CHARACTERS
SONNY CORINTHOS: Business man owning businesses in Port Charles and several other territories. The legitimacy of his business is not a concern for the purposes of this story.
KRISTINA CORINTHOS: Sonny's daughter. In this story she is not Alexis' daughter.
ETHAN LOVETT: Kristina's boyfriend.
MORGAN CORINTHOS: Sonny's son. In this story, he is not Carly's son.
EMMA DRAKE: Morgan's girlfriend. She's been SORAS'ed to be a young adult for this story.
DANTE FALCONERI: Sonny's son.
LULU SPENCER: Dante's potential girlfriend.
BROOKLYN ASHTON: In competition for Dante's affections.
BRENDA BARRETT: Sonny's longtime trusted companion.
JASON MORGAN: Sonny's oldest friend.
JAKE MORGAN: Jason's son, SORAS'ed to be a young adult for this story.
MICHAEL QUARTERMAINE: Jason's adopted son. For this story, he's AJ & Carly's biological son, adopted by Jason when Carly left him at his doorstep shortly after his birth.
ALEXIS DAVIS: Sonny's fool and conscience.
BERNIE ABRAMS: Kristina's business manager, previously employed by Sonny.
MAX GIAMBETTI: Sonny's guard.
MILO GIAMBETTI: Sonny's guard.
MOLLY LANSING: Jason's lawyer.
OLIVIA FALCONERI: Sonny's friend.
SAM MACALL: Jason's renter.
ROBIN SCORPIO: Doctor. Not necessarily Emma's mother for purposes of this story.
ACT I, SCENE 1:
(SONNY CORINTHOS' house on Harborview Road, Port Charles, New York. The living room is full of guests and SONNY is upstairs waiting to make a grand entrance. Guests include KRISTINA with her lover, ETHAN, MORGAN with his girlfriend, EMMA, and SONNY'S guards, MAX and MILO. They all stand around chattering nervously. DANTE is also in the room and he stands a bit apart.)
(BRENDA and JASON enter Sonny's house and stand in the foyer outside the main room. The door to the outside remains open.)
BRENDA
So how do you think this is going to break down Jas? You know, despite having the macho attitude about women in the business, I always thought Sonny was closer to Kristina than he is to Morgan.
JASON
I thought so too. Kristina certainly has more in common with Sonny than Morgan does. But now that the time's come when he wants to retire and have one of his kids take over the business, it's hard to tell which one he'll pick. I don't think he has a clue yet either.
BRENDA
(looking out the door, down the driveway)
Who's this, now? Is that Michael?
JASON
(glances out the door and sees Michael approaching the house)
Yes, that's my son.
BRENDA
What do you mean your 'son'?
JASON
Yeah. To be honest, when Carly dropped him off at my doorstep, I had no idea what I was supposed to do with him. And then when I took custody of him from AJ, I wasn't sure what to call him or what place he'd have in my life. But now I see the fine young man he's become, it makes me proud to say I had a hand in him. Came out okay considering the ugliness he came from.
(Overhearing JASON'S last few words, MICHAEL recoils. He then nods and smiles weakly at BRENDA as he enters the house.)
BRENDA
He seems to have turned out well enough.
JASON
You know I also have Jake. And though he's more my blood than Michael, I can't say my love for him is any greater.
(to Michael)
Do you remember this woman Michael?
MICHAEL
Uh, no, not really. I mean I just know her from pictures I've seen.
JASON
This is my friend Brenda.
MICHAEL
(holding out his hand to Brenda)
Any friend of Dad's is a friend of mine.
BRENDA
Nice to meet you, Michael. I look forward to seeing you around more often.
JASON
(to Brenda as Micheal listens from a distance)
All the time I took to acknowledge him and let him into my life is going to be kind of pointless, since he'll never be my legitimate son anyway.
(The chatter from the main room in SONNY'S house suddenly grows louder. JASON, BRENDA and MICHAEL enter the crowded room. SONNY has descended the stairs holding a map.)
SONNY
Jason, can you go find Lulu and Brooklyn? They need to be here for this.
