Jerry: Have you given any more thought to my warning?

Sonny: How you doing, luke?

Luke: Hey.

Sonny: Huh.

Luke: Well, you know -- did you see my wife out there?

Sonny: No, no.

Luke: We're in this big argument about what constitutes my fight for life.

Sonny: Is that -- is that what this is?

Luke: That's what they tell me.

Sonny: Damn.

Luke: Oh, you know, i've lived my life my own way for so long, lived by my own rules since i was, like, 8 years old, man. And now, i'm supposed to change. I'm supposed to turn into some other guy, some buttoned-down old geezer who's cautious and afraid. I -- i don't want this operation if that's what's going to happen. Whole damn thing's crazy anyway. I'm supposed to die from a gunshot wound or getting cracked over the head with a blunt object, not -- not my damn heart giving out. I never saw this coming, pal. And my wife wants me to fight with everything i got. She doesn't want to lose me. It's just not -- not that simple for me.

Sonny: Are you saying you want to refuse the bypass?

Luke: I don't want to die -- i want to live. But i want to "live." I won't be one of those pathetic old bastards who is only alive because he's too terrified of death to die. I won't be that.

sonny: I've almost died many times, always from something external, like you said. A bullet, a knife -- whatever. But the truth is an operating table is an operating table. It's a crap shoot. You can survive the surgery, and then the anesthesia will kill you.

Luke: Huh.

[Sonny chuckles]

luke: You kidding me? The food here will kill you.

Sonny: But the battle's just the same, just like tracy said. She's right. It's clear. You know, you -- you fight to live, or you choose to die.

Luke: Sometimes life can be death. If these doctors have their way, i have to change who i am to survive.

Sonny: Yeah, but you can change your lifestyle. That doesn't necessarily mean it's going to change your core, you know?

Luke: Oh, it changes enough, and you know it. [Luke sighs] I just -- i won't be some old, decrepit --
some guy who just hangs on while my wife hovers around me watching my every breath. That's not fair to tracy. She didn't sign on for that. I'd rather be a memory.

Tracy: Sonny --

sonny: Hey. How you doing?

Tracy: Can i have a moment with my husband?

Sonny: Yeah. I get where you're coming from. But you know, whatever it takes, i want you around.

Luke: Eavesdropping?

Tracy: Sometimes it's the only way to hear the truth.

Jerry: I tried to warn you at that hellish ball. You will live longer if you choose a life that doesn't include sonny. I mean, you must be seeing the signs. A mob war is about to break out between the zacchara and corinthos clans. It's about to break out anytime soon. And since carly and the children are being guarded around the clock, sonny's most obvious vulnerability is you.

Kate: What has inspired this concern?

Jerry: When you see someone about to walk in front of an oncoming train, you try and give them a warning. Unless, of course, they ignore it. But at least i did my part.

Sonny: What are you doing talking to him?

Kate: What? Nothing.

Sonny: "Nothing"? That -- it seemed like more than nothing to me.

Kate: You know, i was late, and -- and now, i'm wasting time, and i -- i need to go.

Diane: These repeated interrogations do not bode well. I think the police want to pin both leticia's and emily's murders on you.

Jason: Harper says they're looking for something to tie the crimes together.

Diane: You were first on the scene in both cases.

Jason: I mean, there's a pattern here, diane. I just can't -- i just can't see it yet.

Det. Harper: We just got word from the commissioner. Maxie jones was nearly strangled to death with a phone cord. Now, the m.O. Was virtually identical to that of leticia, except that maxie's sister, georgie, walked in before maxie died. Now, i'm asking you again in the presence of your attorney. Do you have any idea what leticia, emily, carly, and maxie have in common?

["In excelsis deo" plays]

johnny: So you're not ready to sell alcazar's properties? That's not what i wanted to hear, but i'll accept it for now. But if sonny corinthos magically ends up in control of those piers, there's going to be trouble. I'd hate to see you caught in the middle.

Skye: Was that a threat?

Johnny: Consider our offer on the table.

Trevor: John is not always prudent. But you have my word, you're in no danger.

