The Best Laid Plans - Chapter 31

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Mrs. Lansbury enters the Conservatory.

" Mr. Ward to see you Miss Anastasia."

" Thank you, Mrs. Lansbury. Justus. What are you doing here?"

" I needed to talk to someone. And the only one that I thought could understand my position would be you."

" Why me?"

" Because, you come from possibly, the strangest family outside of my own."

(laughs) " Well, that very well may be the truth. Why don't you come sit here by me. Do you want a drink?"

" No. I need to be sober to tell this story."

" OK."

Justus and Sasha are sitting in front of the fireplace. It takes a while for Justus to start.

" You know about my family history."

" Between you and Edward, yes."

" I spent most of my life with this gaping hole in it where my father was supposed to be. I believed, with all my heart, that something horrible had happened to him. I had to believe that because I could not believe that he would just up and abandon us. And then, when I found out that my suspicions were correct, and that he had been murdered, I vowed to myself that the guilty parties would be punished. And that it would be my life's mission to see to it. And my suspicions were fixed on Edward Quartermaine. I truly believed that he murdered my father. And I hated him. And everything that he represented. It was an anathema to me that the man and I could even co-exist on this planet. I would have staked my life on the belief that he killed my father."

" But you were wrong."

" Yes. I was wrong. In one five-minute span, My Grandmother, turned everything that I thought I knew about the world, upside down. The man who I thought murdered my Father, was my Grandfather. How does one deal with that?"

" You seem to have dealt with it fine."

" Have I? I don't know. I didn't deal with it for the longest time. I mean, I went through the motions with Edward. And on the surface, it seemed as if I had gone along with it, but underneath..."

" Underneath...."

" There were so many issues to be resolved. So many that were glossed over. This entire situation.."

" Was American History at its ugliest?"

" You understand?"

" I think I do. This couldn't be a simple case of the illegitimate son and his offspring. The entire aspect of race could simply not be denied here. There are so many stereotypes that this easily bring up."

" Tell me about it."

" And so, for you, it was easier to blame the mean, evil White Grandfather who ignored-slash-forgot, his family on the "other" side of the tracks."

" Yes."

" And your Grandmother was the 'poor, downtrodden, put-upon and misused Black lover."

" I wouldn't put it in terms like that, but that is the gist."

" And it wasn't that simple, was it?"

" No."

" It never is, Justus."

" I knew that, intellectually. But, emotionally, it was so easy to place 100% of the blame on Edward. Let's face it. He makes a great villain."

" Couldn't ask for more of a stereotype."

" But, he wasn't the villain. I have always been reluctant to blame GrannieMae for anything. But, now, here sitting with you, I realize that she should shoulder some of the blame. No, make it the responsibility."

" Explain."

" When all of this first shook out, I thought GrannieMae WAS Edward's victim. His pawn. That she was helpless. I mean, the thought that GrannieMae was helpless in anything is a joke, but it helped me to cope, so I grabbed onto it. As I was slowly beginning to accept Edward and things were beginning to change, abruptly GrannieMae died. So, then, of course, she was set back up on her pedestal."

" I doubt she ever wanted to be on a pedestal."

" But, there she was."

" Until today?"

" No. I think that this has been a longtime in coming. Oh, I don't blame GrannieMae for the choices she made over 50 years ago. America was a starkly different place. And she did what she had to, in order to assure that her child grew up in some sort of semblance of safety and security."

" Then what upsets you?"

" That she kept up with the lie. That once she saw me go down the SAME path as my Father did, with Edward, that she remained silent. I was nearly beaten within an inch of my life, and she felt that her secret was more important than anything." Sasha notes the bitterness in Justus' voice.

" Justus what happened that brought all this up TODAY?"

" I realized something. Something, that up until the moment of confirmation, I never realized how deeply I needed to know."

" Know what?"

" That my Grandfather loves me. And sees me as equal to the rest of his 'legitimate' family."

" And this surprises you?"

"Yes."

" It doesn't me. From the moment that he said 'my Grandson', when referring to you, I knew that he adored you."

" Edward? Adore? Let's not get carried away."

