General Hospital Transcript Wednesday 12/24/03

Provided by Suzanne
Proofread by Brian

[Rattling]

Luke: Stavros.

Stavros: Yes, Luke, it's me.

Luke: Back from the dead -- again?

Stavros: Look again, Luke. I'm a ghost, forced to carry these chains I forged in life. You should see the chains they have for you. This is your last chance, Luke.

Luke: What the hell is this? Who -- who laced my drink?

Stavros: You're not hallucinating.

Luke: Then what? Your crazy mother dug you up again, revived you?

Stavros: Oh, I assure you, I am quite dead. What you see before you is a ghost trapped between earth and eternity, unable to move on, bound to this plane by these chains I forged in life. A prisoner, as you will be.

Luke: No, you're -- you're a dream, a nightmare, my fevered imagination. I'm not hearing any of this. This isn't happening.

Stavros: That's your arrogance, Spencer -- the first link in your own chain. Next comes pride, then ambition, followed closely by narcissism and selfishness. And so it goes, link by link, chain by chain, binding you to what you were in this life. My own chains are forged of lies, manipulation, envy, and greed, and heaviest of them all, hatred -- that tie which binds us throughout all time.

Luke: God, you're even more melodramatic dead than alive.

Stavros: Why are you so convinced I’m not real?

Luke: Because I don't believe in an afterlife. You die, you're maggot food or somebody puts you in a jar and sets you on their mantelpiece. Why don't you go talk to somebody who believes in you?

Stavros: How well I know you, Luke. I predicted you would ruin your last chance. Well, all is not lost. You will be visited by three spirits. You won't be able to avoid them any more than you will be able to escape the fate you have already chosen.

Luke: I'm done talking to myself for tonight.

Stavros: Three spirits. Expect the first when the clock chimes 1:00.

[Clock chimes once]

Helena: You always were stubborn to the point of idiocy. I'm here, just as Stavros told you I would be.

Luke: Helena.

[Helena laughs]

Helena: No, my darling. I am the spirit of Christmas past.

Helena: You are quite right. Helena Cassadine is definitely still of this world.

Luke: Right, so you can't be a ghost. You don't even have chains and if what your dead maniac of a son said is true, you'd be carrying the weight of the world.

Helena: In diamonds, perhaps. Obviously, you don't know your metaphysics. You see, Stavros is a ghost, a restless soul doomed to wander hopelessly through eternity, whereas I am a spirit and I’ve chosen this form because it's -- it's familiar to you.

Luke: Well, if you don't mind my saying so, there are several other familiar forms I would've preferred.

Helena: This one serves my purpose. Come, Luke. You and I are going to take a little journey together.

Helena: We're in the past. But no one around us can sense that in any way.

Luke: Oh. Thanks for clearing that up.

Helena: Well, recognize anyone?

Luke: Who's to recognize? There's nobody here.

Helena: Luke -- you recognize her?

Luke: She looks like my sister at that age.

Young Luke: Barbara Jean?

Young Bobbie: Luke, I thought something happened.

Helena: Do you recognize him?

Luke: That's me.

Young Luke: Social services was at the house today looking for us. We need to get out of town or they're going to split us up.

Young Bobbie: Where do we go?

Young Luke: Go to Aunt Ruby in Florida.

Young Bobbie: We don't have any money.

Young Luke: Well, we'll have to get it from the lady.

Young Bobbie: Luke, no.

Young Luke: Listen, ok, I'll just tell her it's for groceries.

Young Bobbie: I don't want to lie to her. She's so nice.

Young Luke: Everyone's got an angle. How many times do I have to tell you? You can't trust anyone but me.

Helena: So young and already so cynical.

Luke: I always knew about people, their ulterior motives.

Helena: Well, you seem very sure about that.

Luke: I am.

Helena: Keep watching.

Woman: Hello dears. Happy Christmas.

Young Luke and Bobbie: Merry Christmas!

Woman: I did a little extra shopping before our outing. Barbara, I couldn't resist. I bought something for you.

Young Bobbie: A present for me?

Woman: Mm-hmm.

Luke: Barbara Jean loved that coat. She kept it for years.

Young Bobbie: It's the most beautiful coat I’ve ever seen. Thank you.

Young Luke: You look like a million bucks.

Woman: I've been looking forward to tonight. I've told my husband all about this marvelous brother and sister I happened to meet. He's looking forward to meeting us after the movie.

Young Luke: Uh -- ma'am? There's a problem. I think we kind of need your help.

