Patrick: Fascinating, isn't it?

Robin: What?

Patrick: What goes into a rock 'n roll show. Everybody running around, fixing lights, the sounds, tuning guitars -- all for one guy. No wonder his ego has no boundaries.

Robin: I don't know whether to say, "look who's talking" or "it takes one to know one."

Patrick: It also explains why my father fell for his world so instantly and completely that he fell off the wagon.

[Robin sighs]

Patrick: Hey.

Robin: Hmm?

Patrick: My father disappoints me on a regular basis. He's not going to do that to you. If he said he's going to get your mom here, he will.

Robin: I hope so. My mom needs to get a little bit of revenge.

Lulu: I can understand why you're so angry. To have your father taken away like that must have -

Sal: Do you mean murdered for saying no to the Zaccharas? Yeah, that was a bad day.

Lourdes: At least old man Zacchara eventually went down for something.

Sal: He didn't get what he deserved. Zacchara didn't even end up in prison. They threw him in some cushy nuthouse and even that didn't stick. The guy comes out, "oh, feel sorry for me, I'm mentally ill." His fancy lawyer just gets him released. Some day, Zaccharas are finally going to pay.

Sam: Thank you very much for meeting with me.

Karpov: I was very intrigued by your application. One doesn't often run into women with salvage experience and especially such an attractive one at that.

Sam: Oh, aren't you sweet. Wow, you know, being on this ship makes me realize how much I've missed it. I don't think anything can compare.

Karpov: Perhaps you've been keeping the wrong company.

Sam: Perhaps.

Karpov: I assume you can captain.

Sam: Oh, in my sleep.

Karpov: I took the liberty of having my people speak to the harbor master. He recommended you as not only competent, but discreet. Nothing is more critical to me than discretion.

Sam: I -- I completely understand that. As long as I get paid in cash every week, I couldn't care less what your cargo holds.

Jason: Whatever miracles Ric is promising you on Johnny's behalf, he's lying.

Ric: Oh, you're so sure of yourself, aren't you? You sit in judgment of the whole world, smug in your own superiority, living that inviolate code of loyalty -

Jason: You know nothing about loyalty.

Ric: Really?

Jason: Yeah.

Ric: Neither does Sonny, apparently. So he's working with Andrei Karpov? I can only imagine how happy Andrei Karpov must've been to have locked into a partnership with Sonny, who clearly is showing that he wants to get back to his old mob king ways. That's the shortest retirement in history, isn't it? What was it this time for Sonny, two months? You can see now how clearly it was a good idea to dump the organization on you because that freed Sonny the ability to trade up. You're looking at a formidable pair of adversaries.

Jason: You might as well just stop because I don't believe a word that comes out of your lying mouth.

Carly: Hey, honey. How was your meeting?

Jax: I thought I covered my tracks pretty well. I guess I forgot how resourceful you can be.

Carly: I don't mind you forgetting. It keeps the element of surprise alive.

Jax: How'd you find me?

Carly: Give me a cell phone, five minutes, and motivation and I can find anybody.

Jax: No, really, how did you find me?

Carly: I know my husband. I figured it out. I know you wouldn't stay at the Belle Maison because you would figure that's the first place I'd look. And you like being close to your hotels, just like when you lived next to the metro court. You like to walk through anonymously and watch people work. This place fit the bill. You can even see the Belle Maison from across the street.

[Jax chuckles]

Jax: Yes, very impressive.

Carly: Thanks for noticing.

Jax: Oh, excellent choice.

Carly: I thought you'd approve.

Jax: You seem pretty sure of yourself, don't you?

Carly: No, just sure of us.

Jax: So how did you get in? Did you pick the lock or bribe a housekeeper?

Carly: I didn't have to run a scam. I told them who I was. We may be separated, but I'm still Mrs. Jacks and that's a title I plan on keeping for the rest of my life.

Robin: Mom should be here by now. Maybe Noah wasn't able to convince her after all. She can be very, very stubborn.

Patrick: Sounds like somebody else I know.

Robin: I don't know what you're talking about.