(laughs) " OK. So, maybe adore is the wrong word. But, there was pride in his voice when he said it."

" I can deal with pride. You asked what this visit and this confessional was all about, it's about this."

Justus gets up and gives her the outline of the trust. Sasha looks at it, and she is stunned.

" It's all yours?"

" No. Half of it is mine. The other half is my sister's."

" Well, well, Justus Ward. You are a VERY wealthy man. I have heard of every company on here. Is this true? Leland Westfield was the Manager?"

" Yep. Leland Westfield."

" Your Grandfather was serious indeed about providing for you."

" You know, I just signed the papers. I didn't even know what was in it, when I signed."

" And would it have made a difference?"

" I don't know.  How could it be, by accident, of two people meeting in a nightclub, over 50 years ago, would mean, that today, I have more money than most people would see in 100 lifetimes."

" Make that 200 lifetimes.", Sasha laughs.

" It's not funny, Sasha."

" Justus, yes it is. You want a logical explanation for it all. There is no logic. I was plucked out of an orphanage by Papa, and placed in the middle of all THIS. Is THAT logical? No. But, it is my life, and I must deal with it. Just like you must deal with it. Please don't tell me that you're going to waste guilt on something as wonderful as this."

" Is this wonderful?"

" Yes. It is."

" There are island nations that don't have the kind of money that I have right now."

" And they are not your responsibility."

" I didn't even tell you all of it."

" There's MORE than this?"

" Yes. Edward gave me my own ELQ Stock. I am now a Member of the Board."

" Well, money AND power all at once. What will you do, Mr. Ward?"

" I don't know. All this time I have clung to the belief that Edward buried my father with the last letter that he wrote to my Grandmother all those many years ago. But, this trust, proves that my Father, and our family, were never far from his thoughts. Everytime he consciously added to the trust. That he would take such time. Who he got to be involved with it. All that took time. Time and a devotion that I just didn't think was in Edward. It was a change from Edward the devil."

" Ah. Seeing good in people that other people have written off as hopeless."

" You can relate?"

" My Grandmother."

" Helena?"

" Don't act so surprised. I have very few illusions where my Grandmother is concerned. But, that doesn't stop me from remembering a woman who could be sweet when she wanted to be."

" Helena Cassadine...And sweet. Not something I've ever heard."

" Well, I remember the Grandmother that took care of me when I was sick with the mumps as a child. Her tenderness and caring when I was in such pain. That she and I would get dressed up in our finest. We would take the Cassadine boat to St. Petersburg, she would NEVER call it Leningrad, and then, we would board the Cassadine private railcar to Moscow, where we would always attend the opening of the Bolshoi. Or our seasonal trips to Paris for the Fashion shows."

" She sounds like the Upper-Class version of Donna Reed."

" Stop that. I just was trying to point out, that, with family, we try and see good things. That we look for them."

" OK. You're right. You know, I feel better already. I was right about my instinct in coming to you."

" Why? Because you thought that I had good ears?"

" No. Because I thought you would know what it was like to be an 'outsider.' "

" An 'outsider'?"

" You know. Not a 'Member of the Club'."

" The Club?"

" THEIR Club. Don't you feel as if you are OF them, but not ONE of them?"

(Sasha is clearly getting uncomfortable) " No."
 

" Sorry, then. My mistake. Well, I have to go. I have to break the news to my sister. The ELQ Jet is waiting for me at the Airport. Thanks, once again for the talk. I will see you when I get back."

Justus gets up, collects his belongings, and leaves.

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Nikolas is finishing up tidying the place when the doorbell rings. He opens it to find Emily.

" Hi Em."

" Nikolas. This is for you." Emily presents him with some sparkling cider. " I couldn't come to your new home without bringing something."

" Thanks, Em. Come on in. So, what do you think?"

" I think it looks great. Did you decorate it?"

" No. My cousin Sasha did."

" So. You were the lucky one. You got your place of your own."

" Huh? Oh, I remember. Our conversation on New Year's Eve."

" Yes. I'm surprised you remembered."

" I remember all our conversations, Emily. You want to sit down?"

" Sure."

They both sit down on the couch.