Woman: Well, what can I do?

Young Luke: See, our father made us go to the grocery store without giving us any money and he drinks, as we told you. If you can loan us the money, we can go to the grocery store and then meet you at the show.

Woman: If I were allowed one Christmas wish, it would be that both of you had the love and security you deserve.

Young Luke: Thank you.

Young Bobbie: Thank you so much, ma'am.

Young Luke: Ok, we'll see you at the movies.

Woman: Ok. Bye.

Helena: That woman seemed genuine to me.

Luke: Who knows what she really wanted? Bobbie and I went straight to the bus station. We never saw her again.

Helena: Ah, but you did, many times, Luke. Your benefactor was Lila Quartermaine.

Luke: No, that can't be right.

Helena: If you and Bobbie had gone to that movie, Lila would've taken you home to meet Edward. It was the final step in her plan to adopt you. You could've grown up with all of the wealth and security that the Quartermaines had to offer.

Luke: Well, first of all, I don't believe any of this and even if it's true, better to grow up in Florida in a whorehouse than with the Quartermaines.

Helena: For you, perhaps, but what about your sister?

Young Luke: Where do you think you're going?

Young Bobbie: Anywhere as long as it's away from here.

Young Luke: Listen, you can't just run off.

Young Bobbie: Watch me. I am done, Luke. I won't turn one more trick, ok? I hate it. I hate myself.

Young Luke: Barbara Jean --

Young Bobbie: I'm going to start over. I'm going to find the baby I gave up and make a life for her.

Young Luke: Listen, I don't blame you for wanting to run, but now is not the time, ok? I'm on to something big.

Helena: Were you really?

Luke: Yeah, my first job with the organization. I figured I'd move up fast because I was a lot smarter than those no-necks. Maybe I'd work for a couple of years and find out how the business worked and I’d branch out on my own.

Young Luke: I took a job running errands for Barry Flynn.

Young Bobbie: You can't work for him. He's a mobster. Everyone knows how dangerous he is.

Helena: Your sister was afraid for you.

Luke: Not without good reason, Flynn was ruthless. Real players always are. See, I figured I’d just work for him, I’d learn how to run one of his clubs, I'd launder his money, and that'd be the first step to having my own club.

Young Luke: We are going to have more money than we'll know what to do with.

Young Bobbie: And what happens if you get killed in the meantime?

Young Luke: I won’t.

Young Bobbie: You don't know that and if it's the same to you, I am not going to stick around and watch.

Young Luke: Listen to me. You are too young to go out on your own. You're not even done with high school yet. You'll end up turning tricks in some other town.

Young Bobbie: Not if you come with me. Please, Luke. We can get real jobs, have a real life like normal people.

Luke: No, see, I wanted Barbara to focus on the bigger picture. I was doing everything for her. I wanted to set things up for you and for Aunt Ruby. You're my baby sister. I love you more than anything.

Young Luke: I love you more than anything. You think I'm going to let you down?

Young Bobbie: All right, I'll stay. But only because I love you so much.

Young Luke: Listen, until I can give you the world, will you settle for a chocolate shake?

Young Bobbie: If that's all you can manage.

Young Luke: Ouch.

Helena: Bravo, Luke. Well-played. Oh, you persuaded your sister to endure two more years of being a prostitute. No normalcy, just an endless succession of strangers taking their turn.

Luke: I don't have to listen to this.

Helena: Well, I can certainly understand why you're more comfortable here. Your mistakes must seem less egregious when you can't actually watch yourself make them.

Luke: I've always taken care of Barbara Jean, always. I told you I wanted money and power, but not just for me. For Bobbie. For Aunt Ruby. I wanted to -- I wanted to get them out of the life. I was just too young and naive to realize things don't turn out the way you planned. Life's a sneaky bastard. It's always waiting to trip you up when you're not looking. But what -- what difference does it make? What's done is done. I'm not going to look back.

Helena: Ah, but looking back is how you learn. If you don't acknowledge your mistakes, you will continue to repeat them until you die and then pick up your chains, dragging them into eternity, just like Stavros.

Luke: There's no clock here! There are no ghosts! What are you doing here this time of night?

Nikolas: I'm the spirit of Christmas present.

Luke: Oh, sure. Sure, you are. Well, you've made a wrong turn, pal. I'm through with spirit tours.

Nikolas: You can't fight your way out of this, Luke. I'm a spirit, remember?

