Dream a Little Dream

Chapter 30

“We've got another auction!” Lucy called out, returning to the stage in a bronze satin strapless gown, ruched down the center to the knees, then flaring out in a mermaid skirt to the floor.

“Heather Webber has graciously donated an eight-week cooking class for two at her cooking school in the waterfront district,” Lucy continued. “She'll tailor the class to your needs and skills – whether you're a total beginner, or looking to explore ethnic cooking, whatever. Sounds like a fun way to spend an evening. What do you say?”

“Two thousand!” Kevin Collins called out. “Maybe our kitchen will finally get some use.”

Lucy made a face at him. “Very funny, Doc,” she retorted.

“Twenty-five hundred,” Jax countered.

“Three thousand!” chimed in Courtney Matthews.

The bidding climbed to $8,000 before Courtney won. Jeremy Logan had been watching the proceedings amusedly. He turned to look at Courtney, who was opening her bag to get her checkbook, thought for a moment, and smiled.

* * *

Luke returned from outside and went back towards the ballroom. He looked in to find Nikolas Cassadine, and, catching his eye, nodded almost imperceptibly towards the bar. Nikolas got up from the Quartermaine table and joined him.

“You've heard something,” Nikolas asked in a low voice.

“Yep,” Luke said. “Can you and Vlad come to the house tomorrow at noon? I'll tell you everything then, but I have to talk it over with Laura first.”

“You want Uncle there?”

“This concerns him, too,” Luke said. “Tell him what you know, and that I'll tell you the rest tomorrow. Lucky, Lulu and your grandmother will be there, too.”

Nikolas nodded. “I'll see you then.”

* * *

“We're going to bring a little magic to tonight's program,” Lucy said. “We present, AJ the Magnificent and his trusty sidekick, Felicia Scorpio!”

Jason furrowed his brow. AJ? Magnificent?

The curtain opened to reveal AJ in white tie and tails, wearing a black cape with a red lining, and a top hat. Felicia was in a red bodysuit with a black fringe skirt, trimmed in black lace and jet sequins.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!” AJ called out. “I hope you're ready for some amazing feats of prestidigitation!”

From his left sleeve, he pulled out a large bright blue shawl.

“Here, Lucy!” AJ said, tossing it offstage to her. “This may come in handy tonight!”

The audience roared with laughter.

AJ did a few more sleight-of-hand tricks, then he motioned Felicia to join him. He put her in a wardrobe-type box, and closed the door. He deftly turned the box around, then, bringing it back to the front, opened the door to reveal an empty box. He closed the door, turned the box again, opened the door, and Felicia appeared to applause.

“Can you make her credit cards disappear, please?” Mac called out from the audience.

“Dammit, Mac, I'm a magician, not a miracle worker!” AJ replied, imitating Dr. McCoy from “Star Trek.”

AJ then took off his hat, showing the seemingly inside to the audience. He waved his hand over it, then began pulling out sewn-together silk scarves. “Hmmm, what's this?” he said.

“Carly, you've been in my stuff again!” he called. Carly, standing offstage, looked stunned. She put her hand on her chest and mouthed, “moi?” at AJ. He grinned, and kept pulling at the scarves. At the end was a necklace of round diamonds in graduated size. AJ pulled it off the scarves and motioned Carly onto the stage. Her eyes were like saucers when she saw the pretty bauble up close. He fastened it around her neck, then dipped her low for a kiss.

“Now there's some real magic!” AJ said. Monica and Alan led the applause. Jason looked down to hide his grimace.

“When did AJ learn magic?” Jason asked after the curtain closed.

“In jail,” Monica said. “He was in the library, looking for something to read, and he found a book on magic. He couldn't spend much time out of his cell. The officials decided it would be unsafe. So he spent his free time practicing. It kept his hands free, and was a distraction from thinking about wanting to drink. After he got out of jail and rehab, he kept practicing and did magic acts as part of his community service. He'd go to senior citizens' homes, pediatric wings, schools, wherever. He'd teach kids magic tricks, too. That was in addition to the roadside trash pickups and soup kitchens. He still does his act for the kids every year as part of the Christmas party at the hospital.”

