Daily Updates

Port Charles Update for Friday, 19-Sep-2003

September 19, 2003


[Open with Jamal, turning the “open” sign to ‘closed’ in the door of the Country Restaurant [form the inside] additionally, he pulls down the shade. He turns from the door – he has a towel slung across one T-shirted shoulder and he looked tired and moves slow like it’s an effort [he is still wearing the doofy hat]]

Jamal [making his way from the front door through the restaurant and into the kitchen:] Huh! Been running orders since 5 am crazy woman been running me since 501! [He sits [heavily] into one of the chairs at the table] can’t take no more of this crazy lady. Crazy down-home cookin country restaurant – country supposed to be slow, country –

Medea enters [at a trot] You! Sittin’ round here when there’ dishes need to be washed! [Jamal hops to] tables needin’ to be wiped down! I want those chair stacked up! I want that floor swept and mopped till I have to squint shifty-eyed when I walk in here [Now – that’s a good one!]

Imani enters and [comes to Jamal’s rescue] Medea! Let the man catch his breath!

J: I got it – I got it – I’m cool …

M: yeah – you cool. Too cool and too slick if you ask me!

I: Medea, this is a restaurant, not a boot camp!

J: [still working] I said I got it – its’ all right.

M: Yeah – wipe up that spill over there before somebody slip on it and fall! [Turning to leave the room, but still going strong] a year of boot camp would just make a dent!

J: yes, ma’am! [Venting to clean]

M: An honest day’s work and he’s complaining! [She’s finish8ing up this as she exits the room]

J: I’m scrubbing, I’m scrubbing!

[Imani starts laughing]

J: what the hell – you think this is funny?

I: I’m sorry – I just have never seen you so whipped!

J: well – Medea De Vil - - I bet she made her last busboy into a nice winter coat! [LMAO]

I: [snaps Jamal’s chest with a towel] hey!
J: what are you - - -?

[She turns to walk away, he chases after her]
I: you keep your mouth off of that Angel! You got it!?

J: [Jamal uses his towel to snap Imani on the backside] you want to play, huh? He begins chasing her around the table - they are laughing as he playfully snaps the towel at her general area
I: Ow!

J: you like that, huh?

I: Cut it out! I’m not playing! Stop!

J: [He grabs her and swings her down [dips her]] I got you

[They look at each other – serous – as he lifts her back upright]

Medea’s voice: What’s going on out there? [They separate a Medea puts her head out into the room]
M: Get on back to work – I don’t want no fooling around [exits]

J: I’m not fooling.

[Cut to Rafe and Alison’s place –Rafe is sorting the mail “occupant…. When Alison enters. She tells him to grab his coat and hurry. He wants to know where they are going – she tells him that she wants the wedding to be perfect and this [trip] is for the wedding, so please She promises to explain – adding that she always does [sure, right] and pretty much pushes him out the door]

[The Elixir, Livvie and Caleb are there]

Livvie wonders why Caleb would be looking for her – Caleb thinks it’s real nice that after all this time, he can still surprise Livvie. [But he doesn’t say it like it’s real nice] She had guessed that when a man throws a half-naked woman out the door, he probably doesn’t want to see her anymore and wouldn’t come looking for her.

C: What would you like me to say? [Very nice now]
L: I don’t know. But, if you will excuse me I have other plans... she starts to leave, but he stops her]

C: what other plans?
L: I have a date, tonight, with Bull.

C: [teasing a bit of her hair by the side of her face -] I actually don’t think you’re going anywhere.

[Credits]



[Close up of Caleb holding Livvie’s wrist in a tight grip at the Elixir]

L: Maybe you better explain the new rules, Caleb, – how things are going to work around here – you break up with me, and then tell me [significant glance at his hold on her] who I can and can’t see? Just trying to get a grip [she breaks his] on what you’re thinking!

C: You want to know what I’m thinking – you want to know what I feel?

L: yeah – more than anything else

C: OK, I’ll tell you what I’m feeling – I’m feeling pretty embarrassed

L: [it’s her turn: GACK] What?

C: I’m trying to apologize. You came to me to ask me for forgiveness – and I just threw you out when everything inside me is screaming for you to stay – then you tell me that I couldn’t stay away – you knew I’d come back …

L: [swallowing it hook, line and sinker] you’re really here because you missed me?

