[ Chuckles ] We were kindred spirits. I mean, so much so that one day we did what a lot of dumb 16-year-olds do. We got matching tattoos.

Victoria: The one on your calf?

Ashland: Yeah. And my dad saw it. And he beat me up real good. So ashland saw me that day, all banged up, and he said, “we got to get out of here.” So we took off. And we bummed around the beach towns of new jersey and worked odd jobs up and down the jersey coast, did whatever we could. And one day we found ourselves in an arcade in a boardwalk pavilion in a beautiful little town called keansburg. I hear this commotion. All of a sudden, I understand that my father’s looking out for me. He’s trying to find where I am. He’s pissed off. So, ashland sees what’s happening, and he throws me under a pinball machine. And he runs interference, and he tells them I’m in philadelphia with a girl. I owed him so big. And we bonded so big after that. We were inseparable. He had no family. He was a loner, like me. And we became family for each other. And I had big plans. We were gonna strike it rich.

Nick: So, this was about money for you?

Ashland: I-is that what you got from what I just said? We were kids. We didn’t think about anything like that. We didn’t know what we were gonna do. But ashland had this idea that he wanted to be involved in broadcasting or communications, and somehow he snagged this interview with this lady named camilla rhodes to try and get a job as an intern at one of her stations.

Victoria: The widow who mentored you.

Ashland: Yes. But my friend couldn’t make that interview because the night before he was supposed to meet with her [Chuckles] The two of us were out in his beat-up old camaro — and he liked to drive fast, you know? It scared the crap out of me all the time. And we were screaming down this road, and I don’t know how it happened, but he lost control of the car and we wrapped it around a tree. And I was ejected out of the car and I must have been knocked unconscious. And I came to the vehicle and he was pinned against the steering wheel and I tried to get him out. I couldn’t feel a pulse or anything. Car’s starting to catch fire, and I’m screaming for somebody to come and help us. I don’t know what to do. I’m in shock. I tried to pull him out. He won’t budge! And all of sudden, I pull him so hard, his wallet flies out. And at this time, the flames are growing and the whole car is starting to be engulfed in flames. And I’m confused and I pick up his wallet and I throw mine down and — and I take off as far away from the car right before it was about to explode like a — like a fireball. And so the explosion attracted some passerby, and — and I was about to wave them down and get help, but I realized if I talked to this person and I told them, explained what was going on, they’d probably notify the police. Sure enough, two police cars arrived, and as soon as they did, I figured they’re gonna take me back to my father. And I was not gonna let that happen. So I took off into the woods, and right at that moment I made the decision to become ashland locke. And I let my life as bobby defranco… burn up in flames. What if younger looking skin could start at midnight?

Sharon: I thought you could use a home-cooked meal.

Tessa: I — I, uh, have some errands to run.

Mariah: At this hour?

Tessa: Yeah. There’s just some things i forgot to do, and plus it’ll give you some time to talk.

Sharon: Thank you, tessa.

Tessa: I’ll be right back.

Mariah: Okay. Great.

Sharon: I know what you’re thinking — “I asked for some time and space away from everyone.”

Mariah: You nailed it.

Sharon: And I gave that to you.

Mariah: Uh, yeah, you almost lasted, mm, 24 hours?

Sharon: Well, I think i lasted more than a day. Anyway, I lasted longer than i thought I would. You can give me some credit for that.

Mariah: [ Scoffs ]

Sharon: Anyway, it’s good to see you making jokes again.

Mariah: Who says I’m making jokes?

Sharon: Well, you seem better. That’s a relief. But how about some genuine answers?

Mariah: Mnh, uh-oh.

Sharon: How are you really feeling?

Mariah: [ Sighs ]

Faith: Moses picked me up on time, but he said he forgot something, so we raced here.

Devon: Ah. Well, I’m sure he’ll find whatever it is, and you guys will be on your way.

Amanda: You still don’t know where you’re going?

Faith: No.

Devon: There he is.

Moses: Hey. Sorry for bursting in, but i needed this. That would have been embarrassing, having to finish up our big date by washing the dishes.

Faith: Ah. So part of our date is dinner. A restaurant?

Amanda: You still haven’t told faith where she’s going?

Moses: It’s all a mystery. That’s part of the fun.

Devon: Exactly.

Amanda: Oh, so you know a little something about this date, huh?

Moses: Yeah, but I swore devon to secrecy, so he’s not gonna blow it, right?

Devon: Oh, like you almost just did by forgetting your wallet? Like that?

Amanda: You are very trusting. I mean, you could be expecting a glamorous night on the town and end up at a paintball range.

Faith: Paintball?

Moses: No. Next time. But, uh, we’re gonna get out of here before devon ruins the surprise.

Devon: Mm-hmm.

Faith: Bye. Thank you.

Devon: See you guys.

Amanda: Have fun.

[ Door closes ]

Victoria: So you just ran off as the car burned? Where did you go?

Ashland: To the water. I broke into this beach house, an old, abandoned beach hut. I stayed there for a while. I stole newspapers to keep up on the news, to find out if there were any developments in the story.

Nick: So, your friend’s body was badly burned, and your I.D. Ends up in the wallet that’s next to the accident.

Ashland: Well, the police assumed that the person driving the car was bobby defranco. My father was called in to identify the corpse, and he made a positive I.D. Based on the tattoo on my calf. He was able to verify that it was me. Dna testing was very limited in those days, so there was no reason to investigate further.

Nick: So, case closed.

Ashland: It was my chance for a new start, a clean slate… and to permanently escape from the hell of my father. So I jumped in, hook, line, and sinker, to the identity of ashland locke. I went to the interview with camilla rhodes. She never met ash. They only talked on the phone, so she had no reason to believe that I wasn’t who I said I was. I got the job, and the rest is history.

Nick: Well, I certainly have some questions about this split-second decision that seems awfully calculated. I mean, you end up with his wallet, and yours is left behind at this car that’s on fire.

Ashland: Yeah. A car that was on fire. I was engulfed in smoke. There were flames everywhere. The only friend that I had in the world was dead, and I was fraid of being found out ’cause I knew my father would have beat me for days. So my survival instincts went into overdrive.

Nick: I mean, when the other car pulled up, why didn’t you get the driver to help you pull your buddy out?

Ashland: ‘Cause I told you — I thought he was dead! And there was gonna be no miracle rescue! I-I’ve thought about this day in and day out my whole life! I-I don’t care if you’re skeptical or if you don’t believe me. I just hope to god that you never find yourself in a similar situation. Ashland locke saved my life when my father was coming after me. And I wasn’t able to save his. Now, we all know progressive offers 24/7 protection,

Abby: Hey!

Tessa: Hi.

Abby: How’s mariah?

Tessa: Uh, I’m — I’m not sure, but I know she won’t be hungry.

Abby: What do you mean?

Tessa: Oh, um, sharon brought over so much food just right after we ordered room service. But she’s there now, hopefully offering mariah some comfort and guidance.

Abby: I have to tell you — I miss having you two at the house.

Tessa: Oh, my gosh, that’s so sweet of you to say.

Abby: Yeah, we have to get together, spend some quality time with dominic.

Tessa: Well, um, mariah’s — you know, she’s finally starting to get back to her old self. She’s laughing. She’s making jokes. So hopefully she’ll be up to that soon.

Abby: [ Chuckles ]

Mariah: I am feeling good. Much better, anyway. Definitely stronger after getting out of the house.

Sharon: I know there’s more going on. I’ve heard some things, although it’s all secondhand. What prompted you to leave the chancellor estate?

Mariah: “Secondhand”? What am I, the talk of the town?

Sharon: No. It’s not gossip. It’s people who care about you, you know, sharing thoughts.

Mariah: How is that any different from gossip?

Sharon: Okay, would you stop avoiding answer the question? Why’d you leave abby’s place?

Mariah: [ Sighs ] It was just a lot harder than i thought it was gonna be… being around dominic. After carrying that baby and protecting him all throughout the ordeal of being kidnapped, i just… I know that he’s not mine, alright, technically and biologically speaking. But…there’s still a bond. And it’s strong. It’s hardcore strong, which of course you warned me about.

Sharon: Well, I’m not here to say, “I told you so.” It’s a tough situation.

Mariah: I just had to get out of that house. It was rough seeing bowie and knowing that he’s — he’s not my child to raise.

Sharon: Well, what can I do to help?

Mariah: I will be okay eventually.

Sharon: I know you will. But what can we do to speed that up? Would getting away from this place maybe help? I knew that finding a new apartment was gonna be a little bit tricky, but wouldn’t you rather in the meantime stay someplace more homey?

Mariah: What do you have in mind?

Sharon: Why don’t you move in with me and faith and rey for a little while?

Mariah: Thank you. That’s very sweet, but I can’T.

Sharon: I think it would be really good for you.

Mariah: Space. Remember? Space.

Sharon: I understand. Okay. But I do want to know what comes- next.

Ashland: So, how much of that story did you know before tonight?

Nick: I didn’t have all the pieces, but I was able to put most of it together. I tracked down this reporter in toms river who was covering the crash.- He said he always thought there was more to the story. But there wasn’t a proper investigation done because of the witness.

Ashland: What witness?

Nick: The driver of that car who pulled up. He said when he got there, he saw some kid running into the woods, but the police didn’t think he’d be reliable because obviously he had been drinking.

Ashland: That was probably a lucky break for me.

Nick: Yeah, you’ve had a lot of those, huh?

Ashland: You think? It was wrong of me… not to tell you this part of the story. I should have told you everything right from the start. You deserve that. I was so ashamed of how I acted all those years ago. But I’m more ashamed that i didn’t tell you the whole truth. Now you know. And I hope you can accept it.

Victoria: How could you do this? Ok everyone, our mission is to provide complete,

“The young and the restless”

will continue.

Mariah: What tessa and I want to do first is find a new home, like, as soon as we can.

Sharon: It’s a good first step. You have to have a safe and healthy home. But what about your more immediate issue?

Mariah: Which is what?

Sharon: Getting you through this postpartum separation anxiety. I’d be happy to recommend some therapists if you think you’d benefit from talking to a professional. I mean, getting some space — that can help, but I don’t want you to isolate yourself or rush into anything big.

Mariah: Rush into anything big? What exactly have you and tessa been talking about?

Sharon: Well, you know, I went to her. And I drilled her really hard, and then I poured on all of this, like, motherly guilt until she told me the truth.

Mariah: Told you what?

Sharon: That you want to have a baby of your own.

Mariah: Tessa discussed that with you?

Sharon: Do you really think you’re ready for that?

Mariah: Yes. 100%. But clearly tessa is not.

Sharon: Well, I can see the benefit in waiting.

Mariah: So, you don’t think we should have a baby?

Sharon: No, I’m not saying that. I’m saying just, you know, wait six months or a year. Take the space that you’ve been asking for and really think this through.

Mariah: [ Sighs ]

Sharon: I mean, having a baby would be wonderful. You’re both gonna be wonderful mothers. But I don’t think it should be a knee-jerk reaction to anything.

Mariah: It’s not a knee-jerk reaction. Having a baby with the woman i love is the next step to me moving on with my life.

Abby: Please let mariah know that you have an open invitation to come by the house any time. But no pressure. Just happy thoughts.

Tessa: I’ll do that.

Abby: I really do miss you guys so much.

[ Cellphone pings ]

Tessa: Hmm.

Abby: Is everything okay?

Tessa: Uh…well, mariah’s texts are usually a little bit more lighthearted than this. This doesn’t seem good.

Abby: Well, I hope there’s not a problem.

Tessa: Well, I, uh — i better go find out. Um, I’ll talk to you later?

Abby: Yeah.

Tessa: Okay

Devon: Hey, tessa.

Tessa: Hi.

Devon: Hey. How you doing? How’s mariah?

Tessa: Um, she’s, uh — she’s working through some things. Um, I — I actually do have to go.

Devon: Okay.

Tessa: Sorry.

Devon: Yeah.

Abby: Hi!

Devon: Hey, you.

Amanda: Hi.

Abby: How are you?

Amanda: Good.

Abby: Congratulations on moving in together.

Amanda: Thank you. Oh, well, it looks like faith and moses aren’t here, so we can cross society off the list. Their location is still a fun mystery.

Devon: That’s right.

Abby: What are you talking about?

Devon: Uh, moses and faith went on a special date, and they didn’t tell us where it’s at.

Abby: Oh, my gosh. Stop it. Young love. It’s so sweet. Oh, my gosh. I can’t believe my niece is dating.

Devon: I know. Tell me about it. I’m gonna remind you of this conversation when dominic starts dating.

Abby: Stop it right there. He’s so tiny, I can’t even think about that right now.

Devon: I know.

Amanda: Oh, no.

Devon: What’s wrong?

Amanda: Um, it’s imani. She’s taking naya to the emergency. Her heart rate’s spiking.

Devon: We should go then.

Amanda: No. Thank you for wanting to help, but I think I should just go on my own. She’s not gonna want too many people around, okay?

Devon: Okay. That’s fine.

Amanda: Okay.

Devon: Keep me up to date.

Abby: Bye.

Amanda: Yeah.

Devon: Um…I guess it’s just gonna be dinner for one now.

Nick: So, after hearing about this crash from your fiancé, I’m the one you’re mad at? Victoria!

Ashland: Well, I guess you got what you wanted.

Nick: I wanted the truth. That was something you weren’t willing to give us.

Ashland: Ah, yes. The almighty truth. Solves everything, doesn’t it? Sure gave victoria peace of mind.

Nick: You know what? The bottom line is you built your career, your success, your life on the back of this tragedy.

Ashland: That may be true. But now you know that I didn’t get everything handed to me.

Nick: You watched your best friend die in front of you, and your first instinct is to grab his wallet and run off into the woods? That says all I need to know about you.

Ashland: I had to get my hands dirty and make some hard choices in a very tragic situation. And that’s probably something that you will never understand.

Victoria: [ Sighs ]

Ashland: I-I’m sorry. I — I truly am. I should have been completely honest with you about how i became ashland locke when you first asked me about my past.

Victoria: Yeah, y-you swore to me that there weren’t gonna be any more secrets.

Ashland: I did.

Victoria: How am I supposed to believe you anymore, ashland?

Ashland: Well, I wouldn’t blame you if you said you couldn’t trust me ever again. But I’d be devastated.

Victoria: Why didn’t you tell me?

Ashland: Shame. It was too painful to ever talk about. I was so ashamed that I never told another living soul that story until today. For 40 years, I’ve held onto that. That image, the memory of ash… and that horrible night has haunted me ever since. But I… I’d like to think that I’ve built my life with the ethos of no regrets. But there isn’t a day that goes by…where I don’t wonder the same thing that nick did. What if I stayed? What if, by some miracle, I was able to get some help and — and pull ashland from the wreckage? How would that have made my life different?

Victoria: Have you come to any conclusions?

Ashland: No, I have not. See, I’ve tried to convince myself that that’s what ashland would have wanted. He wanted to give up his identity to rescue me. I keep trying to tell myself that I would have done the same thing if the situation were reversed. But — but that’s something we’ll never know, will we? But I do know that if my life had taken a different direction, it never would have led me to you, and there is nothing false or secretive about what I feel right now… ’cause I have never loved anyone else the way I love you. But if this is what breaks us up, I-I completely understand. I just hope and pray with every fiber of my being that it won’T.

Victoria: This is just… it’s a lot to process. I’m really just gonna need some time, I think.

Ashland: I-I understand. Yeah. I’ll give you all the time you need.

Faith: Oh, that was so much fun. I don’t know how you pulled that off.

Moses: Oh, it was no big deal. Anyone can have dinner at the top of the tower. You just need a reservation.

Faith: But a private room overlooking the whole city? I didn’t even know they had that.

Moses: [ Laughs ] Yeah, I had to call in a favor.

Faith: Favor from who?

Moses: Your grandfather.

Faith: Grandpa got you that special room?

Moses: Yeah. I beat him in a game of chess, so he owed me.

[ Chuckles ] But he was glad to help out.

Faith: I’m glad he did. That filet mignon was delicious.

Moses: Though being alone up there together like that was like being in a movie.

Faith: Especially when you had devon’s new singer audrina serenade us. That was magical.

Moses: Yeah. Yeah. I owe him big time for that.

Faith: I’ll never forget it.

Moses: Good. I’m glad you liked our date.

Faith: Liked? No. I loved it. It was the most perfect night ever.

Nick: Vick.

[ Picture thuds ]

Victoria: I don’t want to talk to you. Definitely don’t want to see you.

Nick: Yeah. I get it.

Victoria: No. You don’T. You betrayed my trust, nicholas. I told you how much I love ashland and how committed I am to this marriage. I asked you — no. I-I begged you to leave this alone and to — to not be like billy and start digging around in his past. I-I guess — I guess you couldn’t help yourself.

Nick: You know, you also said something else in that conversation. You told me you had serious concerns about the man you were gonna marry.

Victoria: Well, that didn’t give you an invitation to investigate him. I made that very clear to you.

Nick: I’m sorry if you’re hurt by this, but I don’t regret what I did, alright? It forced ashland to come clean about who he was all those years ago. Who knows how many other shady things he did during that time?

Victoria: Ashland has been in the public eye for a long time. He is a powerful force in business and media. I am sure that he has done some ruthless things, but nothing illegal.

Nick: I’m just saying, if he left his best friend to die —

Victoria: Did you listen? His friend was probably already dead. The car was about to blow up. He had to make one of the hardest decisions he ever made in his whole life. And he wasn’t even an adult! Do you remember what noah and summer were like at that age? How would they have handled that situation? Better yet, how would have a young nick newman dealt with that? How would you like the mistakes from your past, from your youth, to be throw back in your face?

Nick: I would never do anything like that.

Victoria: No, because you’ve never been in that position before, have you? Your father was tough, but he wasn’t physically abusive. Ashland’s father was a monster, hunting him down. You — you were born with privileges and advantages. You could never, ever relate to what ashland went through, so don’t come in here telling me that he is a terrible person until you understand the position that he was in. Can you blame him for what he did? How does something that happened 40 years ago mean that he is not worthy of love and forgiveness and happiness? Oh, I had never seen a picture of her

Abby: How’s amanda?

