Honor Among Men
Br: Gee Grandpa, just what I always wanted… a kick in the teeth.
Vic: I realize that you've helped Chloe through a very difficult time. And obviously, her family feels grateful and your family feels proud, but I can't share in their gratitude and pride.
Br: Grandpa…
Vic: The fact remains… you kept quiet about this, for months, with no regard for Phillip's feelings. He had a right to know, and deep down, you know that no amount of self-justification can erase the wrong you've done to Phillip.
Br: (perplexed) Are you seriously saying this to me? You're saying that everything that happened over the last few months means nothing because I didn't put Phillip first?
Vic: As I've said, I need to be honest.
Br: (dismissive) Whatever, Grandpa. So… the only thing that will make you feel better is for me to declare to you that I will remain loyal and focused on Phillip?
Vic: It's what I want.
Br: Me, loyal?
Vic: Yes.
Br: Toward Phillip?
Vic: Yes.
Br: Phillip… meaning family?
Vic: Yes.
Br: At all costs?
Vic: Yes.
Br: So basically, you want me to be loyal toward family, at all costs?
Vic: Absolutely.
Br: Sorry, can't do it.
Vic: (frustrated) I can see that.
Br: (terse) Of course you can… because you're exactly the same way.
Vic: (getting angry) Don't you dare accuse me of…
Br: Being disloyal to family?
Vic: Yes.
Br: Well, I am, Grandpa. Your attempts to break up Phillip and Chloe can be construed as being disloyal…
Vic: Well, you were my accomplice, Brady…
Br: Actually, the word is 'confidant'. All I did was listen to you rant about their relationship. I 'advised' Phillip about his jealousy and obsession with her. As far as I'm concerned, I was very loyal to the both of you. You don't have exclusive rights to my loyalty and for you to demand that… you're setting yourself up for major disappointment. And for the record… Phillip's damn lucky that he got my advice, instead of an ass-kissing.
Vic: (stunned) Why? Because he 'wounded' Chloe, all those times?
Br: No… because of that little slip of his… saying that he would put me back in the wheelchair if I…
Vic: He was just upset…
Br: Well, so am I.
Vic: So, is that why you went after her?
Br: Phillip has nothing to do with my feelings for Chloe. In fact, Phillip factors into very little of what I do, especially when it comes to Chloe. But you can't say the same about Phillip. He is just as obsessed with me as he is with Chloe, but the only difference is that I lack the empathy to coddle him or let him down easily. (taking a deep breath) Look Grandpa, I'm sorry that I am laying this on you, but you need to know that I'm keeping my distance from him, not because of Chloe, but because of me. I'm not in a particularly patient place right now, and I need all of it I can muster, when I deal with him. So keep him away from me or he's going to get hurt… not necessarily physically, but who knows… the night is young.
Brady stared at his drained grandfather and felt pangs of regret about his tirade.
Br: (touching his shoulder) Grandpa… I think it will be best if we change the subject, since it's making neither of us happy.
Vic: (looking at him) You know we can't. You don't want to hear this, but… I am sure that Chloe feels indebted to you for all the sacrifices you've made, but you know something always pulls her back to Phillip.
Br: (dismissive) …much to your chagrin…
Vic: And eventually… to yours.
Br: You think so?
Vic: I know so.
Br: Either you overestimate Phillip or you underestimate me.
Vic: In either scenarios, I lose.
Br: Don't be so grim, Grandpa. (thinking) I know what will cheer you up.
Vic: What?
Br: Well… it's something that you're good at and, to say the least, you love to do it.
Vic: No thanks. Nicole's being a …
Br: (thinking) I wasn't talking about you and Nicole… (making a face) Too much information, Grandpa… I may be 21, but I am still your grandkid.
Vic: (devilish) I was just getting even.
Br: For what?
Vic: For getting a rise out of me, by pursuing Chloe.
Br: (offended) That is not what I'm doing.
Vic: Okay, okay. I don't want to fight with you.
Br: Good.
Vic: So, what is this… 'something' that, apparently, I am good at and I love to do?
Br: Making money.
Vic: (suspicious) You're going to help me make money? How? Are you leaving Basic Black?
Br: Hell no. I have a proposition for you, not related to Titan or Basic Black.
Vic: I'm listening.
Br: I want to make a bet with you…
Vic: Sorry, Brady, but I don't bet for small stakes.
Br: Trust me, it isn't.
Vic: No small stakes?
Br: Nope.
Vic: Get out of here.
Br: What's the matter? Afraid to put your money where your mouth is?
Vic: Trash talk doesn't work on me, Brady.
Br: I kinda figured that, but I was hoping that curiosity and your ego would urge you.
Vic: (suspicious) My curiosity is piqued, but what does my ego…
Br: It's about Chloe.
Vic: Yeah…
Br: I will bet you… that Chloe will still be with me, a year from now.
Vic: Um, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't a bet the reason why Phillip was perpetually in the doghouse with her?
Br: That's true, but the major difference here is that this bet isn't, in any way, malicious toward her. If anything, it's a vote of confidence, although she might construe it as me being cocky, but she's used to that.
Victor shook his head dismissively.
