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The Bold & The Beautiful Thursday 2/14/02 By Linda
Stephanie: You and Massimo didn't talk about anything else at lunch? Just business? Ridge: Pretty amazing how he knows exactly what I'm going through, even more than my own father. Stephanie: Are you gonna see him again? Ridge: I hadn't really thought about it. Do you think I should? He did give me some damn good advice. I need to accept the fact I'm in a war. I'm fighting a war here. War is good. It forces you to think about what you believe in. It's a shame, though, isn't it? Stephanie: It's a tragedy. She's done it again. Divided us -- brother against brother and father against son. We have to stop her. I don't know how. I mean, I'm open to any options that come up. Ridge: Well, don't look for any allies in this, Mother. It's you and me against them. Even dad doesn't want to stand up and fight. He wants peace just like Thorne and Kristen. Stephanie: Why don't people understand that peace at any price only ends up destroying you? That's what I'm afraid of. That's what I think is gonna happen to our company and to our family. Ridge: You'd think after they saw this, they'd stand up and support me, wouldn't you? Stephanie: Honey, they will. I know they will, once -- once Brooke is put in her place. Ridge: But how's that gonna happen if dad and Thorne aren't willing to fight, huh? I don't believe those two. We could beat this. We could drive Brooke right out of this company if we all were united. That's what it used to mean to be a Forrester. Now I'm the laughing stock of this industry, and it's like my family doesn't even care. They're all so passive, it makes me want to throw up. Stephanie: Well, don't you give up the fight. Ridge: No, Mother, I'm not gonna accept Brooke's vision of this company ever, but I don't see an end to it, not with Rick acting as vice president. And Deacon, of all people, heading promotions? Everything I've fought for here, everything I've built is all up in smoke right now. To be honest with you, I really don't know if I'm gonna be able to stay here anymore. I've lost all credibility. That's it. Stephanie: Don't you even think of leaving Forrester. This is your birthright. Massimo is right. This is a war, and we're not gonna lose it. ******************************************************************** Deacon: Guys, this press conference is gonna be unbelievable. Now visualize with me for a second. We're gonna start with four gorgeous, knock-out models working the room. What do you think? Rick: Wearing stuff from the lingerie line? Deacon: Well, absolutely. Bridget: So you mean like negligees, peignoir? Deacon: Teddies, bikinis, baby dolls, the whole thing. Guys, we are relaunching Brooke's bedroom line, and we're gonna to do it with panache and class, elegance. Rick: Good. Good, I'd like that. Deacon: But it's gonna be polished. A lot of rehearsal. I don't want any surprises. I just don't think Brooke needs that right now. Bridget: You think she's still a little fragile? Amber: I do. Rick: What makes you say that? Amber: I just don't think she's quite herself just yet. Deacon: I'm gonna agree with Amber on that one. Guys, she's only been back for a couple days. So what I'm thinking is this, Rick. You get up, you say a couple words, you field some questions. I'll do the same. And the idea is that we're gonna keep Brooke pretty much out of the spotlight. I think she'd appreciate that. Amber: Yeah, I'm sure she will. ***************************************************************************** Whip: Look, I know the man is your son-in-law, but he has zero experience. Why would you make him head of the department? Brooke: Whip? Whip: No, just answer the question, will you?! I have been groomed for this position! And now you do this. No, Brooke, I'm sorry. It's unacceptable. Something is going on here, and I want to know what the hell it is! Brooke: Are you finished? First of all, I am your CEO, and I will not be questioned about my decisions. Now Deacon Sharpe is head of promotions, and you're gonna help him learn the ropes. Whip: This is so unfair. Brooke: You are a very talented man, Whip, for which I pay you extremely well. Now, I expect you to take those talents and help deacon run this division, but he is in charge, and if you can't accept that, you're out. Whip: Fine. It's always a pleasure, Ms. Logan. *********************************************************** [ Door closes ] Brooke: You're back. Stephanie: And so, it would seem, are you -- but not for long. Brooke: I don't have a minute, Stephanie, so don't even start. Stephanie: You went through my family like a hooker on Saturday night, but that wasn't enough, was it? Now, you're gonna start using your children. Brooke: Get out. Stephanie: I'm not going anywhere, but you are. Brooke: You really think you can threaten me? Stephanie: I don't have to threaten you. Your karma -- as they call it -- every thing you've done in your life threatens you. Brooke: And yet, here I am, Stephanie, running your company. Oh, excuse me -- my company. Stephanie: Believe me, this is your last hurrah. Brooke: Really? I don't feel that way. In fact, I'm feeling incredibly empowered. Stephanie: It doesn't look that way to me. Have you gained weight? You seem to be blowing up like a balloon. Brooke: So I put on a few pounds. I don't think that means anything. Stephanie: Why would you come back here and treat Ridge this way, humiliate him after everything he's done for this company? Did you think that he would just take it? Did you think that I would? Let me tell you, you are in for the fight of your life, Brooke, and it isn't going to end until one of us rolls over dead, and it ain't gonna be me. *************************************************************** Rick: And then dad can say a few words about the bedroom line. Deacon: That's a good idea. Bridget: Will he do that? Rick: Well, he wants a show of unity, and so he'll go along, and I think Thorne will, too. Amber: Well, what about Ridge? Ridge: Yes, what about Ridge? Would you like me to get in front of this press conference and talk about the pride of Forrester, the class and elegance we've always been known for? Or would you rather I talk about this new team, purveyors of fine underwear, the company horny girls go to when they want a new piece of night candy? 'Cause that is who you're appealing to here. But then, you knew that, didn't you, Rick? 'Cause you're married to one of those girls. And sadly, Bridget is starting to act like one. Deacon: Okay, Ridge, we're having a meeting here, and if you'd like to contribute anything, I'm sure we'd all welcome it. Ridge: Well, how magnanimous of you, Deacon. To think, this time last week, you were pouring tequila shooters at the lair. How far we have come. Deacon: I'm gonna take that to mean that you have nothing to contribute, right? Ridge: "The new face of Forrester." You've got to be kidding. Rick: No, Ridge, we're not kidding. We have a very important press conference tonight, and we take it very seriously, just like you do, or used to. Deacon: Ridge, come on, now. We'd all welcome your advice. We could use a steady hand here. Ridge: What, to make you all look good? Rick: To make everyone look good. You're still a very important part of this company, Ridge -- probably the most important part. Ridge: Ah, Rick, there. You're absolutely right about that one. That isn't exactly what that tells the world, does it, Ricky boy? That says, "change." That says, "get your brother out of the way. Cut him off at the knees." "The new face of Forrester," which means ridge is out. Brooke and her kids are running things now. You've all got the nerve to ask for my support? How 'bout this instead? How 'bout all of you just go to hell? Ridge: Why should I help you, hmm? Give me one good reason. Rick: Because the company needs you, Ridge. Ridge: To do what? Help you sell underwear? No, Rick. This company needs me to run it. "The new face of Forrester" -- what a joke. Worse than a joke. This is gonna destroy our reputation. Amber: You know what? Then why don't you just leave, Ridge? Because we've got work to do. Ridge: And what are you doing here, little girl? Amber: I am supporting my husband. Ridge: Oh, great. How rich is that? A waitress, a bartender and two college kids. Any of you have a clue what you're in for tonight? This isn't some wet t-shirt contest at the lair. This is a press conference for a company that just did a 180 in one of their product lines. Do you know what that means? Do you have any idea what kind of questions you're gonna be fielding, hmm? This room is gonna turn into a shark tank, and guess what, ladies and gents? You're the bait. You say you want to do what's best for Forrester? Then stop this nonsense, go upstairs right now and tell Brooke it's all been a big joke. But you're not gonna do that, are you? 'Cause you don't really give a damn about Forrester. You've got power. It feels good, doesn't it? But you know what? That power is not gonna mean a thing without wisdom, and wisdom comes from knowledge, experience, of which you have none! I don't know why I'm wasting my time here. You don't get it. You're totally incapable of getting it. Deacon: Ridge, we get it. You're the one who doesn't get it. And this line of "underwear," as you so delicately put it, has made this company more profits than it's ever seen before. Now, what we have here is a fundamental difference in vision. You have one vision for the company. Brooke happens to have another one. And she owns more of the company, so her vision wins out. If that upsets you, I'm sorry. But the fact of the matter is, either you come onboard or you stay ashore. This ship is leaving with or without you. Whip: Bravo. Well done! You almost sound like you know what you're talking about, Deacon. ********************************************************************* Brooke: You know, Stephanie, I wish I was going into battle with you. Because that way I could put you in your place, once and for all. Stephanie: Well, you can certainly try. Brooke: Unfortunately, I can't, because I have a company to run, and as you might have heard, we have a press conference tonight. Stephanie: What press conference? Brooke: We are reintroducing Brooke's bedroom line and "the new face of Forrester." It has a ring to it, doesn't it? Stephanie: What are you talking about? We have struggled for the last two months to bring some respectability back to the name of Forrester, and now, you're gonna do that? You're gonna ruin everything. Brooke: Well, you might think that, but I see it differently. I'm just letting the fashion industry know that during this turmoil, I'm still in charge. I'm still calling all the shots. Forrester creations is and always will be