Sonny is on the phone with Phil Cusack. He comes out of the kitchen with a glass of wine and sits on the sofa. S: (on phone) Cusack, you should understand Luke Spencer by now. He just doesn't make idle threats.... Of course I gave him the message, that was the whole point. (knock on door) Look, I gotta go. Look I know it's none of my business, but take it from somebody who knows. Don't make the mistake of thinking Luke would even hesitate to use whatever he's got against Jennifer. In fact, ( knock on door again) he'd enjoy it. (hangs up phone and gets up to answer door. Brenda is wearing a short, slinky silver dress)
S: Wow.
B: (comes in) Wow yourself.
S: Just when I thought you couldn't look any better.
B: Aw, you're so smooth.
S: Only when it's true.
B:So you ready to have some fun?
S: It's my middle name. What did you have in mind?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
B: You already know what I have planned for the night.
S: I think we should reconsider a night at the Outback. We can think of something more imaginative.
B: I thought you'd like to meet my friends.
S: Is that what you want?
B: Yes.
S: Why?
B: Lots of reasons.
S: I'll take a couple.
B: Maybe I want to show you off. Maybe I like the way I look on you're arm, not because you're supposed to be a bad guy, but because I like it.
S: Maybe.
B: Sonny, you don't still think I'm in this for the shock value do you?
S: The thought occurred to me.
B: Maybe that's the way it used to be, but not anymore.
S: You don't care what people think anymore?
B: (laughs) Um, I'm trying. I could use a little help. You know what they say about practice.
S: Well considering you've gone to all the trouble of making yourself look like some kind of miracle, coming all the way out here to the wrong side of town to pick me up, what kind of gentleman would I be if I turned you down?
(B smiles and takes a sip of wine. Sonny helps her put on her coat)
S: Voila. (B laughs) You think I look presentable enough?
B: I think you'll do...until the real thing comes along.
S: Oh. (they leave)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
( S&B arrive at the Outback)
B: So, don't you love it?
S: What?
B: I don't know, the feeling in the air. Rock and roll. The buzz. Don't you feel it?
S: Yeah, yeah.
B: Oh, wait, there's someone I want you to meet. You ready? (she fixes his suit) Hey Lo. Lois: Hey Bren have you-(sees Sonny)
B: What, you see a ghost?
S: I think we both have. Lois Cerullo.
L: Sonny Corinthos.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
B: Wait a minute, you two know each other?
S: You look exactly the same.
L: I do not, I look eminently more sophisticated.
S: That's right, you cut you're pigtails. It makes all the difference.
L: Oh, you bum. Sonny Corinthos would you get over here.(hug)
B: Excuse me, would someone please tell me how this is possible?
L: Um
S: Bensonhurst.
L: Yeah. We grew up together!
B: Great.
L: Yeah, so- is the guy you were telling me about.
B: I might have mentioned him in passing, yes.
S: I would have loved to have been a fly on that wall.
L: (to Sonny) So let me look at you. Huh, not bad. You're doing good for yourself.
S: I'm making it.
L: Dare I ask how?
S: Probably not. How's the family?
L: Oh, so what changes? Every time I bring up your name Louie harps on that three hundred bucks he says you owe him.
S: Your family still remembers me?
L: (laughs) Who's gonna forget the bad boy of Bensonhurst, right? ( to B) So this is absolutely unbelievable to me. This, Sonny is you're boyfriend?
B: I wouldn't call him that.
L: What would you call him?
S: She's kinda just waiting for the real thing to come along, right?
L: Hey, you could do worse.
S: So what are you doing in Port Charles?
L: Oh of course, you wouldn't know. This is my band you're about to here.
S: Oh, you're some kinda like groupie chick?
L: Excuse me, like it or not, I happen to be a professional.
S: Oh, Lois, you've got a lot of potential don't need to-
B:(S&B laugh) She's not a hooker.
S: Oh, no?
B: I'm their manager you mental giant.
S: Really?
L: Yeah, really. They're all mine. It's true. For better for worse.
S: That's great.
L: Yeah, it would... it would be really great if the lead singer would decide to show up. Excuse me.
B: Eddie's not here?
L: No, do you see him anywhere?