Devon: Hey. She’s, uh, just anxious about naya. I can hear it in her voice. She’s not usually like that.

Abby: Yeah. She’s typically the definition of unflappable. I could tell she was really bothered. She seemed shaken up.

Devon: Well, she worries about her mom because it’s a new relationship, you know?

Abby: Well, that’s understandable. She’s protective.

Devon: Yeah. Speaking of protective, I ran into tessa on the way in here, and she seemed a little frazzled about something. Did you talk to her or…

Abby: Yeah. She’s worried about mariah.

Devon: I think we all are.

Abby: Yeah. I mean, she was trying to be optimistic, but it almost seemed like wishful thinking. And then she got a text from mariah. She said it wasn’t good.

Devon: Well, you know, i would do anything to help mariah out in all this, but I just think that she needs time. And there’s only so much we can do.

[ Lock whirs, disengages ]

[ Door opens ]

Tessa: Hey. How was your visit with sharon?

Mariah: What have you been talking to my mom about?

Tessa: What do you mean?

Mariah: You told my mom that I wanted to have a baby with you without telling me. How could you do that?

Tessa: Okay, please calm down.

Mariah: No! You went behind my back again! First abby, now my mom. Why would you do that to me?!

Nick: I heard what you said about ashland being in a tough spot that night and having to make a difficult decision.

Victoria: Yes, that’s it.

Nick: Well, I guess you and i have different opinions about what’s right and wrong.

Victoria: Oh, god. Don’t get self-righteous with me. You betrayed me.

Nick: That’s not what I was doing.

Victoria: The minute that you got on that plane to new jersey, when I asked you not to look into ashland’s past, you betrayed me.

Nick: Vick, come on.

Victoria: No! Stop it! Just knock it off. Just stop. Shouldn’t you, um — shouldn’t you be headed to summer’s wedding? Just go. And don’t bother flying on to tuscany.

Nick: Why are you saying that? ‘Cause I’m no longer invited?

Victoria: Would you just go?

Nick: [ Sighs ] You know what? I know you’ll never say it, but this news concerns you more than you’ll ever admit.

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Young & The Restless Transcript

Transcript provided by Suzanne

Billy: No. Listen to me. We need to figure out what happened after that. Why gaines checked out of the hotel so abruptly and where he went. I’m sorry, but that’s not an adequate answer. People don’t just disappear. Okay, fine. Then come up with another solution. I wouldn’t be surprised if victor newman had something to do with gaines deciding not to talk to me, so ask around. See if anybody saw anything or heard anything. Okay, look, talk to one of your banking associates. Do whatever you need to do. Just figure it out.

Jack: What’s got you so worked up?

Billy: Hi. How are you?

Jack: You first.

Billy: I am — I’m fine. It’s just, lily has gone to stanford to go see mattie, and I’m here running everything on my own.

Jack: Normally you thrive on chaos, so that can’t possibly be the problem.

Billy: Who said there’s a problem? You’re basing that on the assumption of hearing part of a conversation. Actually, how much of that conversation did you hear?

Jack: Enough to hear that you were pretty frustrated. Are you delving into areas that wouldn’t make lily happy?

Billy: No. She knows the whole story.

Jack: Okay.

Billy: If I was gonna fill you in — and I’m not saying i will — I highly doubt that you would be receptive, no matter how convincing the evidence is.

Jack: Evidence of what? What exactly are you investigating?

Billy: Why victoria should not rush into marrying ashland locke.

Jack: Wish I could say I was surprised by that. Phyllis hinted that nicholas is on a similar mission.

Phyllis: Hey, I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Have you landed? Do you need me to pick you up?

Nick: No. I’m still in atlantic city. Mechanical issues.

Phyllis: You’re kidding me.

Nick: I wish I was.

Phyllis: [ Sighs ] Well, I mean, how long is it gonna be? Well, that’s a stupid question. Of course you don’t know. Hey, uh, what have you found out?

Nick: Remember that lead that was promising that I texted you about?

Nick: Well, it took me down a rabbit hole, and not a good one.

Phyllis: How bad is it?

Nick: Very, if what I think all this means is true, but i don’t want to get into it on the phone. I’ll fill you in when I see you. I think you and jack and traci should get on the plane and go to milan. I’ll get there as soon as I can.

Phyllis: Oh, traci is not going to be flying with us. There was a change in her plans.

Nick: Yeah. Okay.

Phyllis: Yeah, so… well, I guess you should just, you know, fly to milan from new jersey.

Nick: I got to confront ashland first and see what he has to say, but I promise you I’m gonna see our girl get married one way or another.

Phyllis: I wish I were flying with you, but I know this is important to you.

Nick: I got to follow through on what I’ve learned. This trip raised some serious questions, and I need some answers from ashland before my sister says “I do.”

Nikki: Well, we got a lot accomplished.

Victoria: Yes, and not a moment too soon.

Nikki: Is everything alright?

Victoria: What? Yes. I’m fine. Why?

Nikki: Oh, I don’t know. You just seem a little keyed up.

Victoria: It just feels like, uh — it feels like there’s so much left to do.

Nikki: How was your fitting with lauren? Is your wedding dress almost ready?

Victoria: Uh, yes…and no. To tell you the truth, mom, I’m — I’m really not that thrilled with the design.

Nikki: Oh, no.

Victoria: It’s close, but —

Nikki: Not quite what you had envisioned.

Victoria: [ Sighs ] Well, lauren assured me that she would be able to fix it. It’s just one added stress that I don’t need right now.

Nikki: You do realize that that’s what I’m for — to take some of the burden off your shoulders. Darling, please trust me when i say that everything for your wedding is going to be perfect.

Victoria: I want to believe that’s true.

Nikki: And you can. Look, it’s very normal to be anxious, that wonderful combination of nerves and excitement. So, when did you last speak to ashland?

Victoria: He canceled our dinner plans. Or at least he said he might have to, via text. He said that something unexpected came up, some sort of business that he had to handle.

Nikki: And that just made you more concerned.

Ashland: Circumstances have changed. I no longer need the money.

Douglas: The wedding surprise for your bride — did that fall through?

Ashland: Well, I’m sure I can find something even more spectacular.

Douglas: [ Chuckles ] Well, best of luck with everything.

Ashland: Thank you.

Victoria: Well, this is a surprise.

Ashland: My meeting ended quicker than expected and I’m free for the rest of the day and I would love to spend the rest of it with you.

Victoria: Well, I’m with my mom. Since you said you were busy, she and I were planning on grabbing a bite together.

Nikki: Oh, no, honey, we can do that any time. Go meet him. I insist.

Ashland: Tell nikki thanks for me.

Victoria: I will. Where are you?

Ashland: Society.

Victoria: I’ll be there in a few. I can’t to see you and hear all about your business meeting. Bye.

When you hear ‘cough

cough sneeze sneeze’

Additional sponsorship

provided by… when asthma symptoms strike, airways narrow.

Ashland: Nate!

[ Chuckles ] I’m waiting for a victoria. Please join me.

Nate: Oh, well, I’m waiting for elena to finish her shift to join me, so I’d be happy to hang with you until they arrive.

Ashland: Excellent. Ohh, it’s nice to get out of work at a reasonable hour, huh?

Nate: Ah, well, it happens occasionally.

Very occasionally.

Ashland: How’s the new job?

Nate: Hectic. I, uh — I do love it, though. I’m enjoying the challenge of managing our surgical team.

Ashland: Well, not many are up to the task. Clearly you are where you should be.

Nate: Well, so far, so good. Thank you for asking.

Ashland: Of course.

Nate: Now, uh, I don’t mean to overstep, but, uh, as your best man, I feel it’s my responsibility to look out for the groom. You seem tired. Feeling alright these days? How are you managing the effects from the chemo?

Ashland: Physically, uh, i feel remarkably well, which surprises me, given what the doctors had prepared me for. It’s just been a stressful few days.

Nate: Any particular reason?

Ashland: I truly appreciate that. There were a few trouble spots that I had to deal with. Uh, I think I’ve gotten them handled. And from now on, I, uh, promise — no more stressful days. I’m going to focus on enjoying this special time with the woman I love.

Victoria: [ Sighs ]

Nikki: I thought hearing from ashland would reassure you that everything is fine.

Victoria: [ Sighs ] Look, I — I suppose that you’re gonna hear about this at some point. When billy made that stink about that attorney, jesse gaines, I, um — I couldn’t help but feel a little bit concerned about it, so I looked him up online.

Nikki: And?

Victoria: Turns out that his father was an attorney, too, and worked for camilla rhodes, the woman who mentored ashland and gave him his start. Look, after everything that has come to light about ashland’s past, I have to wonder — what is that attorney’s son doing in genoa city now?

Nikki: Well, did you ask ashland about it?

Victoria: No, not yet. I was hoping he would say something to me.

Nikki: Evidently, he hasn’T.

Victoria: I don’t want to make it seem like I don’t trust ashland. Opening up about his past with our family was difficult enough for him.

Nikki: You know, I walked in on ashland and victor at the ranch yesterday. They were talking very quietly, almost conspiratorially.

Victoria: [ Scoffs ] Well, that does sound like dad.

Nikki: I didn’t press them for what was going on. I doubt they would have told me if I had. But, darling, I certainly don’t want to add to your worries.

Victoria: Mom, thank you. I appreciate you telling me. It’s just, I wish I wasn’t having all of these doubts so close to our wedding.

Nikki: I’m sorry. P>> Victoria: You know, this is billy’s fault. He is the one who planted these suspicions in my mind, and i just can’t shake them.

Jack: What it with this incessant needs to dig into ashland locke’s past? You’ve already published plenty of material about him, some of it less than kind. He’s suffering late-stage cancer. Yes, of course, he wants to change part of his life. Why isn’t that enough? What is it about this guy that you and nick don’t trust? What diabolical scheme is he somehow trying to pull off?

Billy: Okay. When ashland was 20 years old, he suddenly came into enough money to purchase two tv stations, which was the start of his career.

Jack: An inheritance.

Billy: No. He did not come from any wealth whatsoever. Far from it. When he was a teen, he ran away, changed his name, gave himself a whole new identity.

Jack: Wait, how do you know all this about him?

Billy: Because I was invited to a newman family gathering with victor and nikki and nick and of course victoria, where he gave us all a very heartfelt confession. He claims that he was trying to escape an abusive father. Of course, that’s his word. There’s no public record of him ever changing his name. And he thinks that that’s enough to just, you know, close the case.

Jack: Well, maybe he’s just trying to protect harrison. I mean, it makes all the sense in the world. He wouldn’t want to say any more, especially to the press.

Billy: Well, he didn’t say anything until he was backed into a corner.

Jack: By you.

Billy: No. I am not the only one that’s suspicious. Victor and nick are looking into ashland, as well. And after ashland’s story, it really only left more questions, like what is his real birth name, which he says he will never tell us at any point whatsoever. Look, just to be very clear, I’m not looking to take this information public, okay? I am simply trying to protect victoria and my children, and ashland seems to think that sharing the bare minimum is enough for us all to back off and stop asking any questions, which really was the only reason I was there in the first place.

Jack: Ashland’s in love, about to marry a woman with whom he has limited time, maybe very limited time. I can understand him not wanting to spend that time fending off attacks from her ex. Look, if victoria is satisfied, that should be enough.

Billy: Well, she’s not.

Jack: She’s told you that?

Billy: No.

Jack: No?

Billy: Look, I know victoria, okay? She is starting to question ashland. She’s starting to wonder what else he’s lying about. And I’m not gonna sit back and let her marry some guy whose entire life is built on lies and deception, okay? I mean, we don’t really know for sure if he’s sick.

Jack: He is going through chemotherapy. He’s just made the gut-wrenching choice to let harrison live in italy with kyle.

Billy: Yeah, that makes it a lot more convincing, doesn’t it?

Jack: You got to stop this. Listen to yourself. Listen to the leaps of logic you’re willing to make to justify what you’re doing.

Billy: I’m protecting the mother of my children, jack.

Jack: I know you keep saying that. Victoria is no longer your responsibility. And let’s be honest. This is not protecting victoria or protecting your kids or maybe even about ashland. This is about you trying to stop victoria from moving on. Did you know that your clothes can actually attract pet hair?

Victoria: Hello, hello.

Ashland: Darling, I’m so glad you could join me.

Victoria: I’m so glad you called. Hi, nate.

Nate: Hey there. Um, elena should be joining me soon.

Ashland: It turns out they had the same idea that we did to have an early dinner. Yeah. And here she is right now.

Elena: Hey!

Nate: Hey there. How was your shift?

Elena: Busy, but not insane.

Nate: Well, can’t beat that.

Ashland: How about a table for four? We’d be delighted to have you join us.

Elena: You sure?

Ashland: 100%. In fact, I’m not gonna take no for an answer.

Victoria: U-unless nate and elena would prefer some alone time.

Nate: Uh, we’d love to join you. Right?

Elena: Yeah, absolutely.

Ashland: Well, then it’s settled. I’ll be right back.

Victoria: Wonderful.

Billy: You’re not the first person to claim that I’m having a hard time getting over victoria, but like them, jack, you would be wrong ’cause I am happy with lily, very, very happy. My life has taken a different direction, and I am great with that.

Jack: Historically, that would be about the time that you start to sabotage yourself.

Billy: There you go.

Jack: You’re my brother, and I love you, billy, but you know that’s the truth.

Billy: It’s not what this is about, okay? This is about protecting victoria and my children. That’s it. Their welfare. Nothing more. And given the amount of lies and half-truths that ashland has told us in the short amount of time that he has been in our lives, I would be remiss not to look into him.

Jack: This is your ego talking. Victoria is perfectly capable of of looking after her own life without any of your help.

Billy: Okay, you mentioned nick as having the same thoughts. Does that make him an egomaniac, as well?

Jack: All I know is nick took an unscheduled trip to the east coast.

Billy: What makes you think that this is about ashland?

Jack: Phyllis said that it was about victoria and her wedding, and the way she said it led me to believe that he was doing more than looking for a great wedding gift.

Billy: Hmm.

Jack: Okay, you don’t seem surprised.

Billy: Nick has always claimed that he’s on the fence about ashland. But he’s never really thought there was enough there to keep digging. So, if he’s on the east coast looking into ashland, I am great with that because we are after the same thing — figuring out the riddle of who ashland locke really is and protecting the people that we love. And for your theory, jack, you can throw it out the window because I can care about my ex, I can want what’s best for her without being possessive and having an ulterior motive.

Phyllis: Okay. [ Chuckles ]

Traci: I’m so sorry. Jack has stepped away, but, um, he won’t be gone for long.

Phyllis: Oh.

Traci: Is nick not with you?

Phyllis: Oh, no, he’s not. His, uh — his plane was, you know, stuck in atlantic city. Mechanical issues.

Traci: Well, that’s unfortunate.

Phyllis: Yeah. It is. I mean, he doesn’t know when everything is gonna be fixed. He has to come back here before we go off to milan together, but he’s aware that we may have to go without him. He’ll just take a commercial jet or something, you know? But he’ll definitely be there for kyle and summer’s wedding, definitely.

Traci: Okay. Good. Well, does that mean then that it will only be you and jack flying to italy together?

Phyllis: Uh, yeah. Yeah.

Traci: W– okay. You know what? While we wait for jack, I’m gonna pour you a glass of wine, and we’re gonna have a little talk.

Phyllis: Sounds great. Are you tired of clean clothes that just don’t smell clean?

Traci: [ Laughing ] So like a twofer!

Phyllis: Two for one wedding! Exactly!

Traci: A romance double-header.

Phyllis: Right. You know, that’s a good name —

Traci: For my next novel.

Phyllis: Yeah, well, that, but I was gonna say for a band.

[ Both laugh ]

Traci: Perfect!

Jack: Nice to see the two of you getting into the spirit of things.

Traci: Oh, jack, hi. We — phyllis and I just decided it’s been too long since we’ve had a chance to sit down and talk.

Phyllis: Yeah. Yeah, it’s really nice. I mean, it was the escape club…

Traci: Yes!

Phyllis: …Last time we spo– that was like a hundred years ago.

Traci: Yes, and a night i will never forget. I mean, we only were able to exchange just a few words because phyllis was so focused on making sure that everybody had the perfect spa experience. And succeeded.

Phyllis: Oh, that is so nice of you to say. Thank you.

Jack: Phyllis has poured her heart and soul into that hotel, overcome obstacles I think would be insurmountable for pretty much anyone else.

Phyllis: Thank you. What — what’s that look about?

Traci: [ Laughs ] I’m just thinking about this magical oasis that you have created. Seriously. A destination with so much cachet, completely respected. It’s a reflection of you, phyllis, you know, how much you’ve grown in the last few years as a human being, a woman who has literally risen from the ashes, very phoenix-like, you know?

[ Chuckles ] And yet mayhem seems to still manage to creep in.

[ Laughs ] For example, a rude customer who gets a surprise ice bath.

Phyllis: Oh, well…

Traci: And the, um, grand opening, complete with ecstasy-spiked punch.

Jack: Let’s not forget the armed man descending from the ceiling the day of the hostage crisis.

Phyllis: Thanks.

Traci: [ Laughing ] Exactly! It just gets my writer’s mind going, you know, wondering what in the world is next for this colorful protagonist.

Jack: I can help with that. A jet ride to milan to watch her daughter get married, escorted by the proud and dashing fathers of the bride and groom.

Traci: Oh, jack, jack, you don’t know the news.

Jack: Wait. What news?

Phyllis: Oh! Yeah. Uh, nick — his flight is stuck in atlantic city mechanical issues. You know, so he doesn’t know if he’s gonna get back to genoa city in time, you know? And so we may have to go off to milan without him.

Jack: Well, that’s no problem. I’ll just have my pilot file a later flight plan as soon as we know nick’s status. In the meantime, we can enjoy a dinner together.

Phyllis: Great. Sounds doable.

Traci: Um, I have some work that I have to turn in. So, why don’t you guys figure this all out, let me know when it’s sorted? And, um, phyllis, it really was just great catching up.

Phyllis: It was my pleasure.

Jack: That was a nice surprise, walking in and finding the two of you getting along so well.

Phyllis: Yeah. It was fun. Although it made me wonder.

Jack: Wait. Wonder what?