Luke: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know you're a spirit. You've chosen a form familiar to me. I've heard all this. But if I’m having a supernatural experience, why are all you spirits Cassadines?

Nikolas: Stavros already explained. Of all the chains you bring into the afterlife, the ones forged of hatred are the heaviest. And the people you've hated the most are the Cassadines.

Luke: For damn good reason.

Nikolas: But why hate Nikolas? He saved your daughter's life.

Luke: Oh, the bone marrow thing. Yeah, he saved her life, all right, but he contaminated her with Cassadine blood. She's not the same as she was before and she never will be.

Nikolas: Hmm. Nevertheless, Nikolas Cassadine’s only crime is that he was Laura’s firstborn son.

Luke: Oh!

Nikolas: Your hatred for him is completely without foundation and if you're not careful, it may end up being the heaviest chain of all.

Luke: Is that right? Is that what you're doing here? You're hoping that I’m going to give you an apology? If that's what you want, you can just trottle on back to eternity, because that's how long it'll take for you to get one out of me.

Nikolas: I'm a spirit, Luke. Time means nothing to me. You, however, are mortal. You have only tonight to learn your lesson, so I suggest we hurry.

Luke: No dice.

Nikolas: That wasn't a request.

Luke: Baldwin alone on Christmas Eve. What are you trying to do, cheer me up?

Nikolas: He's meeting someone.

Scott: Hey, you got the proceeds from the toy drive?

Officer: Here you go.

Scott: Good.

Officer: We got a lot of cash donations and a whole load of toys.

Scott: Nothing like the Christmas spirit to bring out the best in everyone. I'll put this in the policemen's fund. Now, you run off and deliver the toys to the orphanage.

Officer: Merry Christmas, D.A. Baldwin.

Scott: Same to you, officer. Ah.

[Scott chuckles]

Luke: Well, what was the point of that? Baldwin ripping off a child's charity -- that's no surprise. He's always been a corrupt jackass.

Nikolas: Not true, Luke. Scott started out with the desire to do good, to help people -- till he got his heart broken by his wife and his friend.

Luke: Oh, no, you don’t. You're not taking me there. He's a man. Baldwin was a grownup when I met him. I'm not taking responsibility for the way he turned out.

Nikolas: Oh, see, don't you understand that's why all this is happening? You refuse to take responsibility for anything. Let's go.

Nikolas: Wrong again.

Edward: God, I wish that Lila and I had been able to adopt those poor little orphans all those years ago.

Tracy: Oh, please! Not this again.

Edward: She thought they were so lovely and courageous, and they would've been grateful for anything that we could've given them, hmm? The boy could've been running E.L.Q. right now and the girl could've -- could've given me grandchildren that -- that I might enjoy seeing. Best of all, I could've disinherited the lot of you.

Skye: I thought you were opposed to adoption.

Edward: Only yours.

Alan: How dare you speak to my daughter like that.

Edward: God, how -- what in the world do you think you're talking about? You can't be proud of a woman --

Alan: You are the most disrespectful human being I've ever known in my life.

Edward: If you earn my respect, I would give it to you.

Luke: Oh, poor Red. That crowd is so ruthless.

Nikolas: Skye feels rejected -- by the Quartermaines, by you. She feels like she only has one friend left in the entire world.

Luke: Oh, hey, hey, what are you doing? Don't do that. You're the 12-step cheerleader, remember? What happened? Where are we?

Luke: Oh, no, you don’t. You can forget it. I'm not going in there ever again.

Lulu: I'm going to learn to ride without training wheels right away.

Bobbie: Oh, really? And what's the hurry?

Lulu: So I can go see daddy all by myself. Maybe that's why he bought it for me. Daddy's going to be so proud when I ride my bike to see him.

Lucky: Daddy didn't buy you the bicycle, Lulu. I did.

Bobbie: Lucky --

Lucky: She needs to understand what she's dealing with.

Lulu: Daddy did get it for me. I saw the card.

Lucky: Honey, I was the one who got you the card. See, I wanted you to think that daddy bought you the bicycle, but that was a mistake and the truth is, no matter how much it hurts, it's always better than a lie. Daddy's busy. He's busy with his own life. He's got a lot going on, and for his own reasons, he doesn't have time to be with us.

Lulu: You mean daddy doesn't love me?

Lucky: No, no. He -- he loves you. He just doesn't -- he just doesn't know how to show it. Maybe he never will. I love you.

Nikolas: Why, I thought you didn't regret anything.

