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Sun- Today-- Port Charles
Mon– Wyndemere
Tues–amtrack/ game toronto
Wed- back to Port Charles– visit with Hill

They arrive at the mansion at about 9am. Edward doesn’t go into the office anymore but he has his own assistant at the mansion who sets up everything he needs to see about the company in an online folder and makes sure that the font is nice and big so that Edward doesn’t need his glasses. Same things with the newspaper. Eddie Q is in his nineties and finally somewhat comfortable with computers thanks to his great, great grandkids. Since they are spread out all over it’s the only way he can harass all of them and keep them up to snuff.

“Hey Grandpa Edward.” Fancy gives the old man a kiss on the cheek. “Sorry I didn’t call you when I found about...”

Edward waves a hand. “You had your hands full. Kristina too. Had to read all about it in your journal and talking to Mouse.”

“It all happened before I became an Ashton, a Quartermaine, and the guy is not going to be a bother.” That’s as close as she’s going to come to saying it’s a dead issue.

“Oh Kristina already reminded me of that. What about that Corey Cummings fellow. He’s the problem now.”

“I think he’s hating it about now. He is in so much trouble. He’s getting more press about it than I am. And believe me I’m okay with that. I’d much rather be written up because of being at the basketball game or because of Uncle Dillon’s movie.” Fancy takes the seat next to Edward’s favorite chair.

“Well you’re getting plenty of that.” The assistant also did clippings of whatever stories were out there about the extended family. He’d gotten Leticia’s permission before collecting the stories about Faith however. “And I don’t care what anyone says... other than a few exceptions art is not a good investment.”

“I know, Grandpa. Real estate and stock market right?”

“Exactly; so show me this piece you bought.”

“All I have is the insurance picture, for now. But, Grandpa, this one is for me. I could look at it all day long and be perfectly fine. And Nana Tracy liked the artist too. She bought some pieces for the mansion and one for the apartment in New York. She said that her mother would have loved it.” She pulls the picture out of her bag.

“Really?” Tracy saying that Lila would have like it gives it a different flavor to Edward who reaches for the picture. “It looks... nice. I’d have to see it in person.”

“Then you’re going to have to come out and visit me in LA. I made the gallery ship it out there.”

“I guess I am.” Edward smiles smugly at his grand daughter.

Over at Wyndemere, Mrs. Lansbury had put in an order for all of Fancy’s favorites for dinner. Since she’s retired she doesn’t actually make it. Stefan had made sure that his conference call to Nikolas had been out of the way early knowing that Fancy was detouring via the Quartermaine Mansion. So his studious casual posture is firmly in place when Fancy arrives at the study. He waits until she has taken a seat on the chair off to the side of the desk and then removing his half glasses he inserts a ribbon as a bookmark in the volumn he is reading. “How is Edward?”

“He’s fine. Nana was baiting me. Grandpa Edward knew this was coming before Baby adopted me. You knew this was coming before Baby adopted me.”

Stefan nods. “We discussed it before you went to LA as well. But knowing it’s going to happen and navigating when it does...”

“Two very different things.” Fancy says wryly.

“You’ve handled yourself with grace.” Stefan gives an approving nod. “Corey Cummings.”

“Not my problem. I did my bit when I set him for the FBI.”

“Correct public answer but not precise. He’s already proven he will cater to the lowest common denominator. He will attempt to redeem himself by bringing you down. Kristina wants him destroyed and may be taking this to a level where it is no longer a lesson but counter productive.”

“WWI”

“Exactly. The... snowball... is rolling. It’s time to pull back and let the government attempt to direct it.”

“We win by giving him no priority.”

Stefan nods. “Mouse will continue to monitor him of course, as will I. But Kristina needs to remove herself from the equation as well.”

Baby enters the room and rolls her eyes. She goes over and gives Stefan a kiss on the cheek and then takes a seat next to Fancy. “He telling you everything I’m doing wrong?”

Diplomacy is not her strong suit but Fancy considers her words carefully. “He’s suggesting some different strategies.”

“How about the one where CSMC is now the owner of a radio station complete with a huge hole in the drive time programming.”

“Oh you didn’t?!” Fancy’s eyes go wide.