“Oh,” Jason said. Then he was distracted as Lucy came back onto the stage, in a sapphire blue one-shouldered satin gown.

* * *

Meanwhile, Jeremy Logan had made his way to Courtney's table.

“Nice prize you won,” he said. Courtney smiled.

“Yes,” she said. “It's perfect. I've been working on eating more healthily the last few years, but I am totally sick of grilled chicken breasts and stir-fries. Hopefully, Heather can teach me a few new things.”

“I know what you mean about wanting a change,” Jeremy said. “I had a cook in while my mother was ill, but afterwards when I was on my own, I got into the bad habit of take-out, sandwiches and Trader Joe's frozen pizzas. I really should do better.”

The mention of Anne gave Courtney the opportunity she'd been looking for.

“There's something I wanted to ask you, Jeremy,” she said. “With your support of the mobile health clinic, we'd like to show our gratitude.”

“You don't have to do that, Courtney,” Jeremy said. “I didn't do it for thanks, or publicity.”

“I know,” Courtney said. “But I think a fitting honor would be to name it after your mother. As you said, it combined two of her loves.”

Jeremy looked down and away for a moment, fighting tears. Then he turned and smiled gently at Courtney.

“I couldn't think of anything I'd like more,” he said. “Thank you.”

“I'm glad,” Courtney said with a smile.

“Who are you going to take your class with?” Jeremy asked. Courtney stared.

“I didn't even think about that,” she said.

“Would you let me take it with you?” Jeremy asked. “As I said, I do need some better habits.”

Courtney smiled brilliantly. “I'd love it,” she said. “It'd be more fun to have someone else there. Here comes Heather – let's make the arrangements.”

From her table, Audrey Hardy looked over at Jeremy and Courtney with concern in her eyes. She knew Courtney's history with AJ, and had heard the rumors about Jax. Jeremy wasn't up to her games, Audrey worried. Maybe he needs a diversion.

* * *

“Our next number is some of Port Charles' fine young people,” she said. “Here are Elizabeth Webber, Karen Wexler, Gia Campbell, Samantha McCall, Mary Bishop, Robin Scorpio, Ric Lansing, Steven Webber, Linc Murphy, Lucky Spencer, Zander Lewis and Brian Beck in 'Matchmaker, Matchmaker.'”

The girls dashed onstage in peasant attire, babushkas in their hair.

“Well, somebody has to arrange the matches,” Mary said. “Young people can't decide these things themselves.”

“She might bring someone wonderful,” Sam said.

“Someone interesting,” Karen said.

“And well off,” Robin said.

“And important,” Elizabeth said.

“Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a match, find me a find, catch me a catch,” the girls sang together. “Matchmaker, Matchmaker, look through your book, and make me a perfect match.”

The song went on with the girls' desires for a man. Then Gia broke in.

“Since when are you in a match, Chava?” she asked Sam. “I thought you had your eye on your books.”

Sam gave a shy laugh.

“And you have your eye on the Rabbi's son,” Gia turned to Karen.

“Well, why not?” Karen said. “We have only one Rabbi and he has only one son. Why shouldn't I want the best?”

“Because you're a girl from a poor family,” Gia said. “So whatever Yente brings, you'll take, right? Of course right!”

Then Gia launched into an imitation of Yente. She grabbed and spun Karen.

“Hodel, oh Hodel, have I made a match for you!” Gia cackled. “He's handsome, he's young! All right, he's 62. But he's a nice man, a good catch, true? True. I promise you'll be happy. And even if you're not, there's more to life than that. Don't ask me what.”

Gia went for Sam next.

“Chava, I found him! Won't you be a lucky bride! He's handsome! He's tall! That is, from side to side. But he's a nice man, a good catch, right? Right.