Phyllis: Well, I wasn’t sure if you said something to her, you know, about…

Jack: Wait. What I confided to you? No. God, no.

Phyllis: I mean, I wouldn’t blame you. I mean, you are very close to your sister.

Jack: Wait a minute. Listen to me. I told nick that, only nick, for a reason. It was the right thing to do. I wanted to be honest. I have nothing to hide. And you have nothing in your glass. Let me get you a little more wine.

Phyllis: Okay, great. Will you have more wine?

Jack: No, I’m gonna have ginger ale tonight ’cause the last time I drank around you, i poured my heart and soul out, and I’m not gonna subject you to that.

Phyllis: Oh, come on! I hope you’re joking. Really. You’re not subjecting me to anything. You could bare your heart and soul out to me any time you want.

Jack: Right back at you.

Nate: Excellent meal. The fish was perfection.

Elena: And I loved seeing those photos of tuscany. The palazzo is gorgeous.

Nate: Gonna be one heck of a wedding.

Elena: We can’t wait.

Ashland: Neither can we. Isn’t that right, darling?

Victoria: Yes. My mother has worked very hard to make this the perfect day.

Ashland: Nikki has done a magnificent job, and I couldn’t be happier that both of you will be joining us.

Nate: Yes. Well, we should get going. Thank you you two for inviting us to join you.

Elena: Yes, we had a great time.

Ashland: Us too.

Nate: And my offer still stands. Let me know if the groom needs anything.

Ashland: I appreciate that.

Elena: See you in italy.

Victoria: We’re looking forward to it.

Ashland: [ Sighs ] You know, ever since we sat down, you seem a bit distracted. Is something wrong?

Victoria: You tell me. Because I am having a lot of trouble not feeling like you’re keeping something from me. Did you get some — some news, some bad news about your illness, and you’re reluctant to tell me? Or maybe this has something to do with the fact that my brother, nick, flew to new jersey for some reason that he won’t share with me. Oh, or maybe it’s about a lawyer named jesse gaines who’s connected to your past and the woman who mentored you.

Ashland: [ Sighs ] Not here.

Victoria: [ Exhales sharply ] Where then?

Ashland: Let’s go back to the office, where we can speak in private.

[ Sighs ]

Billy: Hey, it’s me again. Any news on jesse gaines? Still nothing? Okay, so you’re telling me that this guy basically admitted that he’s got information on ashland’s past, we’ve agreed on a price to get him to talk, and then just up and disappears? It’s not good enough, okay? Keep digging ’cause I need answers soon.

Nikki: Stop trying to fill victoria’s head with doubts.

Billy: Hello, nikki.

Nikki: Victor explicitly warned you about interfering with our daughter’s happiness. And you know what he’s capable of when he’s angry. Defy him at your own risk. Oh, and here’s a news flash. You should worry just as much about defying me.

“The young and the restless”

will continue. (Upbeat pop music throughout)

Elena: Thanks. Hey, did you notice victoria’s mood, too?

Nate: Hard not to notice how distracted she was.

Elena: Intense. My god. Although she did try to hide it. But it shouldn’t be that stressful, planning such a happy occasion.

Nate: Yeah, I think there’s more to it.

Elena: Yeah?

Nate: When I ran into ashland, he seemed to be in pretty bad shape. It reminded me of, uh…

Elena: Of what?

Nate: Why they’re moving so quickly with this wedding.

Elena: Hmm. Have you talked to ashland about his treatment? And what has his oncologist said about his progress?

Nate: We didn’t go into detail, but it’s clear to me he is not as well as he claims to be.

Elena: Sorry to hear that. But it would explain why victoria seemed so off.

Nate: Well, I advised ashland to slow down, you know, stop trying to manage everything. This time should be about the love he and victoria share, and the huge commitment they’re about to make, and nothing more.

Ashland: I assume billy came running to you and that is how you learned about the attorney?

Victoria: Former. Former attorney. Jesse gaines jr., Who lost his license due to malfeasance. I don’t understand why I didn’t hear this from you.

Ashland: Mainly because —

Victoria: Don’t tell me that it’s not a problem. It can’t be a coincidence that this man just shows up in town. Look, you promised me that you weren’t gonna keep any more secrets about your past, and I’m trying really hard to believe that. But I keep getting these unsettling surprises, and it’s getting harder and harder to convince myself that there’s nothing wrong here. So please just stop with the vague reassurances.

[ Sighs ] Just tell me the truth.

Billy: I am not making victoria feel anything. She’s questioning ashland on her own, and for good reason — ’cause every day, a disturbing new piece of evidence pops up.

Nikki: What exactly have you learned that is so damning?

Billy: I’m still putting the pieces together.

Nikki: [ Chuckles ] Just as i thought. The answer is nothing. You have no proof of anything. And yet you are determined to derail this wedding to feed your own ego.

Billy: Actually, the fact that victoria is not blindly accepting ashland’s version of who he is or the secret to his success is a good thing. And I would be glad if I was you that she’s asking questions of her fiancé, a man whose real name she doesn’t even know yet.

Nikki: I will always look out for my daughter’s best interests. And, no, I am not glad that you continue to meddle in her life. That you would criticize the man that she has chosen after the-many ways that you have failed her? Just know this. Victoria is going to marry ashland, and you are going to stop trying to undermine them.

Billy: Uncover the truth. That’s what I’m doing. And I’m not the only one.

Nikki: Back the hell off, billy, now. And do us all a massive favor. Don’t show your face at the wedding. You’re no longer welcome.

Phyllis: You still know your way around a grilled cheese, jack.

Jack: Yeah, I still have a few hidden talents.

Phyllis: Mm.

Jack: Wow, think about it. Tomorrow, this time, we will be in milan, about to watch our kids become husband and wife.

Phyllis: I know. For good. For good this time. Summer ann. She’s my little miracle. Ah. Beautiful. You remember how many doctors said it would never happen again after daniel? Remember that?

Jack: The head is out. The head is out.

Phyllis: Is she breathing? Can she breathe? Can she breathe? Answer me. Jack, look at me. Is she alive?

Jack: She’s alive. And she’s beautiful. Time to meet your mommy.

Phyllis: Oh, my god. Hey, baby girl. Baby…

Jack: Cover her up. Cover her up. Cover her up.

Phyllis: Look at you. Oh, my god. I’ve been waiting so long to see you. Oh, my baby.

Jack: Hello. This is jack abbott. Turn the power on now. Okay, get ready. Hold tight. Here we go.

[ Breathing heavily ]

Phyllis: Look at you. This is your first ride.

Jack: There’s no jolt. Thank you.

Phyllis: Baby, it’s your first one.

[ Smooches ]

Jack: [ Breathing heavily ]

Phyllis: [ Sobbing ] Thank you. Thank you, jack. You gave me a miracle. Thank you.

Jack: I felt the same way about kyle. When I found out he was my son, it was this amazing, unexpected surprise.

Phyllis: Yeah. It was an unexpected surprise.

[ Both laugh ] I’m glad we can talk like this and reminiscE. It makes me happy.

Jack: I remember you coming down those stairs…

Phyllis: Oh, my goodness.

Jack: …What, almost 20 years ago.

Phyllis: Yeah. Ah. That was lovely. Not just the ceremony. I mean the entire thing was…

Jack: What you got in the bag here?

Phyllis: Stay away from the gown!

Jack: I’m just gonna take a little peek.

Phyllis: No. No. No. Listen, go — go downstairs. Do something, alright? I have to get ready! I’m not even dressed.

Jack: Not so fast. Not so fast. Come here. You realize the next time we kiss we’re gonna be husband and wife?

Phyllis: [ Chuckling ] Yes. Mm-hmm. Are you getting cold feet?

Jack: Do I look like I’m getting cold feet?

Phyllis: I’m the luckiest woman on earth.

Jack: You literally took my breath away. (Vo) if you want to set the rhythm for a great day…

Nate: Now you see why i agreed to join victoria and ashland when I would have preferred to have you all to myself. I’m worried about the guy.

Elena: You are a really good man. Do you know that?

Nate: I try.

Elena: I wanted to be alone with you, too.

Nate: Look, you’ve been working so hard lately with the askmdnow gig on top of everything else. Wouldn’t you rather go unwind and catch up on some rest?

Elena: I know two things for sure. The first is that you are incredibly sweet and thoughtful. And the second is, if you leave now, I will never forgive you.

Nate: [ Laughs ] Hmm.

Jack: Oops. I’m about to be a fool again, dangling my heart on my sleeve.

Phyllis: Oh, my gosh, would you stop obsessing over that?

Jack: Boundaries were never my strong suit.

Phyllis: [ Laughs ] Listen. I already told you there’s a part of my heart that’ll never stop loving you. I just love spending time with you. That’s all.

Jack: Well, here’s to happiness.

[ Cellphone ringing ]

Phyllis: Mm. Oh! It’s nick.

Jack: Oh.

Phyllis: It’s nick. Hey, babe! Where are you?

Nick: I just got back to genoa city.

Phyllis: Oh, great! That’s fantastic. Nick is back. He’s back.

Nick: Yeah, I got something i got to do. Then I’ll meet up with the two of you.

Phyllis: Okay. What are you going to do?

Nick: I’m gonna get this out in the open.

Victoria: Just talk to me. Tell me — why did nicholas go to new jersey? Why is jesse gaines in genoa city? I don’t want to get these answers from anybody else. I want them from the man that I’m about to marry.

[ Cellphone chimes ] Well, go ahead and get that. Could be something important. Your brother is back. And he wants to meet.

Victoria: About what?

Ashland: We will soon find out.

Victoria: “We”? Healthy habits come in all sizes.

Phyllis: Ohh, okay. Good. Good. Oh, that’s a relief. So, nick is going to go to milan with us. I’m so glad that worked out.

Jack: Were you really that concerned?

Phyllis: I was. You never know what’s gonna happen with the planes and mechanical issues and, you know… but now we’re all gonna go together. I’m very happy.

Jack: You never said why nick went to new jersey. What made him take off just pbefore our trip when there was a chance he would be cutting it too close?

Phyllis: Yeah. I didn’t say anything, did I?

Jack: Okay, I can, uh — I can guess. Given what little you’ve told me about this, I would say it was probably about ashland locke.

Phyllis: Ashland locke? Why would you say that?

Jack: I spoke to billy earlier. He is absolutely convinced ashland is keeping a secret from everyone, a big enough secret that it might cause victoria to reconsider marrying him.

Phyllis: Mm. Well, billy is the king of wishful thinking.

Jack: Well, ordinarily, i would dismiss it as him trying to keep victoria from moving on, except nicholas also has his suspicions, and he would only be involved to protect his sister, to get proof before the wedding that she was marrying the wrong guy, if that proof exists.

Phyllis: Nick does know something. He has something. What victoria decides to do with it — that’s up to her. But, you know, nick then is gonna wash his hands of this. But let’s talk about the other wedding. Let’s put the focus on the wedding of our kids, okay? And by the way, I want to say thank you.

Jack: Thank you for what?

Phyllis: Thank you for postponing the jabot jet and holding off and making it so that nick could fly to milan with us. I really appreciate that. Thank you.

Jack: I’m glad it all worked out. We can all fly there together.

Billy: Nick, it’s billy. I know you’re out there looking for information on ashland. Please tell me you found the answers we both want.

[ Sighs ]

Nick: I was expecting to meet with you alone.

Ashland: Well, whatever you have to tell me, I want victoria to hear it, as well.

Victoria: Nicholas, you ignored my express wishes. You went digging around into ashland’s past. So — so, let’s hear it. What is this all about?

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Young & The Restless Transcript

Transcript provided by Suzanne

It’s just what is in my heart, but I — I’d hate to think that it would in any way get in the way of things with you and nick. Was nick okay?

Phyllis: Yeah. Yeah, he was okay. Um, he’s actually out of town right now. He’s, uh…doing a couple things before victoria’s wedding.

Jack: Oh, what seems to be the problem?

Phyllis: Oh, there’s no problem. Not at all. I think he’s just trying to surprise victoria with something, but that’s the thing is, um, I don’t know if he’ll be back in genoa city before we take off to go to milan, and he may just have to meet us there, fly from new jersey. He’s in new jersey.

Jack: If that happens, it would be just you and me on the jet.

Phyllis: Well, traci’s coming, right?

Jack: Traci is going to new york to meet with her agent now, so you and I would be flying to milan alone. Are you comfortable with that? You don’t get much time for yourself.

Phyllis: There is no situation in the world with you that would make me uncomfortable. I’d love to share a flight with you.

Jack: Good, I’m glad to hear that.

Phyllis: Yes, and by the way, I want to apologize for being suspicious regarding your intentions toward nick. I just — you just wanted to be honest.

Victoria: Hey.

Phyllis: Oh, hi.

Victoria: I was wondering if you had heard from nick.

Jack: Uh, you know, I’m gonna take that as my cue. I’m gonna keep moving. Um, nice to see you, victoria. Stay in touch with your travel plans.

Phyllis: Will do.

Victoria: I just heard that nick took the jet to new jersey. I want to know why.

Faith: Okay, you’re right. I haven’t been honest about why I’m backing out of our date. I’m sorry. I’m so embarrassed that I let this happen. I’m dying to go. I love spending time with you. And I feel awful that you spent all this time planning, but

[Sighs] I’ve fallen behind on my schoolwork.

Moses: Okay. Like, how behind?

Faith: Like, really behind. It was originally only a few classes, but then i procrastinated a couple of other assignments and now I have work due for practically every class.

Moses: Well, could you knock some of it out this afternoon and then finish the rest over the next few days?

Faith: [ Sighs ] I probably could’ve, but the school called my mom, so now…

Moses: I get it. Yeah, you can’t go on our date ’cause you need to finish your work.

Faith: This is all my fault. I don’t know how I got so behind. I feel terrible that I messed this up.

Moses: No, don’t blame yourself, when, actually, I’m to blame.

Faith: How could any of this possibly be your fault when I’m the one who has to finish three essays, a week of math, and a history project by tomorrow?

Moses: Because I’ve been the one who’s been keeping you from your work.

Faith: Yeah. Unfortunately, that’s what my mom thinks. That’s why I can’t go out with you until I’m all caught up. There’s just so much work. And I have a lot of it written down in my notebook, but it’s gonna take me hours just to type it all in. I may be a whiz at texting, but I am slow on a regular keyboard. I feel awful. I should’ve stayed on top of it. I’m sorry that I ruined everything.

Moses: No, you haven’T. And I may have a solution.

Adam: Thank you.

Jack: Adam.

Adam: Hey, jack.

Jack: Hey, I’ve just been thinking of you. I read a very complimentary article about you and newman media.

Adam: Well, I have to admit, it is nice to get a little good press. It’s a welcome change of pace.

Jack: I’m sure it is. Well, the article said the expansion’s going very well, and — how did they put it? — It is a business renaissance for adam newman.

Adam: Just a fancy way of saying I’ve gotten a do-over.

Jack: Well, fancy or not, it sounds like you’re turning things around, and I couldn’t be happier for you.

Adam: Well, connor is definitely one source of my inspiration. He makes me want to be a better man, so having him living with me again, it’s a daily reminder of that.

Jack: Isn’t it amazing how our kids can inspire us in great and unexpected ways?

Adam: Grateful for it every day.

Jack: Hey, speaking of family, are you going to be in tuscany for victoria’s big day?

Adam: It’s actually funny you should ask because I got an invitation today, but I’m sure it’s a mistake. Her wedding planner probably just sent out an invitation to everybody in the newman address book, so… victoria’s made it clear that i am persona non grata in italy.

Phyllis: I don’t have an answer for you. Nick is doing new hope business.

Victoria: Except that new hope doesn’t have any business in new jersey, at least not that I know of. But we both know who does. That’s where ashland got his start. Does this have anything to do with him?

Phyllis: Why are you suddenly suspicious of your brother? I mean, all he wants is the best for you and he wants you to be happy.

Victoria: There are a lot of people claiming to have my best interests at heart who are also trying to dig up dirt on ashland and make my — admittedly — whirlwind wedding even more stressful, and that includes my brother.

Phyllis: Wow, you know, don’t take this the wrong way, but isn’t this what they call, um, like, transference? You know, with everything that’s gone on, maybe what you’re doing is trying to push suspicion and target it somewhere else instead of the place it should be, which is on ashland, not your brother.

Victoria: That is ridiculous. But thank you so much for your dime-store psychoanalysis. I’ve got moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Lauren: Oh, my goodness, I am so sorry I’m late. I have a team of seamstresses hand-sewing the dress, and i literally had to pry it out of their hands.

Victoria: Thank you so much for coming over personally with it.

Lauren: Well, of course! I’m so excited to be involved. Oh, my goodness, this is going to be the dress of the season.

Victoria: Oh, I hope so.

Lauren: One of my favorite fashion designers has completely outdone herself. It is like nothing I have ever seen. I think you’re gonna love it.

Victoria: Well, I’ve only glimpsed at the sketches, but i think they look great.

Lauren: Well, then let’s see it on you, shall we? I’ve reserved a room upstairs for the fitting.

Phyllis: Here’s your key card. Room 600.

Lauren: Thank you.

Phyllis: You’re welcome. To be honest, I’m a little jealous. I only got to help summer with her dress through video chats, you know, so… anyway, I guess working for marchetti gets an embarrassment of riches. But I’m sure yours will look fine, too.

Victoria: And I’m sure that summer’s dress will be stunning.

Phyllis: Oh, I’m sure! If you want another set of eyes, I’m here.

Victoria: I’m sorry, phyllis. You haven’t exactly achieved bridesmaid status yet.

Phyllis: Well, okay. Room 600. Um, excuse me. I’m sorry, when are you gonna get this? You are not welcome at the grand phoenix ever.

Sally: Well, when are you gonna get that I am not going anywhere. I’m a part of this town, so get used to it.

Jack: You know, I’m not sure you should look at that wedding invitation as a mistake. Wedding’s have a funny way of bringing families together. Maybe victoria is impressed that you’ve turned over a new leaf.

Adam: As much as I am trying to be a better person, I don’t think victoria’s ready to accept me as a brother that she could love.

Jack: Well, perhaps your showing up at the wedding could go a long way toward making her understand you care.