(JASON nods and quickly exits the house. SONNY turns to address the crowd of friends and family in his living room.)
SONNY
Meanwhile, I guess I should say why I've gathered you all here today. As most of you know, my territory stretches throughout Port Charles and across New York and even further down the Eastern seaboard and the Caribbean. On this map, you'll see highlighted all that is under the control of my organization. And you'll see, I've essentially divided that territory in three pieces. Yes, the time has come for me to step down as boss. My children need to take over so I can spend my few remaining days in peace. So, to avoid confusion and contention later on, you all are here now to witness how I divvy up the business. Of course my kids, Kristina, Morgan and Dante, had to be here. But I also needed to include their partners since this will affect them as well. Thus, Ethan and Emma are here and I've called for Lulu and Brooklyn as well. Since they seem to be hashing out who gets to be with Dante, maybe what I have to say here will settle that rivalry. Okay? All right, then, let's get started. So, to help me decide who gets what, I need to ask my children a simple question. Don't think too much about it, it's really not that big a deal, just tell me as truthfully as you can: Which one of you loves me the most? Kristina, you go first.
KRISTINA
(initially shocked at the question, then resolving to answer it)
Dad, I love you more that I can even say right now. We've had our rough patches but, you know, if it ever came down to it, I'd go to the mat for you. I love you more than my own freedom, a love that totally goes beyond material stuff. Even if I could be given a life full of grace, health, beauty, and honor, I'd love you more than all of that. I love you more than any child has ever loved a father. There really aren't sufficient words to tell you just how much I love you.
DANTE
(whispering under this breath)
Holy shit, what the hell am I going to say? Hell if I have words like that.
SONNY
(grinning broadly at Kristina)
Okay, okay, I like it. You get New York and these other territories here.
(pointing at the map)
These will be yours and under your control and the control of the children you may have with Ethan. Now, you Morgan. How do you answer my question?
MORGAN
(shifting his eyes around and inhaling deeply)
I've got pretty much the same things to say as Kristina, Dad. She sort of nailed all I wanted to say. But I guess she does come short. I'll go so far as to say that I will make an enemy of all joys besides the joy of loving you. Like if someone offered me lifetime season tickets to the Yankees with a chance to go into the dugout after each game over loving you, I'd totally turn down the tickets. I am happiest only in my love for you. Everything else takes second place.
DANTE
(whispering under this breath)
Hell. Whatever I feel cannot possibly be expressed so smoothly.
SONNY
(nodding and smiling at Morgan)
All right then. You're getting these regions including Miami and the Island. It's nearly the same amount of territory I gave to Kristina.
(turning to Dante)
Now to my newest heir. You're the oldest but since I've known you the least time, your turn to speak had to come last. What answer can you give me?
DANTE
Nothing, Sonny.
SONNY
Nothing?
DANTE
Nothing.
SONNY
Nothing will come of nothing. Tell me again?
DANTE
I can't speak the contents of my heart to you, Sonny. I love you as much as I'm required to as your son, no more, no less.
SONNY
What the hell? Is that it? You better think of something else to say!
DANTE
Look, Sonny, you conceived me, and, from the moment you knew I was yours, you've loved me. I return those feelings to you as is fit. I'm here, aren't I, listening to this performance, obeying you, honoring you by being here? Why do Kristina and Morgan have partners if they profess they love you and only you? When I find my partner, I assure you, I'll bestow half my love on her. Half of my care and my duty will be hers. I'm sure I won't pick partners like my sister and brother have picked.
SONNY
Come on, Dante. Is this what you really feel?
DANTE
Yes, Sonny.
SONNY
I had no idea you could be so cruel, so heartless.
DANTE
I speak my mind and my heart. I'm telling you the only thing I know, and that's the truth.
SONNY
Okay, then. Let this truth you so value be your inheritance. I'm done. By God and all that is holy, I am done. I'm no longer your father. You're getting none of me, none of this. You're a stranger to me. Again.
BRENDA
Sonny, wait. You can't do this.
SONNY
No, I'm done. Wait for what? Don't get in the middle of this Brenda. You have no idea how much I loved this son of mine, how much respect I had for the man he is and would be, how high my hopes were for him. I wanted him to be the one to get it all.