“It was a very good deal. Gia is heading out there to meet up with Bruno and Maureen to do a little... housekeeping and put the employees on contract. If the manager has a very good explanation for the FCC violation he may keep his job.”

“Wow.” Fancy looks over at Stefan. “Did you see that strategy coming?”

Stefan just gives a half smile and returns to the subject he wants to discuss. “Cummings is a non-issue unless he attempts to draw Faith into his defense against the government or his civil lawsuits for breech of contract.”

Kristina grimaces. “It just doesn’t seem enough.”

“Monitoring the situation isn’t abandoning it. I would even suggest assisting him in finding alternate employment.”

“How does North Pole, Alaska sound?” Kristina suggests. She is only half kidding. “I’ll look into it, Uncle Stefan.”

Stefan nods. It’s enough. His place is not to lead but suggest. It’s a role he’s accustom to whether it’s Nikolas, Kristina, Tasha or now Faith. But having planted the seed there, he continues onto the next. “Basketball, Faith? How is this advancing your career as an actress?” It wasn’t a strategy that he would have selected but Mouse had endorsed it after Frankie and Bruno had come up with it.

“Somehow I think the seats in front of Bic Levens weren’t an accident. He’s now representing me. He’s the best agent in LA. All the games are televised. Didn’t count on that good luck charm thing but even that is getting my name out there.” Fancy explains.

“Two of the Laker players came into one of the clubs in The City with an offer of tickets to an away game in Philly. Mouse looked over your schedule. It’ll cut into your holiday time but won’t interfere with shooting the television show.” Baby tells Fancy and Stefan.

“I saw that note on my schedule and was wondering what the heck.” Fancy frowns. “It’s really a very strategic game, Uncle Stefan.”

“In chess, the pieces do not talk back.”

Monday, Mona glances down at the caller ID and shakes her head. “Hey handsome. So how much trouble did you get in.”

“Even with the flying out early, I can’t move between what you did to me and Coach getting payback. It’s a miracle I’m still standing. Coach was a little hot. And not even finding out we’d gotten tickets to Faith would appease him.”

“Well of course not. If it did then he’d be saying he believes in luck.”

“So how about you look at that intranet of yours and tell me all the things I should be doing in Toronto when I can’t move.”

“Gimme a sec.” Mona calls up the information on her computer. “You keeping it low key or wanna make a splash?”

“I have to be ready to play tomorrow or the fine is going to be ugly. Game on Tuesday. Low key.”

“Toronto’s so close to Port Charles; there is a real presence up there. CSMC has half dozen up there. Strip club you’d be up all night again. Sports bar you’d probably get in a fight and it wouldn’t be your fault– don’t care how polite the Canadians are. They’re more about hockey than basketball. Hmmm. Here we go. Really nice dinner. Not as good as The City, LA or Chicago but good. They head hunted the chef– so he’s got something to prove. You want the number, you want me to set up a delivery or do you want me to make a reservation.”

“You can get them to deliver?!”

“Handsome, you’re talking to Mona. Loverboy in the same shape you’re in?”

“Loverboy?”

“Read that journal this morning; he really doesn’t wanna know. She did not give him her phone number that’s for sure. Just wanted to know how much to have delivered.”

“Just me okay?”

“You allergic to anything?”

“Nope.”

“Okay I’m going to have a chef’s choice delivered to you in about 90 minutes. Tell me where.”

Wondering if this really a good idea he gives the name and room number of the hotel.

“Call down to the front desk and let them know you’re getting a delivery. Since you’re not playing the Knicks on Tuesday– hope you kick their ass. Have a good one.” Mona hangs up.

The power forward looks at the phone. He’d just given a woman he met two days before his room number. Hell his cell phone number since he’s sure she has caller ID. In 90 minutes there was going to be a meal delivered, and he had no idea what it was going to be or how much it was going to cost. What the hell is he thinking? He flips the phone open again... the shuts it. “I’m so screwed.” He picks up the hotel phone and rings the front. “Yeah, this is 506. I’m having dinner delivered in about 90. Can you clear them through?”

Ninety minutes later there is a knock on the door. He has to bend over quite a bit to see in the peephole in the door. They’re designed for people who are not 6ft 8in. Outside the door is a fine looking woman old enough to be his mother, pulling a rolling insulated cart. He opens the door and steps out of the way. “Hey.”