B: Oh Lois. (L sighs) This is not good. Not at all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(S&B are sitting at the bar)
B: Well I guess this goes down in the small world hall of fame. You and Lois grew up together?
S: You're hanging out with here. Why do I get the feeling I should be breaking out in a cold sweat?
B: I don't know, unless you have something in your past you're trying to hide from me.
(L comes over) L: Hey take a good look at me. Do you know what you're seeing?
B: What?
L: A dead woman if Eddie doesn't walk through that door this second.
Felicia: I'm getting restless.
Mac: Right, I'll tell Lois to get the first set rolling.
(Mac walks over to Lois)
Mac: So, you guys ready to start?
L: Uh, sure. I'll gather the troops and we'll give you a performance you'll never forget, huh?
Mac: Alright, looking forward to it.
L: Alright, good. I'm going to kill him.
B: Calm down.
L: Calm down, calm down! How am I supposed to do that? What am I gonna do?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(S&B are sitting down at a table taking with their heads together)
(L opens the door and looks outside)
L: Eddie Maine if you don't show I will make it my life's work to see that you regret this.
(L talks to Edward and Lila then goes over to S&B) L: What am I going to do? Eddie's three minutes late already, the clock is ticking and the band should be on by now. (sighs) Felicia: I don't think we could fit another body in here if we used a shoehorn.
Mac: Let's hope the fire Marshall is at the other end of town.
Miguel: This turnout is incredible. It tells you what a good band can do for business.
Mac: If they ever get started.
(L comes over)
L: Excuse me. Uh, look I owe you guys an apology. My lead singer has never pulled an immature, unprofessional stunt like this ever. I mean he better have the world's best excuse for this one.
Felicia: I'm sure he has a good reason.
L: Well I'd really like to kill him, but I keep thinking that maybe, I don't know, something terrible happened, you know? I-I don't-
Mac: Well just don't think that. Look maybe he got delayed on the road or with his job. Give him another fifteen minutes before we call off the concert.
L: OK, but please, this is not the way I conduct business.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Felicia: He sang to Maxie at the hospital. He has a nice voice.
Mac: Well hey look, I know it's not the ideal solution but it might work.
L: Well, it's-it's your club, if you're willing to risk it, but I personally I, uh, you know I have nothing to loose, so...
Mac: Miguel, could you join us over here please? I understand you've offered to fill in for Lois here. If you're willing it might save the night. How ‘bout it?
Miguel: I'll do my best. I would not embarrass you. OK, give me a little time with the band and it'll be perfect.
L: OK, ok, well, uh, go on. We're dying out here. (L goes over to S&B)
L: (sighs) We're driving without breaks.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
L: If I get through this night alive I'm going to kill myself. No wait, I'm going to find Eddie and I'm going to kill him. No I think I'll probably-
S: Lois-
L: I'm going to track him down I'm going to torture him-
S: Lois, Lois.
L: What?
S: We're from Bensonhurst, remember? We always land on our feet.
B: Lois have you thought about it yet? Maybe Miguel can pull it off. Come on, it'll be exciting. All this tension, you can cut it with a knife.
L: Hand it over, I'll slit my wrists.
(Miguel comes over)
Miguel: The guys are great. We worked out a couple of songs, now we just have to get up there and do it.
L: You ready?
M: If you don't get up there in the next two minutes to announce us, I may just loose my nerve.
L: OK, well then you go. Go, I'll meet you up there. (M goes) (to S&B) You two, I need you right know. Hold that knife for me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lois announces Miguel and he sings "You Send Me" After he sings L, S&B are talking to M at the bar.
L: Sonny, please.
B: What?
L: You don't hide talent like this behind a bar.
B: Exactly. You should listen to Lois, Miguel, because she knows what she's doing.
L: Yeah, but I don't know if I've gotta sell him on me as a manager, or on himself as a singer.
M: Neither. I love my life.(goes to serve a drink)
B: Miguel, listen. This woman found a bar band in the middle of no where that no one had ever heard of and took them places you can't imagine. Are you listening to me?
M's friend: Maybe you ought to here her out Miguel. I mean, the Idle Rich has got their own CD and more I'm sure she can do a lot of stuff for you too.
M: I don't stand a chance, huh?