Adam: Not sure that’ll work. Besides, I shouldn’t be away from connor for that long, and i don’t want to take him out of school. He’s just starting to get acclimated to walnut grove after being at boarding school. I don’t want to do anything to disrupt that.

Jack: Okay, I’m sure there are lots of things you need to consider. I’m sure you’ll do the right thing for connor and for yourself.

Adam: Trying my best.

Faith: I can’t imagine what solution you could have that would help me finish this amount of schoolwork, unless it involves stopping time.

Moses: We’ll do it together, and then we’ll get it done twice as fast.

Faith: Hmm. I appreciate the offer, but i can’t see how two people doing schoolwork together could cut the time in half.

Moses: Well, I’ve already done my homework.

Faith: Okay, but —

Moses: So that frees me up to help you. It’ll be two people tackling one mountain of work, and by my calculation, we’ll get it done in half the time.

Faith: Okay, but wouldn’t that be, like, cheating?

Moses: You said you had most of it written in your notebook already and you’re just a slow typist. It so happens that I’m wickedly fast on the keyboard, so I’ll just be transcribing what you’ve already done.

Faith: Then that wouldn’t be cheating. It’d be helping.

Moses: Exactly.

Phyllis: Sally, you’re standing in my hotel. Mine. Please, don’t make me get security to throw you out.

Sally: Oh. You want to cause a scene? Or should I say yet another scene at the grand phoenix? Let me just make sure that I get this one on video, so, uh…go aheaD.

Chloe: There you are. Oh, hi. I wanted sally to meet me here, and I am thrilled that you are here, too.

Phyllis: Well, that makes one of us.

Chloe: Let me change your mind. Sally and I came here because we have a business proposal for you.

Phyllis: I don’t have anything on my calendar.

Chloe: Well, we didn’t try to get an appointment because we knew you would say no.

Phyllis: Well, you have that right. Why would I do business with the very person who drove my daughter out of the country?

Sally: Oh, for pete’s sake, when are you gonna let that go? If summer really was that miserable in milan, she and kyle would’ve come back. The fact that she’s still there means one of two things — either she loves working at marchetti so much that she doesn’t want to leave or she just secretly hates being around you and she’s willing to move a thousand miles away to avoid running into you.

Chloe: Wait, wait, wait, wait. Sally — mnh-mnh. Okay, so she is clearly very passionate, which is exactly the kind of focus and energy that we want to put into our shoot that we want to do here.

Sally: The spread is for the new fashion platform, and it’s all about beauty, drama, and high style.

Chloe: Just picture the most stunning models in gorgeous fashion. We have an incredible photographer, a great stylist. It is such a win for our site and great publicity for the grand phoenix.

Phyllis: Well, you have that right. That’s a great idea. It really is. Spectacular, actually. Um…I love it. Fire her, and I’ll do it. Plaque psoriasis, the tightness, stinging…

“The young and the restless”

will continue.

Lauren: Oh. Wow. Now, remember, it’s not finished yet, but it’s fabulous. I mean, what do you think?

Victoria: I, um…I think it’s very pretty, but it’s not exactly what I pictured when i looked at the sketches.

Lauren: Oh. Okay. I mean, I understand how certain design elements don’t translate, but, you know, the fit is a little off. Um…let’s take it in in the bodice and, you know, adjust the pleats in front. Now, did you bring your shoes so we can hem it?

Victoria: No, I forgot.

Lauren: Oh, no problem. No problem. And I know we didn’t talk about a veil yet or headpieces, but don’t worry, I brought you a lot of options.

Victoria: Listen, lauren, it’s not your fault and it’s not the designer’s fault. I think that I’m just putting incredibly high standards on people because I have such high expectations for this wedding. I really, really want it to be something spectacular.

Lauren: And it will be. You deserve that, and I’m going to help you. We are going to fix this dress, and it will be worthy of the occasion. Don’t worry. We have the time.

Victoria: Yes, I know, I keep telling myself that, but…the day is just — it’s coming so soon and there’s just so much to do.

Lauren: I hear you. Could you give us a moment? Thank you. Are you sure the dress is the only thing that’s bothering you?

Victoria: Yes. Really.

Lauren: You know, I have helped a lot of powerful women design their dream gown, and when the garment doesn’t live up to their expectation, there’s usually a full-on freak-out by now.

Victoria: So my reaction wasn’t bridezilla enough for you?

Lauren: [ Laughs ] Wasn’t even baby-zilla.

[ Both laugh ] Look, you have a lot on your mind right now. It’s okay to take it out on the dress.

Victoria: Lauren, everything is fine.

Chloe: You really need to learn to keep a lid on iT.

Sally: I’m sorry. Phyllis just gets under my skin.

Chloe: Well, we came here to get something from her, and going after her like that just ensured that we failed.

Sally: Okay, but we might not have failed on all fronts.

Chloe: But we didn’t get the location for our shoot, so what other fronts are there?

Sally: Well, right before you got here, lauren and victoria went upstairs. There was a woman carrying a garment bag. How much you want to bet that that was victoria’s wedding gown?

Chloe: Yeah, that’s a pretty good theory, but I also assume that victoria turned you down when you offered to make her her dress.

Sally: I actually never got the chance to make the offer. I couldn’t set up a meeting. The woman turned me down three times, or rather, her assistant did.

Chloe: It was a one in a million shot anyway. Let it go.

Sally: I’m not giving up yet.

Chloe: You just said that you saw victoria going upstairs for a fitting. It sounds like the princess already got her gown.

Sally: Okay, well, letting things go is not how I’ve gotten where I am.

Chloe: Where you are? You have alienated half of genoa city. Your tainted reputation is going to take a very long time to repair.

Sally: Well, I may be able to quicken the pace if I offer victoria a wedding dress as a gift — and not just any wedding dress, but a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that will have everyone talking.

Chloe: I don’t think you trying to insinuate yourself into victoria newman’s wedding plans is the best strategy. It could very well blow up in your face and make things worse for you.

Moses: Alright. Let’s do this.

Faith: Okay, let me find my spot. “When it was lunchtime, we finished our dish, then we were given a huge bag to take home and a basket, as well. These two items that were given to us by the farmer and the rest of the people. Ms. Willington was being awed during the explanation the farmer gave us.”

[ Both laugh ] What’s another word for inflexible?

[ Sighs ] Oh, my god, we did it.

Moses: We sure did.

Faith: I never could’ve done it without your help. Even if we don’t do anything else tonight, this was the best date ever.

Moses: [ Chuckles ] You’re setting the bar pretty low.

Faith: [ Laughs ] I guess you’re right.

Moses: So, are you ready for the real date?

Faith: No.

Moses: What’s wrong now?

Faith: I have to go home and change. This is a special occasion. I can’t go out like this.

Moses: [ Chuckles ] You look beautiful just the way you are now. But I’ll come and pick you up in an hour. You can tell your mom and rey that I’ll have you back by curfew.

Faith: Smooth move.

Moses: I have my moments.

Devon: [ Clears throat ] Hey. Did you get everything put away?

Amanda: Yes.

Devon: Yeah?

Amanda: Thank you for leaving me all that space in the closets.

Devon: Oh, absolutely. Abby gave me some advice. She said if you ever ask a woman to come live with you, you have to give her at least equal or more closet space.

Amanda: Ooh, wise words.

Devon: Yeah. Would you some tea or something to eat? I have earl grey and biscotti.

Amanda: Almond?

Devon: Of course.

Amanda: [ Chuckles ] Did abby tell you to buy all of my favorite foods, too?

Devon: No, she didn’T. That’s all me.

Amanda: Well, I’m actually not hungry.

Devon: Okay.

Amanda: Not even for my favorite things, but I do want to do one of my favorite things. Hang out with you.

[ Both laugh ]

Devon: We can do that. – Bedtime!! – Bedtime.

[ Knock on door ]

Victoria: What are you doing here?

Adam: Good to see you, too. I guess my initial instinct was right — the wedding invitation was a mistake. So just pretend I never came by.

Victoria: No, wait, wait. It wasn’t a mistake. I’m sorry that your invite was late in coming.

Adam: Why the change of heart? Is it possible that things can warm up a bit a between us from whatever sub-arctic temperature we’re at now?

Victoria: I wouldn’t go that far. I’m inviting you because of our father.

Adam: He asked you to?

Victoria: He didn’t need to. We both know how important family is to him, and that includes you, too.

Adam: [ Chuckles ]

Victoria: Apparently, this new and improved adam is lasting a lot longer than I thought it would. You must be in the middle of some “renaissance” or something.

Adam: You read the article.

Victoria: I just thought it would be a nice way to say thank you to dad for being so supportive of the locke merger and my marriage to ashland. He even gave his blessing for the new portrait.

Adam: [ Clears throat ] Well, I’m not sure how the hell you got him to do that, but kudos.

Victoria: I know that nothing would make our father happier than to have his entire family at the wedding. And as much as I hate to inflate your ego any more, ashland has a certain respect for you. He admires the way that you stepped up and took over newman media, despite the fact that most of the world despises you.

Adam: Thank you?

Victoria: So, what do you think?

Adam: I mean, you genuinely want me there?

Victoria: I wouldn’t push it, if I were you. I’m not going to beg you. You and I both know that i personally do not want you there.

Adam: Uh-huh, I got it. You know, I thought I would be doing you a favor by not attending, but then it occurred to me that, after all the years of trying to get you to include me in your life, you finally opened a door, so it would be a mistake not to go. Not to mention, rude, regardless of what the motivation was behind the invite.

Victoria: So is that a yes?

Adam: Yes. I’d like to make dad happy, too, but I can see that this wedding is important to you, so that is reason enough to be there to witness it.

Victoria: You know, it’s kind of weird that you’re being so thoughtful. I might have to upgrade you from the kiddie table.

Adam: Oh, I could sit at the one for business associates or weird single people.

Victoria: [ Chuckles ] This doesn’t mean that we’re friends.

Adam: I’ll settle for family. Got to start somewhere.

Sally: So, when are you meeting with adam?

Chloe: In a few minutes.

Sally: Okay. Take a look at this dress. Tell me this would not look amazing on victoria.

Chloe: Wow. It’s gorgeous. It’s — yeah, it’s regal and sophisticated with hints of old world glamour. It’s so cutting-edge. Save it for the next grand wedding in genoa city. It’ll look great on anyone.

Sally: That is not true. The whole point is that i designed it specifically for victoria. Everything you just described it as describes my muse. Her delicate frame, her classic, stately good looks. She’s the perfect combination of a modern, powerful, hardworking woman and a timeless beauty. This dress is for her and only her.

Chloe: I admit, it is more detailed and advanced than anything you’ve shown me, and i bet that victoria will fall in love with it. Which really has me thinking, between you and chelsea, we are sitting on a gold mine of unused designer talent. Maybe we should be thinking bigger than just the media platform.

Sally: I like the sound of that.

Chloe: What about a newman fashion line? It’ll be expansive and synergistic. The next step in our path to world domination.

[ Both laugh ]

Adam: World domination, huh? What are you two plotting?

Chloe: Sally’s on her way to society to meet with a renowned fashion magazine editor to promote newman media and discuss the latest trends, and I am confident that she is going to love everything that we have planned.

Adam: I’m sure she will. Knock ’em dead, sally.

Sally: Hey, before I go, i was just wondering if you were going to tuscany for your sister’s wedding.

Adam: Why do you ask?

Sally: I mean, I was just curious ’cause I know a little bit about the history between you two. You don’t exactly get along.

Adam: That is an accurate description. But, uh, she did just extend an invitation to me today.

Sally: Aw, that’s nice.

Adam: Wasn’t about me as much as my dad, but we’ll see. What’s the angle behind your question? I don’t have a date, and I’m not looking for one, if that’s why you’re asking.

Sally: Wow, aren’t you full of yourself. That’s a bit presumptuous.

Adam: My mistake.

Sally: I wasn’t asking to be your date. But, you know, if you want a friend or a colleague to join you, you have my number.

Devon: Yeah, that trip to the park was the first real alone time I got to have with the baby.

Amanda: Well, I am sure that abby appreciated the break. Being a new mom, gosh, it sounds exhausting.

Devon: Oh, you have no idea. She’s been wiped out. I was more than happy to do it. It’s special getting to just hang out and relax with that little guy.

Amanda: You’re being careful not to call him your son, huh?

Devon: [ Chuckles ] Yeah. I mean, I think that’s an important boundary to keep. I’m seeing how hard this has all been for mariah.

Amanda: Yeah. She’s a cautionary tale.

Devon: Just knowing how much she’s struggling through everything is — worries me and it shows me how hard it can be if you let yourself get overly attached. And yet, you know…

Amanda: Devon, you love dominic. He has your genes, how could you not be attached?

Devon: Well, mariah’s doing better, though. She’s — I think that it was a good idea for her to move out of the mansion.

Amanda: Yeah, that was a complex dynamic.

Devon: I really like that i can talk to you about anything.

Amanda: Yeah.

Devon: I do. You understand me. What’s going on with you, though? What’s happening? What’s the update with naya and how was hanging out with imani?

Amanda: Oh. Naya, I mean, we’ve gotten some promising news, now that she’s settled with all of the right doctors.

Devon: Good.

Amanda: And I know that having a sister is new, but it feels so nice to have someone to share my anxieties with, you know, someone that I can call family. And I haven’t known imani that long, but I don’t know, there’s something about her, you know? She makes me feel comfortable. Kind of like you. I feel like I can breathe. I feel like I’M…

Devon: Like you’re home?

Amanda: Yeah, home.

[ Laughs ] If you are thinking what I am thinking, that is a pretty decadent for the middle of the afternoon.

Devon: What? And tonight’s winning numbers are 18,

Devon: I mean, I was just thinking that I should give you a tour of the penthouse, ’cause you haven’t seen all the bells and whistles yet.

Amanda: Oh. Okay. Well, you know, I have seen the shower made for two, so… I’ve also seen the thousand thread count sheets, so we don’t need to see that, right?

Devon: Right, but — but see, you were a guest before, and now it all belongs to you.

Amanda: Mm. You’re right. This is gonna be different.

Devon: Yeah.

Amanda: Yeah. Then maybe I’m gonna do something that I’ve never done before. I am going to invite you to join me in our bedroom.

Devon: In our bedroom? Really, now? I like that.

Amanda: [ Laughs ]

Sally: HeY. It’s sally spectra. I was just wondering how long it would take to get a wedding dress if money were no problem? Really, that fast? Yeah, excellent. I’m sending the designs over right now. Okay, thanks.

Jack: There might be another change in the flight plan. Yeah, there may just be two of us on the flight to milan. Myself and phyllis summers.

Phyllis: Nick, I can’t believe you put me through voicemail. Listen, what’s going on? The suspense is killing me. Please call me.

[ Cellphone chimes ]

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Young & The Restless Transcript

Transcript provided by Suzanne

Billy: Gaines — jesse gaines. He is registered here, isn’t he?

Crystal: Mr. Gaines has checked out.

Billy: Really? When?

Crystal: I’m not sure. It just says his bill is paid and zeroed out.

Billy: You weren’t here when he checked out by chance, were you? He didn’t leave a forwarding address?

Crystal: I only know that mr. Gaines left. No other details.

Billy: Seems odd that a man would just suddenly disappear.

[ Sighs ] Thank you, crystal.

Victor: Are you just gonna stand there and stare at me or there’s something you want to say?

Billy: Just surprised to see you here again.

Victor: Uh-huh.

Billy: Or maybe you haven’t left. Either way, it seems weird that you would spend this much time in phyllis’ establishment. You got a meeting by chance? Yes, I do have a meeting. Thank you for asking. Jesse gaines. Does that name ring a bell?

Victor: It sounds like the name of your bookie.

Billy: He’s not here. He’s supposed to be staying here, but he checked out. And yet you are here. I have a hunch that’s not a coincidence.

Victor: [ Chuckles ]

Ashland: Okay, gaines. I was at the agreed-upon meeting place and you were a no-show, and now you’re not taking my calls. Would you stop playing these silly games? And listen to me, you better not be reneging on our deal because that would be extremely foolish and short-sighted of you. Do you hear me? Looking forward to getting together so we can clear this up. Okay? Thanks. Call me.

Victoria: Sounds like someone’s in trouble.

Ashland: Why would you say that?

Victoria: Well, I can tell by your tone that you’re not too pleased with someone.

Ashland: Oh, certain people in my company are not adjusting as well as I would like to the merger.

Victoria: So why not just cut them loose?

Ashland: Well, it’s not as simple as that. This person in particular has been with the organization for quite a long time, and he is the holder of a lot of the institutional knowledge that we really can’t afford to lose right now. I mean, you know how it is.

Victoria: No. Quite frankly, I don’T. And the reason that I don’t is because you’re being deliberately vague. And I have to say, that concerns me, because, once again, it feels like you’re hiding something.

Abby: Shh. Dominic, hey, baby, what’s wrong? Shh. Oh, baby. Shh, shh, shh, shh, shh, shh. It’s okay, it’s okay. Well, you just ate and you’re not wet. Oh, what’s wrong? Shh. Why don’t you tell mommy what’s the matter? Shh.

Mariah: [ Sighs ]

Tessa: “Mariah, went out to pick up a few things, text if you need anything.”

Mariah: Oh. How did this get in here?

[ Groaning ]

Abby: Oh, my god.

Devon: Good job.

Abby: He’s here. He’s here. Mariah, you did it.

[ Laughs ]

Devon: Good job, good job. Wow. It feels so different, holding you out here in my arms than it did when you were inside of me. I can’t believe how natural it feels, holding you.

Abby: Hi. Where have you been?

Mariah: Oh, uh, bowie — sorry — uh, dominic was crying his head off, and I had no idea what to do. So I called the pediatrician, and he said that going out for a walk might help. And look. It worked.

Sharon: Hey, tessa. It’s good to see you. Will mariah be joining you?

Tessa: No, she’s taking a walk, but I thought I would take the opportunity to check in with you.

Sharon: Oh, well, I’m glad you did. Mariah asked me to give her some space, and I’m trying really hard to keep my word, but it’s difficult to stay away.

Tessa: I know, but thank you for respecting her wishes.

Sharon: Well, I mean, it sounds like she’s getting out on her own and getting some exercise. That’s positive.