Skye: Why, because you can control johnny as well as you controlled anthony? This meeting's over.

Ric: Skye, wait.

Skye: You know, i'm in a hurry.

Ric: What was that all about?

Trevor: Huh.

Ric, it doesn't concern you. Skye seemed a little distressed. That concerns me.

Trevor: So get over it. And her. I'm sure that she will. Is there anything else?

Ric: Yeah, i've been thinking about your suggestion -- about targeting anthony zacchara for emily's murder? I think you're covering for somebody, and my money's on johnny. What do you think?

Trevor: I don't think we want to have this conversation.

Ric: Yeah, i knew you wouldn't admit to it, but let me give you a warning, dad. I won't let you or johnny zacchara add skye's name to that list. You take that seriously.

luke: Hey. When did you get here?

Lucky: A few minutes ago. Working a case, so i can't stay. I just wanted to talk to you.

Luke: Well, if you're working up to list all the reasons why i should stay on the planet and fight for my life, save your breath.

Lucky: Dad, that bypass will save your life.

Luke: Yeah, that's what they say. I don't expect you to understand, son. You're young and you're strong, and your body has never betrayed you.

Lucky: Sure it has. I'm a recovering drug addict, remember?

Luke: Well, that's not the same.

Lucky: Well, it is if you think about it. I mean, my body -- it was dependent on something that other people could resist, so -- it came with a sense of failure and shame.

Luke: I never thought of it like that.

Lucky: Well, see? Then i know you better than you think.

Luke: Ok, sonny boy. Give your old man some sage advice.

Lucky: Huh, i -- well, i can only speak about what i've learned. When you speak about your own disappointment and your own limitations by pushing your body to more extremes, you made a conscious decision to -- to throw away your own life.

Johnny: This is getting old. You're going to try this once too often and get your head blown off.

Jason: I wouldn't have to keep coming back if you told me what you know about the murders.

Johnny: I didn't know anything the first hundred times you asked. Still don't.

Jason: Look, i don't know if you're covering for somebody. But if you are, it needs to stop, because the killer struck again.

Johnny: Is somebody dead?

Jason: She would be if her sister hadn't come home.

Johnny: Anybody i know?

Jason: Maxie jones.

["Deck the halls" plays]

alexis: It's good that we came to a truce. You don't kiss me, i won't slap you. Now, the only way that i'll agree to have dinner with you is if you don't pay for me.

Jerry: Oh, well, i insist, darling.

Alexis: Either we split the check, or i'm leaving right now.

Jerry: Oh, no, no, no, no. A gentleman never lets a lady pay.

Alexis: Did you miss the entire women's movement?

Jerry: Yes, thank god i did. It was a total waste of time.

Alexis: Of course you would say that, because you're a neanderthal.

Jerry: Oh -- i just simply like my women with a little residual dependence.

Alexis: Then perhaps you should be having dinner with one of them.

Jerry: If i agree to your ridiculous check splitting, will you stay?

Alexis: Maybe. As long as you don't think for a minute that this will end up with a nightcap in your room.

Jerry: Oh, i'm just fascinated with your thinking that far ahead. All this is, is a simple invitation to dinner to thank you for your assistance with helping the poor, overserved leyla.

Alexis: Who you had no problem taking advantage of. Probably because she was so young that she didn't understand the results or the effects of alcohol. But you know what? It's really not my concern. You can pick up all the inebriated children that you want. It's none of my business.

Jerry: You are a terrible liar. You know that. You care a great deal more than you're comfortable with. I love it.

[Knock on door]

sonny: Here, let me help you with that. I -- i got a confession to make.

Kate: Hmm. Well, i hear it's good for the soul.

Sonny: Uh --i've been -- i've been -- i'm sorry. I've been waiting out in the car for you to pull up.

Kate: Hmm. That's a clear and flagrant violation of alexis' court order.

Sonny: You going to tell on me?

Kate: You shouldn't be here.

Sonny: You going to call your lawyer?

Kate: Well, i should. That's how civilized people handle disagreements.

Sonny: Can you just admit one thing, please? Can you just admit that you miss me as much as i miss you?