C: [wipes the back of his hand across his nose/mouth area] I don’t know what it you do to me [but that gesture tells us that it’s not so good, I’m thinking] and how you get to me like this, but – I haven’t stopped thinking about you [the truth, but not what she asked – but she does not notice]

L: I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you, either [Livvie meets his eyes with every comments she makes – Caleb looks anywhere else than into her gaze.]

C: No matter how hard I’ve tried I can’t get you out of my mind – and I have tried [again, the truth]

L: yeah, I know.

I don’t know – it doesn’t make sense, us being apart like this, does it? [now he stares into her eyes – almost mesmerizing]

L: being apart? [She parrots rather vacantly]

C: we should be together, don’t you think?

L: We yeah, I really do.

C: We can do this – we can work through this – the two of us – we can find a way – find a way to work through all this tension [looking into her eyes, rubbing her neck]

L: Yes, Caleb, you’re right! [Any thought of opposition is long gone] [He leans forward and kisses her]


[Meanwhile [at a Place Unknown to Us], Alison [in close up] is explaining to [someone off camera] that her fiancé is a bit confused, but this is the most important place for them to be right now, and she just knows that he will come around.

[Close up of Rafe, in other part of the Same, Unknown Place we are at]
R: I guess we’re having some problems, but we’re working on them, you know? It’s not bad – they’re not that big problems –at least not compared to my love for her which is so deep [just like the BS around here with the tricky camera junk on R? who I am SO not invested in]

[back to the close up of Alison] she says she really can’t wait for [who ever] to hear them together as they are so perfect for each other – but she is afraid, in time she will lose him

Rafe: I can be passionate about my work and sometimes I let that get in the way of my passion for her – and I can’t do that – she has to come first - I wish I had seen that sooner – My love for her – is everything – the reason I’m here – the reason for everything – I can’t help but think – that had I seen it sooner I could [choke] stopped her from feeling so much pain.

[OK – I know where they are – in the vestibule of the Most Holy Church of Alisonology]

A: I just know it would cause him so much pain if he ever knew the mistake I made – and even though we are SO in love right now – I just feel as though I am so incredibly unworthy of his love

R: [almost, kind of crying] I never thought I would be a bit worthy of her love – and I will work the rest of my life to try to change that – to believe in myself s much as I believe in her – and I am scared that I will never be able to look at her and feel that I am worthy of her love

[Please let this end!]

[No such luck]

A: I think part of the reason that I’m here is to [kill off what few ratings we had left and ] to get some sort of answer – some sort of answer – I don’t know – I just feel that if Rafe and I are supposed to be together and we are meant to spend our whole lives together –I don’t know why God let this happen ….

[The camera slowly [and finally] pulls back and we see that Alison is in some sort of Pastor’s study [the COA, remember?][Was ANYONE surprised to find out where she is?]

Pastor: Why*? Because life is about being tested and challenged. Maybe instead of wondering why God did these things to you –whatever they may be – you should ask – how do I meet this test – how do I take on this challenge – how do I become stronger and richer and deeper – for all the effort involved on the other side.

[*because this is all a part of the million words that have to be said in Allison’s story to NOT say what she did with Caleb.]



[Thank Heaven for][Commercials]




[The Country Restaurant] [In another close up, we see] Imani who is doing something [just under camera range] that sounds like juggling Tupperware.

Jamal, [putting a broom to work behind her] bumps into her, apologizes, bumps again.

Jamal explains that he should be more careful, Imani drops the Tupperware and turns to flirt with him. She tells him that she knows it’s not his fault – ‘it’s very small restaurant’

[It’s not that small – in case I have not made it clear, Jamal’s been flirting with his bumping all along]

They are now face to face, a step apart. Jamal grins –“I noticed, but it has it’s advantages. [another grin]

Medea [entering] Not if you’re looking for privacy! [to Jamal] back to work, you!

[Jamal puts the broom back to work in a more serious effort. Medea joins Imani on the other side of the room from him]

M: And you – I noticed something just now - -
I: Yes, Medea?