Luke: I've made mistakes, like ever having kids in the first place. I was never cut out to be a father. I had no role models except my own old man and he was a total waste of skin. What did anybody expect of me?

Nikolas: But you had children, Luke.

Luke: Because of Laura. Because she wanted them and I -- I couldn't deny her and that was a mistake because now I'm stuck with a daughter who deserves a father that I can never be. But Skye, Scott, Lucky -- they're adults, they make their own choices. I take no credit or blame for them.

Nikolas: What about Laura? Do you take the blame for her?

Luke: Now you've gone too far. I fought for Laura every way I know how. I carry the burden of her loss every day of my life. She's gone and I couldn't stop it! I'm trying to make peace with that!

Nikolas: Hiding doesn't equal making peace --

Luke: Go to hell!

Nikolas: But you did it.

Luke: Yeah, I did it. And I spent weeks trying to get through to Laura, trying to communicate with her in some way. It was impossible. Wait a minute. Is that what this is about? Is this a window in time where I can finally -- I can finally talk to my wife? Yes or no?

Nikolas: You'll have to find out for yourself, Luke.

Luke: What good are you? Go. Leave me alone.

Luke: Laura? Laura, it's me, Luke. You know what it is, honey? It's Christmas Eve. You always said that was a time for miracles. I could sure use one now. If you can hear me somewhere in there, if you believe, make me a believer, too. Please? Please reach out. Reach out to me. Laura, take -- take my hand.

[Luke sobs]

Luke: So that I -- is everybody happy?

[Clock chimes three times]

Luke: So spirit number three isn't a Cassadine. The grim reaper himself. Where do we go from here? Silent and to the point -- I like that. I guess we're headed to hell. Been waiting all my life to take this trip.

Luke: So what's this? My funeral?

[Girl cries]

Nikolas: Lulu?

Lulu: I still can't believe he's gone.

Emily: I know, Lulu. It's so sad.

Lesley: It's just so sudden.

Alexis: And difficult to comprehend.

Luke: Whoa, wait a minute. This doesn't make any sense. If -- if I’m dying tonight, why is Lulu a teenager and if that isn't me, who is dead?

Lulu: I always felt so blessed having the best two brothers. Now Lucky’s gone. Why'd he become a cop, anyway?

Bobbie: Lucky was killed in the line of duty doing what he believed was right.

Nikolas: Lucky became a cop to make up for the life that Luke led, to become better than his father, ok, and I think he -- he thought that being on the other side of the law would somehow save him.

Lulu: Then Lucky wasted his life. Our father wasn't worth saving.

Nikolas: Come on, come on.

Luke: No. No, no, no, I'm not going to let that happen. My son is not going to die in my name. No, I'll find a way to stop it.

[Sirens]

Cameron: Just another derelict, been on the street for years. I tried to treat him a long time ago, but some people refuse to be helped. Let's call him John Doe. That's the way he would've wanted it.

Luke: Well, that can't be Lucky. Who else died? What's the point of showing me some body if it isn't my son? What -- what do I care about some dead homeless guy?

[Luke gasps]

Luke: Is there anybody here? Any Cassadines, living or dead?

Luke: I'm alive. Oh. I'm alive. Wait a minute. What time is it? What day is it? Yeah, hello. Can -- can you tell me what day this is? Christmas? It's Christmas day? Thank you. Merry Christmas. May I say, miss, you have a beautiful voice.

[Luke laughs]

Luke: Maybe there's still time. Maybe there's still time!

[Luke whistles]

Michael: Hey, Mr. Spencer.

Luke: Hey, there, little Corinthos. You can see me?

Michael: Yeah.

Luke: Good!

Max: Everything ok?

Luke: Yeah, everything's good. This is Christmas, isn't it?

Michael: Yeah?

Luke: Are you sure?

Michael: Yeah, I'm sure.

Luke: Well, then I guess there's nothing left to say but Merry Christmas, carrot top. Loyal guard, Merry Christmas. Stalwart pooch, Merry Christmas to you all.

Michael: Merry Christmas.

Luke: Hey, son!

Lucky: Dad. What's going on?

Luke: Come here, come here, come here, you.

Lucky: You look weird.

Luke: Oh Lucky.

Lucky: Yeah, I mean it, dad. What -- are you ok?

Luke: Probably not. I've probably lost whatever's left of my mind. But who cares? I'm so full of goodwill today, even towards you. I got to say something to you, son. Look, so what? So what if you didn't turn out the way I'd hoped. So you joined forces with the cops, my lifelong enemies. So what? There's one thing that's important, and that is you are your own man, and that is something I can be proud of.