Sonny: You're -- you're -- you know, you're real good at the back-and-forth stuff. But me, you know, my heart is on the line here. I -- i -- i really want to be with you, but i'm not going to climb over two rabid lawyers to do it.

Kate: Mm-hmm. You want. You don't want.

Sonny: What -- what do you mean, i want, i don't want?

Kate: Well, no, when do my -- when do my interests come up? When -- when do my needs matter?

Sonny: What --

kate: Never, sonny. That's why i had to insert a lawyer -- to protect my interests.

Sonny: But you're not a plaintiff, and i'm not a defendant.

Kate: Oh, well, that can be arranged.

Sonny: Ok, you see? This -- this is more than just guards and property lines and how much you hate my business. This is start-- this is starting to feel like the grown-up version of you leaving me on the street corner all night to wait for you. There you go. Anytime we start getting close, and i start thinking, you know, we could have a future, you run away, like you're doing now.

Kate: That's true, sonny. You scare me to death.

Mac: Here, sit down. Look, i'm going to let detective harper question you, ok? He's more objective.
But i'm right here.

Det. Harper: With all due respect, commissioner, it might be better if you wait outside. Maxie might inadvertently edit herself to avoid upsetting you.

Maxie: It's ok. I'll be fine.

Mac: Ok. All right. I'll be outside.

Maxie: Ok.

Det. Harper: You ready?

Maxie: I really don't know what i could tell you. I mean, i -- i didn't even see his face.

Det. Harper: Well, maybe nothing, but we'll see. What time did you get home?

Maxie: Probably 2:00.

Det. Harper: Did you lock the door behind you?

Maxie: Um -- no. Um -- i just threw my purse down on the couch and headed for the stairs. He must have already been inside. I couldn't catch my breath. This darkness came over me, and -- i'm sorry -- um -- i'm sorry, i don't think that i -- i can help you. I didn't -- i didn't see his face.

["Joy to the world" plays]

mike: You know, honey, you've been through quite an ordeal. Why don't you take the night off?

Georgie: No, no. I don't want to be at home watching the forensics team go through our house again,
or watching detective harper interrogate maxie about --

mike: All right, all right, as long as you're sure. You know, sometimes it helps to keep busy. But if it gets to be too much, just say "ouch," ok?

Georgie: Where have you been?

Coop: Running errands, why?

Georgie: You haven't been at the station?

Coop: No, not since this morning. What's going on?

Georgie: Someone broke into our house and tried to strangle maxie.

Jason: The attack on maxie mirrors the attacks on leticia, emily, and carly.

Johnny: Is maxie all right?

Jason: I just know that she's alive. And so far, you're the only person who had a look at the attacker.

Johnny: I already told you and the cops, when i came through the entranceway at wyndemere, carly was already on the ground, the guy was running away. I saw him from behind. He was wearing all black That's all i know.

Jason: Tall, short? Bald, thin? Heavyset? Something here?

Johnny: About my height, medium build, brownish hair.

Lucky: Sorry, am i interrupting mob business?

Johnny: What are you doing walking in my house?

Lucky: I'm taking you in for questioning.

Johnny: About?

Lucky: About the assault on maxie jones.

Luke: Lucky was in. He had an interesting insight.

Tracy: Tell me.

Luke: He suggests that i'm angry with my body for giving out on me. That -- that's the root of
wanting to push it to its limits. I --

tracy: Well, that definitely sounds like you. But you can collect all the insight you want. If you don't put them to practical use, they're not going to do you a twit of good, so what's it going to be? Are you going to have the surgery, or has all this been a painful, prolonged preamble to you backing out?

Monica: Luke, we need to prep you for surgery.

Luke: What?

Monica: Your vitals are dangerously unstable, and your e.K.G. Is erratic, and we cannot wait any longer. We need to have you do the bypass tonight.

>> on the next "General Hospital" --

maxie: I remember something.

Georgie: How did you know about the text message?

Lulu: My dad needs an operation tonight.

Monica: We're running out of time.

Luke: I'll be back.