Daily Updates

Subject:
Sent:        7/25/96 8:56 AM
From:        Jan Yarnot, jyarnot@netcom.com

STEVE HARDY MEMORIAL

[I may not do this memorial service justice: it's been a very emotional
couple of weeks for me.  First Meri Jewell's funeral, then my daughter's
wedding (I said "emotional", not necessarily "sad"), then another funeral
of a friend, and the TWA tragedy (Carly-like, my second thought was relief
that it wasn't my daughter's plane), and I seemed to have no tears left to
cry for Steve.]

We start with an Audrey flashback from Ryan's trial.  Steve is saying he's
"useless" and should be "put out to pasture" and Audrey assures him: "You
save my life every single day."

On the second floor, Tom and Simone talk.  Tommy has a mild fever and
will miss the memorial.  Tom thinks that's best. [and he calls himself a
psychiatrist!]

Amy, Tony and Bobbie are talking.  Tony says the dominant theme: "Without
Steve Hardy at the helm, General Hospital will never be the same."

Edward and Lila are getting ready.  Suddenly, Steve Hardy was Edward's
dearest friend, no mention of Jack-the-murderer.  Emily and Alan and
Monica come in.  Emily has had a growth spurt.

Luke and Laura discuss his outfit.  And Lulu.  They start to touch on
Lucky, but Luke says "we have a memorial to get through."

Carly talks to Tony and gets invited to sit with the Joneses.  Bobbie is
distracted.

Tom thanks Simone for setting up the chapel.  He's twitchy.

Lila and Alan discuss the reception to be held at the mansion.  Emily hugs
Monica and then she and Lila bravely go to the kitchen to beard Cook in her
den.  We may never see them again.  AJ and Ned and Lois come in and
Edward starts blustering about ELQ and what they can do about GH.  Lois
can't believe it, but Ned convinces her that this is Edward's way of
fighting his own immortality.  She comes in and goes to Edward and asks
if she can sit with him.  He deflates.

The Spencers head to GH.  Lucky is snarky, thinking that Laura has been
seeing Nicholas.

Lucy and Kevin ask Tom about Felicia, who is out of town. Tom asks Kevin:
"You lost your father, didn't you?"  He twitches his way off to get
Audrey and Simone says she's worried about him.  Lucy says Felicia is
the only person who can get through to Tom, then shows that her personal
growth actually is happening by realizing this is insensitive and
apologizing to a slightly taken-aback Simone.  Simone says it's true and
she called Felicia herself.

Audrey is sitting in the office.  She can't believe Steve is gone, what
is she going to do now?  Tom tells her he isn't going to speak at the
service.  He isn't sure if Steve died of a heart attack or a broken heart.

Robin is standing in the chapel, having a flashback of Stone and Kevin
and Steve, when Steve assured Stone that he would still get the best care
despite his HIV+ status.  Jason comes for her. [He dressed up, too.]
She  tells him if he left her she'd fall on the floor and cry to the
middle of next week.  Monica comes by and says hello to Jason.  He says
"I guess this doctor guy was important to a lot of people."  When Monica
agrees, he says "Then I'm real sorry."  [Thus demonstrating that Lucy is
not the only one who's had some personal growth.  The % of the past would
have remained angry and uncaring and wouldn't have expressed any feelings.]
They go in.  Alan speaks to Monica about seeing Jason, and she says "Oh my
God, I miss my son!"  AJ and Keesha come in and speak to Jason and
Robin.  Lois and Ned invite Jax to sit with them, but he has to leave
early.  Brenda is under the weather.  Carly sees Jason and Robin together,
and Laura spots Stefan standing in the rear.

Alan speaks:  "Steve Hardy WAS General Hospital."  When he had torn a
strip off some residents, he'd stop Alan and ask "Alan, was I too rough
on them?" and Alan would reassure him: "It's NOT a problem, Steve.  With
a little bit of therapy, they'll be just fine."

[It's nice to see Lee and Gail again!]

Tony speaks.  He has a flashback of BJ's death.

Edward speaks.  Steve always wanted the last word.  He flashes back to
his stay in the hospital and his worry balls.  [Seems to me, Edward could
use those again.]  "This time the last word is mine.  God speed your
journey, my good true friend."

Amy speaks.  Steve was "more than a boss, a mentor and father figure.
From this day forward, General Hospital will operate without its heart
and soul."  She's crying.  Laura gets up, gives her a hug, and speaks.
She has a flashback to Luke and Laura's return.  While Monica speaks,
Laura reads a "meet me in the cemetery" note Stefan slipped into her
prayerbook.  Monica meanwhile remembers Steve as a boss and a friend, and
flashes back to when he sent her home for a month to fight the cancer.

Audrey gets up to speak, but Tom stops her.  He tells how Steve loved
Audrey.  Their love was something most people only dream about.  Audrey
flashes back to Steve's proposal [When did the organ music disappear,
anyway?] and her [strange] response "Oh.  Steve."

A montage of flashbacks to Jimmy Durante singing "Make Someone Happy."  It
finishes with the ending to the 30th anniversary show, with Steve telling
everyone "thank you for your support" and walking out of the hospital onto
the GH set, and away.

[I do seem to have some tears left after all.  Steve Hardy, John
Beradino, rest in peace.  You will be sorely missed.]