" So. Your Uncle was OK with you living with Bobbie?"

" No. I don't think he is. But, I think that Sasha smoothed things over with him, and he's willing to give this a try."

" Sasha seems to be able to work miracles."

" I don't know about miracles, but she sure does broker a mean peace treaty."

Nikolas and Emily laugh.

" Emily, how is your family."

" Oh, AJ's off the wagon, Grandfather's cranky, Dad's acting weird, Ned misses his daughter, and my brother Jason is the new Mafia Don. Outside of that? I don't know what would be wrong." Nikolas could see the tears welling up in Emily's eyes. He leans over to hold her. Emily sobs for just a few minutes. Then, she pushes him away.

" I'm sorry, Nikolas. The last thing you need is some weepy girl crying on your shoulder."

" Don't tell me what I need, Emily. We're friends. And if I can help, I will."

" Nikolas. No one can help my family. You know. The things that upset me the most are AJ and my Dad. I just can't understand why AJ would go off the wagon. And NOTHING my Dad does makes any kind of sense these days."

" Have you talked to your Father?"

" Yes. And he completely dismisses me."

" Well, sometimes, when a man gets distracted, it's another woman. Do you think that could be the problem?"

" I don't know. I hope that it is. Because he really has been acting mental lately. It would greatly relieve me, if it was a woman. Do you know how strange we sound, talking about affairs like this?"

" I know. Not many people would understand."

" But, you come from a culture where mistresses are commonly had. Do you think that you will have one, Nikolas?"

" I don't know. I wouldn't think so. I would think that I would marry for love, and that there would be no need for me to take a mistress. God, if Sasha heard me say that, she would laugh at me, and call me a 'foolish boy'."

" I don't think that it's foolish. Do you plan on marrying?"

" My thoughts on marriage are shaped by my family. Cassadines Don't Divorce. I mean, I thought that was how it was, until my Uncle and Bobbie.."

" But, they are still married."

" Yes, but, they are undergoing a bitter divorce. And then, Sasha is divorced."

" Who did she marry?"

" Jerry Jacks."

" Jax's brother?"

" Yes."

" If Cassadine's Don't Divorce, then how was she allowed to divorce?"

" It was less than 6 months, and my Uncle hates Jerry Jacks. Even then, it was a HUGE deal in my family."

" Well, divorces proliferate in my family. Although, my parents have been married, divorced, separated, and with other lovers so much, that who can keep count. After 20 years, they're still together. But, if you look at the ride, how could two people stay together after all that they've been through?"

" Don't ask me. I look at my Mother. Luke Spencer had her on the run for their lives for almost as many years as they've been married, and they're still together."

" You know what? I think that this is entirely too serious a conversation for two teenagers to be having."

" I could not agree more. Wanna play a game while we are waiting for our pizza. And speaking of pizza, what do you want on yours?"

" No anchovies, onions, or green peppers. Anything else, and I'm game."

" What do you know? I don't like the same thing. Let me make the call. You go choose a game from the pile over there."

" You said that Sasha helped you with the apartment. She's important to you, isn't she?"

" Yes. She's the truthteller in the family."

" The truthteller?"

" Yes. She's the one person who won't lie to the family."

" Oh. In my family, that's Jason."

" Well, with us, it's Sasha. And you know what Emily? In all my years, I don't think that I have ever seen her be wrong. I mean, you may not like what she has to say, you may storm off and curse her, or even hate her for saying things, but I don't know of one thing that she has said, that hasn't come true. It's sort of eery how she can so correctly assess situations."

"I know the feeling. Jason can cut through the bull so fast it would make your head spin." Emily is over at the games. " OK." Emily looks on the pile. " Who chose these anyway?"

" Some shopping lady at Wyndam's."

" Figures. Hey...Nikolas. I've found it."

" What?"

" You want us to play these boring board games when you have Nintendo 64? Come on. Grab a control. And let's rock and roll."

" I have to warn you. I have gotten good at this."

" Eat my dust, Cassadine."

Emily and Nikolas proceed to play Nintendo 64 until, during and after the pizza comes. They just enjoy doing regular teen stuff.