Daily Updates

Date:        04/04  7:16 PM
From:        Mary Brace, djmaryb@mindspring.com

Casa Quartermaine

Alexis briefs Monica and Ned on the appeal progress. They are discussing Nurse
Rebecca's possible connection to Dorman. Ned tells Alexis that Monica's a
little distracted by "unpleasant family business." The conversation moves on
to the PR aspects, Monica isn't helpful in the idea department. Alexis trips
over the white elephant in the room when she throws out the idea of having AJ
pitch some sort of Monica Q appreciation day resolution to the city council,
when in walks the prodigal son himself.

Chez Cassadine

Bobbie, Lucas & Tony are sharing an ex-family moment. When Tony ups to leave,
Lucas begs him to stay so they can hold a birthday party for his dad, even
though he and Bobbie had Tony's present UPS'd to Tony and Carly's apartment.
Lucas then guilts his folks in to taking him to Port Chuckles' version of
Chuck E Cheese

Tony and Carly's Humble Apartment

Carly signs for the smaller-than-a-Nike-box package, sees the return address
and proceeds to discreetly unseal the plain brown wrapping (that's our girl!).
Seeing the more festive wrapping beneath reminds her of Tony's birthday, and
she immediately feels like an idjit for her memory lapse. An internal dialogue
takes place so that we can hear Carly planning excuses and cover story.
Finally, she hits on the breathtakingly original idea of a last minute
surprise party, and as she prepares to bound out of the apartment, knocks over
the box containing Lucas' gift. The sound of shattering pottery stops in her
tracks. She opens the package completely to find what was "A Lucas Original."
Oops. "Why, why, why didn't your perfect mother wrap it better," she
complains.

Q's

AJ makes a scene which succeeds in making Ned angry at him, Monica angry at
Ned, and Alexis leave. AJ reveals his angst to Monica, who hugs him. Monica
apologizes for being too wrapped up in her own problems to notice his.

Hospital

Kate surprises Stefan by showing up at his office, in an electric puke green
outfit, to announce that she'll take the PR gig, regardless that the offer was
rescinded. She calls him to the floor about the various games he's been
playing, and displays her amazing psychic abilities by telling Stefan exactly
what he's thinking; he doesn't disagree with her take. In what may be the
first non-sickening Katherine/Stefan encounter, she lays out all of her cards
and declares her intent to go after her man (him). She admits that she's also
using him for selfish reasons, because being around him improves her paralytic
condition (okay, their first mostly non-sickening encounter). But what the
heck, he's probably manipulating her anyway, to keep her silent about his
guilt of her condition. He swears it isn't so, and on the verge of a Tender
Moment, Alexis walks in on them and quietly has a cow.

The cousins head to the hall for a private chat; Stefan attempts to reassure
that he has everything under control.

T & C's

Carly tries to call her mom (Virginia Benson) (for advice?),  but Virginia has
call forwarding - to a Florida hospital, as she's had a stroke. When the nurse
tells Carly it would help if she could catch a plane down, Carly agrees to
come immediately.

In another internal dialogue, we hear the letter Carly's writing, to
fabricate: her reasons for going out of town, how Lucas' gift got smashed
(UPS's fault: totally believable, IMO) and her disappointment that she won't
be there to carry off the birthday dinner she'd planned.

As she's about to leave, Luke stops by to hassle her some for info on
Katherine and Stefan. Carly relates that Katybell isn't telling her anything;
when Luke attempts to rag on his niece about her insecurity about Tony, Carly
explains why she's so upset, and the good uncle backs off.

Q's

Ned can't stop himself from busting up Monica and AJ's Tender Moment. When she
lets into him for it, Ned, for the three hundred, thirty fifth time, outlays
his argument why AJ is a waste of good toilet paper and other sundries. On
hearing Monica's defense, AJ is simultaneously heartened and guilted at the
same time. Ned leaves and Mum and boy spend some small quality time, until she
sees him reach for a decanter, and he walks out in a huff.

Back at Chez Cassadine, Tony and Bobbie discuss the warehouse fire, and Bobbie
presents her proof that Stefan had nothing to do with setting it: Leslie's
medical records. Tony tosses her a clue by telling her the presiding mortician
is now dead. Her eyes widen, in an attempt to grasp.