“You heard he has a temper. He'll beat you every night. But only when he's sober,
So you're all right! Did you think you'd get a prince? Well, I do the best I can. With no dowry, no money, no family background, be glad you got a man!”

The giddy music continued. The men came out and led the girls in a whirling dance – Ric with Elizabeth, Brian with Karen, Steven with Robin, Zander with Mary, Linc with Gia, Lucky with Sam – and then retreated offstage.

The girls wrapped up with the final chorus.

“Matchmaker, Matchmaker, plan me no plans. I'm in no rush, maybe I've learned playing with matches a girl can get burned. So bring me no ring. Groom me no groom. Find me no find. Catch me no catch. Unless he's a matchless match.”

* * *

“Excuse me, Jeremy, I'll be back in a few minutes,” Courtney said. She got up and exited the ballroom, heading for the ladies' room.

After leaving the stall, she stood in front of the mirror and smiled. She was glad she'd heeded Stefan's advice. Her dress was stunning, the jewelry was simple but smashing, and the colors brought out a vivaciousness she'd forgotten she had.

Meanwhile, Audrey and Alan went over to where Jeremy was sitting.

“Having a good time?” Alan asked.

“It's been an interesting night,” Jeremy said. “This is an amazing thing you do here.”

“Steve would be so proud of this,” Audrey said. Alan caught someone's eye and waved them over.

“Good evening, Dr. Quartermaine,” Rachel Adair said, walking over to the group with a young black woman.

“Audrey, I have someone I want you to meet,” Alan asked. “This is Dr. Lainey Winters. She's just joined us two weeks ago. She's a psychiatrist. Dr. Winters, this is Audrey Hardy, our former head nurse, and her nephew, Jeremy Logan. You know Rachel, of course, Audrey.”

Handshakes and polite “how-do-you-do's” were made.

“Jeremy is in the middle of moving here from Seattle,” Alan told Rachel and Lainey. “So he's learning his way around like you.”

“How are you finding things so far?” Rachel asked.

“It's a good change,” Jeremy said. “I'm glad to be coming back closer to my family.”

Audrey looked at Rachel affectionately yet sadly. She remembered Steven's heartbreak, but knew deep-down the two were not a good match at the time. Audrey made a mental note to have Steven over soon and get a gauge of his feelings now that Rachel was in Port Charles.

“Oh, and here's my nephew, Justus Ward,” Alan said, drawing Justus over and introducing him to Lainey and Rachel. More polite small talk followed.

* * *

Carly left the stage area and went over to the hospitality suite. Everyone was dressed and ready to go on.

“You're all ready, good,” Carly said.

“How do I look, Mom?” Michael asked.

“Perfect, my little man,” Carly said. Then she turned to Dillon and Georgie. “We'll be ready for your number in about 20 minutes. Leave the suite in 15 minutes through the service door there, and go down to the end. Take a left, and follow that right to the backstage entrance. Wait there for me.”

Dillon and Georgie nodded. “Got it,” they said.

“Okay,” Carly replied. “See you in a bit.”

Carly closed the door of the suite, smiling at how adorable Michael was. She walked back towards backstage. She heard the ladies' room door opening, and turning, saw Courtney Matthews emerge. Carly's eyes narrowed. She'd seen Courtney schmoozing Jeremy Logan all night long. No way was that bitch going to get her claws into a Quartermaine friend, Carly thought.

Courtney did not see Carly. She paused in the lobby, looking at some of the AIDS quilt blocks. She turned to go back into the ballroom, pausing at the door to look around.

“Looking for your latest potential conquest?” she heard Carly sneer into her ear. Carly then jerked Courtney away from the door, towards the hallway leading to the ladies' room and backstage.

“Excuse me?” Courtney said coldly, then turned to walk back to the ballroom.

“I saw you playing up to Jeremy,” Carly hissed. “Forget about it. His mother left a pretty high standard for him. And what are you? The nothing daughter of a con artist and sister of a murdering hoodlum. You'll never be anything but Sonny Corinthos' sister in this town. Why do you even try?”