a company run by Brooke Logan, with her style, her vision, her agenda. Stephanie: I built this company. Eric and I built this company! And every item of clothing, every live that goes out of here has the Forrester label on it, not "Logan"! Brooke: Well, maybe some day I'll change, too. Stephanie: You know, I don't think I've ever hated you more than I do at this moment. Brooke: Well, I'm sure you do. But let me give you a little piece of advice. I could banish you from here, Stephanie. One word from me, and you're gone. And the same thing goes for your son. He's either with me, or he's against me, and if he's against me, he's out of here. Stephanie: You can't run this business without ridge. Brooke: I used to think that, but now I don't, because Rick has shown himself to be quite adept. Stephanie: He's not a designer. Brooke: No, but amber's showing great promise in that area. Stephanie: Are you nuts? Brooke: And I'm sure someday my daughter would like to take a place in this company. Stephanie: I understand now. I see. I see what the real agenda is for Brooke Logan. You'd like to remove my half of the family out of this whole business, wouldn't you? Brooke: No. But if you force my hand, I will. And it's only out of my sheer generosity that I even let you set foot in my office. That, and the fact that you really can't hurt me anymore, Stephanie. You ought to be out to pasture with the rest of the cows. Now if you don't mind, I'm really very busy. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. Stephanie: I don't know how. I don't know how long it's going to take me, and I don't know when, but I'm going to bring you down. I promise you that. ******************************************************************** Whip: What's going on here? Rick: We're planning a press conference, whip. Whip: Oh. It looks more like a high school prom party. Nice banner. That's your idea, Deacon? Deacon: No, actually, that was Brooke's. You like it? Rick: Our CEO. Whip: Yes, I know. I was just talking to her. Deacon: Well, maybe instead of talking to her, you could've been down here helping us, you know, giving us some input. Whip: Well, I didn't think you needed any. Deacon: I don't know who said that. I know it wasn't me. Whip: Well, you're the big man of the department, Deacon. You know everything. Amber: Okay. You know what? I'm not gonna listen to this anymore. I'm going upstairs. Deacon: You know, Whip, I don't mind a little attitude. As a matter of fact, I expect it. I understand that I still have to prove myself. But you are right about one thing. I'm in charge here, and when we have a project, well, I expect you to participate. Do you understand me? A project such as what? I don't know. Maybe a press conference? And do me a favor -- stay away from Brooke. She doesn't need you hassling her. Ridge: Kind of protective of Brooke these days, aren't you, Deacon? Deacon: Well, gosh, Ridge, maybe I wouldn't have to be if your family didn't give her so much grief. Whip: And you have no idea why? This man and his father built this company while Brooke was still serving food at a catering table. You know, there's nothing right about what happened here, Deacon. Not to Ridge, to me, even to you. You were handed a job -- my job. I was groomed for it. I trained for it. And for some unforeseen reason known to Brooke and possibly to you, I was passed over. Now, I'm supposed to show up to work every day and take orders from a man who I do not respect professionally, who I don't think should be in this company in that department, much less running it. So you tell me, deacon, how am I supposed to live with that? Deacon: Well, you could start by acting like a man. Suck it up. Quit whining like some little schoolgirl that skinned her knee. Just a suggestion. Ridge: Is that what you're doing here, Deacon? Being a man? Riding on the coattails of your mother-in-law? And you, Rick, stabbing your own brother in the back. Is that what a man does, hmm? No, you aren't men. You're two scared little boys, scared to compete. Oh, you've got the power, all right, but you didn't earn it. You stole it, and you're gonna fail. Both of you are gonna fail. ************************************************************* [ Knock at door ] Brooke: Yes? Amber: Are you busy? Brooke: Just a little tired. What is it, Amber? Amber: Pregnancy. It really wears you out, doesn't it? Brooke: This has nothing to do with the pregnancy, and I really wish you wouldn't bring it up. Amber: Well, I promised you I wouldn't tell anyone. Brooke: I don't even want you talking about it. You're one of the very few who know. I wish you didn't, but you do. Amber: Who else knows? Brooke: Amber -- Amber: Brooke, you're my mother-in-law. Believe it or not, I do care about you, and I know you need a friend and a confidant. You can trust me. My lips are sealed. Just tell me who the father is. Brooke: Listen to me, Amber. This is really none of your business. I wish you didn't find out about it, but you did. Now, if you really want to help me, you won't discuss this, with me or anybody else. It's a secret, period. Understood? Amber: But -- Brooke: Amber -- Amber: Okay. I understand. Brooke: Now if you would just please leave, I want to be alone. Stephanie: What is going on in there with Brooke? What's this secret? You tell me what this is about right now.
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