V-Day evening. Sonny walks up to the Q's mansion and rings the doorbell. Reginald answers the door.
S: How ya doin'?
R: Uh ... May I help you?
S: Yeah. You can get Miss Barrett downstairs on the double. Tell her Sonny's here.
R: Ah! And you're here to see Miss Barrett?
S: Let's pick up the pace , shall we buddy? Is she home or not?
R: Well... I'll just see if she's receiving , ok?
S: (sarcastically) You do that.
(Reginald lets Sonny in and tries to take his coat. Sonny stops him.)
S: No , that's cool dude.
R: Alright.
(They go into the livingroom where Lila is sitting.)
R: Uh ... Mr. , ah, Sonny is here to see Ms Barrett.
L: Hello , Mr. Sonny. I'm Lila Quartermaine.
S: That's ah ... Sonny Corinthos , but you can call me Sonny.
L: May I offer you something?
S: No thanks. (Looks around) This is quite a place.
L: Thank you. We like it.
S: Yeah , what's not to like? Brenda tried to describe it to me , but she didn't even come close.
L: And how do you know our Brenda?
S: Uh... mutual friends. You know how it is. You know the same people , you keep running into each other , that type of thing.
L: Oh , are you a model too?
S: (smiles) No , no , I'm not a model. I'm a... well , until recently I held an executive position in the entertainment industry.
L: Oh , how exciting!
S: Yeah , it can be.
L: Well , considering your background , you must have an informed opinion of Brenda's work with Deception.
S: From what I've seen it's very impressive. Brenda's got a... she's got a lot of... you know , nice eyes.
L: In my day , we called it *IT* with a capital 'i'. And you're quite right. Brenda is in full possession of whatever "it" is.
(doorbell rings)
L: Oh , another guest. This must be our evening for receiving.
S: Is that what you call it when people stop by? Receiving? That's nice. It has like a welcoming ring to it.
L: And you're welcome too , Sonny. Any friend of Brenda's is always welcome in this house.
S: Thank you. I appreciate that.
(Reginald enters the room.)
R: Commissioner Donnelly is here for Dr. Quartermaine.
L: Oh , hello Sean.
Sean: Hello , Lila. I'm sorry to drop by unannounced like this , but I was returning something of Al... (stops when he sees Sonny) What are you doing here?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sean: You didn't answer my question , Sonny.
L: Do you two gentleman know each other?
Sean: Yes we do , but he's no gentleman.
S: C'mon. Is disrespecting me in front of the lady really necessary?
(Brenda enters)
B: Sonny! Sonny , what did I tell you about showing up early? It's rude. Takes time to look fabulous , right Lila?(puts her arm around Sonny) Hi Sean.
Sean: Hello Brenda.
B: How are you?
Sean: Good.
B: We should be going. We'll see you later.
(takes Sonny's arm and hurries out of the room into the entrance)
S: That was quick. Five seconds later it would have gotten ugly.
B: What are you doing here?
S: Actually , I was cruising in my new car , and it made it's way to your front door.
B: (smiles) Oh , must be some car.
S: Yeah , it is. Want to go for a ride? Grab some dinner?
B: Where?
S: Wherever you like.
B: Well , I kinda like the Grill.
S: How come I'm not surprised?
B: Oh , is it too rich for your blood?
S: Make the reservations.
B: I don't need reservations. Why don't you wait for me outside?
S: Can you make it quick, cause cops make me antsy.
B: Okay.
S: Alright.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{the PC Grill. S&B enter laughing. A.J. is on the phone , turns around and sees them.)
A.J.: I'll call you back. (walks over to Brenda) Excuse us. (Brenda barely gets out a "Hi" before A.J. drags her away.) What the hell is wrong wih you? Have you lost that minute speck of matter that passes for your brain?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A.J.: I'm waiting for an answer.
B: I didn't quite get the question. Oh , maybe because it was camouflaged by that nasty little insult.
A.J. : Ok , let me rephrase it for you. What are you doing with a two-bit crook like that?
B: Crook? Oh! Oh , you mean as in theif? You know , that's so interesting coming from you because I distinctly remember hearing something about a substantial amount of money , A.J. , disappearing and then reappearing in the hotel account. You know , you'd be surprised what you pick up on during a normal day at the Quartermaine's. So if I were you , (smiles sarcastically) I'd re-avaluate your name calling.