“Welcome to Toronto. Mona sent me. My name is Joanie, and I’ll be your server this evening. Mona gave explicit instructions. You’re supposed to be in bed by ten and sleeping like a baby. Where do you want me to set up?”

“Over there is fine, I guess. Mona set this whole thing up. I have no idea...”

“The chef was very excited to hear from Mona. She really left it in his hands just let him know you didn’t have to worry about calories but needed to be able to work out tomorrow. All the chefs who work for CSMC are up for a challenge. It’s part of the hiring process. Here is the menu.” She hands it over while with the other hand unzipping the tote. She brings out a tablecloth, napkin and a place setting from the restaurant. The table is quickly set and there is a tray of appetizers. “Why don’t you have a seat?” Joanie suggests pulling out the chair.

The forward takes a seat. “Do you actually know Mona?”

“No. But she did pick me to bring your dinner over. She knew from my resume on the CSMC- Toronto website that I’m a qualified massage therapist certified in acupuncture. You will be in bed by ten and sleeping like a baby.”

“And you’re waiting tables?!”

“The money is better, hours are shorter and they provide benefits.” There is a knock on the door. “Don’t get up.” Joanie order. “Work on that soup. I’ll get it.” She goes over to the door and checks the door and giving a little wince opens it. This is someone she couldn’t get rid of even with the guideline of bed by ten. “Hello Coach. Mr Edwards was just sitting down to dinner.”

“Hey Coach.” Edwards starts getting up but sees the dirty look from Joanie and sits back down.

The Coach comes over and looks at the table setting. He knows that the players make more money than he does but this is ridiculous. He picks up the menu. “This isn’t from room service.”

“Would you like me to call an order into room service for you, sir?” Joanie offers.

“I won’t be staying that long.” The coach promptly forgets the server and focuses on his starting player. “I don’t want a repeat of yesterday– ever. You’ve been in the league long enough to know the risks of bball bunnies. I shouldn’t have to give you the rookie speech. Or remind you that tired players make mistakes, get injuries. A basketball season is a marathon. The stupid decisions you make now will come back to bite us in the ass in April.” He sits down automatically as Joanie holds a seat for him. She moves around the table and shift the appetizers in his direction and pours two glasses of sparkling water putting one by the Coach’s hand. “Thanks.” It’s an auto response.

Joanie comes through and sweeps the soup out of way and puts down the salad. The coach finally breaks down and has Joanie order him some dinner from room service. Edward takes his time eating to that they are doing main course about the time as when the Coach’s meal arrives from room service. It arrives about the time that Edwards is asking. “What is this?”

“Whole wheat penne– good carbs. Grilled free range chicken both light and dark meat– good protein, in a hearty marinara sauce–lycopine. Mixed vegetables heavy on the leafy green– anti-oxidants and vitamins. The this and that-- magic that the chef did with it all? Not a bit good for you and all of it delicious. Enjoy.”

“Oh my gawd.” Edwards exclaims after the first bite and starts shoveling it in.

“Slow down. I know the heimlich and I’m not afraid to use it.” Joanie warns. She takes the time to set up the coach’s meal using the tray that had been delivered and offers the bill for his signature. She hands it back to the room attendant and thanks him closing the door firmly.

“Who the hell are you?” The coach finally asks.

“Her name is Joanie. She works for CSMC here in Toronto. I called Mona and she set me up. You say this chef is not the best one CSMC has? Really?”

“You are trying to get me in trouble. The best is Marta in Chicago. But you’d get some that would say New York or LA. This guy is too new to CSMC to really be on the radar. Course you tell Mona....”

Edwards laughs. “Yeah. Count on it. There be any chance of maybe getting something ToGo on the plane tomorrow after the game?”

Tues–amtrack/ game toronto

Taking the train up to Toronto is actually the easiest way to travel especially if you’ve plenty of time and nothing pressing when you get there. Taking a plane could be hour and a half-- could be 9 hours, depending on which way it was routed. And if you got stuck on a tarmac somewhere you were unable to move around making the process even more horrifying. Taking the train... it’s five hours. Five hours she could use to do her class work. If there was no big hurry she actually preferred it whether it was the train to Toronto, The City, or Boston to see Twink. Not so much of a thing out in LA... but in the Northeast it wasn’t a bad way to travel. Now if she could just talk Uncle Stefan into getting his own railcar– private varnish they called it. Way cheaper than a private plane. Maybe Grandpa Edward although he is very happy with that jet of his. And if he didn’t get one while Chandy was in Berklee how likely is it that he’ll get one now? Although the great grand-kids did seem to make their way through Boston. First Chandy with Berklee and now Twink at MIT.