(to Dante)
Get the hell out of my house! The sight of you is breaking my heart!
(to Max and Milo)
Get Lulu and Brooklyn in here now!
(Like everyone else in the room, DANTE is shocked by his father's reaction, but stands his ground. MAX and MILO scurry out of the house.)
SONNY
Kristina and her Ethan, Morgan and his Emma, with what I've given you divide up the last third. Let Dante's pride pay his bills from now on. I reserve the right to my cars, private plane, and my troop of guards. This house will be sold and the profit divided up between you two children. And as I age and grow infirm, you both will take turns taking care of me. All the revenue from the business and the leadership over the business is now yours.
BRENDA
Come on, Sonny! Stop a minute and think about what you're doing. You know I've been loyal to you for so many years. I've been on your side no matter what. Stop and listen to me for a minute. I've believed in you when no when else would…
SONNY
I'm not taking any of it back Brenda. My word stands. What's done is done.
BRENDA
You're being crazy. This is crazy. Don't you see that Dante was the most honest out of the three? He speaks plainly, Sonny. He speaks with honor and integrity. He is incapable of making things up just to flatter you. Get a hold of yourself and consider what you're doing. Dante does not love you the least. Just because his quiet words don't reverberate grandly in your hollow heart does not make him empty-hearted.
SONNY
Oh, so now I'm the one with the hollow heart? You better check yourself Brenda. This is the future of my business and family we're talking about.
BRENDA
I never considered myself as anything more than a pawn for you to use to get whatever bigger prize you wanted. And that was fine with me, as long as I got the chance to love you and be with you. Your safety, your well-being, was all that mattered to me.
SONNY
Stop! Just stop! Get away! I can't stand to look at you right now.
BRENDA
Let me be your eyes Sonny. Let me show you what you can't or don't want to see.
SONNY
Now, by God.
BRENDA
You take God's name in vain, Sonny.
SONNY
(raising a hand to Brenda)
I said, stop, get away from me. I can't stand any more of this.
ETHAN and DANTE
(talking over each other)
Stop Sonny! Don't do something you'll live to regret.
BRENDA
Go ahead Sonny. Hit me. Make me pay for speaking the truth when everyone else is too afraid to. With my last breath, I'll speak nothing but the truth to you, Sonny. What you're doing is wrong. What you're doing is evil.
SONNY
Listen, Brenda. If you're so loyal to me, listen to what I have to say. How dare you ask me to go back on what I've already declared? How can I take back the decision I made and compromise my power like that? You get five days, Brenda. Five days to live under my protection. And on the sixth day, you're on your own. I don't want to see your face in Port Charles again. If on the seventh day, you're still lingering around…God as my witness, Brenda.
BRENDA
Then, goodbye it is, Sonny. Your will is my command. At least, there's freedom for me out there.
(to Dante)
I hope you find peace and shelter from this insanity. Your words were right and spoken honorably.
(to Kristina and Morgan)
And may your grand speeches prove to be true in deed. I pray that your words lead to good actions too. Goodbye to all of you.
(BRENDA exits. JASON enters the house with LULU and BROOKLYN.)
DANTE
Here they are. Lulu and Brooklyn.
SONNY
Brooklyn, I'll address you first. I know you're interested in Dante. After what has happened here today I want to know, just what do you hope you will get of my business if he chooses to be with you.
BROOKLYN
I guess I'll share in whatever you've decided you're going to give him. I'll want no more than that, and I trust you won't offer him any less.
SONNY
When Dante was dear to me, he could have had it all. But now… There he is. Take a good look at him because that's all you'll be getting. If that's sufficient for you, so be it.
BROOKLYN
I don't know what to say.
SONNY
He's alone now, divorced from me and from this family and from his inheritance. You still interested?
BROOKLYN
Well, then, I'm sorry. I don't really have a choice, do I?
SONNY
Alright then, I guess that's it. I just had to be honest with you about what you were getting.
(to Lulu)
I have too much respect for you to even ask what you think. I can't ask that you take a man that's humiliated himself so much. I can only ask that you turn your affections elsewhere. Dante is not worthy of you.