B: Nope.
M: Listen, you guys are very kind and everything, and I can't tell you how flattered I am but listen, performing on stage is the last place I want to be.
S: Lois, let the guy breath.
L: Sonny, it doesn't make any sense to me. I mean it's like the world is of its axis or something. Am I doomed to find sensational guys who are so reluctant to become superstars or something?
M's friend: You're a little dramatic aren't you?
L: Excuse me. I think I know what I'm talking about alright? All guys wanna be rock and roll stars. Point in fact, Sonny. When you were in high school with my brother, what was your instrument of choice?
S: Bass guitar.
L: And um, why would it be the bass guitar?
S: (laughs) Because the girls really love the low notes.
L: Bingo.
B: You played the bass?
L: (laughs) Hardly. He's tone deaf. But it got him scads of women in high school. I'm telling you, all guys are the same. It's in their jeans.
M: Are you saying it's genetic?
L: No, I'm saying it's in their jeans. Conversation is depressing me. I gotta go talk to my guys. By the way, this conversation is on hold, but it is far from over. See ya later. (leaves)
B: I just love her life.
S: You're kidding me.
B: No. I admire her.
S: I know I'm gonna regret asking you this-why?
B: Cause she's doing something she wants to do.
S: Right.
B: She's having fun at it. Look at her confidence. You know, she's doing something fun and exciting, something different.
S: You are referring to the music business.
B: Of course.
S: It really turns you on.
B: Yeah.
S: But you will pass on the fingernails, right?
B: You don't like em?
S: You don't need them. You're perfect just the way you are. (kisses her cheek)
B: So what do you think happened to your friend?
S: What friend's that?
B: Damian Smith.
S: (turns away) Miguel, could you get me another drink please?(walks away and sits down at a table)
B: Sonny.
S: Yeah?
B: Hey. (sits down) Listen, it was a joke.
S: I guess I missed the punch line.
B: Wow, you are sensitive aren't you? Listen, I didn't mean anything by it ok? Come on, I have a weird sense of humor. It just takes some getting used to.
S: I'll work on it.
B: Shall we try again? (S nods) Headline, Dr. Tony Jones decks Damian Smith. What do you think that's all about?
S: How does it effect me?
B: Exactly. My question is, what happens to the man who knocks out Frank Smith's son?
S: What's your guess?
B: I don't know, maybe Frank Smith gives the orders to take Tony out?
S: I might have a call on my answering machine as we speak.
B: You don't think Frank Smith would do anything to Dr. Jones do you?
S: I'd never second guess Frank.
B: Yeah but he wouldn't ask you to be involved in anything.
S: Would it bother you?
B: I know it's none of my business, is it?
S: That wasn't what I asked.
B: Would it bother me? Uhh...I don't frighten easily, remember? I'm the girl who held your hand while you were recovering from bullet wounds busting out that notorious wise guy. So if that didn't frighten me...
S: I'm sorry, did I - did I appropriately thank you for saving my life?
B: Not really.
S: Well I'm gonna work on that. That is, if you're gonna stick around.
B: See me going anywhere?
S: Not now, and certainly not without me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
B: (looks at Miguel) He's definitely hot.
S: You already said that.
B: Oh, right. You're used to being the hottest man in the room aren't you?
S: Well, I don't sing, if that's a job. You were referring to his singing, weren't you?
B: Oh yeah. I wonder where Lois is.
S: Probably tracking down missing Eddie Maine. I don't see why if the kid's so hot.
B: Well, Eddie's hot himself. I can't believe that Miguel turned Lois down.
S: He's sitting in the captain's seat. He just waiting,
B: Maybe. But he really didn't seem to care.
S: Everybody has a price.
B: That's cynical.
S: So I'm cynical.
B: You know there are some people in the world who do have principles.
S: Uh-huh. And they their have prices too.
B: To further a cause maybe.
S: Oh, what are we talking here, freedom and equality? No one buys freedom and equality. Money and power.
B: Some things you can't buy.
S: Like what?
B: Love.
S: And diamonds aren't a girls best friend?
B: Well I guess that depends on the girl. You can't buy respect. Not the right kind of respect anyway.
S: Respect is respect. You should ask your friend Lois. Where we grew up, you learned early the importance of money and power.
