Todd is just a few floors up at The Metro Court in his office at The Sun. He can not concentrate much just thinking about what I have told him about Kate Howard exposing our relationship. I have to think, he says aloud. He closes his eyes, nothing. Suddenly he stands, pulls off his shoes and does a handstand against the wall. Something he has done for years to get the blood rushing to his brain. He is talking aloud, spouting possibilities and doing pushups at the same time. I know he says, I'll go see Sonny Corinthos and tell him he better reel in his woman or I'll put her on the front page telling the world that she's bananas. And if that doesn't work, I'll kill her. He gets back on his feet. No, he says, if I kill her there's a good chance I will be taken for a ride in the trunk of what I'm sure will be a very nice car by Sonny's goons. And then Jason Morgan will probably shoot me with his big shiny gun. No, no I can't have that. He puts his shoes back on and shakes his head, I think I'll just do the first part. Todd heads for his office door intent on going and lowering the boom on Sonny. He opens the door and to his surprise, who is standing there about to knock, but Kate Howard herself.
The look on Todd's face is priceless. He smiles big. Kate smiles at him. Hello Mr. Manning, I was wondering if I could speak with you? Sure sure, c'mon on in. As she walks past Todd to enter his office, he is grinning ear to ear as he mumbles, so the bleach blonde rat has come to the cat. I'm sorry, says Kate, did you say something? Todd closes the door, oh just making a mental note aloud about an upcoming story, I do that all the time. Please, sit down Ms. Howard. Todd sits down behind his desk. So what is it you wanted to speak to me about? It's about Crimson Magazine, I want it back, says Kate. Todd continues to smile, Oh I see, well Ms. Howard... she interrupts, please, call me Kate. Alright and you may call me Todd. About Crimson, Todd continues, I'm afraid you getting it back will be impossible, you see I'm thinking of shutting down publication. No you can't do that, she says, I started that magazine and made it into a successful worldwide publication, it's my baby. Really Ms. Howard, oh I'm sorry, Kate, I don't think the world needs yet another fashion magazine with a bunch of skinny models wearing stuff that no one in their right mind would ever wear. Now if you want to buy it back that's different, but I'm not just going to hand it over, he says. Kate is becoming agitated. Todd knows exactly what he is doing as he continues to push her buttons. Todd, I'm sure you want an enormous amount of money for it and I just don't have that kind of cash, she says. But I thought you said it was a successful worldwide publication, I'm sure you made a pretty penny off of it, smiles Todd. Well it's been awhile since I have been at the magazine, you see I have been ill and I had many expenses, she says, trying to get sympathy from Todd. What about your boyfriend Sonny Corinthos, can't he give you the money, asks Todd. No absolutely not, says Kate, I would never take money from Sonny. Then you must not want it that bad, says Todd. Kate's nostrils are flaring, she has had enough, listen you, she points at Todd as she stands, you will give me back Crimson or else. Todd pretends to be surprised, why Kate whatever is wrong with you, or maybe I should call you Connie. Her eyes widen, Connie? Who's Connie?Todd stands as well, aw cut the crap, I know you're Connie. There is a small silence between the two as they stand facing each other. Okay, you got me, she says, looks like your shrink slash lover told you about me. Tell me, was it over pillow talk after doing it rough, she smiles. Did she tell you I have this D.I.D.? What a load of bull, she continues, anyway, why am I telling you this, what do you know about D.I.D.? Todd is serious now, oh believe me I know about D.I.D. first hand. He holds up a book he has pulled from a drawer. So you read a book about it, big deal, says Connie, that don't make you no expert. The woman on the front cover of this book is my sister, says Todd, it's about her and my niece. They both suffer from this damn thing, so don't tell me I don't know D.I.D. Connie's smug smile disappears, well boo hoo, too bad for them, but I ain't sick. Listen are you going to give me that rag of a mag back or... Todd interrupts her, Or what Connie? You're going to tell everyone that will listen about me and Dr. Dunning? That and so much more she says. Todd's expression changes. Hah, I got your attention now don't I, she smirks. Continue says Todd.
You sign Crimson over to me or I'll sing not only about you and Doc Dunning's affair, but about you blackmailing that little girl into sleeping with Johnny. In exchange for you covering up the fact that you know that she's the one that did the hit and run on Lulu Spencer Falconeri. Todd smiles, so let me get this straight, you're going to blackmail me over the fact that I black mailed that girl into sleeping with Johnny, wow, classic. Yeah isn't it, and let's not forget that we both know who really killed your kids little family, says Connie. Todd stares down Connie with daggers. Okay Connie you win, you've got me, Todd throws his hands up in the air. Man, you and doc are so easy, you both aren't very smart, you two were made for each other, she says laughingly. I tell you what Connie, I will have my lawyer draw up the paper work and I will sign Crimson over to you. Wait a minute, she says, how do I know you ain't gonna try and pull a fast one on me? You don't, says Todd, you're just going to have to trust me, so take it or leave it. Connie eyes Todd with suspicion, I'll take it. She moves close to Todd looking him up and down, you know, you are a very good looking man, you smell good too. What do you see in Doc Dunning anyway? You know if you let me, I could rock your world and make you forget all about her. And what would Sonny have to say about that, asks Todd. Connie rolls her eyes, aw why did you have to go and ruin the moment by saying that greasers name? She smiles and moves even closer to Todd, she runs her hand over his chest, so what do you say Toddy boy, I like it rough too. Todd grabs her arm hard as she is slowly moving it downward on his body, oh yeah, smiles Connie, that's what I'm talking about. I wouldn't touch you with a twenty foot pole, says Todd, his facial expression actually frightening Connie. She backs off and straightens herself up before grabbing her purse, you better have those papers by tomorrow. She walks out slamming the door behind her. Todd laughs to himself, get ready Connie, you're going down.