Courtney closed her eyes. She wouldn't let that bitch Carly see her words hit home. Without turning around, she said, “Would you step back a little, please? Your trailer park stench is getting a bit strong.”

Carly's nostrils flared dangerously.

“You seriously think you have a chance with Jeremy?” Carly said. “Everyone knows what you are. He'll hear all about you and run for the hills, or into the arms of a nice girl. Not someone with mob grease on them.”

AJ, coming from backstage, saw Carly with Courtney and his eyes widened in alarm. He hurried down the hall.

“I have a lot of regrets about having Sonny as a brother,” Courtney said, turning to Carly with a vicious smile. “My biggest regret about him was his lousy aim,” she added, punctuating her remark with a pointed look at the side of Carly's head that Sonny's bullet had grazed.

“You bitch!” Carly growled, lunging at Courtney. AJ, who'd heard Courtney's remark, grabbed Carly's waist with one hand and clamped the other over her mouth.

“Get away,” AJ snarled at Courtney. She stood there for a moment watching Carly's eyes bug and arms flail.

“Boy, a wife like that could drive a man to drink,” Courtney said with a mocking smile. AJ turned red with fury.

“Leave now, or I let go,” he snapped, with a nod to Carly. Courtney smiled again.

“Enjoy your evening,” she said, and sauntered back to the ballroom as AJ dragged Carly backstage. She looked over to Jeremy and her smile faded somewhat. Audrey was sitting with him, along with two pretty young women – one African-American, the other blonde.

She turned towards the bar. Stefan Cassadine was beside her in an instant.

“What on earth was going on out there?” he demanded in a whisper. “Why did you have to antagonize Carly as you obviously did?”

Courtney looked at him, her eyes like ice.

“Excuse me, Stefan, but if the Quartermaines play nice with me, I play nice with them,” she replied coldly. “You saw how I was with Skye that night at the Floating Rib. But I won't lie down for Carly or any of them. If she wants to dish it out, she better be prepared to take it.”

Stefan rolled his eyes.

“I thought you were past that, Courtney,” Stefan said.

“I'm fine,” she said. “I'm just not going to let Trailer Park Barbie lord anything over me. As I said, I'll do unto the Quartermaines as they do unto me. If you have a problem with that, you can take it up with the Quartermaines as well. Excuse me, I think Jeremy's waiting for me.”

She sailed away from Stefan with pale cheeks and sparkling eyes. Stefan sighed and returned to his table.

* * *

AJ got Carly through the backstage doors. She was red-faced and her eyes were blazing with fury.

“How dare you grab me like that!” she hissed. AJ glared right back.

“Remember where you are!” he said in a low voice. “You want to have your little catfight splashed across the front page for Michael to see? That'd really make you look good!”

Carly looked down at the floor and breathed hard.

“As much as I would have loved to have seen you clock her, that wasn't the time or the place, unfortunately,” AJ continued. Carly looked up with a grin.

“Yeah, but it would have been fun,” she said. AJ smiled back.

“It does make a nice image,” he said. “You okay now?”

“Yeah, I'm good,” Carly said. “Get back to the table. Got the big finale coming up soon.”

AJ kissed her cheek.

“Be good,” he said with a wink and a wagging finger.

* * *

After a juggling performance by some orderlies, Robin came out on the stage, back in her gown.

“Good evening,” she said. “For those who don't know, I'm Robin Scorpio, administrator of the Stone Cates AIDS Wing at General Hospital.

“It's hard to believe that it's been almost ten years since I lost Stone and was diagnosed with HIV,” Robin continued. “I thought everything was over. I couldn't see a future – just a black abyss staring me in the face. But the future happened, one day at a time, and here I am today. Each day has brought a blessing to me – family like my mom, my Uncle Mac, my Aunt Felicia, and my cousins Georgie and Maxie, wonderful friends, and work that is meaningful.