Br: What, are you afraid of losing?
Vic: I can't be afraid, unless I know what I'm losing. What are the stakes?
Br: Well, the most important thing is the honor of being right. If you win, you will earn the right to say 'I told you so' for the rest of my life. And if I win, I will have Chloe for a year and counting, and I will still have you in my life, since one of the conditions of the bet is that you don't interfere.
Vic: You had to add that…
Br: Yes, but I will sweeten the deal. Just in case honor isn't enough of a motivation, I am willing to up the ante…
Vic: How much?
Br: Well, in the bank, I have all the birthday and Christmas gifts, stocks, bonds, cash, that you've given me. At last count, the total, not including interest, was around… $100,000...
Vic: I gave you that much?
Br: Yes, you are very generous… anyway, I was saving it for something important, like for college, a boat, or maybe as a nest egg, if I decided to pursue a career on Broadway. It looks like I'm going to spend it tonight, that is, if you want to take this bet. But, in my opinion, you're a sucker if you don't.
Vic: Again, with the trash talk…
Br: No. It's just that… if you are so sure about me and Chloe, crashing and burning… you may be right. I mean, we both have hot tempers, we both can be selfish and impulsive, and we both need to be right. Those qualities alone could spell 'payday' for you.
Vic: but let's go back to the 'no interfering' rule…
Br: Okay…
Vic: If you're so confident about her, then why prohibit me from…
Br: The basis of this bet is honor, Grandpa, and while you are a great grandfather, you are still Victor Kiriakis. If you aren't convinced about our future, then you shouldn't have to do anything to break us up. And it's also about protection. For example, if you were to tell Chloe about this, one of two things would happen: she would stay with me, just to spite you or she would 'break up' with me, I'd lose the money, and she'll 'make up', just to spite me.
Vic: And you are still willing to risk all of that money on a woman that could be that spiteful?
Br: Again, this is about honor, but yes, I'm willing to lose some money.
Vic: (derisive) Some money… I really have to wonder about you, Brady. Picking someone as difficult and unpredictable as Chloe Lane, out of all the women in the world…
Br: Are you still taking about me or… about you?
Vic: Excuse me?
Br: (covering) Never mind.
Vic: Since when have you had something against Nicole?
Brady remained silent.
Vic: Did she say or do something…
Br: Grandpa… since when have you gave a damn about what I thought about her?
Vic: Since you made that face, when I mentioned her name earlier. What did she do?
Br: Look… let's get back to the bet. Are you in or out?
Vic: I want an answer, Brady.
Br: So do I… are you in or out?
Vic: This is important…
Br: (sighing) Alright… you have to admit that Nicole can be… difficult.
Vic: Yes, I know that. So?
Br: So… you are willing to put up with it, for whatever reason.
Vic: Go on…
Br: It just seems to me that… it's more trouble than it's worth.
Vic: Brady…
Br: (frustrated) Grandpa…. I'm just tired, alright. The stress of Chloe's illness, working at Basic Black… I'm just not in the mood for tedium or complications.
Vic: But you're not afraid of getting involved with Chloe Lane?
Br: No, because there is more to her than that… (to himself) unlike Nicole. (to Victor) But back to the bet. Are you in or out?
Vic: (suspicious) I'm not entirely convinced with your explanation about Nicole, but I will take the bet.
Victor extended his hand.
Br: Before I shake your hand, I want it understood that a legal document, outlining the conditions of the bet, will be drawn, with careful attention paid to the numerous ways you could 'influence' Chloe and her family.
Vic: I understand that. Let's shake on it.
Br: (extending his hand) Okay.
Brady and Victor shook hands.
Vic: You're a smart young man, about many things, but you made one crucial mistake.
Br: Really?
Vic: You didn't say when it'll start. Since you didn't, that means I have until Monday to get that girl out of your life.
Br: I know that, Grandpa.
Vic: Do you?
Br: You're a miserable, old bastard and nothing you do or say would surprise me.
Vic: 'Miserable old bastard'?
Br: (apologetic) I'm sorry Grandpa… (smiling) you'll never be old, to me.
Vic: Nice one.
Br: Thanks. But I do know that you'll pull out all the stops to break up Chloe and me. It just doesn't seem fair to restrict you so soon. So, enjoy yourself.
Vic: I will…
Br: And also… (in a low tone) I hoped that it, being my birthday, that tonight's focus would be on celebrating that, or, at the very least, celebrating my mother, your daughter's, 21st wedding anniversary.
Victor remained silent.
Br: Or, I could be covering up, for my foolishness and inexperience, Grandpa. Whatever it is, do what you want… you always do. I'll give Cameron Reese a call on Monday and begin making arrangements.
Brady looked into the dining room.
Br: Excuse me, Grandpa.
Victor watched as Brady walked into the dining room.
Vic: (to himself) Oh, Brady… the only thing I can guarantee is that you'll have your $100,000, no matter the outcome of the bet. As for everything else, including Chloe… you just don't know how important you are to me, but one thing's for sure… I can't lose you, because of some girl. You are my last connection to… her, and nothing or no one, will ever come between us. So… I need to think very carefully about what to do next.