Tessa: Yeah, yeah, she’s definitely in better spirits.

Sharon: Well, that’s the best news I’ve heard all day. Moving out of the chancellor house, just putting some physical distance between her and the baby, that was probably a good instinct on her part. Maybe she’s getting some emotional distance, as well.

Tessa: Yeah, I’m not so sure about that. I’ve lost count of how many asthma attacks I’ve had.

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Billy: [ Sighs ] You’re here for a reason, victor. This isn’t your stomping ground. You’re more of a society guy because your daughter owns that place. So why are you here?

Victor: Crystal, if someone’s looking for me, tell them I’m going to the restaurant, okay? Thank you.

Ashland: I’m not trying to hide anything, sweetheart, and if I sounded vague, it’s because I had the situation well in hand and there’s nothing for you to worry about.

Victoria: You know, i honestly thought that when you revealed the truth about your past and I took it all in stride, that you would realize that it’s wise to be open with me. There’s nothing that you have to hide from me. I’m not gonna judge you or reject you, no matter what it is.

Ashland: [ Sighs ]

Victoria: I want you to know that you can come to me with whatever’s bothering you. And you’re gonna have an ally in me. I mean, I’m gonna be your wife. That’s the point of this whole marriage thing, at least from my perspective. So…let’s just start this conversation over again. Tell me, what was that phone call really about? Who were you talking to?

Nikki: Victoria, I have terrific news. Oh, I’m sorry. I — am I interrupting something?

Sharon: So, mariah’s new plan for getting over dominic is to start a family with you? Are you ready for that?

Tessa: Well, I mean, we talked about it before as something we would consider in the future, eventually.

Sharon: But mariah wants to speed up the schedule.

Tessa: I could use some advice on how to approach this with mariah without upsetting her.

Sharon: Well, first, you need to decide if having a baby is something that you’re ready for and that you want right now, something that you would be ready to just jump into.

Tessa: Yeah, but it’s not just about what I want. Look, it’s pretty obvious that this idea is not coming from healthy or grounded place, but the fantasy seems to be lifting mariah’s spirits. You know, it’s given her something to hold on to. And I don’t want to take that away from her. I just — I also don’t want to make any promises that I might not be able to keep. I don’t know — what do I do? How do I handle this? I just — I don’t know what to say to her.

[ Knock on door ]

Mariah: Hey, devon. Come on in.

Devon: Thank you, thank you. I was just thinking about you and tessa, and I wanted to stop by and see how you’re doing.

Mariah: Um, yeah, we’re good.

Devon: Yeah?

Mariah: I guess. I know it must have seemed like I was freaking out the day of the baptism.

Devon: Nah, no, nobody thought that you were freaking out at all. You’re just taking care of yourself, which is what we all want you to do. But we have been thinking about you.

Mariah: By “we,” do you mean you and abby? Have you guys been discussing the state of my mental health?

Devon: [ Chuckles ] Well, no, I mean, it’s — you know how abby can get. She always wants everybody to be happy, and if they’re not, she’ll figure out how to feel responsible for them.

Mariah: So you’re saying that, because this has been hard on me, it’s also been hard on abby.

Devon: What I’m saying, mariah, is that we’re all just trying to figure this out together. You know? And we’re probably gonna fumble our way through it ’cause this is a new experience for everybody. We’ve never been in a situation like this before, none of us. I mean, hell, I’m not even sure what my role in dominic’s life is gonna be.

Who’s on it with jardiance?

Ashland: Nikki, no, good lord, you’re not interrupting at all. I suppose you have some good news about the wedding?

Nikki: Well, yes. As you know, we have confirmed tessa to sing, but I have just made arrangements with leslie brooks to play during the ceremony.

Ashland: Oh, that’s very impressive. I remember you telling me she’s an old friend of the family. I can’t wait. If you’ll excuse me, there’s some things I need to tend to.

Victoria: Ashland, we haven’t finished our conversation. Can you stay just a minute?

Nikki: I am sorry. I will give you your privacy back.

Ashland: No, no, no, that’s alright. Victoria and I can finish up later. I have to get out of here to make some calls before it gets too late overseas. I’ll see you. Love you. Good to see you, nikki.

Nikki: You too. Sweetheart, is everything alright?

Victoria: Of course.

Sharon: What have you said to mariah about her idea to have a baby?

Tessa: Well, I couldn’t hide how shocked I was. And to be perfectly honest, I’m not sure how I feel. And I’m sure mariah picked up on that. But she seems pretty convinced that this is the right idea for her.

Sharon: And she’s hoping that you’ll just come around?

Tessa: Well, like I said, I’m not opposed to the general idea, but I don’t know if I’m ready. And after everything mariah’s gone through, I don’t think she is either.

Sharon: I would follow that instinct. I think that mariah’s sudden drive to have this baby is just not coming from the right place or a healthy place. She’s grieving right now, and she’s trying to fill a void.

Tessa: It’s like she’s reaching out for something, anything to make the ache in her heart go awaY. And if it’s helping her, making plans and daydreaming, is there any harm letting it go on just a little longer?

Sharon: Although it’s well-intended, I still think it’s a bad idea because mariah is gonna get her heart set on this vision of you two having a family in the future, and then if she gets that taken away from her, too…

Tessa: Yeah. That would be pretty harsh.

[ Sighs ] I don’t know, it’s just all so sudden.

Sharon: You have to find a way to tell her this.

Tessa: Yeah. You’re right. But it is not gonna be easy.

Sharon: It won’t be. But I think that mariah will understand.

Devon: Holding that little baby for the first moments of his life was the single most amazing experience of mine. And the connection that i already feel with him, I know it’s just gonna get stronger, and I know that chance is his father, I’m his godfather, but it’s not that simple, as you well know.

Mariah: Have you shared any of this with abby.

Devon: Nah. I haven’t shared any of it with her because I figure she’s got enough on her plate.

Mariah: Do you think i shouldn’t have either?

Devon: I’m not saying that at all, no. I think that you were in a completely different situation because you were living under the same roof with her and the baby, so I get it, you needed the separation.

Mariah: How did everything get so out of control?

Devon: I don’t think that anything got out of control, really, it’s just we need to let time go by and let things settle into place, and for me, that’s, you know, gonna be when chance comes back home.

Mariah: Maybe so.

Devon: But hey, how are you really doing? ‘Cause, you know, if you’re still feeling unsafe or anything like that, I can hire security for you.

Mariah: Thank you, devon.

Devon: Of course, of course. Although I’m sure stitch and his son are long gone by now.

Mariah: Yeah, you’re probably right. Um, you know, right now I’m not too worried about it. Although if they called me and told me that they found stitch and he had been locked away, i would be incredibly relieved.

Devon: Yeah. I know that would go a long way towards you putting all this behind you.

Mariah: Yeah. But tessa and I are trying to figure out other ways for me to heal.

Devon: Good.

Mariah: And, you know, i think we’ve — we’ve got a plan. It’s nothing concrete yet, it’s just sort of in the inspiration phase.

Devon: Yeah? That’s great.

Mariah: There’s no news to report, but if there is, I’ll let you know.

Devon: That’s fine. I’m not gonna pry at all. I’m just happy to hear that you’re hopeful about the future.

Mariah: I am. I am incredibly excited about where tessa and I are going. So, the next time you talk to abby, you can tell her that I am well on the road to recovery.

Devon: Alright. I brought in ensure max protein, with thirty grams of protein.

Abby: Hey, come on in. Hey. That’s perfect timing. I actually just got dominic down for his nap.

Devon: Oh, man, I was hoping I could spend some time with him.

Abby: Really?

Devon: Yeah.

Abby: That’s how it is now? You come here to see the baby? I’m just, what, a sideshow, a bonus attraction?

Devon: No, no, not at all. I came to check on the new mama, too.

Abby: Thank you.

Devon: Of course, of course. I know you’ve had your hands full lately. Has dominic been keeping you up?

Abby: Uh, yeah, he’s definitely a night owl, but I’m not complaining because when i just look at his face, even though it’s 3:00 A.M., But he’s smiling at me, that little grin, ugh!

Devon: Yeah.

Abby: It’s gonna be burned in my memory forever.

Devon: Aw, I bet it is.

Abby: I’m sorry, I’m a little groggy today, so bear with me.

Devon: That’s okay.

Abby: Is there anything new going on with you?

Devon: Uh, yeah, I do have some news. I asked amanda to move in with me.

Abby: Oh, my gosh! Wow!

Devon: Yeah.

Abby: Well, that’s not just news, that’s great news. I want to hear all about it. When? Where? What did you say? More importantly, what did she say?

Devon: Well, she’s —

[ Dominic crying ] Uh-oh.

Abby: Sorry. Stay right here. I’ll be back. Just give me like two minutes.

Devon: Of course.

Rey: Hey, babe.

Sharon: Oh, hey. Uh, I wasn’t expecting to see you until tonight.

Rey: Well, I finished my shift early, and now I am all yours. Thought we could do something fun and hang out, whatever you like.

Sharon: I am so glad you’re here. I need you to save me from myself.

Nikki: And as soon as our lawyers file the documents, the deal should go through.

Victoria: Oh, problem solved. Thank you, mom.

Nikki: Now that that is out of the way, you can go join your fiancé. I’m sure he’s finished with his phone calls by now.

Victoria: That’s okay. I will see him at home later. It’s not like we were discussing anything urgent anyway.

Nikki: Victoria, you know how much I hate to meddle or argue.

Victoria: Right.

Nikki: It is very clear that something is on your mind. You’re concerned about something. Now, if you want to talk about it, I’m a good listener.

Victoria: What I said earlier, about ashland feeling that he was safe, that he could tell me anything, I think I may have spoken too soon.

Nikki: Oh, no. He’s still keeping something from you?

Victoria: He just seems worried, like something’s wrong, but for some reason, he’s compelled to pretend like everything’s fine.

Nikki: Maybe it has something to do with the merger.

Victoria: No, no, because that — that’s going well. Maybe this has something to do with billy. Maybe he’s continuing his little harassment campaign.

Nikki: Oh, well, I have no doubt that billy is still investigating. And he may not be the only one. Ashland has lived this false identity for so long, I wouldn’t be surprised if other reporters and investigators are digging into his past.

Victoria: But ashland says that he hasn’t shared with anyone but us that he changed his identity, and I believe him.

Nikki: That doesn’t mean someone else hasn’t already figured it out on their own.

Billy: If you’re looking for gaines, he checked out. I’m assuming that’s who you came to see again.

Victor: Ashland! Thanks for meeting me today.

Ashland: Victor, forgive me for running late.

Victor: That’s alright. Table in the restaurant is waiting.

Billy: I hope it’s a table for three. Got a few questions for the both of you.

Victor: [ Laughs ] You’re a pest, billy boy.

[]

“The young and the restless”

will continue.

Billy: I highly doubt that you would come here to meet victor. I mean, the natural spot for a board member and the owner of the company would be the shiny new offices at newman media that are just around the corner.

Ashland: Well, you seem to forget that victor and I are more than just colleagues. We’re about to become family.

Billy: Oh, I haven’t forgotten that. Not by a long shot.

Ashland: So why all the suspicion? I mean, we’re simply here to grab a drink and talk about wedding plans. Surely you want no part of that conversation, since you made it obvious that you have great regrets about letting victoria get away.

Victor: You know, ashland, perhaps meeting here was a mistake, so why don’t we adjourn to my ranch where we have some privacy?

Ashland: Excellent idea.

Billy: Yeah, excellent idea. I’m sure you have fond memories of when you almost died of a heart attack and victor sat there and watched you the entire time.

Victor: Incorrigible, aren’t you, huh? Why don’t take a long walk off a short cliff?

Billy: [ Sighs ]

Abby: I am so sorry. You’re gonna have to give me the scoop about amanda moving in another time. Dominic’s just having a hard time settling in for his nap. It’s funny, they tell new moms to sleep when the baby sleeps, but no one really tells you what to do when the baby just doesn’t sleep.

Devon: Oh, boy. Well, hey, why don’t — why don’t you let me take him for a walk or something like that and you can get some rest?

Abby: Oh, no, no, that’s okay. I wouldn’t want to impose.

Devon: You’re not imposing. I just offered. I’d love to do it.

Abby: Really? I mean…

Devon: Yes.

Abby: I am pretty exhausted. Are you sure you don’t mind?

Devon: Hey, come on, I don’t mind at all.

Abby: Oh, got him?

Devon: Yeah. Oh, there we go.

Abby: [ Chuckles ]

Devon: There you go. How you want to — how would you like to go for a walk with your godfather? You hear that? He loves the idea.

Abby: [ Chuckles ]

Devon: Yeah.

Mariah: Hey.

Tessa: Hi.

Mariah: You were gone for a while. Where’d you go?

Tessa: Oh, I went to our place to grab some mail. We got victoria’s wedding invitation. Elegant.

Mariah: What a nice touch. It’s almost as if we’re actually invited guests and not just going because you’re singing at the wedding.

Tessa: Yeah, I know, right? But I am so excited for this trip. It’s exactly what we need — a change of scenery. Ugh, I saw photos of the palazzo, and it is absolutely gorgeous. And with nikki planning the wedding, it is going to be exquisite down to the tiniest detail.

Mariah: Yeah, I’m excited for the trip, too. And, you know, maybe we can even make plans with summer and kyle after the wedding.

Tessa: Mm-hmm. Well, I do hope that kyle was understanding about how you couldn’t be the best person at his wedding.

Mariah: Yes, he was. I explained everything that happened to him. You know, this italy trip, i think it’s gonna be the perfect opportunity to just have a little fun before we settle down, you know? And it’s not like you can’t travel with babies. I mean, people do it all the time. You know what I mean.

Tessa: Uh, yeah, yeah, I do. And I think we need to talk about that.

Mariah: Oh! Devon was here earlier, and i was so tempted to tell him that we’re talking about having a baby. I mean, he’s gonna be thrilled for us. And imagine if he and amanda want to have kids, and then our baby and devon’s baby and bowie, they could all grow up together.

Tessa: Mariah, I… I think you’re getting ahead of yourself here. Or at — at least you’re getting ahead of me.

Mariah: Oh.

Tessa: Don’t get me wrong. I want to raise a family together. But we need to have some serious discussions before we make this decision, and I know that you’re ready to jump in with both feet right now…

Mariah: But you’re not.

Tessa: Not yet. I don’t want to rush this. We need to make sure that we are both fully prepared to take this on. It’s a life-changing move.

Mariah: I get it. I get it, I do. I just got excited at the idea of raising a child of our own.

Rey: What’s going on? Why do you need me to save you?

Sharon: It’s all I can do to stop myself from running over to the grand phoenix and mothering mariah to death, whether she wants me to or not.

Rey: She knows you’re here for her.

Sharon: She’s just been through so much. She barely had time to get over one trauma before she got hit with the next. And tessa was just here. She made it sound like mariah’s really struggling.

Rey: You know the best thing you could’ve done is gotten closer to tessa while mariah went missing.

Sharon: Why do you say that?

Rey: Because it’s already paying off. Tessa feels comfortable coming to you for advice now, and I bet you’ll be the first person she comes to if there’s a real emergency that needs your attention.

Sharon: Yeah. It’s a good point.

Rey: In the meantime, I have some suggestions to keep yourself occupied.

Sharon: You do? Okay. You know what? I’m all ears.

 

Devon: Hey, dominic. You know where we are? We are in chancellor park now. And this is a very, very special place because it is named after one of the most special women that you would ever know. Her name was katherine chancellor. She was my grandma, which means she’s your great-grandma. That’s right. Growing up, you’re getting a lot of stories about her and about all the people in your family that helped build this town. Yeah. There you go. Gosh. You got the newmans. You got the abbotts. You have the chancellors. You have the winters. Neil winters was my dad. And I — I really, really wish that you could meet him. He would love you so, so much. My point is, though, you got a lot of roots, dude. You got so much heritage here. You’re gonna grow up strong and you’re gonna grow up secure and you will never question that you belong here, ever. I think that’s pretty cool. You’re a very lucky little dude.

Sharon: You are wearing the shirt you bought in miami. Reminds me of our honeymoon.

Rey: Ah. So you remember.

Sharon: Well, how could i forget? And isn’t this the song that we danced to on the last night we were there? I don’t think that’s a coincidence.

Rey: Oh, you know, I’m a detective, so there are no coincidences as far as I’m concerned. And the menu for tonight has also been designed to evoke honeymoon memories. Mojitos, papas rellenas, tostones, y ropa vieja.

Sharon: Wow. You really thought of everything, didn’t you? I don’t know if you’ll be able to top this date ever.

Rey: [ Chuckles ] You just hold on. We’re just getting started.

Billy: Hello, there. Nice to see you both outside the office during business hours.

Nikki: We’re just taking a little break.

Billy: Well, that’s nice. Victoria, I just ran into your fiancé at the grand phoenix.

Victoria: Ran into him or tracked him down?

Billy: Believe me, it was a coincidence. Apparently, we had a meeting with the same guy at the same time — jesse gaines. I’m assuming ashland mentioned him to you. It’s his lawyer — or former lawyer, I guess. He’s in town for a few days.

Victoria: I really don’t know why you think I’d be interested.

Billy: I know you pretty well. I can tell you’re trying to cover the fact that you haven’t heard that name before. I’m surprised ashland hasn’t mentioned him.

Victor: Would you care for a drink?

Ashland: No, not for me right now. Thank you.

Victor: Well, then, have a seat.

Ashland: You know, i appreciate you running interference for me with billy. I can handle him myself, of course, but his constant suspicions at every turn get to be a bit much.

Victor: Don’t worry about it. I took care of it for you, okay?

Ashland: Well, I hope that that proves to be true. I’d love to believe it, but i think billy is bound and determined to be a thorn in my side.

Victor: Well, ashland, I’m not talking about billy boy abbott, I’m talking about jesse gaines. I know that billy would have brought him up to you. But I took care of that problem. Would you care for a drink now?

Rey: Don’t you peek or you’ll ruin the surprise.

Sharon: Mmm. I feel like I’ve traveled back in time to the botanical garden we visited in florida. But where would you get tropical flowers in the middle of fall and in genoa city, no less?