Patrick: Robin, at the risk of sounding obnoxious and hovering, I'm going to say it anyway. Stress is not good for you and the baby. Frankly, considering all the reasons you should be worried about your mother, like rebel uprisings and Kung Fu battles over nuclear codes, showing up to an Eli Love concert is not a big deal.

Robin: Listen, Eli was a jerk. He cast her aside because she's about to be a grandmother, which is something she was already struggling with.

Patrick: Yes, what Eli did was very insensitive, but I don't think he meant to hurt her.

Robin: Well, he did and she needs to be here to get over it.

Patrick: For herself or so you can implement this crazy plan of yours?

Eli: Hey, hey, look who's here.

Patrick: Hey, yeah, thanks for the tickets.

Eli: You're very welcome, mate. Like I said, no hard feelings, but you did try to damage the merchandise. I mean, in this business, you know, faces matter. So I gave you the backstage passes on the condition that you would bring Anna. Is she here?

Robin: I was under the impression that you wanted nothing to do with her because she's about to be a granny. So why would you care if she's here or not?

Anna: I'd love to know the answer to that myself.

Jason: Karpov might have been in Manhattan. Sonny might be there at the same time. It doesn't mean they're conducting business.

Ric: Come on, Jason, you're running a crime network. You can't afford to be this naive. Organizations are always looking to expand their network. Karpov has been in Port Charles for the last two weeks. He set up shop at the curtain restaurant. He's been taking meetings. Sonny's had two of those meetings with him. On the second one, he handed over his pocket congressman on Karpov's behalf. Now, look, I -- I understand that you would've known about all this activity if you hadn't been tied up with the whole Johnny-Lulu melodrama. But I am telling you the truth here. Whatever Sonny's intentions were when he originally handed over the mob to you, they changed when you weren't looking. Sonny wants back in. And instead of giving you the respect of asking if he could have the business back, which he so impulsively gave over, Sonny got in bed with the enemy.

Jason: You should be careful who you let in your house.

Claudia: You just made a really big mistake.

Lulu: Um, so what happened to your father's diner? Did you take it over?

Sal: No. To continue this cycle? Protecting the same thugs that killed my dad? You know what? I make my living other ways. Me and my buds do, you know, guys that I grew with that I know have my back.

Lulu: Well, sometimes friends make all the difference.

Sal: Yeah.

Lourdes: Hey, those guys aren't Sal's friends. Friends don't bring you down or force you to take chances that will land you in jail or even worse.

Sal: I wouldn't look down my nose if I were you, Lourdes. It's because of those guys that you don't go hungry. It's because of those guys you get to buy your trendy clothes and school supplies, not to mention piano. And maybe you're right. Everything would've been different if those animals had not killed papa! I'm sorry. You guys don't need to be hearing this.

Lourdes: Poor Joe looks shell-shocked, like the thought of real gangsters killing real people never occurred to him. Is Chicago mob-free now, Joe?

Jax: Carly, I really, really appreciate the effort, you know, expensive candles, rare wine, but it's a wasted effort.

Carly: I wouldn't say that.

Jax: Nothing has changed, ok? We're still separated and I'm not sure if I can continue in our marriage.

Carly: Wow, that wasn't the vibe I was getting on the airplane.

Jax: Look, I'm still attracted to you, but that doesn't make our problems magically disappear.

Carly: You're not just attracted to me, you're in love with me. Our separation hasn't changed that. The only way you could get distance from me was to jump out of the stupid airplane.

Jax: I was late for a meeting.

Carly: No, you felt your defenses coming down, just like they are now. Admit it.

[Knock at door]

Carly: Guess who that is.

Jax: Why? Who do you think it is?

Carly: It's room service. I ordered strawberries and whipped cream. Yes, I pulled out all the stops.

Giselle: Hello. Jax, I'm so pleased we agreed to do this.

Claudia: The way that you just handled Jason is a perfect example of why I don't trust you.

Ric: Care to elaborate?

Claudia: You didn't have to tell Jason anything about Sonny working with Karpov. You did it out of spite. And all you managed to do was take an already volatile situation and make it worse. Even my -- my freak-show of a father would slam you for making such a stupid move.