A.J. : What goes on in this hotel is none of your business.
B: Oh. Well , what a coincidence. Whom I choose to have dinner with is none of your business. So listen , moving right along to something that does concern you , I need a table.
A.J. : Find it yourself.
(Brenda walks back over to Sonny)
S: Can't say much for the service.
B: No.
S: C'mon. (They walk over to a table where Sonny seats Brenda) We're not expecting trouble , are we?
B: No , you could take A.J. with your eyes closed.
S: Yeah , I know that. But I'm not up for taking on jealous boyfriends tonight.
B: Oh , what are you saying? That you'd back off if you thought I had a thing with A.J.?
S: Depends on my mood. I might take you away from him just to prove that I could.
B: You are very sure of yourself , aren't you?
S: Why not? There's nothing wrong with confidence as long as you can back it up. You can start leveling with me any time now.
B: About what?
S: This. Agreeing so readily to have dinner with me , the reason you were so cozy and personal in the car.
B: Mmm.
S: Is one of your buddies in some kind of trouble? Which makes you feel like you have to con me again?
B: Look , why don't we just forget about the Jagger incident? It was... a misunderstanding.
S: (nods) You weren't very subtle then either.
B: Well , if you think I'm so obvious Sonny , then why don't you tell me why you think I'm here?
S: Because it gets you off. But don't worry , I don't flatter myself in thinking that it's personal. You're into this because of the reactions you're getting.
B: Are we getting reactions? I hadn't even noticed.
S: Check out your friend with the initials for a name.
(Brenda looks. A.J. is standing at the bar glaring at them. They both laugh.)
B: You have to admit , it's kinda fun.
S: (smiling) You are a cool one , I'll give you that. Like lemonade on a hot summer day. (sighs) How come you're not afraid little girl?
B: So far I haven't seen any reason to be be afraid.
S: Well ... If you had any sense , you'd run for your life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
( at the Grill, they've finished dinner and are now talking over coffee)
B: (laughs) You know... you've been really sweet , listening to me. I guess I've just been kind of rattling on and on. Why don't you tell me about you?
S: Not much to tell.
B: I don't believe that. Who are you Sonny?
S: Just another kid from Brooklyn , who came up on the streets.
B: Were you in a gang?
S: Yeah. Had to be.That's the only way you could survive. But I... had ambition , not in a scholarly sense , you know. College was never an option for me. I wanted to be in the world , I wanted to make my mark , make some money.
B: How'd you do it?
S: (grins) I started hanging out with the older kids in the neighborhood. You know , the ones who had gotten to where I wanted to be. They had cash , jewelery , cars. I figured if I stuck around long enough , their success would rub off. (smiles)
B: I guess it worked.
S: Yeah. I started doing odd jobs here and there , you know. I was quick , reliable. I took care of business , they took care of me. Now it's come full circle. I go back to the neighborhood , and the kids , they uh... they look up to me. They want what I have.
B: (laughs) I never really figured you as a role model.
S: Hey , I do what I do , I make no apologies. My lifestyle may not live up to the Quartermaine standards , but who cares? I'm not trying to impress anybody. And believe me , there are guys out there that are bigger and badder than I am. B: But probably not as cute as you are.
S: There you go with those eyes again! (smiles; Brenda laughs.) Let me paint a picture for you , Brenda. You're walking down a tree-lined avenue , okay? You got your gourmet coffee shops , upscale boutiques , movie house , fancy bookstore. And right across the boulevard , you got my strip joint , an X-rated video store or two , hookers and pimps hanging around the corner , the sounds of a street fight coming from an alley. The wild side , you get what I'm saying? Close enough to touch , smell, feel. From where you're standing , the energy , the unpredictability , may look tempting. But you better not cross that street , because getting back to where you came from may be harder than you think. And even if you do , you can count on bringing back a few battle scars as souviners.
B: What are you trying to say to me? You know , I don't scare easily. In fact , I have a tendency to do whatever it is I'm warned against.
S: (smiles) Have it your way. You know , can't say I didn't try.