Rey: Open your eyes.

Sharon: [ Gasps ]

Rey: Every time you wear that, we’ll be transported back to that magical time. That way, our honeymoon in miami never ends.

Sharon: This really is the perfect date. The tastes, the sounds, and the scents of miami. But I have one more honeymoon surprise for you when we get home.

Rey: Oh, yeah? What’d I forget?

Sharon: I will give you a hint.

Rey: Hmm.

Sharon: I’ll be wearing nothing but this.

Victoria: What is your point, billy? Ashland and my mother and I are running a multinational conglomerate. Do you really think that we have the time to give each other a rundown of who we speak to in the course of a day?

Billy: Jesse gaines is a man that you need to know.

Victoria: I don’t care, billy! I don’t know how I need to say this to you to make you understand to back off. Leave me alone. Leave ashland alone. Stay the hell out of our lives.

Ashland: I’m not sure what you’re getting at. Jesse gaines is nobody. He’s an old acquaintance that i recently got back in touch with.

Victor: Hmm. Have that drink, ashland. Well, from what I gather, jesse gaines collected $300,000 a year from you for decades, without doing a damn thing. Seems to me was some kind of an extortion racket, right? But don’t worry about that anymore. I took care of it, you know? I offered him a lot of money to stay away from you. So consider that a wedding gift.

Ashland: Did gaines come to you asking for money?

Victor: No, no, no. No, I sought him out.

Ashland: Oh.

Victor: And I told him that he had a choice to make. He would either go to prison for blackmail or accept my very generous offer.

Ashland: What did he say about our history?

Victor: Well, that didn’t make any difference, really. I didn’t care what he had to say.

Ashland: Well, how would you know unless you heard him out?

Victor: Ashland, you and i are really not that dissimilar, are we? We both had rough backgrounds, you know. Used our elbows a lot, pushed people around, right? We did things that we probably would regret now. But it made us who we are today. And I’m a firm believer in letting bygones be bygones.

Ashland: Victor, I hope you know that you — you can’t trust gaines to keep his word. He won’t be satisfied no matter how generous you were.

Victor: I know that. I’m keeping an eye on him.

Ashland: I don’t know what to say.

Victor: There’s nothing to say, you know? I just want you to know that this is not something I did for you. I did this for victoria. I adore her. And she has never been as happy as she is today. That’s because of you, and i would like it to stay that way.

Ashland: So do I.

Victor: Great. Now, having said that, I want you to know that what I’ve done today I can undo in the blink of an eye. You get my drift?

Ashland: That I do. And you have no reason to worry.

Victor: Good.

Ashland: All I want is to make victoria as happy as she has made me.

Victor: Well, now, as long as it stays that way, you have nothing to worry about. Cheers.

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Young & The Restless Transcript

Transcript provided by Suzanne

Nick: Are you sure you can do this?

Phyllis: Are you doubting my expertise?

Nick: No, no, this is just next-level search-and-discovery mission, that’s all.

Phyllis: Well, good thing you have me. No one better to find out ashland locke’s true identity.

Nick: [ Sighs ] Well, you’re not the first expert to go digging into ashland’s background.

Phyllis: Yeah, well, I’m the first one who’s gonna succeed.

Nick: Well, we need to confirm ashland’s origin story

before he marries my sister.

Phyllis: Well, good thing you have me because this is my wheelhouse. Sleuthing and scheming. Spying.

[ Laughs ] Also, I happen to be very, very, very madly in love with you, and I want to see you happy.

Nick: Well, that’s a two-way street.

Phyllis: Okay, here we go. What did rey say about somebody who wants to change their name legally?

Nick: He said it takes a lot of documentation, you know, a lot of legal channels that you have to go through.

Phyllis: Alright, well, I am checking out these databases that are connected to the — you know, the legal authorization and legal channels for a young man who wanted to change his name to ashland locke, what, 30, 40 years ago.

Nick: Yeah, I mean, there’s just got to be something.

Phyllis: There’s nothing. Nick, there’s nothing here. I mean, I’m still so dumbfounded that this guy has successfully buried his true identity. And there’s no documentation anywhere. I mean, that just means that —

Nick: It means something very strange is going on.

Billy: We need to have a serious conversation about ashland locke.

Gaines: I’m busy.

Billy: We can go somewhere private. I promise you, it’ll be worth your while.

Gaines: [ Sighs ]

Billy: 10 minutes. You won’t regret it.

Gaines: Alright. Let’s go.

Ashland: $500,000. Yes, I’m aware. It — look, you just make the money happen, and I’ll take care of the rest. Please just have it ready. Thank you.

Abby: Ashland, hi.

Ashland: Abby, it is lovely to see you.

Abby: Yeah. Given how often you’ve been in here, it’s odd that we haven’t done more than exchange pleasantries. And now you’re about to be my brother-in-law.

Ashland: I’m looking forward to being a part of your wonderful family, especially getting to know you better.

Abby: I feel the same. You know, I think it’s time that we get to know each other. Mind if I join you?

Ashland: I would be delighted.

Victor: Well, I hope you’re not too busy with something very important.

Victoria: Daddy, you know i always make time for you.

Victor: Whoa! Look at that. My goodness, is that a merrill londeree?

Victoria: It is.

Victor: Sweetheart, that is so damn good. Look at the poise and the grace and the presence. My god, I love it. Don’t you?

Victoria: Oh, well, you know, it’s taking some getting used to, looking at my face all day, but it just reminds me to keep focused on getting the job done.

Victor: I think it’s beautiful.

Victoria: Mom was worried that you wouldn’t be that enthusiastic about it.

Victor: Why would she worry about that? This is a fitting symbol of your new position, sweetheart. You’re running this company. It’s in your capable hands now. And you’re bringing it into the future — a bright, prosperous future, right? I mean, this is symbolic of your new position of power, really.

Victoria: It was a gift from ashland.

Victor: Oh, it is. Oh. Well, now, I have a gift for you, as well. Age-related macular degeneration may lead to severe vision loss,

Additional sponsorship

provided by…

Abby: I couldn’t stand the thought that our first real conversation would be after the “I dos.”

Ashland: [ Chuckles ] Well, to say that you have been busy is an understatement. Not only are you the owner of my favorite restaurant in town, but I have also heard that there’s a new member of the family.

Abby: Yeah, dominic.

Ashland: That’s a strong name.

Abby: Dominic phillip newman abbott chancellor.

Ashland: Oh, my. That moniker is longer than he is.

Abby: Oh, he’ll grow into it eventually.

Ashland: He seems to have been born into the role of an ambassador.

Abby: A role that I know very well. I’ve played it most of my life. My father is a newman and my mother is an abbott.

Ashland: Wow. I would imagine that would make for interesting times, given the unique histories of your families.

Abby: Oh, the stories I could tell.

[ Chuckles ] I am — I’m very proud of both sides of my family tree. I see the best in them, but I am also not too shy to call them out on the worst.

Ashland: They’re lucky to have you. And now, dominic.

Abby: Yeah, he really is such a miracle. I know I may be biased, but he is the perfect little angel. Oh, his little face. I mean, I’m now that parent that takes pictures and videos of him all day long and shows them to everybody.

Ashland: Well, that all changes so quickly. It’s really critical you capture it all at once. Do you have any pictures of him, by any chance?

Abby: Oh, I thought you would never ask.

[ Chuckles ] I do, yes. Settle in.

Ashland: [ Chuckles ]

Abby: I have so many pictures and videos that I’m gonna need my own data storage facility soon. And while I am bragging about my son, please tell me about you and victoria. When business turned into romancE. When you knew you were in love. All of it because there is nothing better than a good love story.

Billy: I did some digging into you after we met, mr. Gaines.

Gaines: Well, don’t believe everything you read.

Billy: I found out that you took over your father’s law practice after he passed away. Two years later, your license was revoked for malfeasance. Yet, one of the biggest businessman in the world claims that you are one of his east coast lawyers. Now, if he’s lying about that, what else is he lying about?

Gaines: Why are you so interested?

Billy: Well, it’s my job. I shine a light into the dark corners. I flip over rocks, exposing what’s really there, not what the rich and famous would like to be there. But you knew who I was when we met. You know that I run chanccomm with my partner, the woman who i was with, lily winters.

Gaines: You already wrote an exposé on locke. You hardly were the first.

Billy: Yeah, but there’s so much more information that locke has been hiding for decades.

Gaines: Hmm, that sounds personal. What’s your beef with him?

Billy: I’m gonna assume you also know that he’s about to marry the mother of my children. A man like that, spending that much time with my kids, I need to know that he can be trusted. And so far, I’ve found no evidence of that to be true. The fact is, I think he’s hiding something monumental, and my intuition tells me that you know something about that.

Victoria: What is this?

Victor: Well, open it and read it.

Victoria: Dad.

Victor: What?

Victoria: You can’T.

Victor: Oh, really? You’re gonna stop me or what?

Victoria: This is the — this is —

Victor: It’s the deed to my villa in tuscany, the palazzo. It is yours, as of the day of your wedding with ashland.

Victoria: I can’t believe it.

Victor: This is your tuscan home away from home, you know.

Victoria: [ Chuckles ] Daddy.

Victor: I want you to spend many, many happy years with ashland there, okay?

Victoria: I really don’t know how to thank you. Not just for the gift, but for what this represents.

Victor: There’s no need.

Victoria: No, daddy, I know you feel like you were doing your fatherly duty digging into ashland’s past, but this just shows me that you support us and you support our marriage.

Victor: I love you. You’re my daughter. I want you to enjoy that house and that villa on that estate for many, many years. I’ve never seen you this happy. I want you to continue to be happy, okay?

Victoria: Thank you.

[ Chuckles ] I’m susan and I’m 52

Abby: I can’t believe that victoria ever spoke to you again after that first negotiation. I mean, you chose victor and adam over her.

Ashland: Well, as I told you, I think she was a little more than exasperated. I think she still might be.

Abby: [ Chuckles ]

Ashland: But I admired her even then.

Abby: She is very impressive.

Ashland: It was more than that. You know, even from the beginning, there was a spark, this connection, recognition, you know? Something that the poets have eternally tried to put into words. The first we kissed, I — I just knew that everything was different. And for the first time in my life, I had found a person on this planet who could make me happy to be alive.

Abby: Yeah.

Ashland: I’m sorry, did I say something that —

Abby: No, I’m — I’m sorry. No, it’s — it’s okay. I was just — I was thinking about my wedding and how much i miss my husband.

Ashland: Yeah, I would imagine that must be really tough, not having him around, especially with dominic in the picture.

Abby: Yeah.

Ashland: But you also must be very proud of him.

Abby: I am. You know what? I am — I am so happy for you and victoria. And I hope and pray that your love lasts forever.

Ashland: Oh. Well, prayers are welcome. I really enjoyed this time with you and getting to know you, and I would imagine you’ve got just tons of work to do, so I’ll be on my way.

Abby: Actually, before you go, there is something I wanted you to know.

Ashland: Tell me anything you want.

Abby: I have to admit, I had my reservations about you and victoria. I mean, everything just happened so fast, but now I can see why she fell in love with you and why she’s willing to take this next step with you, after everything she’s been through.

Ashland: You mean with billy?

Abby: Look, don’t get me wrong, I love my uncle. He’s a terrific father and his heart is normally in the right place. But when they were together, victoria spent an inordinate amount of time putting out fires.

Ashland: I have heard the stories.

Abby: Yeah, the gambling, the drinking, the affairs, shady business dealings.

Ashland: Sounds difficult.

Abby: And look, I know every relationship has their ups and downs, but look at you. I mean, your health, but that’s not something that you could help. I mean, that was thrown at you, and you and victoria, you’re dealing with it together.

Ashland: Hmm.

Abby: And the way that you’re merging your company with newman, it just shows how much you admire victoria’s business acumen.

Ashland: She’s a powerhouse. One of the myriad reasons why i love and adore your sister. You know, she was the one that convinced me to go forward with this treatment, and I was dead set against it and she was quietly and subtly relentless.

Abby: Well, when she’s right, she can be ferocious.

Ashland: Yeah, well, I had told myself that I wanted nothing to do with being tired and sick all the time from the chemotherapy, but I went ahead with it because I had wanted more time with her. And I will cherish every minute.

Abby: I can see it in your eyes, how much you love her.

Ashland: It’s true, I do.

Abby: But I also know your reputation. And it’s not that unlike my father’S. You have a certain world view, certain way of handling things. And I want you to take this with the spirit that it is intended because I promise you, I really only want the best for you and victoria.

Ashland: Feel free to speak your mind.

Abby: Please never lie to victoria. Billy did that far too often. I think he thought that he was protecting her, but he was really only protecting himself.

Ashland: I will take that to heart. Thank you.

Abby: Yeah. Okay, well, I am going to get home to dominic.

Ashland: Of course. I so appreciate this time, and thank you. It’s been great getting to know you.

Abby: I feel the same. Well, I’m sure you have a lot to get done before the wedding.

Ashland: As a matter of fact, I have some business that I need to attend to.

Billy: I know whatever brought you to genoa city has to do with ashland locke because he is desperately trying to keep something hidden.

Gaines: I’ve already told you —

Billy: Don’t tell me that you’re his lawyer because you don’t have a license to practice anymore.

Gaines: I’m a consultant on retainer.

Billy: Then why misrepresent yourself like that?

Gaines: Eh, old habits die hard.

Billy: That’s one option. The other option would be you and ashland have an agreement because you know something that he’s willing to pay to keep quiet. I’m gonna take your silence as a “yes.” It’s only a matter of digging before I come up with the rest of the details.

Gaines: Well, there is nothing to uncover.

Billy: Or I can have my team over at chanccomm take over. They’re highly motivated, very well funded. Of course, we could come up with a financial agreement between the two of us. What do you say, jesse? Do you mind if I call you jesse? A very lucrative financial agreement, right here, right now.

Gaines: [ Sighs ]

Nick: I mean, how does a young guy even know how to begin to form a new identity?

Phyllis: I know, especially when anything legal leaves a trail.

Nick: Shady friends and associates? What are you looking at now?

Phyllis: I’m looking at a national database right here. I am looking for death records or a deceased actual ashland locke who died, right? And then this guy that we know — he assumed his identity, what, like 30, 40 years ago.

[ Keys clacking ]

[ Sighs ] There’s nothing. I mean, you and I both know it’s easy to pay somebody off, to get someone to look the other way, do a favor for you, if you have enough money.

[ Keys clacking ]

Nick: I mean, he’s got money now, but this identity switch happened, what, decades ago, before he got this job at the station with camilla rhodes in new jersey, before he became successful. According to locke, you know, he had a rough childhood, an abusive father, and no resources. He needed a fresh start.

Phyllis: Do we really believe that story? Really?

Nick: I mean, my dad does, probably because it hits close to home, so that part of the story does ring true. But everything we’ve discovered today, nothing leads us to the fact that ashland locke might be a fabricated name, and there’s no paper trail pointing us to a legal name change. So let’s just assume for a moment that ashland locke was a real person and his identity was legally established.

Phyllis: Yeah. An actual ashland locke that this guy that we know took his identity, just stepped into his life. He paid for it.

Nick: Maybe he took the name from someone who was really sick.

Phyllis: Or someone who wanted to just disappear.

Nick: But paid him off with what? I…

Phyllis: [ Sighs ]

Nick: I don’t know. You know, maybe it wasn’t a deal at all. Maybe ashland locke’s dead, you know? That’s why the name’s not popping up in any of the databases.

Phyllis: Possibly.

Nick: Where do we even begin?

Phyllis: I have an idea.

[ Keys clacking ]

 

Victor: You know, the fact that ashland changed his name obviously raised some questions.

Victoria: Obviously.

Victor: But not with me. I want you to know that, okay? I, um, was very moved by what he said. A lot of it resonated with me.

Victoria: Yes, daddy, because of your own past, of course.

Victor: You know, I’ve always prided myself on my ability to read people. Based on that, I made a lot of important decisions in my life and in business. And I could see in his face as he was talking about his childhood how painful that was. And yet he was able to extricate himself from that abusive childhood and become a very successful business tycoon and become the man that he is now.

Victoria: You know it meant a lot that ashland opened up to us. He’s never shared that part of his life with anyone.

Victor: You know, it was billy boy who made him re-live all that. Billy abbott is a liability, always has been, always will be. He’s the one you have to watch.

Victoria: I’ve spoken to billy about this. I’ve begged him to stop digging around in ashland’s life.

Victor: But he hasn’t, and he can’t, because he’s insanely jealous of your relationship with ashland, alright?

Victoria: Well, he says that he’s worried about the children.

Victor: That’s hogwash. Please, sweetheart. It was a giant mistake to invite him to your wedding. He can’t stand the fact that you’re happy with ashland, that you’re with someone who is 10 times the man that billy boy ever was, ever will be.

Victoria: Well, even if that’s true, daddy, he’s hardly a threat.

Victor: Sweetheart, do me a favor. Be careful. The only reason billy boy wants to come to the wedding is to spoil things for you, to make you unhappy.

Billy: I’ll keep your name out of it. You’ll be an anonymous source.

Gaines: What would I have to do?

Billy: Fill in the blanks. Tell me how ashland locke was able to finance the two news stations that he acquired from camilla rhodes’ estate that launched his career. ‘Cause I have a feeling there’s more to the story than a young upstart with the midas touch striking it rich.

Gaines: Just for the sake of argument…

Billy: Mm?

Gaines: …How much would something like that be worth to you?

Billy: How does $100,000 sound?

[ Knock on door ]

Ashland: Gaines!

Phyllis: Ugh. Is there any other information you can give me on this guy? Different names, addresses, anything?

Billy: My dad’s P.I. Turned up some information about him working at that station in new jersey with that woman camilla, and that is what began has meteoric rise in the industry.

Phyllis: Okay, great, because that’s public record. That is easy to find.

Nick: See, I thought that was a non-issue, but it is a good place to start.

Phyllis: Yeah. Alright, looks like the station is in a place called toms river, new jersey.

[ Keys clacking ]

Nick: Can you find out when he started working there?

Phyllis: Yeah. Looks like he was 20 when he started working there.

Nick: So, I guess the big question is, how long before he took that job at the station did he assume his new identity? What are you looking at now?