Not that there wasn’t a party car on the train of people heading up to the basketball game. She’d seen them when she’d boarded the train. Toronto is a lot closer for a few folks than heading down to The City to watch the Knicks play. As it is they’d upgraded their tickets to business class so that they could get the hook ups for the laptop computers. Frankie is doing research for a project he’s doing for Baba and she has her reading and some correspondence to catch up with. And if that got boring there is always the view. To get from Port Charles to Toronto... they had to go by Niagara Falls. What a view. Once in Toronto they’d stopped just long enough at the hotel to drop off their stuff and then headed to the arena for the game. They hadn’t gotten to see the warm ups but made it in time for the tip off.

Toronto is a city where she’d spent some time since being adopted into the Quartermaine/Cassadine clan. Uncle Dillon showed films at the festival there and sponsored student workshops. He’d did his first film up there taking advantage of the proximity to Port Charles but the better cost. He hadn’t a lot of money to spare so it gave him more bang for the buck. It’s one of the reasons why CSMC has such a strong presence up in Toronto... The Original Faith Ashton had started acquiring properties there as soon as she’d seen that’s where Dillon was heading. Uncle Stefan likes it as it’s a very cosmopolitan city without the stuck on itself quality that New York City could have. They went to Canada often enough to not worry about whether they had some loonies left over after their visit --just remember to take them with the next time.

Wed- back to Port Charles– visit with Hill

There were times when Hill still seems way young. And Hilly is a little bit younger than she is but over the last couple of years they’d gotten to be friendly. Friendly enough to go out for tea and catch up if one of them happened to be out of town for an extended period of time. It was kind of the deal they’d made before she’d headed out to LA. Hill spends a lot of time with Grandpa Edward and Nana Tracy. She is the one who is actually interested in business although she probably put more thought into the hats she designs for herself and friends. She is seldom seen without a hat.

“Hi, sorry I’m late. You been waiting long?” Hill slides into a chair across from her at the Port Charles Grill.

“Long enough to put in an order for tea.” Fancy shrugs.

“You must be exhausted. Mom’s been keeping track of your press.”

Wincing. “Great.”

“It is. She was much impressed with the way you dealt with that Cummings guy. She and Dad both big thumbs up.” Hill follows the comment with a nonverbal representation.

“How has Grandpa Edward been doing?” Fancy is a) trying to change the subject and b) knows that Hill is the best resource.

“It was a rough couple of days when the story broke.” Hill admits. “It was all shotgun in the closet. I’m going to contact Jason and have him take care of this? Where are my lawyers? Rue the day etcetera etcetera.”

“He knew this was coming. Just as surely as he knew your old foster mother and her boyfriend would be getting out of jail eventually.” Fancy shakes her head.

“I know. But he is still Grandpa Edward. He wants us to make lots of money and be good Quartermaines and wrap us in cotton batting and make sure nothing ever touches us. It made him feel much better when Baby told him that she had bought the radio station and fired Cummings. And of course he’d rather see your name in the business section rather than the sports section of the Herald...”

“I’d rather see my name in the entertainment section than the sports.” Fancy laughs. “I figure six months. That’s how long it normally takes Uncle Dillon from end of shooting to opening. The press will be about Merrill of course but maybe there will finally be something about my acting rather than where I’m sitting at the basketball game or who I screwed when I was 13.”

“Okay mental calendar... so about the time the Lakers are finishing up in the playoffs is when this movie is going to be hitting the theaters? Nice timing. They better not screw it up and get knocked out early.”

“They’re doing their part.” Fancy counters. “So tell me, catch me up: Chandy, Lee, Bill?”

“I’m sure that Stanley is keeping you up to date on how Mayday and Chandy are doing. Bill is heavily into his music and comic books excuse me– graphic novels. He’ll probably end up over in Boston next.”

“And Lee?”