“But HIV and AIDS still threaten my future,” she went on. “It threatens the future of all of us, even if we don't have the disease. We lose good people, loved people, to it every day. Those losses leave holes in our lives and hearts. I will always wonder what Stone could have made of his life had he had the chance. One of the goals of the Stone Cates AIDS Wing is to help find better treatment, so we can save more people in the hopes that a cure can be found. That's why the Nurses' Ball remains relevant. Everyone's efforts here tonight help us towards those goals. Thank you for giving all you can.”

Mac and Anna led a standing ovation. Robin walked down the stage steps back to her table.

Lucy quickly swallowed the last bite of another cannoli and headed back onstage.

“Thank you, Robin!” she said. “Our next performers come to us courtesy of L&B Records – Eddie Maine and Hutch, performing 'You've Got a Friend.'”

The curtain opened, and Ned and Hutch were sitting on stools, each holding acoustic guitars. They played the opening, then Ned began.

“When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right. Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there
to brighten up even your darkest nights.”

Ned and Hutch sang the chorus together.

“You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am I'll come running to see you again. Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there, yeah, yeah, you've got a friend.”

Hutch sang the second verse, then he and Ned harmonized again for the chorus. They finished the song to strong applause.

“Wasn't that beautiful?” Lucy said. “Thank you, Ned and Hutch. It's time for our final auction of the night. L&B artist Miguel Morez, who got his start as an orderly at our own General Hospital, has generously donated two front-row seats for his concert this October at Madison Square Garden. He's also kicking in airfare, two nights hotel lodging, and dinner for two at Alain Ducasse at Essex House.”

“Four thousand!” Nikolas bid. Jax, Lorenzo and Kevin jumped in on the bidding, but Nikolas won with a bid of $10,000. Lucy clapped her hands and squealed in excitement.

“Thank you so much, Nikolas!” Lucy said, as the applause died down. “This next number is one that is near and dear to my heart. Twelve years ago, Steve Hardy gave me the go-ahead to launch the Nurses' Ball. He went above and beyond, leading the way in the hospital's commitment to it, even performing a memorable number himself. This is for you, Steve.”

Lucy smiled at Audrey, and wiped a tear away as she walked off the stage. The curtain rose to an empty stage, only with a baseball stadium backdrop. The only sound was an audible gasp from Audrey as TJ walked onto the stage, wearing Steve's old uniform. Michael, wearing a baseball uniform, too, trotted beside him.

“You really saw it?” Michael asked TJ.

“I sure did,” TJ replied.

“Tell me about it,” Michael said. From the side of the stage, Dillon, Georgie, Maxie, Brooke Lynn, Diego, Lulu and Serena drifted over to listen, garbed in early 20^th-century clothes.

In the audience, Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears as she lay her head on Ric's shoulder. Steven and Jeremy also grew misty-eyed.

“The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day,” TJ began. “The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play. And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same, a pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

“A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, 'If only Casey could but get a whack at that —
We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat.'

“But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.

“But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despised, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

“Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

“There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.

“Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt;
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.

“And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped —
'That ain't my style,' said Casey. 'Strike one!' the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,

Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
'Kill him! Kill the umpire!' shouted someone on the stand;
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it and the umpire said, 'Strike two!'

'Fraud!' cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered 'Fraud!'
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate,
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate;
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out.”

Only a moment of silence followed before Audrey leaped to her feet, applauding wildly, smiling gloriously, tears streaming down her cheeks. Everyone in the audience followed suit, wiping their eyes as they stood. TJ led the group down from the stage, then ran into Audrey's arms as the applause grew louder and louder. Elizabeth, Steven and Jeremy joined in the embrace.

Michael ran over to AJ, who knelt down and engulfed his son in a bear hug. “Were you surprised, Dad? Huh? Huh?” Michael crowed. Tracy, who had quietly returned to the table during the last auction, beamed at Dillon and pulled him into a hug.

“You couldn't have made me prouder,” she whispered. Dillon hugged her back fiercely. Ned clapped him on the back.