Phyllis: I’m pulling up a list of deceased males around ashland’s age. I’m going to get a list together, and we will eliminate those who do not fit.

Nick: And that’s how we find out whose identity locke took.

[ Keys clacking ]

Ashland: [ Sighs ]

Victor: Ashland.

Ashland: Victor. Must be the day for me to run into my future in-laws. Good to see you.

Victor: You look like a man with a lot on his mind.

 

“The young and the restless”

will continue.

Ashland: Oh, everything is fine. I was just meeting with one of my attorneys.

Victor: Ah. Nothing urgent, I hope?

Ashland: No, just tying up some loose ends. You know how it is. The only thing I want on my mind the day of my wedding is your daughter.

Victor: Talking about my daughter, I just came back from her office and saw that magnificent portrait on the wall.

Ashland: Captures her essence, huh?

Victor: You actually managed to get merrill londeree to do that painting?

Ashland: I can’t believe you recognized her work.

Victor: Oh, yeah.

Ashland: Well, I’m glad to hear that you have that reaction because I was hoping I didn’t have to dig out the boxing gloves.

Victor: [ Chuckles ] Well, who knows?

Victor: Your skill in the ring is part of the legend of victor newman. I hope someday you can teach me the ropes.

Victor: And one day perhaps we shall do that.

Ashland: We haven’t spoken since I called the family together and revealed the events that led to my changing my name, starting my life over with a clean slate. I hope it didn’t change your opinion of me.

Victor: Well, it has, you know? But not in the negative way that one might assume. What you have lived through could have taken your life in a totally different direction. You could have followed in the footsteps of your father and led a life of abuse and pain and addiction. I understand what you went through. And I respect that you pulled yourself out of that mire and became the man that you are today and became as successful a businessman as you have become. And I also appreciate the fact that you opened up to everyone. Must have been painful. So, I will tell you that I am impressed with your background and your life. And I welcome you into our family.

Ashland: [ Chuckles ] Thank you, sir. I just want you to know it means the world to me.

Victor: Now, you understand, of course, why I had to vet your background.

Ashland: As I told you, I’d have done the same thing if i were in your shoes.

Victor: I also want you to know that I will always, always look out for my daughter.

Ashland: She’s your daughter. I would expect nothing less. And I want you to know this. I will protect her just as fiercely. She’s everything to me.

Victor: Good to know.

Phyllis: Alright.

[ Keys clacking ] We narrowed the field down to three guys, three men around ashland’s age, cause of death, down to every single detail. Psch.

[ Sighs ]

Nick: You know what? That one right there looks very promising.

Phyllis: Yeah. Ashland number two.

Nick: He fits the profile. He best supports our theory.

Phyllis: Yeah. Okay. Are you sure you want to do this?

Nick: I have to.

Phyllis: I know you have to. But I really, really want you to think about it. This could change everything. And I mean your relationship with your father, your relationship with your sister, with ashland himself, the merger, everything.

Nick: I can’t walk away.

Phyllis: I just want you to think about it for a minute.

Nick: Phyllis, we talked about this.

Phyllis: I know we just talked about it. It was conjecture. But, I mean, things are about to get real.

Nick: Well, you said you knew I was doing this for the right reasons.

Phyllis: And you are. I truly believe that. You’re doing it because you love your sister. And — and that’s beautiful. But it just seems like, all the conversations you told me that you’ve had with victoria… she knows something shady is going on and she doesn’t want to admit it.

Nick: Well, if we come up with some dark secret about ashland, I just have to hope she knows it’s coming from the right place because I love her so much and respect her.

[ Sighs ] It’s just… I can’t quit. I got to see this through.

Phyllis: Yeah. Okay. Then we’re gonna do this. One of these three men might have been the real ashland locke.

Nick: And if that’s true, then who is this man that my sister is planning to marry?

Ashland: Well, you have nothing to worry about as far as I’m concerned or my past.

Victor: Well, then, ashland, I suggest we look forward to the future.

Ashland: Nothing would make me happier. This calls for a drink.

Billy: Well, if it isn’t two captains of industry soon to be joined by law. Fil and sil.

Ashland: I beg your pardon?

Billy: Father-in-law, son-in-law. The big day’s fast approaching. Very exciting. A lot of moving parts. It’s funny how forgetting one small little detail can bring the whole thing crashing to the ground. That would be a shame. Good day.

Victor: Billy boy. You cause one second of heartache for my daughter during this happy time… I will crush you.

Billy: Good to know. (Lucky) uh-oh the magic’s disappearing!

[ Knock on door ]

Victoria: Come in.

Phyllis: Hey!

Victoria: Phyllis.

Phyllis: Yeah.

Victoria: What brings you by?

Phyllis: Well, um… oh, my goodness. Wow. That’s a statement.

Victoria: Yes. Well, you’re not the first to react the way. That was the idea. I mean, it was ashland’s idea. He had it commissioned.

Phyllis: Really? Oh. Th-that’s sweet. I bet that didn’t score points with your dad.

Victoria: Oh, actually, he was here earlier, and he loves it.

Phyllis: He does? Wow. Okay. Well, do you have his portrait? Because nick needs a dart board for our rec room.

Victoria: [ Laughs ] That’s funny. Thank you so much for the laugh. I appreciate that. So, what — what are you doing here?

Phyllis: Um, you forgot your bracelet, um, when you were getting your facial at the spa, so…

Victoria: Oh. You delivered it personally? Did my brother put you up to that?

Phyllis: No. Why would he?

Victoria: I was just looking for a logical reason.

Phyllis: Well, I do nice things for people someti–

Victoria: But not for me, no.

Phyllis: Well, I mean, I-i was in the neighborhood. I had errands, and I thought i would just bring it by. Don’t make a big deal about it.

Victoria: I’m trying not to, but that’s two days in a row now that you’ve been kind.

Phyllis: Civil.

Victoria: Almost downright friendly.

Phyllis: Okay, don’t get carried away. “Friendly.” I mean, I have a reputation to uphold.

Victoria: Noted, noted. But I’m definitely sharing this with my brother. I think he’ll be just as surprised as I am.

Phyllis: Why do you say that?

Victoria: Or maybe there’s something else going on here?

Phyllis: Listen, you’re about to get married and you’re nick’s sister and I just want us all to be happy.

[ Cellphone ringing ] Is that your groom?

Victoria: It’s abby.

Phyllis: Oh, okay. I’ll let you take that.

Victoria: Phyllis. Thank you, um, you know, for taking the trouble for this.

Phyllis: My pleasure. See you.

Victoria: Abby. I’m so glad you called.

Billy: Lily, I’m telling you, this gaines guy — he knows exactly what ashland is trying to hide. Well, you saw the look on his face when he saw that I was talking to gaines. And he tries to pawn it off like it’s his east coast attorney. Give me a break. So, here’s the thing. Gaines said that he will give us an exclusive if the price is right. And if he delivers, I promise you it’ll be worth every penny. I’m gonna meet up with him in a little bit to discuss. I’ll call you after? I will. Okay. I love you, too. Bye.

[ Cellphone clatters ]

[ Exhales heavily ]

[ Sighs ] So much for the big italian wedding.

Victoria: You did what?!

Abby: I couldn’t let you get married to a guy without having a heart-to-heart with him first.

Victoria: And? What did you think?

Abby: I can see why you fell in love with him. Ah, his face every time he mentioned your name — he just lit up. And all of those stories about him being a monster — they’re total garbage, okay? He is a sweetheart, and I will defend him to anyone who says different.

Victoria: Have I told you lately that you are the best sister in the entire world? I’m so glad that you got to spend some time with him.

Abby: I am so happy for you, victoria. He’s smart and funny and powerful. You have finally met your equal. You deserve this.

Victoria: [ Chuckles ] Your carpets are filled with memories.

Nick: Alright, thanks so much. I appreciate it. I will see you shortly. Bye.

[ Door opens ]

Phyllis: Hey, look at you. You’re already packed.

Nick: Jet’s gassed up and ready to go. I’m gonna fly to new jersey and then go down to toms river and follow up on those three deceased young men that we tracked down, one of whom could be the real ashland locke.

Phyllis: Wow, this is all coming together really fast.

Nick: Thanks to you. I never could have done this without you.

Phyllis: Yeah…

Nick: Everything alright?

Phyllis: Yeah. I just keep on thinking about the position that victoria is in. That’s all.

Nick: Look, she’s gonna be better off if she knows the truth, whatever it is.

Phyllis: Yeah. But I don’t know…

Nick: Phyllis —

Phyllis: You’re doing the right thing. I believe you are doing the right thing. You’re a very good brother.

Nick: Thanks. Hopefully I come back with some answers.

Victoria: Thank you so much for calling, abby. Yes, of course we’re gonna get together soon. And give my love to dominic. Okay. Love you. Bye. There you are! I was actually starting to worry until I got a call from abby.

Ashland: Well, what’s the verdict? Did I pass the brother-in-law test?

Victoria: Yes, it seems like you’ve made quite the impression.

Ashland: Ah, well, it was good to get to know your sister better, even though I had to postpone some of my own personal business.

Victoria: Does that personal business include the surprise that you were alluding to earlier? You know, the one that you were arranging some large amount of cash for.

[ Glass thuds]

Gaines: [ Sighs ]

[ Knock on door ] Finally.

Victor: Mr. Gaines, i presume? By the expression on your face, I guess you recognize who I am. Let’s talk about you. What are you up to?

Next week on

“the young and the restless”…

Moses: Sharon’s not making you work, is she? Why are you really backing out of our date?

Victoria: I just heard that nick took the jet to new jersey. I want to know why.

Nikki: Back the hell off, billy, now. And do us all a massive favor. Don’t show your face at the wedding. You’re no longer welcome.

Back to the Y&R Transcripts Page

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Young & The Restless Transcript

Transcript provided by Suzanne

Billy: Oh, I’m sure johnny’s gonna love the da vinci science museum and the planetarium.

Lily: Oh, yeah, and they’ll both love the water park and leolandia. It’s gonna be a great family trip.

Billy: It is. Very excited about this. I got to be honest, I’m sure even the wedding will be a blasT.

Lily: Yeah, so please be careful how you choose to investigate ashland so you don’t get cordially uninvited.

Billy: Because he will come after us and chanccomm and i will rue the day? I’m not intimidated by him.

Lily: Well, maybe you should be.

Billy: Really? Look what happened with victor. After all the empty threats to come after us for the exposé on adam, it’s been nothing.

Lily: I don’t know if you realize, but victor still holds a very intense grudge against you, and I’m sure if things got ugly with ashland, he’d be on ashland’s side.

Billy: That’s because he sees ashland as a younger version of himself, especially the way he’s been so ingratiating with victor.

Lily: Well, I’m sure he sized victor up and realized that he’d be better as a friend than an enemy.

Billy: Yeah, maybe. See, but I’ve never sucked up to anybody, right? Especially not victor. I feel like that’s what you love best about me.

Lily: I do, I love that about you, but please don’t take any unnecessary risks.

Billy: Me? I would never.

Lily: Mm-hmm.

Billy: Don’t look now, but that’s the guy I was talking about earlier, the one that met with locke.

Lily: Hmm.

Nick: Hey, do you know where I left my clean —

Phyllis: It was personal to jack, and I didn’t want to — i didn’t want to tell you his personal feelings.

Nick: Yeah, okay.

Phyllis: He was drinking, so, you know, there’s that. We do and say a lot of things we don’t mean when we’ve had a few.

Nick: Yeah, he did mention that.

Phyllis: Mm-hmm. So I didn’t want to say anything. It has nothing to do with me, really. It has nothing to do with us. You know? It caught me off guard, to be honest with you.

Nick: I know you two have bonded over missing summer and kyle since they moved to italy. Are you sure you didn’t know how he felt?

Phyllis: How would I know how he felt?

Nick: I don’t know. I guess I just assumed you understood how unforgettable you are, you know? You’re not somebody that you just get over very easily.

Phyllis: Oh, yeah, for sure, I’m not someone you get over easily. I’m glad it’s out in the open.

Nick: Yeah, jack mentioned that he felt badly that he left me in the dark.

Phyllis: Well, that’s nice of him. He’s a gentleman.

Nick: That he is.

Phyllis: This has nothing to do with us. You know that. I mean, this hasn’t changed anything with us. Right?

Nick: No. I mean, I’m — I’m not sure —

Phyllis: You’re not sure? What? We’re solid.

Nick: I know, I know. I just think — that’s all.

Phyllis: Don’t think. Stop thinkinG.

Nick: Okay.

Phyllis: Stop thinking. I know how to get you to stop thinking. I know how to make you sure that our relationship is solid, okay?

Nick: [ Sighs ]

Ashland: Half a million in cash. Well, you’re gonna like this even less. I need it in an hour from now in hanD. Yes, it’s excessive. I freely admit it. I — I need the funds for an impulse purchase — something rare and exquisite that I want to buy for my beautiful bride. Look — well, the seller is — is old-fashioned and very stubborn, and he insists on us currency. Listen, douglas, you know, as i get older and I care less and less about the irs and jumping through those god-awful hoops. Yeah. Look, who– whoever said “you can’t take it with you” knew what they were talking about. Now, I know that you — listen to me — I know that you have a way to come up with those funds, to find that cash. That’s why I keep you around, okay? You’re a very clever fellow. Text me when it’s ready, won’t you? Thank you.

Victoria: I guess I wasn’t supposed to hear that.

Itchy?

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Ashland: Unfortunate timing.

Victoria: Apparently. That call of yours sounded quite mysterious. Delivering bundles of cash in the middle of the day — does anybody do that anymore?

Ashland: Well, I should’ve been more clandestine. I’d hate to think that I spoiled the surprise. Would you do me a big favor and pretend that you didn’t hear whatever it is that you heard?

Victoria: Mm, I’m not sure i can do that. I’m so curious now.

Ashland: Come on, just make the effort for me.

Victoria: For how long? Is this another wedding present? Are you telling me that I’m gonna have to wait till we get to italy to find out?

Ashland: You are made of tough stuff, and I know you can stand the suspense. And I also know that you’re expecting your mother to arrive shortly, so I will make myself scarce and give you a chance to talk.

Victoria: I appreciate that.

Ashland: And I also know that it’s been a while since i revealed I had changed my name when I was younger, and I would think that — and hope — nikki had time to adjust to that idea. But I also understand that she probably has her concerns, as any loving mother would.

Victoria: Well, I wouldn’t know. We haven’t discussed it. In the end, it doesn’t matter because I make my own decisions.

Ashland: I just love your independent side. I also know how important it is for you to have your mother’s support and planning this wedding together with her. It means it’s important to me, too.

Victoria: Listen to me. I’m aware that the reason that you came forward with the truth is because you’re protecting my relationship with my family, and that meant a lot to me, but how my parents react, that’s up to them.

Ashland: Unfortunately, that’s true, and that’s rather wise for you to recognize.

Victoria: Well, I learned a long time ago you can’t control what people think or do or feel.

Ashland: You know, most people go through their entire life and never figure that out. You are way ahead of the game.

Victoria: Well, I have my moments.

Ashland: Indeed you do. Now, no more philosophizing for the morning. Can you join me for lunch later? Assuming that you are free.

Victoria: Well, that depends on if you’re gonna tell me what you’re up to or not.

Ashland: Not a chance.

Nick: Hey.

Phyllis: Hey. Good morning again.

Nick: You took off without saying goodbye.

Phyllis: Uh, yeah. I got a call that some controller thing in the freezer wasn’t working, and so I had to call the appliance company and we’re on their schedule.

Nick: Nice going.

Phyllis: Yeah. Okay, so you have my undivided attention.

Nick: I’m just glad that, you know, we’re okay.

Phyllis: Yeah. We are okay. We’re better than okay.

Nick: Put the whole jack thing aside.

Phyllis: Yeah, I think we proved that last night. Um, by the way, you really outdid yourself, and that’s saying a lot.

Nick: You’re welcome.

Phyllis: [ Laughs ] Um, I just, you know, wanted to say one last thing about jack. That’s all. Just one last thing. I just — my heart aches for him, that’s all. I know he is lonely and alone, but I think that he will find the perfect match for him, like we’ve done. Don’t you think — don’t you think so?

Nick: Yes, of course.

Lily: He looks very ordinary. You made him sound like he was so sinister.

Billy: They were definitely confronting each other. It was intense. They were leaning in, trying not to make a scene. Now he’s just having coffee.

Lily: Well, maybe it was a business deal gone sour.

Billy: Lily, we’ve both been in negotiations with ashland locke. He was charming. Believe me, this was different.

Lily: Different how?

Billy: Ashland does not like that man. That much was clear.

Lily: Okay, well, you are very good at reading people.

Billy: I didn’t need a special skill for this. They’re adversaries of some kind, which means our new friend over there might be very useful for us.

Lily: Our new friend? You don’t even know his name.

Billy: We need to find out who he is.

Lily: I’m on it. Hi. Could I get a menu? We wanted to order some food to go. Thank you. Thanks so much. His name is jesse gaines — g-a-I-n-e-S. (Upbeat pop music throughout)

your doctor gives you a

prescription. Let’s get you on some antibiotics right away.

Lily: You know what? Something came up, actually, so we’re not gonna order anything. I’m sorry. Thank you.

Billy: Jesse gaines. Wouldn’t have imagined it would be such a common name. There’s a whole slew of them.

Lily: Really?

Billy: Yeah. Some of these are obituaries. We can cross those off the list. This one is not the right age. Wait a second. This could be our guy. Jesse gaines jr., From toms river, new jersey.

Lily: Wait, toms river, new jersey. Wait, that’s where the two stations that locke acquired when he first started are located.

Billy: Exactly. Our guy seems younger than ashland.

Lily: Maybe he works at one of the stations, and locke still owns them?

Billy: Could be.

Phyllis: Um, yeah, you know, we need to put this jack thing to bed. I just want to ask one more question.

Nick: Alright, shoot.

Phyllis: I just… you know, jack told me that he didn’t want you to know about his feelings, and I understand why he would want to tell you because he wouldn’t want a dirty little secret between us, but what I don’t get is, you know, why didn’t he just come to me and say, “hey, you can tell nick” or give me a heads up that he was going to you. You know, instead he just bared his soul to you without letting me know at all.

