Daily Updates

From: rika@netcom.com (Melissa Martin)
Subject: GH: Update, Wednesday, June 19, 1996
Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 21:55:20 GMT

                       GENERAL HOSPITAL UPDATE
                      Wednesday, June 19, 1996

In keeping with recent tradition on my days to do the update, North
Carolina had a pre-emption today.  It was luckily brief, and it was
fairly clear from the rest of the show what we missed, so I think
this update should be fairly complete.

Today's storylines, many of which were related to the Nurses' Ball:
* Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better
* Someone to Watch Over Me
* Parent Envy
* The Patron Saint of Preschoolers
* Like a Surgeon

ANYTHING YOU CAN DO, I CAN DO BETTER
------------------------------------
[It's too bad Lucy and Damian sang (using that term loosely) that
particular song at last year's ball.  It would fit Lucy and Kathy
perfectly.]

Setup for the Nurses' Ball is progressing.  We can be deeply grateful
that Madame Maia will not be performing a reading on the vibes in the
room this year.  Anyway, the vibes are so loud anybody can read them
Lucy practices her entrance, which is to be accompanied by music - but
someone plays the Loony Tunes cartoon theme.  Lucy explains to Kathy
that the music is important as a segue from the first song to her
introduction.  Kathy tells her this will not be necessary - she is
doing the welcome, and SHE will introduce Lucy.  Lucy asks an
excellent question - what happened to her desire to remain anonymous?
Kathy is armed with a fairly plausible excuse - a lot of people
have found out about it already (gee, I wonder how?, asks Lucy), and
she wouldn't want them to think she is staying uninvolved out of
disapproval of Lucy.  Lucy suggests that Kathy could be visible as
the coat check girl or the valet parking attendant; the show should
go according to the printed program.  Right, replies Kathy:  she
stopped by the printer's and changed it the other day.  And we're
off and running on argument #2.

Katherine has removed Lucy's name from several of its appearances
in the program, which Lucy decides is okay since Kathy's is not
plastered all over the program either.  Consensus?  Agreement?
Compromise?  WOW!  But before we all faint away, Kathy revives us
by tossing out a fine bone of contention - a list of three things
she wants.  First, to do the welcome.  Lucy insists it's her job.
Second, a spot on the talent show.  Lucy has a LOD runner-up here:
"What are you going to do, Kathy?  Touch your nose with your tongue?"
But Lucy figures if Kathy wants to make a fool of herself, that's
fine with her.

Third, Katherine wants to introduce Robin's keynote speech.  So
does Lucy.  Kathy talks about her affection for Robin.  [I found
that visions of orchids and caviar danced in my head as I
listened to her.]  Lucy, unimpressed, had another LOD runner-up:
"Just because you're sleeping with her Uncle Mac doesn't make you
close to Australia, does it?"  Lucy loves Robin too, and wants to
honor her.  Katherine explains that Mac and Robin are too proud to
let her say or do much for them; this is her chance.  This argument
makes an impression on Lucy, who agrees to let Kathy introduce
Robin if Lucy gets to do the general welcome to the ball.  Kathy
insists that she doesn't *need* to negotiate with Lucy, but she
agrees to Lucy's proposed compromise nonetheless.

Lucy is evidently weakened by the exchange, because she calls Kevin
soon afterwards for a pep talk.  In his second consecutive day of
don't-blink-or-you'll-miss-him appearances, Kevin responds to Lucy's
request for "one good reason why I shouldn't walk away" from the
ball with an eloquent list of reasons.  Lucy is amazed by his
ability to say just the right thing, and he replies, "It's handy
having a shrink for a lover, isn't it?"

Dara Jensen arrives; she's early, and Kathy's worried that someone
will see her.  Dara remarks that she doesn't mind earning some good
will - but that she will "keep the secret."  [I've seen some
spoilers explaining what this is all about, but since we were
supposed to be mystified, forget I brought it up.]  Kathy suggests
that sometimes "good deeds are their own reward" [yeah, Kathy, that's
why you have so carefully preserved your anonymity as the under-
writer of the ball.  Insert ironic silence here].  Dara clearly and
somewhat brusquely spells out what she wants from Katherine.
Dara sees Kathy as someone with wealth and social standing who
makes the papers (Kathy simpers, "Yes, I do, don't I?"  Ick).
She wants obvious public acceptance from Katherine, figuring others
will follow her lead and help Dara to gain some acceptance in Port
Charles.  [I was about to suggest that Laura Spencer would be a
better bet to help with an image repair, but then I remembered that
Laura might not be too motivated to help Dara.]  Dara asks:  "Can
this work?"  Kathy assures her it will, and she whisks Dara
backstage; Lucy watches them go.

When they return, Kathy tells Dara she will meet her at her office
later.  Lucy approaches Dara and queries her about safety regulations,
etc., as if that were the reason for Dara's visit.  Dara covers
fairly well, but Lucy doesn't seem to be fooled.

SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME
------------------------
Filly is handling security for the Ball, and she's there to scope
out the situation.  Tom shows up for some reason (that was part of
the N.C. pre-emption) and, as my affiliate joined the show, he was
making remarks about handcuffs.  [My guess is he owns a pair....
or else Filly has "shown" him hers.]   She admits that she is bored,
and he convinces her to head off with him on a mission to check
out all the dark, deserted, "secret little spaces" in the vicinity
of the ballroom.  They find just such a place, and Felicia stops
foreplay for just long enough to retrieve her freshly cleaned-and-
pressed jacket from the floor.  Tom [who I suppose doesn't do
laundry and gets his clothes drycleaned for free] doesn't see
why she is worried about the jacket.  That detail handled, things
progress, but with less heavy breathing than usual.

Some time later, a good deal of moaning and grunting is heard,
originating from the floor (which is out of our field of vision).
Felicia wonders if something is wrong with them because of their
excessive preoccupation with sex.  [No comment.  I wouldn't dare.]
We see a shadowy figure wearing - oh, brace yourselves - a BLACK
WRISTWATCH - deposit a black rose on top of the aforementioned
jacket.  The person, apparently not a voyeur, departs quietly.

As Tom and Filly get back to their feet, they notice the rose.
Filly astutely remarks that someone was watching them.  They find
the security guards, who say nobody suspicious has been noticed.
Tom suggests that the stalker may still be around.  He believes that
the stalker's message was, "He can get to you any time, anyplace.
He just wants you alone."  Tom will be more cautious in the future,
and he figures the stalker will make a mistake soon and get caught.
As Tom and Filly leave, we are shown a close-up of one of the
security guards wearing - oh, the horror - a BLACK WRISTWATCH.

PARENT ENVY
-----------
In our other Nurses' Ball story, Carly, like Cinderella, is hard at
work trying to sort out Lucy's wardrobe.  Lucy calls her "Karen" and
"Charlie" at different times, and is snooty enough that she
probably earned icon status with MHGC Carly today.  Carly is polite
to Lucy and only rolls her eyes behind Lucy's back a little bit.

The Spencers arrive, and Carly goes over to Lucas, leans over him,
and asks if he is scared about being on stage.  [If you have this
episode on tape, listen to this line with your eyes closed.  I
don't know if Sarah Brown was intentionally mimicking Jackie Z's
speech mannerisms, but when I first heard this scene without the
visual, I was SURE Bobbie had asked that question.]  Lucas covets
Carly's Nurses' Ball tee shirt, Tony makes an admiring remark about
the way Carly looks in the shirt, and then Carly takes Lucas over
to get a shirt, leaving Bobbie and Tony alone.

Bobbie and Tony are both worried about Lesley Lu, but they agree
that hanging around at the hospital wouldn't really help - and the
Nurses' Ball is important too.  Lulu's illness is bringing back
memories of BJ, but they will do their best to stay optimistic about
Lulu's prognosis for now.  Meanwhile, Carly and Lucas talk about
Lucas's "perfect little family."  [Many of you who remember this
family a year ago probably joined me in a hollow laugh.]

Later, Carly is going through a rack of costumes, and Bobbie
approaches.  Carly doesn't mind being Lucy's dresser - it's a
chance to be around Lucy's gorgeous clothes.  Since Carly will be
backstage, it doesn't much matter what she wears.  What about the
party afterwards?  Well, Carly figures she will be too tired.  Bobbie
offers to lend her one of her dresses.  [I see - they wear the same
size?]  Carly has a black boa around her neck.  Bobbie approaches
Carly and starts to run her hand through Carly's hair - Carly backs
away quickly.  As she moves forward, Bobbie remarks that, although
Carly usually wears softer colors, basic black would be good on her
too.  Carly looks upset - she explains that she remembers talking
about clothes with her mother.  Bobbie remembers talking to BJ about
clothes also; they agree that they miss it.  Bobbie walks off, and
Carly watches her, shaking her head.

THE PATRON SAINT OF PRESCHOOLS
------------------------------
I missed the first Q scene due to pre-emption, but I gather from
the remaining scenes that Edward enrolled Baby Ashton in St.
Swithin's preschool without consulting Ned and Lois.  Lois goes
ballistic (offering the now-familiar "blow it out your ear"),
and Ned reminds Edward that he and Lois already insisted that
they would plan the baby's education.  Edward is not impressed:
"You want to teach the poor little child at home like some log
cabin prairie family."  Lois tells Ned that of *course* Edward
remembers the prior discussions because "that's when he decided
to get sneaky on us."  Lila gets the LOD: "Lois, dear, that's not
quite true.  Edward has always been sneaky."

Lois wants the baby around normal people before she (the baby,
that is) thinks that what goes on in the Q living room is normal.
Edward reacts primarily to the use of the word "she".  Alan kindly
reassures Lois that St. Swithin's is a good school - AJ and Jason
both went there.  Monica sarcastically points out that their sons
are not exactly good advertisements for the school.