“Nice work, kid,” Ned said. “Did you hear what our mother has done?”

“No,” Dillon said, looking puzzled.

“She was the winner of Magic Johnson's auction,” Ned said.

“Really?” Dillon said, looking in surprise at Tracy. What would she want with a Hollywood event like that? Then Tracy raised an eyebrow, Ned grinned, and Dillon caught on. He fell to his knees, hugged Tracy's legs and gazed up at her. “I love you, Mommy,” he said in a mock-little boy's voice. Tracy ruffled his hair, and gave it a gentle tug.

“Get up, you noodle,” she said. “I figured my boys should have some male bonding beyond complaining about me.”

The Quartermaines settled back at their table. Michael sat on AJ's lap.

“That was really good, Michael,” Jason said.

“Thank you,” Michael said politely. Then he turned back to AJ with a glowing face and a few bounces of excitement. “I saw your magic act on the TV, Dad! You were awesome! Mom was so surprised! Were you surprised to see me, Dad?”

“You bet!” AJ said, with kiss in Michael's hair. “You did really great out there. I'm so proud of you!”

Jason flushed at Michael's dismissive politeness, and animated adoration for AJ.

* * *

As that number was going on, Lucy was in her dressing room with Elton, struggling into her final dress. It was strapless, in fire-engine red covered in crystals, with a slight train at the back.

“I don't know if I can get it hooked,” Elton panted through clenched teeth. “What on earth happened, punkin? It fit like a glove last week.”

Lucy looked at the half-eaten cannoli in her hand, and did a quick calculation of how many she'd eaten that night.

“Ohhhhhh!” she sighed in exasperation. “I should've left the cannolis!”

She sucked in her waist with a deep breath, and Elton got it hooked. The seams strained, but held.

“There!” Elton said, straightening up.

“Think it's all right?” Lucy asked anxiously.

“As long as you don't do any handsprings,” Elton said. Lucy gave one last look, checked her shoes, and headed out to the stage.

“That was a lovely tribute to a lovely man,” Lucy said. “I want to thank all our participants for their efforts. And I have to give a special thanks to my amazing assistants, Carly Quartermaine and Elton Herbert, who gave so much of their time and patience to help make tonight such an amazing success. And thank you to all of you for coming. It is because of your support that the Nurses' Ball is such a success, and so many people are helped.

“To wrap things up, we have one final dance,” Lucy continued. “Doc, come on up!”

Kevin bounded onto the stage as Lucy handed the microphone to Elton. Kevin took Lucy in her arms and the opening notes to “Ain't No Mountain High Enough” began. Together they whirled and sashayed around the stage.

Then, as the music began to crescendo to the chorus after the third verse, Lucy did a spin out of Kevin's arms. As she spun, the train of her dress caught on the bit of Emily's heel left in the crack in the stage floor. It pulled at her dress – the hooks popped off, the seams gave way ... and Lucy finished the spin in her red lace bra and panties.

Flashbulbs popped. The audience clapped. Luke called out, “Attagirl, Luce, I knew you wouldn't let me down!” Kevin turned crimson. Lucy's jaw dropped and her eyes popped in shock.

Emily turned white with embarrassment as she realized that it was her shoe that led to Lucy's disrobing. She put her face in her hands as the Quartermaines burst out laughing. Nikolas was mortified at first, but he couldn't help but see the hilarity of the situation. He looked over at Stefan, who was struggling to keep a straight face. Their eyes met, and both fell into laughter. Nikolas got up and walked over to Stefan, who stood up. The two embraced wordlessly, but still laughing.

Lucy recovered fast, and spun back into Kevin's arms for a final dip. With embarrassed grins, they held the pose for a moment and waved to the audience. Elton brought the microphone out.

“Thank you so much, Port Charles! Good night!” Lucy said with a rueful laugh. Then she turned to walk off the stage. The cheers and catcalls reached another crescendo and then she remembered. She was wearing a thong. With a squeal, she ducked ahead of Kevin and got off the stage as fast as she could.