Nick: Maybe jack felt like he owed it to me, you know? He’d kept it hidden, every time our relationship would come up, and also, he had a vested interest in the outcome.

Phyllis: Our relationship has come up when you’ve been talking to jack? Oh. Well, I’m sure when you said that we’re doing really well and we’re so happy, that didn’t go over well with him.

Nick: [ Sighs ] I think jack just felt more comfortable with everything out in the open.

Phyllis: Yeah. Okay. I don’t think we should talk about this anymore. I’m ready to put this to bed for good.

Nick: Same.

Phyllis: Yeah.

Nick: Yeah, cool. Besides, I think I have other ideas on how I’d like to spend the morning.

Phyllis: Do you?

Nick: Yeah. If you’re not too busy, could you meet me at the park?

Phyllis: Oh. Really? A picnic?

Nick: You’ll see when you get there. Just, you know, some comfortable clothes and definitely shoes.

Phyllis: Okay. Yes, sir.

Nick: I’ll see you there. I’m gonna go get some things set up.

Ashland: I have been waiting for this. What a perfect time for it to arrive.

Victoria: What is it?

Ashland: Well, consider it a combination congratulatory merger gift and an early wedding present.

Victoria: That is so sweet of you, but you shouldn’t have gotten me anything.

Ashland: Oh, you need this.

Victoria: Okay, well, now I’m very curious.

Ashland: Well, see for yourself. I know that your father’s portrait hovered over the ceo’s office for many years. I thought it was time that it was replaced. This painting should take its rightful spot in your office to exemplify the changing of the guard.

Victoria: I love it. It’s just beautiful. I — I don’t know what to say.

[ Sighs ] I-is this a londeree? A meryl londeree?

Ashland: Indeed it is.

Victoria: How did you get her to do it?

Ashland: It wasn’t easy to convince her, but you deserve it. There is nothing I won’t do to prove my love for you.

Victoria: You already have, again and again.

Nikki: Now, before we start talking about the wedding, i wanted to — oh, my goodness.

Victoria: It’s stunning, isn’t it? I was blown away when ashland presented it to me.

Nikki: Oh. It’s beautiful. He has exquisite taste.

Victoria: Oh, he is so thoughtful.

Nikki: Yes, indeed. I wonder what your father’s going to think of it. I mean, it makes quite a statement.

Victoria: As it should. Newman is mine now. Most bladder leak pads were similar.

Phyllis: Hey. Um, you said comfortable clothes. Are we working out?

Nick: We’re having football practice. Well, practice for the practice.

Phyllis: Uh, really?

Nick: Yeah. I signed up to coach christian’s flag football team, and I think you should be my assistant.

Phyllis: Uh, you’re serious?

Nick: Totally serious. Christian’s so excited he’s finally old enough to play football, and I love this sport, and I think you should do it with me. We both really want you to be involved.

Phyllis: Christian said that?

Nick: Of course. Don’t be surprised. He adores you almost as much as I do.

Phyllis: Oh. Well, that’s sweet. I mean, the feeling is mutual, but, you know, I was gonna come to the games and cheer you guys on.

Nick: Yeah, I know, but this takes it to the next level.

Phyllis: Wow. This is a commitment. Yeah. Oh. You know I know nothing about football.

Nick: It’s okay. I know everything. It’s just skills and drills and, you know, conditioning, and I’m gonna put you through the whole thing and you’ll see that it’s great. And I just need to know that you’re willing to try, and you’ll see how easy it is.

Phyllis: Okay, I’ll try. I mean, hey, it’s a nice day. We’ll get some exercise, right?

Nick: You got it. Let’s go! Alright!

Phyllis: Oh.

Nick: We’re gonna work on that part. You just — you want to —

Phyllis: Yeah. That’s — great.

Nikki: So, for whatever reason, the inspectors are dragging their feet and we can’t retool the factory until we get the sign-off.

Victoria: [ Sighs ] Which means more delays. Damn it, I was hoping we could have this done before we went to italy.

Nikki: Honey, it’s all being handled. Don’t worry another moment about it. Now, let’s move to wedding talk.

Victoria: We should be in the home stretch as far as planning, right?

Nikki: The new landscaping has been installed at the palazzo. Do you like it?

Victoria: It’s gorgeous. I love it. Oh, my gosh, it’s outstanding. They really outdid themselves.

Nikki: Yeah, victor and i were very pleased.

Victoria: Me, too. And it’s even so late in the season.

[ Sighs ] It’s really happening, isn’t it? My wedding. Exactly the way I envisioned it.

Nikki: Did you have some reason to doubt that it would? Or should?

Gaines: Jesse gaines, suite 405. Would you see if I have any messages?

Billy: Jesse gaines — that is a blast from the past.

Gaines: Excuse me?

Billy: Oh, I apologize. I used to know someone named jesse gaines. Actually, my father did. I think they worked together. Maybe he was a lawyer back in jersey.

Gaines: Well, that may have been my father.

Billy: No way! Get out of here.

Gaines: I’m jesse gaines jr. I took over the practice when he died.

Billy: Oh, I’m sorry to hear about your loss. We have that in common, actually. I took over my father’s business for a while, as well. I’m billy abbott. John abbott was my father. He was the founder of jabot cosmetics. I don’t know if you’ve heard of us.

Gaines: Sure. Who hasn’t?

Billy: [ Chuckles ]

Gaines: Well, I wonder what would’ve led our parents to do business together.

Billy: Yeah, that’s funny to think about. I don’t know. What do you think?

Gaines: My father wasn’t in the cosmetics industry, so…

Billy: Hmm. Well, new jersey, manufacturing of fragrances back in the day. Could’ve been that.

Gaines: Yeah, that’s all north and west of where we were from. Different part of the state altogether.

Billy: What about advertising? Newspapers, magazines, maybe tv stations by chance?

Gaines: As a matter of fact, he did. Couple of news stations.

Billy: Oh, wow. There you go. Very cool.

Gaines: You know, it is amazing that you would remember my father’s name after so many years. You must have been very young. He stopped working a long time ago.

Billy: Well, it’s a steel trap. Information gets in, doesn’t get out. It’s kind of a cruse. So what brings you into town?

Gaines: Personal matter.

Lily: Ashland, hey. So good to see you.

Billy: Oh. That’s why you’re here, to meet with ashland locke. What’s the #1 retinol brand

“The young and the restless”

will continue. (Upbeat pop music throughout)

Victoria: [ Scoffs ] I have no doubts about this wedding. None, as in zero. I think you may be the one projecting.

Nikki: No, darling. It was just a little unsettling to learn about the monumental secret that ashland was keeping. And not so much the secret itself. As you pointed out, both victor and I are survivors of our fathers’ cruelty, so I can certainly relate to that.

Victoria: Ashland deserves more than that from us. His childhood was hell. When I think about his resilience and the resourcefulness that it took for him to overcome that, it makes me respect him all the more.

Nikki: It doesn’t bother you that it was so easy for him to lie to you?

Victoria: He already explained all of that. He has been telling this invented version of his early life for so long that it’s just — it started to feel real to him. It’s a coping mechanism, and I’m not gonna judge him for that. In fact, I’m glad that he told me the truth because now ashland knows that he can tell me anything. And you know what? It really bugs me that he had to confess to everyone. That should’ve been his decision, freely made.

Nikki: Do you think he ever would have told you on his own?

Victoria: [ Scoffs ] Well, I guess we’re never gonna know now since billy backed him into a corner.

Lily: So, how are the wedding plans going?

Ashland: Just fine, thank you.

Gaines: As I said, I’m here for personal reasons.

Billy: You got family in town?

Gaines: None that I know of.

Ashland: Would you please excuse me?

Lily: Yeah, sure.

Billy: Well, if you haven’t been to genoa city, welcome. It’s beautiful this time of year.

Ashland: I see you’ve met one of my lawyers.

Billy: Lawyer? That’s very interesting.

Ashland: I have many, of course. In town to handle some of the merger issues with locke communications group subdivisions.

Billy: Well, I’m sure you’ll be very happy to hear that jesse here takes the lawyer-client confidentiality very serious. He didn’t say a thing. In fact, we were talking about jesse gaines senior. Did some legal work for some news stations in jersey. Assuming the same stations that you own. Of course, this was a while ago, before camilla rhodes passed away. Thinking about it now, maybe the two of you worked together with her. Is that true? Do you — do you know jesse’s father?

Ashland: Jesse’s father was a good man, and we all miss him very much. Why don’t you and I go find someplace quieter where we can get some work accomplished?

Gaines: You got it.

Billy: Definitely something going on there.

Nick: Coming at you!

Phyllis: Oh! Oh. Okay.

Nick: That’s alright.

Phyllis: Okay.

Nick: You’ve gotten so much better.

Phyllis: Alright.

Nick: I mean, you are really getting the hang of it and you’re a natural.

Phyllis: Yeah, a thirsty natural.

Nick: I got you covered. Come on, let’s go.

Phyllis: Okay.

Nick: Got you right here.

Phyllis: Oh, you’re prepared with water.

Nick: Yep.

Phyllis: Okay.

Nick: This is gonna be great. Kids at this age, they’re like little sponges. They just take everything in and soak it all up.

Phyllis: Uh-huh.

Nick: And you should love this. Lot of parents that you know already involved.

Phyllis: Oh.

Nick: Um, the nelsons, julia sweetwater.

Phyllis: Oh. I know her.

Nick: Yeah, okay. Who’s the guy — the dad, he — he’s always saying the lame dad jokes and you think he’s hysterical?

Phyllis: You?

Nick: I walked right into that, didn’t I?

Phyllis: Uh-huh, yeah.

Nick: Yeah. No, mark mason.

Phyllis: Oh, mark.

Nick: “The mase.”

Phyllis: He signed up? Oh.

Nick: Yeah, yeah. You know what I was thinking, too? We could have, like, a — like, a pizza party, just get everyone involved, and the parents and the kids and get them all fired up. That kind of comradery is everything in youth sports.

Phyllis: Yeah, yeah. It’s also good for someone who wants a distraction from his sister’s upcoming marriage, right? We didn’t finish talking about that, but I’m assuming that you’re not going to pursue digging into ashland’s past. You just want to avoid upsetting your sister.

Nick: I mean, it’s more to it than that, you know? Um…you weren’t there when ashland was telling the story of his crappy childhood and his abusive dad and his mother who wouldn’t protect him, and, i mean, there was a lot of sadness in his voice.

Phyllis: Yeah.

Nick: Yeah.

Phyllis: I’m sure it reminded you of your dad’s history with his dad.

Nick: Yeah, it reminded me of when we confronted his dad, albert miller. That was one of the most awful, terrible human beings I’ve ever met. He said just crazy things to my dad. I felt so bad for him. It’s one of the few times in my life I’ve seen my dad just fall apart and cry like that. I don’t know, if — if that was true and ashland’s childhood was like that, I can understand why he would do everything he could to get away from that, you know? Especially now. I mean, I don’t want to make him relive this story and retell it while he’s going through chemo.

Phyllis: On the other hand?

Nick: On the other hand, i did talk to rey about it and kind of got his take.

Phyllis: You did? I’m surprised you would talk to rey.

Nick: He’s my friend, you know? I trust him. I know he would be discreet.

Phyllis: Mm. Okay, well, what did he say?

Nick: He said if there was nothing more to the story than ashland just being a scared kid who wanted to get away from his parents, then we should’ve found out what his real name is by now.

Phyllis: Yeah. What was his reasoning for that?

Nick: Well, changing your name is a legal process. You know, it requires filing paperwork and putting an ad out in the newspaper, and, you know, the fact that we haven’t been able to find any record of that means that ashland probably didn’t use the regular channels to make that happen, and, you know, that may not be anything, but I can’t stop thinking about that and what that could mean. I brought in ensure max protein,

Nick: Say hut!

Phyllis: Oh. Oh!

Nick: Alright!

Phyllis: Yay!

Nick: You have mastered the skill in no time.

Phyllis: And the crowd went wild.

Nick: It’s all about fundamentals, and working on that in practice, you are going to be an amazing coach.

Phyllis: You got to know this is not gonna happen. You know, right? Wha– ohh, nick. I’m running the grand phoenix. I mean, we have events scheduled until after the holidays. I — I got to be there. I can’t do this. I mean, I’m gonna let those kids down. I mean, what kind of message does that send, you know? Besides, I got to stay in my lane. This is —

Nick: You have everything it takes to be a great coach. You are tough, you have perseverance. I mean, you’re competitive. Look at the way you play video games.

Phyllis: Well, that’s the thing. I mean, don’t you think I’m a little too competitive? I mean, I don’t want to get in a little boy’s face, you know, make him cry. That would be horrible. Really, really bad. I would red-carded and thrown out of the game and…

Nick: That’s soccer.

Phyllis: Okay, see? I don’t even know that. I don’t even know that.

[ Sighs ] I will come to every game, i promise you. Every single game, I will bring incredible snacks and great drinks, and I will cheer you on. I will cheer you on, but it’s just — I — it’S…

Nick: Yeah, you’re busy. I get it. It’s cool.

Phyllis: Well, I mean, no, it’s not like that. I mean… I’m sorry.

Nick: It’s just when kids are this young, you got to — you got to cherish every moment and, I don’t know, I was kind of thinking, too, it’d be like a cool family thing, you know?

Phyllis: Well, why don’t you do a father-son thing, and then we can figure some family thing to do just the three of us, something else. Yeah? Okay, but listen, [Sighs] If you need a super-sleuth to find out the real identity to a certain billionaire, I’m your girl.

Nick: Alright. Let’s just head back.

Phyllis: Oh.

Victoria: Billy really makes me so mad sometimes. Like he has the right to stick his nose into my private business whenever he wants.

Nikki: Alright, forget about him for a minute. I am more concerned that you are making decisions for the right reasons, not because of your sympathy for ashland and what he’s been through or your anger for billy and what he’s put you through. But either one of those emotions is perfectly valid.

Victoria: Well, if that’s why you think I’m getting married, well, it’s no wonder that you’re worried, mother. Because it’s not the case. I’m marrying ashland because i love him. He makes me happy. He understands me in a way that no one does. Who else would have thought of it? He didn’t say it when he gave it to me, but obviously ashland is thinking about what’s gonna happen if he doesn’t survive his cancer. He wanted to give me something that would be here every day to remind me of how he saw me. And he hasn’t stopped there.

Nikki: No?

Victoria: No, he’s planning another surprise, something very big and extravagant. I’m not supposed to know about it, but I heard him earlier on the phone when I walked in.

Nikki: You know, that reminds me of your father, especially when we first got together. I mean, he got such a kick out of dazzling me with his larger-than-life gestures. He loved more than anything to see the look on my face when he surprised me.

Victoria: I remember you telling the stories. I just — I hope that ashland has fun with it because I’d much rather him be focused on — on this than — than his illness or whatever crap billy keeps trying to dig uP.

Ashland: I spoke to my banker. Half a million dollars, that’s all I could get for you today in cash. I will make monthly payments of the same amount for the next five months, and you’ll get your $3 million, and then you and i are done.

Gaines: A man like you, a man of your resources doesn’t have access to his funds. You expect me to believe that?

Ashland: It’s not about access. I don’t want to call undue attention to our arrangement. That’s the point of blackmail, to keep it quiet.

Gaines: What if you die next week?

Ashland: The outpouring of your concern is overwhelming. But don’t fret. I’m gonna live long enough to make you a wealthy man.

Gaines: You know, I would think that you would move heaven and earth if it meant you could be done with me once and for all. It’s obvious that billy abbott is suspicious. He wrote that exposé on adam newman, and I’m sure he’d love to give you the same treatment. If he found out exactly how you managed to buy camilla’s stations and that you’ve been paying me off all these years to keep it a secret, that’d make a pretty juicy story, wouldn’t it? Super emma just about sleeps in her cape.

Nikki: Darling, I hope you know I will be there for you no matter what you choose to do.

Victoria: Is that your subtle way of saying that you think I’m making a mistake going through with this wedding?

Nikki: [ Sighs ] I don’t think this is a situation where there are right or wrong answers. I think you just need to trust your instincts and trust your strength to get through whatever happens.

Victoria: Do you know what i can trust, too? Ashland’s love for me. I know I may not know the name that he was born with, but that doesn’t matter to me. I know what’s in his heart.

Ashland: You’re right about one thing. I can’t wait to end all contact with you.

Gaines: It’s agreed, then. I’ll take my down payment today, but I want the other $2.5 million within three days, or I go to ol’ billy and I sell the story to chanccomm.

Phyllis: Ah, this is amazing. You’re a natural. You have the fundamentals, for sure. Oh.

Nick: [ Sighs ]

Phyllis: What happened? What happened?

Nick: Oh, I needed a break.

Phyllis: A break?

[ Laughs ] What? Are you mad at me? Are you made because I don’t want to be an assistant coach?

Nick: No, it’s fine.

Phyllis: [ Sighs ]

Nick: It’s fine.

Phyllis: Well, what’s going on? ‘Cause your head is not in the game, champ.

Nick: Did you mean what you said earlier when you said you would help me find out who ashland locke really is?

Phyllis: Yeah. Definitely. Do you want me to go ahead with looking into his past? I mean, you want me to take a whack at this? I’d be happy to.

Nick: Why? Why would you want to help me?

Phyllis: Well, because you’re yoU. And this matters to you. And you’re not gonna let it go until you get some answers.

Nick: Well, I’d be taking a pretty big risk, you know, of royally ticking off my sister, but I think it’s worth it. I cannot shake this feeling that ashland is hiding more than just his name, you know? Probably a lot more.

Phyllis: Mm-hmm. Listen, if you’re wrong, if you’re wrong, victoria never has to know. Okay? And everything will be fine. It’ll put your mind at ease.

Nick: Well, if we do find something, you know, something major, I want to make sure victoria knows. Then she can do whatever she wants with that information.

Phyllis: Mm-hmm. I agree. I mean, it’s not like billy. I mean, you don’t have a grudge or a vendetta. You know, you just want to protect your sister. You just care about your family. And I’m happy to help.

Nick: Mm. Alright. Let’s do it. Let’s find out who ashland locke was and how he became ashland locke.

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