B: But Lois isn't like that.
S: Hustling is the name of the game, whether you're a Cerullo or a Quartermaine.
B: You think Edwards a hustler?
S: You bet. He hustles merges and acquisitions. He may find his game at the country club instead of a pool hall, but hustling is hustling. Everybody has a plan.
B: Even me?
S: Especially you.
B: What am I hustling?
S: You right now with me? A little fun and adventure, with a side order of danger, as long as that danger doesn't become to realistic.
B: Well I guess I'm doing pretty well then aren't I? I mean I'm having a good time with you, we ate good food, heard good music. I guess an outraged husband could be considered a little danger.
S: All we're missing is some adventure. I say we split and go find ourselves some.
B: What did you have in mind?
S: Danger isn't predictable.
B: Nothing about you is predictable.
S: Just the way you like it. (to waiter) Can I get the check please?
B: Did I say yes?
S: Loud and clear.
(they get up to go. B stops to talk to Lila)
B: Hi Lila, did you enjoy the music?
Lila: Oh yes I did. Brenda, could I have a word with you dear, that is if Mr. Corinthos doesn't object.
S: No, that's no problem. I'm going to go make a phone call and track down some adventure. It was nice to see you again Ms. Quartermaine.
B: (sits down) Lila, if this is about my being here with Sonny-
Lila: Brenda I distinctly remember a very nice conversation you and I had one morning about that young man. I understood you wouldn't be seeing him again.
B: Lila I'm not doing anything wrong.
Lila: Oh I'm sure you see it as just some harmless little adventure. Oh yes I know, but if you recall I suggested that when one sets out to fish for marlin, it's possible to yourself with a shark in your net. An unpredictable, very determined, very dangerous shark. You have to know when to let go of your catch before it's too late.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
B: Lila, maybe some sharks don't deserve their bad reputations.
Lila: In this case the evidence says otherwise. Oh my dear don't delude yourself for the sake of a few evenings of questionable excitement. Find your adventure elsewhere.
B: Is that an order?
Lila: It's not my place to give you orders my dear, but while you're living under my roof I feel responsible for you, so I should continue to give you advice.
B: You know how much I respect and admire you and I would hate to think that you disapprove of me.
Lila: Oh I don't disapprove of you dear. I disapprove of your friendship with Mr. Corinthos.
B: It's really no big deal Lila.
Lila: Then you're fooling yourself.
B: With all do respect-
Lila: You say you respect my opinion. If you do, you will ask Mr. Corinthos to drive you straight home and not to call again. If you choose to do otherwise, I'll have to interpret that to mean my advice is neither valued or wanted. He's waiting for you.
(B looks over and S signals to the door)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
S&B are in the car. B looks unhappy
S: You got a headache or something?
B: No.
S: Well one minute you're ready to go and you know, you get in the car and you suddenly want to go home.
B: It wasn't my idea.
S: The Quartermaine dame?
B: Lila's very conservative.
S: Me too. I was brought up right. You don't bad mouth people behind their backs.
B: She wasn't badmouthing you.
S: Well she must of said something if she scared you off.
B: I'm not scared. Listen, Lila's been very good to me and I don't want her to think I'm ignoring her advice.
S: Yeah, it's good for Sonny right? Easy come, easy go.
B: I'm not giving you the brush off.
S: Well you could have fooled me. It's ok. If you want people to run your life that's fine.
B: No I don't.
S: You're giving me mixed signals Brenda.
B: No, I'm not. Listen, I'm trying to explain to you here that I don't want to upset Lila, and this will make her fell better. So the next time we see each other, she just won't have to know about it.
S: I can live with that.
B: Good... Uh, Sonny, the Quartermaine mansion is the other way.
S: Relax, I'm just taking the scenic route.
B: (laughs) What, beautiful downtown Port Charles?
S: Well the Quartermaine dame can call all the shots on the hill but down here is where I'm king. Why don't you move a little closer?
B: (sighs but smiles and moves closer and puts her head on his shoulder)
S: That's better. (B starts laughing) What? Was it something I said?
B: I was just thinking, if Lila could hear you call her a dame, she'd probably fall for you herself.
S: Is that so?