Lulu: You want me to work in fashion?

Carly: Hey, I told you that Jax was backing Kate Howard's new magazine.

Lulu: What does that have to do with me? Or do I not I want to know?

Carly: I will convince Jax to make Kate hire you as her new assistant. There has to be a ton of work involved in launching a new magazine. It'll keep your mind off Johnny --

Lulu: Stop.

Carly: It's a great idea.

Lulu: There is no way that I am working for some useless, shallow fashion magazine.

Kate: To be fair, if it weren't for Sonny, I'd be working 80-hour weeks at "Couture."

Jax: You'll be working 80-hour weeks on our project.

Kate: 85. But it's my own magazine. Thank you for investing in my dream.

Jax: You know, it's not too late to set up in Manhattan. I think it would be a much more stylish address. Sort of Soho, you know.

Kate: Right, but my core demographic are 20-somethings, and they care about hair and accessories and shoes, not the address where the magazine is published.

Jax: Don't you have most of your contacts in Manhattan?

Kate: Yeah, but they're a plane ride away. And I do most of my work through phone or email.

Jax: But New York is the center of everything, Kate.

Kate: Jax, you operate from Port Charles, why shouldn't I, huh? Look, I hired an assistant, I'm bringing in two editors from the city. I think that "Crimson" is in great shape.

Jax: Cr -- what happened to "Scarlet"? I thought you were going to call it "Scarlet."

Kate: No. No, no, no. I keep having visions of vicious puritans or some poor woman standing with a turnip in her hand screaming "I shall not go hungry again."

Jax: Good point.

Kate: Now, "Crimson" is nice. It's a little provocative, sounds vaguely collegiate. Looks so pretty on a page.

Jax: Yeah, I'm sure "Crimson" will be a success. In fact, I want to make sure of it. I want to help you run the magazine.

Trevor: I'm curious. What's going on?

Sonny: Well, I knew you'd show up sooner or later. So that's why my people let you in. So I'm gonna tell you what I told your son. It was a mistake to sell you the property.

Trevor: Mm. So you are unhappy with me for the moment.

Ric: Well, you could say that, yes.

Trevor: You wouldn't be trying to team up against me with your brother, would you?

Claudia: It's impossible to trace. And I just told you when and where Trevor will be most vulnerable. I mean, it's a clean job with no repercussions from the Zacchara family. Like I said, I would consider it a personal favor.

Jason: Well, if you want Trevor Lansing dead, kill him yourself.

Kate: Jax, you have my undying and longstanding respect as a corporate raider, but you know nothing about running a fashion magazine.

Jax: A business is a business.

Kate: And that proves my point.

Jax: I own all kinds of companies, Kate.

Kate: But you don't micromanage every single one of them. Fashion is its own universe. It has rules that are strict and unforgiving.

Jax: I'm not that interested in the day-to-day.

Kate: No, you want veto power because you've invested so much money.

Jax: I just want to make sure this works out for both of us.

Kate: Oh, it will. "Crimson" is my project. My magazine. My vision. I will not compromise my vision for anyone behind the scenes. Especially one of the money men.

Jax: Are you sure you don't want just, you know, another point of view?

Kate: Don't -- Jax.

Jax: Hmm? Come on.

Kate: Do not try to charm me into this, all right? It's a waste of both our time. Speaking of which, I have to get back for a conference call that will secure an exclusive deal with Neela Llorente's new line. So make up your mind. Are we on or are we off?

Carly: You'll be Kate Howard's new assistant. Think of the contacts you will make. This will affect the rest of your life, and it will get your mind off Johnny.

Lulu: I'll think of something else.

Carly: Like what? Waitressing at Kelly's? Come on. It may not be the perfect job, all right, but maybe you'll figure out what you really want to do. And you can keep an eye on Kate and tell me when she starts hitting on Jax.

Lulu: Oh. Ok, so you're trying to convince me to take a job that I haven't even been offered yet so that I can spy on Jax? That's ridiculous. Jax is in love with you.

Carly: I know, but it doesn't hurt to take precautions. It's not as if I'm going to be interrupting any of your life plans, ok? You go to college about two times a quarter, and you are the worst -- no, second worst -- waitress that Kelly's ever had.

Lulu: Oh, gee, thank you.

Carly: All I'm saying is you never know. You may want to try it out.

Lulu: I would rather dig ditches every single day the rest of my life than be a stupid fashion girl.

[Knock on door]

Carly: Come in.

Maxie: Hi.

Carly: Hi.

Maxie: Jax forgot his gloves, and, as Kate Howard's new assistant, I felt it was my duty to bring them back.

Claudia: Look, I understand your concerns, and I don't blame you for being cautious. I would love to kill Trevor myself, but if it got out, I mean, it looks bad to kill your own attorney.

Jason: What, you don't have anyone else you can trust with this job? You gotta recruit me, your competition?

Claudia: I just need it done right. I can't afford mistakes, and I hear you never -- almost never make them. Besides, I'm inclined to trust you. You know why?

Jason: Why?

Claudia: Because you're the reason that my brother's alive.