Ric: I think you're missing the bigger picture here, Claudia. If Jason were inspired to launch a preemptive strike against the Karpov organization, then they would take him out, which would save the Zaccharas the trouble. More so, if there were a Karpov-Morgan mob war, then that would funnel funds away from the manhunt for Johnny, which would save his life. So as I can see it, you should be thanking me, twice -

Claudia: You know what? You know what? Rationalize it all you want, Ric. The only reason you told Jason that Sonny was working with Karpov was to hurt him, was to throw it in his face that Sonny's not loyal to him anymore.

Ric: Come on.

Claudia: You know what? You know what that tells me? It tells me that you have brother issues that you can't get past and that you're volatile. You're dangerous. And I'll tell you, I don't want anything to with you.

Spinelli: Stone Cold, The Jackal has been awaiting your triumphant return. Do-do-do! The brusque lady of justice phoned with news of your impending release. And I planned a small, but -

Jason: Ok, ok, that's fine. Thank you. I need you to focus right now. I need you to get on the computer because I need your help right away.

Spinelli: Jackal senses a dire situation?

Jason: I hope not, but I need you to prove it for me. Ric just told me that Sonny's working with a European boss named Andrei Karpov.

Spinelli: Well, that -- that doesn't ring true. Why would Mr. Sir endanger his family all over again by detouring back into the underworld? Surely, Darth Lansing, who's been known to lie as easily as breathe, was just trying to rattle you.

Jason: Well -- well, it's possible, but I want to know for sure, so get on it. Get on it right now. Let's go. Find out everything you can on Andrei Karpov at his last known location. And I want you to find out if there's a link between Sonny and him.

Spinelli: And if there is?

Jason: It wouldn't be good.

Carly: Well, Jax wasn't expecting me when he made whatever plans with you.

Jax: Yes, Carly's right. I wasn't expecting her, so I didn't get a chance to tell her yet that I bumped into you and decided to take the opportunity to get some "Crimson" business done while I'm here in Montreal.

Giselle: I'm hearing two different things. Are we having this meeting or not?

Jax: Yes -

Carly: Not.

Giselle: Forgive me for being not subtle, but a word to the wise -- possessive wives are so passé. "Secure" and "independent" are the buzz words this season.

Jax: Yes, well, on that note, Giselle and I better get to business before it gets too late. Now, if you rush to the airport, you'll probably make it home in time to tuck Morgan in. So, safe trip.

Eli: Look, Anna, I am so glad that you decided to grace me with your presence.

Anna: Mm, yeah, I almost didn't because you're an ass. And quite frankly, I have better things to do. But a good friend reminded me that I don't actually have to like you to listen to your music.

Eli: You're still mad at my little faux pas.

Anna: Faux pas? Do you even know what that means? You dismissed me as being too old for a perennial adolescent such as yourself.

Eli: I apologize, ok, from my heart. The thing is, Anna, I am crazy about you, all right? And if you doubt that, then consider the fact that I got my jaw pounded on, not once, but twice, in your honor. I still want you backstage.

Anna: Well, that's saying something, isn't it?

Eli: Look, I -- what I said was really, really rude and disrespectful. I don't know, I just -- you know, spur -- spur of the moment thing. I don't know why. I don't know. I got caught up in it. I want a second chance with you.

Anna: I don't know why I should. I mean, really. Fool me once and all that.

[Anna sighs]

Anna: But I guess you're allowed one egregious mistake. Besides, I hear your new single's pretty cool.

Eli: Oh, I'm so excited for you to hear it.

Chip: Five minutes, Eli.

Eli: All right, five minutes.

Chip: Here we go.

Eli: Here we go. My favorite part, just five minutes before we go on. Do you feel excitement?

Robin: Do you see him?

Patrick: Yeah, he's right there.

Robin: Oh, hey, thank god. I didn't think security would let you through.

Max: Oh, well, when I realized they were doing a body search, I went back to the car to stow the special equipment you requested, assuming we're still a go?