M: now I know you’re liking his company – I ain’t THAT old – but I still think –

I: [interrupting, finishing] You still think it’s a bad idea letting him stay here, see? I know, too.

M[not liking the interruption and the finish] yeah – you KNOW. But you’re still wanting to pretend you are not who you are and forget you have secrets to keep… [This drives the amusement from Imani’s face] and if you don’t stay sharp and keep this boy from turning your head around – you are going to get burned.

I: You still don’t’ think he’s one of the bad guys, do you?

M: I think any distraction is bad

I: But – it feels so right – me and Jamal - -this is the real thing [that’s the way it should be - what the world wants to see, is the real thing]

M: what’s real is I love you, baby – you’re all I have -now I know you like this young man – but listen to your Grandma – I’m looking out for you – and I need to know that you’re safe

I: you know that I love you too – but right now I couldn’t feel any safer

M: you can never feel too safe – not until this nightmare is over! No you make mistakes – there will be no second choices! They are still after you, baby and if Jamal is not one of them –

I: he’s not!

M: well, then now maybe they’re after him too, now – and you’re bringing trouble on him. You think about that if you care the way you say you do!


Medea leaves, and Imani glumly goes back to work filling salt shakers.

Jamal looks at her - you know I scrubbed that tabletop so hard that Medea can see her reflection in them when she puts in her false teeth! [Grandma – what big teeth you have!] Another spiffy reference to this version of “Little Red Riding Hood”]

He gives her a big smile to let her know he was making a joke – but she is still gloomy.

J: OK what’s wrong – no, don’t tell me – because I’m not listening – and whatever it was you shouldn’t listen to it, either

She just looks at him [with a sad look still on her face]

[Speaking of sad things, we are now going back to see Alison and The Pastor.]

Rafe has joined then [who was HE talking to before, the WALLS?]

R/A are seated in front of the Pastor’s desk as she goes around to her chair and sits.

R/A thank her for seeing them on such short notice – and Rafe tells her that she gave them both lots to think about. [Which, I guess means that despite the previous inter-cutting of the Rafe and Alison close up scenes – they were not taking place at the same time, and really one was talking to her while the other kicked their heels in the hall.]

The Pastor [who looks kind of like Martha Stewart wearing a Pastor’s robe and stole] says that she could immediately see when they walked in the door that their marriage was a “rare, coming together of two precious souls” and – in fact – she could see the “Hand of God playing a part in their meeting and marriage” [I was RIGHT! This is the Church of Alisonology!]

R and A preciously tell her that they know that in their hearts.

But – warns the Pastor – after talking to them separarately – and she says this to most of the couples she has the honor of counseling - the odds are that they won’t make it!

[Snicker – I bet she doesn’t get the “honor” of repeat counseling visits with most of her clientele!]


She tells them [to their shocked faces] that most people learn from their mistakes and move on – and learn to forgive themselves – but relationships are destroyed by guilt and they need to forgive themselves.

She adds that they have the tools and the desire [we have the technology we know the odds – we can rebuild … See: 6 million dollar man – lol – one quote for the million words of what Alison is NOT saying]

A: We have many blessings between the two of us

The Pastor takes her cue: trust in your God-Given Blessing and use your talents to help each other [and paint your furniture in pastels]

A: I promise I’ll try
R: we’ll both try together

Pastor Stewart: I think that’s about enough advice for one day, eh? Feel free to call me anytime – in the meantime – good luck to both of you.

[Now despite the fact that the counseling session is over – and this is the PASTOR’s office – it is the PASTOR that leaves, telling them to take some time together and she’ll be outside [kicking her heels in the hall – or waxing the parquet flooring]

R/A are now all smiles [despite being told the odds were not in their favor] and each agree that this visit made a big [and happy ] difference and happy happy joy joy.

Rafe hugs her, saying this was the best possible thing for them to do – and we get our brief, obligatory shot of Alison’s tense face over his shoulder and then they smooch a little and leave …..


Across town, in Caleb’s apartment [in which No Trace of Pastor ‘Pastel’ Stewart Shows] – Livvie and Caleb are WAY beyond the ‘smooch’ phase as they fall fully still fully clothed, but panting pretty heavy and kissing pretty hot into bed.