Jason: [Sighs] Johnny -- Johnny's not a threat. I think you might be.

Johnny: All right, so tell me again, in English.

Doctor: We've diagnosed a dopamine-imbalance psychosis which started about 20 years ago.

Johnny: So you're telling me my father's insanity can be treated?

Doctor: He's responding well to medication, gradually becoming lucid for longer periods of time. There's a good chance your father will regain permanent functional reasoning.

Anthony: You hear that, Johnny? I'm not responsible for the horrible things they said I did. I'm getting better all the time.

Johnny: Are you?

Anthony: Soon I'm going to be well enough to be a real father to you.

Ric: I just came to apologize to my brother for all the terrible things that I did to him and his family, for all the hell that I put him through.

Sonny: Ric says you forced him to sign over the Alcazar property.

Trevor: You know, Richard always needs to blame somebody. You above everyone should know that. He just can't take responsibility for his own decisions.

Sonny: How can a father undercut his own son? I mean, you took what belonged to him, you know what it meant to him, what it meant to all of us. That property was the glue that was going to hold everything together. You just took it away, Trevor.

Trevor: Oh, bull. If you could've snaked it, you would've. Are you kidding me?

Sonny: Don't you realize what you've done? You bought the property that the Zaccharas agreed not to touch, which means you broke the truce. If I were you, I'm just saying, I'd sleep with one eye open.

Carly: Wow, congratulations on your new job. Lulu and I were wondering when Kate might be staffing up.

Maxie: Thank you. Well, I have a lot of experience in the fashion industry.

Lulu: You were a clerk at the Metro Court boutique.

Maxie: And it was great training. Now Kate needs help with the creative aspect of the job, and as her assistant, I'll be working with executives, buyers, money people. It takes a special kind of person.

Carly: Well, I can see why Kate hired you.

Maxie: Thank you. I think she needs someone who's independent, loyal, can think on their feet.

Lulu: You can think?

Maxie: Kate needs someone who knows what to say and exactly how to say it. We're just getting started, but I feel like she'll take me to the Paris shows once I prove myself.

Lulu: Wouldn't Kate need someone who can speak French for the phone calls in Paris?

Maxie: I wouldn't expect you to understand. The fashion world is about communication, style, never going out in public in what you're wearing right now. I have to go.

Lulu: [Laughs] Wow, talk about someone who needs to get a life.

Carly: Well, she is, whether we like it or not.

Lulu: Oh, please. She's clueless and self-centered. She's probably the worst sales clerk at Metro Court.

Carly: Actually, she was great. The customers loved her and the manager raved about her. Maxie's right. Maybe she's found her place in the world. You know, if it's not right for you, it's not right for you.

Lulu: Oh, excuse me. Whatever Maxie can do, I could do in my sleep.

Carly: Oh, probably. But you know what, if you don't want to work for Kate Howard, by all means don't.

Jerry: Alexis. Oh, I'm so glad that you gathered up the courage to join me for drinks.

Alexis: I'm not joining you for a drink. You're forcing me to represent you. You called this meeting. I'm here. What do you need?

Jerry: Oh, now, that's the question. Oh!

[Inaudible]

Alexis: Stay away from me.

Jerry: Oh, my god. All right, I'll be honest with you. This was all just a ruse, actually.

Alexis: What do you mean?

Jerry: I just wanted to see you.

Alexis: There is no meeting?

Jerry: I am afraid not.

Alexis: You didn't do something shady that Jax needs to bail you out?

Jerry: No, sorry to disappoint.

Alexis: You haven't done anything dreadful?

Jerry: Not today, no.

Alexis: You just wanted to meet me for a drink?

Jerry: Yes, I'll just have another martini, please. And the lady -- you'll have?

Alexis: Oh, nothing for me, thanks. Listen, you. I have told you repeatedly that I don't want any involvement with you, yet you don't listen. You won't leave me alone. You seem to take great joy in manipulating my attraction for --

Jerry: Oh, yes, go on. This is highly enjoyable. Please.

Alexis: [Whispering] Ok, fine. I'm attracted to you. You happy?

Claudia: Why is everyone always so threatened by me? I mean, I'm just -- I'm just trying to protect my brother's interests.

Jason: Yeah, by killing somebody.

Claudia: Johnny will be better off. And like I said, I'll make it worth your while.

[Knock on door]

Patrick: Hey, I just received your post-op -- report. Come by the hospital when you can.

Jason: No, no, no, she's leaving.

Claudia: Ahem. Listen, if you need any additional surgeries, I could make the call for you. Someone at one of the New York hospitals could take care of that. I wouldn't let some of the doctors at general touch me.

Jason: Hey, you have to find somebody else. I'm not taking this job.

Claudia: Oh, it's no problem. Really, it's fine. I feel terrible. You should've told you couldn't work anymore because you were crippled.

Trevor: Did you hear that, Richard? Your brother is threatening to kill me.

Ric: Well, he makes his own decisions. I'm not in charge of him.

Trevor: Don't be silly, rich. I'm really the only family you've got.