Lucky: Thanks. Right?

Luke: Yeah. I mean it. Now, you didn't do real well in the father department, but, hey, neither did I. That doesn't mean we can't sit down once a year and have Christmas dinner together, does it?

Lucky: Does that mean you're coming to Christmas dinner?

Edward: Hey, if you're here to flirt shamelessly with my wife, you're too late. She's already left for church.

Luke: Well, I'll settle for Skye.

Tracy: Now I know there is no accounting for taste.

Dillon: On the terrace.

Luke: Thank you, young Spielberg. Oh, no!

Skye: What --

[Mug breaks]

Skye: Are you out of your mind?

Luke: Booze is not your only friend.

Skye: It was coffee, Luke.

Luke: Oh. Sorry.

Skye: Yeah, well, you're not too far off. I -- I almost did drink last night, but I managed to resist. Are you all right? You look a little weird.

Luke: I feel great. I'm overflowing with Christmas spirit.

Skye: Are you sure you don't want some coffee? I'm sure you got one hell of a hangover.

Luke: No, no, no, I haven't got time for that. I have a few stops to make, you know. I came to ask you to come and have dinner with me and my family at the Spencer house.

Skye: Really?

Luke: Please. Unless you want to hang out with these people.

Skye: Are you kidding me? I'm there. In fact, I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Luke: Good. See you later.

Skye: See you.

Luke: Ho-ho-ho! A ho-ho-ho

Luke: Hi. My goodness, Miss Quartermaine, you certainly do a lot to dress up this dusty, old place.

Emily: Well, thank you. Merry Christmas.

Luke: Back at you. Back at all of you. Is this the new rug rat?

Alexis: We like to call her Kristina.

Luke: Hi, Kristina. Oh, she's cute. She is really cute. So, tiny Nik, where you having your Christmas dinner?

Nikolas: Uh -- here?

Luke: Here? Oh, come on, you can't have Christmas dinner in a mausoleum like this. Why don't you come on over to my house? Your brother and sister would love to see you.

Nikolas: Ok. Uh -- we'll be there?

Emily: Absolutely.

Luke: Great, great, great. You, too, Natasha. Bring the baby.

Alexis: Sure.

Luke: Ok. See you, then. Ah, Dr. Quack. You come, too.

Cameron: Where am I going?

Luke: To the Spencer house for Christmas dinner. There'll be a plethora of neurotics there. You'll feel right at home. Oh, and by the way, a kernel of advice -- get out of your own way, man. Stop being a self-important schlep. Get over there and give Alexis a nice, big, juicy kiss. Ho-ho, ho-ho-ho-ho!

Nikolas: Maybe he fell, hit his head, came to his senses.

Alexis: One has to admit, this is a rather odd gathering.

Lesley: No, but it feels good to have the house filled with people.

Bobbie: Except that Luke better join us soon or he's going to miss Christmas.

Lulu: Aunt Bobbie, isn't daddy coming?

Lucky: I don't usually go on the line like this, but something tells me he's going to be here.

Luke: Hello, everybody. Sorry I'm late. I had a little last-minute shopping to do. Hello, sweet pea. Well, there you go. Well, come on, people. Don't just stand there. There's something here for everybody. Come on! Come get your loot. I have something kind of special for you, gumdrop. Open it up. Hi here, I'll help you.

Lulu: It's beautiful!

Luke: It's to remind you of your mother. Wherever you go and whatever you do, she will always be watching you, loving you. She's your own personal angel.

Lulu: I love you, daddy.

Luke: I love you, too, sweet pea.

Lulu: Thank you. Look.

Lesley: Oh, honey, that's so beautiful!

Bobbie: It's lovely. Would you like to wear it?

Skye: Silent night

Skye and Luke: Holy night

All: All is calm all is bright round yon virgin mother and child holy infant so tender and mild sleep in heavenly peace

Luke: Well, I did it, darling. I'm here and I did it for you, my angel. Merry Christmas.

Nikolas: There's enough plastic in there to level the entire waterfront.

Sam: I cannot wait to dive straight into the Courage.

Skye: Where is your real date?

Jax: She didn't feel like a party.

Elizabeth: We need to tell you something.

Andy: It's all set.

Lorenzo: There can't be any mistakes.

Skye: Welcome to the Haunted Star.

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