Robin: Yeah, yeah, why wouldn't we be?

Max: Well, I -- I just thought you might've reconsidered. I mean, as far as plans go, this one is pretty drastic, Carly-worthy even.

Patrick: Max, I think you should be the one to reconsider. You know you're taking orders from a pregnant hormonal mother-to-be?

Robin: Shh. Sonny told you to do whatever I want, right?

Max: He did.

Robin: Ok, then all you have to do is kidnap Eli Love at gunpoint and we're good.

Ric: You know, I really wish you wouldn't have this knee-jerk reaction, Claudia. You could do a lot worse than having me on your side. To be perfectly honest, boy, you need me.

Claudia: I need you?

Ric: Yes, you tend to lose focus, dear.

Claudia: Oh, I'm so -- you're accusing me of being unfocused when you don't know whether or not you want to destroy Sonny or be his best friend?

Ric: Oh -

Claudia: About the only thing you're clear on, Ric, is Jason.

Ric: Mm-hmm.

Claudia: You hate Jason -

Ric: Yup.

Claudia: Because he's closer to Sonny than you will ever be and there is nothing you would rather than to drive a permanent wedge between the two of them. That is the only reason that you told Jason about Sonny's deal with Karpov. And that tells me that you're incapable of rational strategy when your brother is involved.

Ric: You know what I'm hearing?

Claudia: Hmm-mm.

Ric: I think it's the same thing that your father would be hearing right now and that is sympathy for the enemy, for Sonny, for your bedmate, for -

Claudia: Ah -

Ric: Or for Jason.

Claudia: I slept with him once.

Ric: I don't know. Well, whatever that -

Claudia: Once.

Ric: Relationship is that you have with him, but obviously it's personal. Otherwise, why would you care if Jason knew what Sonny's deal with Karpov was?

Claudia: I don't know. Maybe I don't want to wake up one morning and find out that a mob war broke out in the middle of the night.

Ric: Ok, once again I ask, why do you care? Shouldn't your main focus be Johnny's survival? See? It's a clear indication of how your focus is split. Look, Claudia, I can help you with Johnny, and I am more than willing to do so in exchange for a few considerations. So I'm going to put the offer out one more time. Deal or no deal?

Claudia: Bring Johnny home safe and get him acquitted, you can have whatever you want from me.

Johnny: I guess it's safe to say I've been unaware of the reality of certain things.

Lulu: Joe's all about music. Real world stuff doesn't even penetrate. He wouldn't be aware of what mobsters are doing in Chicago or anywhere else.

Sal: Yeah, well, you know, you should consider yourself lucky because the Zaccharas are a sorry fact of life around here. They extort you for protection. They run the loan sharks. They flood the streets with drugs.

Johnny: I can only imagine the pain that you guys have been put through.

Lourdes: You want to know something creepy-weird? Professor Siegel used to teach one of them. This kid? A Zacchara.

Jason: What -- what's that right there? What's that link?

Spinelli: Uh, it just, I mean, confirms what we already know. Andrei Karpov emerged as a major crime figure after the breakup of the Soviet Union, currently based in St. Petersburg, major ties to drug smuggling and arms sales. He's expanded into several European cities, notably London and Prague.

Jason: No mention of the U.S.?

Spinelli: None. Doesn't this implicate that Darth Lansing may have lied, because -- even if Mr. Sir wished to swim again with sharks, why would he do so with a super villain based on the other side of the planet?

Jason: I don't know, but keep digging. If Karpov's been in Port Charles, he left some kind of trail.

Spinelli: Ok, I'm currently accessing a list of Karpov's known associates, seeing what their current locations are. Sasha Donev?

Jason: Diane saw Sonny meeting her at the -- at the Metro Court. What's her tie to Karpov?

Spinelli: She's the super villain's chief legal counsel, and her credit cards indicate that she's in residence at the metro court.

Jason: Ok, I want you to find security footage right now, whatever it takes. Spinelli, I want absolute proof before I confront Sonny.


Edited 2 times by LiznJase Jul 29, 2008 10:13.