Ric: Oh, now we're family. Hmph.

Sonny: You broke the truce, Trevor. What choice are you giving me here?

Trevor: You're only looking for an excuse to shoot me.

Sonny: Who said anything about shooting? Maybe you're just going to vanish. No one is going to go looking for you because nobody cares. I'll make a deal with the Zaccharas about the piers. Everybody's going to be happier.

Trevor: You don't think all hell is going to break loose? Johnny Z. is not too happy with you at the moment.

Sonny: Well, that's not your concern.

Trevor: Go ahead, blow my brains out. Better yet, get your guys in here and let them beat me to death and then shove my body in the trunk of a car.

Sonny: Oh, I could do that. But you know what? I think it's better that I just stay out of the way, let the Zaccharas clean up the mess, because they want you dead more than I do. So if they take you out, that means there wouldn't be a war. Problem solved.

Trevor: No, you see, I purchased and recorded those deeds in my name, not the Zaccharas'. I have no plans for the piers at this moment, so the truce should hold. Why do you care whose name is on the deed anyway?

Sonny: Why did you force Ric to sell to you?

Ric: He wants to be the spoiler, the powerbroker.

Trevor: [Laughs] Let's just say it was a smart investment, and I accomplished all that without any violence. It's not really your style, is it, Sonny? So go ahead. Kill me if you want to. At least I won't have to explain anything to my son. But what are you going to say to yours, hmm? And how are you going to explain me to Kate? Kate doesn't belong in your world. She never did, never will. And you're just about to prove it.

Sonny: If I scared you enough to mention Kate, then I did my job. So, you know what? I'm busy. You need to go. And, Trevor, just remember -- one eye open.

Ric: So, what now?

Lulu: Even if I were to work for Kate Howard, which I am not going to -- how hard would it be to show up Maxie Jones? Because she's an idiot, and Kate needs someone who is smart. Maxie's never been anywhere. I have traveled quite a bit. I mean, where does she get off making it like it's some big deal? She probably just answers phones and serves coffee.

Carly: You're probably right.

Lulu: I wonder how much she makes?

Carly: More than your tips at Kelly's. Especially if Jax is the primary investor. Good benefits. He takes care of his employees.

Lulu: Well, I have zero interest in fashion, and I don't plan to stop eating any time soon. It's a complete waste of time, and I don't want anything to do with it.

Carly: Mm.

[Knock on door]

Carly: Come in.

Carly: Wow. This is a surprise. Lulu and I were just discussing if she should take this new job. What do you think?

Jerry: There you go, darling. Don't you feel -- don't you feel liberated, hmm?

Alexis: This sort of alleged attraction is a simple biological fact.

Jerry: Yes, and a lovely one at that.

Alexis: It has nothing to do with you as a person. Personally, I can't stand you. It's purely physical.

Jerry: Oh, that's good. That's precisely what I have in mind.

Alexis: Could I have that martini now, please?

Jerry: Oh, I make you nervous.

Alexis: You make everyone nervous. You're a homicidal maniac.

Jerry: Does that rule out dinner?

Alexis: No. Yes. Tonight?

Jerry: Yes.

[Cell phone rings]

Jerry: Oh, excuse me, sorry.

[Cell phone rings]

Jerry: Yes?

Ian: [On cell phone] Listen up, Mr. Moreau. I have someone you need to meet.

Patrick: Unfortunately, the original prognosis was too optimistic. You've had a setback.

Jason: What -- what are my options?

Patrick: You need follow-up surgery as soon as possible.

Jason: No, this is a bad time.

Spinelli: Stone Cold, I wish you would reconsider the -- the yogic experience. Oh. Uh, I'll come back later.

Jason: No, it's ok. Stay. I can't leave town right now. There's no way.

Patrick: Well, then you better prepare yourself for permanent and degenerative nerve damage in both hands.

Spinelli: Master needs another surgery?

Jason: Yeah, kid. It's not happening right now. It's a bad time. I can't go.

Spinelli: Wait, it would be grievous to stay. How can you fight the minions of darkness without the use of your primary digits?

Sonny: How did Trevor get the property away from you in the first place? What does he have on you, Ric?

Ric: There was a -- a woman.

Sonny: Oh, no. I don't hear any more.

Ric: Look, I'm willing to help you any way you want, Sonny, as long as my father loses everything.

Sonny: But -- I'd have to trust you. And I -- I don't work with people I don't trust.

Ric: Can I ask you something? Did you mean what you said before? When you defended me to Trevor?

Sonny: You know what, Ric? I'm not -- I'll never forgive for what you did to my family, especially to Carly. But no father should treat his son the way Trevor treats you.

Ric: Good. Then you'll understand why, with or without your help, I will do whatever it takes to bring my father down.

[Door closes]

Ian: Sorry to keep you waiting. I got stuck in rounds. Are you ready to lock in the delivery times?

Claudia: There's a hitch.

Ian: Not what I hoped to hear.

Claudia: Well, we can't ship anything until Sonny Corinthos is dead. And since my brother just agreed to a truce with him, killing Sonny's gonna be up to you.