As they writhe and entwine, Livvie in the real [and Memorex versions] vows that he is hers forever as Caleb hears not only what Livvie is actually saying but the voice-over flashback of what she said about haunting him also.

He stops the kissing for a minute – looks her in the face.

L: What is it?

C: You are mine

L; [agrees] I’m yours

[And we fade to commercial as I wonder what the heck Bull is thinking and doing down by river all alone ….]






[The Country Restaurant [a/k/a “Grandma’s]]

Jamal is – finally – getting a break – he sits in a booth, opposite to Imani, who is already seated.

Jamal asks her what is she thinking? Imani explains that there is a reason that her Grandmother is the way she is.

Jamal interrupts and tells Imani that he knows why her Grandmother is overprotective and it’s all good in his book [Grimm’s Fairy Tales?] but he knows the look on Imani’s face – the one on her face right now – that look has been on her face ever since her Grandma finished talking to her and now he knows that Imani is having second thoughts about his staying and isn’t he right?

He pretty much rushes past any answer she attempts to make and states that he knows there is going to be Big Trouble [another parent company movie reference] if the bad man [let’s call him “the woodsman”] shows up, right?

More than Big Trouble, she insists [maybe Joe somebody, too? ]

But, he’s not going anywhere, so she should just deal with it. Deal with him – because here is where he wants to be and here he is and here he is going to stay!

I: I love you for saying that - - [suddenly aware of what she just said, she stands and begins to move away]

J: what did you just say?!

I: I said I appreciate everything you have done …

J: [stands] And I’m going to keep on doing it…

Imani then interrupts him to tell him she needs him to really listen
He insists that he could used to it, too.

But, she continues, when you live like this you build up certain muscles and pick up certain vibes and get certain instincts – you know when the time is right and when it’s time to take off –

J: so what are you saying? Are you saying that you feel something has gone wrong?

I: no – I’m afraid for you and I’m grateful and it’s not too late for you to get out …

J; it IS too late [he kisses her][she kisses him back]

Imani tells him that he ‘doesn’t know’ and he says he is sure of his feelings – he knows. Besides, they [bad guys] don’t know about him – they don’t know about them together – they don’t know where they are – and even [ready to transition to the next scene?] his friends in Port Charles don’t know where Jamal is ………..and …./


We now get to see the woodsman’s feet walking down a street – we pan up to see he is reading something from a notebook – and may I mention that he has exchanged his sheriff outfit for jeans & jean jacket – but he still needs his [“stinking” see: The Treasure of the Sierra Madres] badge so he has it pinned to his waistband. We follow him a bit further and discover [what a surprise – yawn] that he is outside The Elixir, where we [the man and us] look thorough the window and see Bull [not upset by “no” Livvie, after all and some other people]

[now we go to Rafe and Alison’s apartment, where Rafe holds the door wide [it opens into the hall, did you notice that?] for Alison’s grand entrance.


She enters – they are all smiles and kisses and hugs as they talk about how right their decision to marry is and how happy they are and will be – he lies her back on the bed and they are kissing and saying how they don’t have any doubt about getting married or making love [now] and he adds that they have ‘both’ made mistakes - and they will make some again – but they forgive each other - [Alison inserts ‘no matter what”] and he echoes it dutifully – but is more interested in the kissing parts now.

And to start off on the right foot [actually, nobody’s on either foot – so he corrects himself – the ‘right neck’ he says [and kisses the left side of her neck] the right lobe, the right chin, the right lip … [you getting the picture?] Alison is all smiles and squeals and didn’t even get one tiny flashback as we fade to ……………………



………Livvie and Caleb, naked [what we see of them, anyway] in bed and she’s asleep while he gets the playback of her voice-over again – and by the way do you know that she will haunt him forever?! And she’ll never leave him alone he’ll never get rid of her, never.

C: never say never – I’m well on my way to doing just what you’re so sure I couldn’t do – but don’t worry sweetheart you won’t be going alone – [we fade to see Rafe and Alison making love, but Caleb’s voice continues] I am going to get everyone that deceived or challenged me. I’m going to remind you all one last final time how the game is played – and best of all [we fade back to him, staring at her] ….. None of you know what is coming …. And the show is over]