Daily Updates

Port Charles Update for Friday, 31-Mar-2000

Author:	flapwoman
Posting date:	Thu, 20-Apr-2000 7:43:38 AM PST

In the conference room, Scott is furious about Serena skipping school. Lucy says that Serena is impulsive like her father. They are both glad that Katie found her. Lucy worries about the nurses because most of them need their paychecks to support their families. She tells Scott that she has a big surprise for Donatella Stewart. Lucy enters Donatella's room. She asks if that was Ronnie Price she just saw. Donatella says she invited him for an interview. Lucy lets Donatella know that the luxury suite will be ready in a few hours. Donatella asks Lucy about the samples for the baby line.

Alan asks the residents what the problem is. He tells Karen to take care of the situation. Chris, Matt and Joe remain united. Matt says they're walking *today.* Karen thinks they were wrong to get Alan mad. She tells them to come to the on-call room *now.* When they enter the on-call room, Eve is just finished getting dressed and she is a little annoyed that they all came barging in. Karen fills Eve in on what the others have planned, but discovers she already knew about it. They all feel they have to make a stand. Karen says that a few residents walking out won't close down a hospital. They say that some interns and orderlies are with them also. They want Karen on their side. Is she in? She thinks long and hard about it, and decides to walk with them. Karen reminds Joe that he's already on thin ice. This move could really jeopardize his future. She says there could be a major fallout for all of them. They must be prepared to face the consequences. The residents march into the conference room where Alan and Scott are. They say that they are walking out, along with interns and orderlies, if the strike isn't settled today. They can't treat patients under these conditions. Mistakes are being made. Alan thinks they are exaggerating. Chris explains how he almost lost Camille because a mistake occurred. After the doctors leave, Alan tells Scott that he has to do something about the situation. Scott thinks he can come to an agreement with the nurses, but he asks that Stefan Cassadine stay out of it. He needs space. Alan agrees to his terms. The nurses meet with Alan and Scott. Scott presents what he thinks is a fair deal. The nurses point out that all their demands have not been met. Scott urges them to compromise. Scott thinks it's a fair deal.

At a nurses' station, Julie is overwhelmed by the phones ringing constantly. Neil tells Joe that he is going to miss him because he's leaving the hospital tomorrow. Joe says he'll still see him. The residents come along. Neil thanks them all. He tells Eve that he thanked Kevin also. He says that all sick kids should have doctors like them to take care of them. The residents realize that this is what it should be like to be in the medical profession. Julie and Chris enter the on-call room. She is worried that Chris may lose his job if he walks out. She thinks they may have to leave the Port Charles area for him to find another job. She doesn't want to leave Christina. Eve comes in and tells Julie that she's needed to answer phones. In a peaceful, private moment, Eve compliments Chris on spearheading the decision to support the nurses. Chris asks if she has forgiven him for the Cooper incident. She says no, but she doesn't think he's such a selfish jerk. As Chris leaves, Eve watches him and smiles.

Lucy finds Karen at a nurses' station. She inquires about a package she's waiting for. It is something for Donatella. She notices that Karen is shaky. Karen chalks it up to caffeine and lack of sleep. They hope that the strike will end soon. Scott walks the nurses to the elevator and reminds them of the recent close calls at GH. Scott tells Lucy that GH may close down even if the nurses come back. Stefan may look at the profit margin and decide that it's not worth it to keep the hospital open. Joe and Karen listen to what Scott says. Eve and Matt come along and ask why Joe and Karen look so sad. They explain that GH could close. All four of their beepers go off simultaneously. They rush off to the ER. Eve, Chris, Matt, Karen, Joe and Alan all work hard on the injured patients. A door opens. A large group of nurses is standing there. Audrey is the first one to go in and help the doctors. Eve beams when Mary comes to help her and Frank. Alan tells Frank that he is out of a job at GH. He quickly adds that he has his paramedic position back. Karen apologizes to Scott for threatening to walk out. They are both glad it worked.

Lucy brings Donatella into the luxury suite in a wheelchair. Donatella says it's nice compared to the hell she's been in. She makes a remark about Lucy's perfect daughter and her perfect hair clips. Lucy gives her some of her samples. Alan comes in to tell them that the strike is over. A helicopter will take Donatella to New York City. She can hardly wait. She uses one of Lucy's lotion samples on her face and tells Lucy that she is coming out with a line of baby products. Lucy pretends she is shocked. Donatella says that now that she is leaving GH she can tell the truth. She thinks that the luxury suite looks trashy and so does Lucy. Lucy brings Donatella over to a mirror and shows her that her face is green from the lotion. She proceeds to tell Donatella how mean she is, while gloating over the trick she has played. An amused orderly comes to take Donatella away. She puts a blanket over her head. Lucy is thrilled. She lies down on the bed. Scott comes in. He is excited about the strike ending. They watch Donatella's interview on tv. She says her hospital stay was wonderful because of her personal assistant, Lucy Coe.

In the ER, Julie asks Alan if they can discuss her position, now that the strike is settled. He tells her to let the dust settle first. Joe asks Alan when his hearing is rescheduled for. Exasperated, he answers that he will look into it. The camera moves from patient to patient, as we see doctors and nurses working together and both being grateful and relieved that the strike is over and they can get back to taking care of patients together.