“He’s making money. Getting his hands dirty doing it which drives Aunt Tracy absolutely around the bend. You were here for the first rig he did for CSMC- talent; I was one of his investors. Mom wouldn’t let me put in as much as I wanted to... not as much as she and Dad did but it was a very good return which I promptly reinvested in his next bus. He’s said once he’d make more money working full time for Alice than going to school.”

“Oh I bet just once.”

“Yeah, Dad gave him and I’ll kick your ass look.”

“Uncle Cole would never lay a finger on any of you guys.”

“True enough. But he always can look like he will... and there is the threat of the Men’s room at Jake’s for anyone who really gets on his last nerve.”

Fancy has heard the stories and grimaces. “And you? Besides making money off the sweat of your brother’s brow?”

“Good money.” Hill corrects raising her index finger for emphasis. “ Grandpa Edward has been having me spy for him over at ELQ. It’s my after school job a couple days a week. That’s the money that I actually get to spend. The portfolio money is the portfolio money, and the website money is the website money.”

Fancy is already familiar with the different pots that Hillary has going. Hill had been adopted into the Radcliffe/Quartermaine clan when she was seven. Grandpa Edward had started her portfolio when she was eight after seeding it with a heathy amount of birthday money. Something he continued to do every year. She and Grandpa Edward would sit down and decided what stocks she should invest in together. Edward had been very careful to make sure that Hill is the one who picked her stocks without influencing.
Of course, as an eight year old had picked the place where she went to buy her toys– Target. The movies she watched– Disney and the dolls she played with– Mattel. And she’d also wanted to invest in Stash Tea because that is what she and Edward drink when they have afternoon tea. But because it was a privately held company that hadn’t been possible.
Every year she would add more stocks because Grandpa Edward told her she needed to have a diversified portfolio. Mama Skye had given her a computer for her ninth birthday so the stocks that year had been aapl- the kind of computer she had, TMW she’d wanted News Corp because Mama Skye had bought the Herald from “Rupie” but News Corp didn’t pay dividends so she’d gone with Time Warner. Dividends are good. By the time Fancy come into the family four years later, Hill already has a reputation as a mini-mogul. And Grandpa Edward is firmly in touch with what the next, next, next generation was into through his regular teas with Hill. It’s really no wonder that Lee had come to her when he needed an investor in his project.
And the website money? That started as a lark with pictures of hats she’d designed. Then the website started getting hit with requests for hats after Tracy wore one of Hill’s more over the top hats to a function that had been covered by the press. She’d gone to Aunt Maxie with the emails she was getting and Maxie coached her how to price the hats so that she is paid for her limited time, materials and the design. Her plan had been to make enough money to feed her hat addiction, and so she could make chemo hats for charity. It had turned into a little bit more than that. The prices seemed really high. Higher than what hats sold for at Wyndams. And she’d found out quickly enough that the big hat business is April through August– horse races, weddings that kind of thing. This last year is when it had really taken off– it had been a relief to go back to school– that was the vacation.

“I should be doing the same thing.” Fancy frowns. “Uncle Stefan and Mouse do the investment advice thing... actually it’s more about pulling apart the information that the accountant gives you to verify it. But everything is still me being treated like I’m under the age of 18. I have to have a roof over my head so there is the house in LA. I have to be able to get around so here is the budgeted amount for a car.”

“You are under the age of 18.” Hill reminds Fancy. It’s a reminder she’s had to give more than once. “You think that Mom and Daddy Cole don’t do the same thing to me, Lee and Bill? I have enough money now to pay for college in my portfolio. But I won’t be paying for college, they have a trust for us. I won’t be paying for my housing in college. If I decide to take a year off and go hike Europe... that they probably won’t pay for.”

Fancy laughs at that and nods. It’s true. In their own way the Radcliffes had provided a safety net for their kids. But they also tailored it to each. Cole had given Chandy a car... a sweet customized mustang. Lee though had to work for his car and then his parents had turned around and given him the same amount as the customized mustang would have cost to buy the bones for his first converted tour bus. Bill would probably be somewhere in between. “So what kind of car are you going to get when you turn 16?”

Hill shakes her head. “I’ll learn how to drive. But I think cousin Karin is right. First time I met her– she told me chauffeurs are the best because they’ll carry your bags. So until I can afford a car service, I’ll just keep taking the bus.”