LULU
This is so strange Sonny. The son who you've been bending over backwards to please and were so proud to call your own, the son who you loved from the day you met him and loved infinitely more once you knew he was yours. What could such a son have possibly done to incur such a violent reaction from you? Could he have committed so heinous an offence as to deserve such hatred? I can't really believe Dante would be capable of something so awful. I just can't wrap my head around it.
DANTE
I beseech you again Sonny. If ever I've wanted to be skilled at smooth-talk and a loose tongue and not to have a purposeful action to my words… because, rest assured, whatever I intend, I do, before I've even spoken it… it's to say this: I haven't hurt anyone, killed anyone, committed anything so foul and filthy or taken any dishonoring action that would allow you to close your heart to me so forcefully. You know what? In fact, I'm richer now that you've closed it all off to me. I still see clearly and know what I am and what I feel. I'm glad I don't have the skills at speechifying, even if that lack of skill has cost me your affections.
SONNY
It'd been better you'd never been born then to live and treat me this way.
LULU
Is that it then? Was Dante too late in speaking? Is he guilty simply of making history of his intentions before speaking them? Of taking his own affections for granted and assuming you would understand his feelings without him having to spell them all out for you? Brooklyn, what's the story? Are you still interested? Dante is himself a dowry.
BROOKLYN
(to Sonny)
Give him what is his due and I'll have him.
SONNY
Nothing. I'm sworn to give him nothing. I'm firm in that.
BROOKLYN
I'm sorry Dante. You've lost your father, and, now, you've lost me.
DANTE
Go in peace Brook. It's obvious your feelings for fortune outweigh any feelings you have for me.
LULU
Dante, you've just been made infinitely richer, having been made poor. Forsaken as you are, but what a choice for me! Hated as you are, but how totally loved by me! I'm yours, you're mine. How interesting that the coldness with which you've been confronted today, makes my desire for you so much hotter. No matter what Brooklyn says now, whether she change her mind or not, no chance in hell I'm giving you up now. Tell these losers goodbye Dante. You've lost them but only better days lie ahead for you.
SONNY
Take him, Lulu. He's yours. He's no son of mine and I'll never lay eyes on him again.
(LULU and DANTE leave SONNY'S living room. KRISTINA and MORGAN join them in the foyer.)
LULU
I guess you better say goodbye to your sister and brother, Dante.
DANTE
Yeah. Well, you two have taken the cake and eaten it too, I guess. I am your brother and I'm not going to get into what I think was wrong with what you just did in there. I do want you to know that I saw it and now I see the both of you for who you are. Love him well, like you say. You're committed to that now. If I were in your place I'd wish a better kind of commitment for him. Good bye.
MORGAN
Don't tell us what to do, Dante. You're not the boss of us.
KRISTINA
Go ahead, Dante, spend all the mind and heart and energy you have making Lulu happy. She's taking you when no one else will. You're the loser in all this Dante, not us.
DANTE
Time will tell, I guess.
LULU
Come on, Dante. Let's get out of here.
(LULU hooks her arm into DANTE'S and they walk out of the house.)
KRISTINA
Morgan, we've got a lot to talk about. I think Dad's coming over to my place tonight.
MORGAN
Yes. I know he'll be staying with you first and then with me.
KRISTINA
You see how changed he's become in his old age. We haven't seen the half of it yet. You know he always had a soft spot for Dante. How crazy for him to cast him off like that so viciously.
MORGAN
He totally has no idea what he's doing, does he. You think he's going senile or something?
KRISTINA
I don't know. Even in the best of circumstances and health, he's always been pretty emotional and rash. He's always been a flawed man, but it's getting out of control now I fear. It can only get worse with age, I suppose.
MORGAN
What craziness was that with Brenda? Did you see the way he banished her from his kingdom? He's losing his marbles.
KRISTINA
Yeah, and it can't be good breaking ties with Lulu like that either. We've got to put our heads together and anticipate his next move lest it be against us.
MORGAN
True that.
KRISTINA
We must strike while the iron is hot.