The Q living room is now alive with the sound of arguments in
stereo.  On channel A, Alan and Monica shred each other to bits
over the blame for their sons' screwed-up lives.  On channel B,
Edward lectures Lois on the importance of a proper education.
Lois can't deal with it, and falls on the couch in a fake faint.
Before she is noticed, the two arguments intersect, resulting in
a single argument about AJ and alcoholism.

Ned notices Lois first, and runs to her.  She opens one eye for
his benefit.  The various doctors and others cluster around her,
bickering about what should be done for her.  Ned and Monica
herd everyone from the room, leaving Ned alone with Lois.

[A brief pause right here.  Lois was wearing a long bathrobe
over her outfit, and fuzzy pink slippers.  Did she walk over from
the gatehouse dressed like that?  Are they Lila's?]

Ned congratulates Lois on handling Edward "like a pro."  Lois is
less pleased with herself - she didn't handle him, she's "becoming
him."  She was upset that screaming is a favorite hobby of the Q's,
and she was mad at Edward for being underhanded, but her solution
was to be just as underhanded herself.  Ned doesn't see it that
way - it's more a case of fighting fire with fire.  No, insists
Lois, it was playing dirty, and not being honest.  Ned doesn't see
why honesty requires that she repeat herself at the top of her
lungs [um, in fact, isn't that basically what screaming is?] -
sometimes that doesn't work.  Lois worries about their child
seeing game-playing as a solution, and then going to school with
"spoiled rich brats."  Ned is slightly offended - not all rich kids
are brats, he says.  But he and Lois will decide about schools, and
he doesn't care that Edward disagrees.

It comes down to a difference in confrontational styles.  Lois feels
it is important to battle for her convictions.  Ned feels it is
better to perform an end run - don't confront Edward head-on, just
listen to him and then do whatever they want.  While he loves Lois's
honesty and fighting spirit, couldn't she just give a little bit?

Ned goes to get Lois some food, and while he is gone, she has a
fantasy about the future.  She has pouffed hair, and her neck is
awash in strings of pearls.  Ned, in a navy blazer with a "Q"
crest, enters and exults about their baby seal coat and tobacco
investments.  She is off to have a manicure, and she displays an
amazing sight - two hands without long nails!  Soon after, Edward
and "little Eddie" enter in blazers which match Ned's.  Eddie asks
Edward for help:  one girl in his class spells better than he does;
can he transfer her father out of town before the spelling bee?
Edward agrees.  Eddie then asks "Mumsie" to "go to a voice coach
and do something about that accent."  This is too much for Lois,
who shouts, "No!" as Ned returns with her food.

Lois insists that she has to be true to herself.  Ned feels that
one morning's disagreement isn't important, but Lois insists that
EVERYTHING matters now.  They agree that the child's emotional
welfare means everything to them, and Lois suggests, "I think we
should move to Bensonhurst."  Ned stares at her in astonishment.

LIKE A SURGEON
--------------
Alan and Monica come downstairs, resuming the fight they started
in the Q living room (see above).  Alan accuses Monica of "using
your guilt to wash your hands of the rest of us."  They snipe at
each other about AJ and Jason until Dr. Dorman arrives - oddly
enough, to see Alan.  Tony told Dorman about Alan's nerve damage,
and Dorman has brought some articles about laser reconstructive
surgery.  Alan is offended that Dorman thinks he isn't aware of
current medical technology ("I get the same journals you do"),
and stomps out to attend a Nurses' Ball rehearsal.

Dorman apologizes to Monica, who insists he has nothing to be sorry
about.  She snipes at Alan even in his absence:  "*I* may get the
same medical journals you do, but *Alan* doesn't."  [I don't know
why, but that seemed like a low blow, even from Monica.]  Dorman
wonders if Monica thinks he is making excuses to see her, and she
asks why he thinks that would make her unhappy.  The parameters of
the visit established, they turn to safer ground -she asks about
Alan's prognosis.  Naturally, it depends on his current condition
and on the improvement he wants.  They review the history of Alan's
injury.  He trained to be a surgeon, but he once attempted to kill
Monica (when she was having an affair) by sawing through some beams
in the attic, hoping the roof would fall on her.  He changed his
mind about it, and he injured his hand trying to stop the roof from
falling.

Monica and Dorman flirt a bit, and he closes by asking her how
violent Alan would get today if she had an affair.  Monica:  "He's
very careful with his good hand."

Meanwhile, Alan catches up with Tony at the Nurses' Ball rehearsals
and scolds him for blabbing to Dorman.  Tony asks, but don't you
want to be a surgeon again?  Alan is afraid it's too late.  He is
way out of date, and he would be competing with younger doctors with
up-to-date training in new procedures.  Besides, he has developed a
good practice in internal medicine.  And you have to be nuts to want
to be a specialist these days.  Tony, who of course is a specialist,
is amused by this remark.  He returns to the central point:  but does
Alan *want* mobility back in his hand - even if not for surgery, for
something else?  And if surgery is what made him want to be a doctor,
why not explore the possibility?

--------------------------------------------------
Rika, 1/2 of the Wednesday Update Team