GL: Thursday 7/31/97 Update

[Marni Centor]

GUIDING LIGHT UPDATE -- THURSDAY, JULY 31, 1997

DOUBLE-YOUR-INSULIN DAY

Highlights:
* Michelle teaches Jesse to read using the kiss-as-reward system.
* Vanessa bemoans her bad luck with cars.
* Alan & Annie get one step closer to Cassie.
* Nearly all the rest of Springfield helps Matt finish the house.

COURTHOUSE: Rick sees Michelle in the hall & asks what she's doing there.
He worries that she's keeping things from him again & hopes she didn't get
another parking ticket. Besides, Meta told him she was tutoring. Michelle
says that's true. Rick wants to know the truth.

Jesse opens the door from the judge's chambers & sees Rick talking to
Michelle. He backs up & closes the door, staying out of view.

VANESSA'S DREAM HOUSE: The women of Springfield decorate the living and
dining rooms, which are now nearly finished & furnished. The men work on a
less finished area of the house, painting & spackling. Matt says love built
this house, not just his love for Vanessa, but everyone's love for friends
& family. He goes for the beer.

Ross tells Josh he's glad he & Blake returned in time to help out. Josh
thinks they've both done pretty well in the dreams-come-true department.
Ross says he & Blake have never been happier. Josh thinks it will be smooth
sailing for him & Reva from now on. Ross muses on how one woman--Annie--
could cause so much damage. Josh says the important thing is that now they
are free of her. Ross thinks Annie & Alan deserve each other. All osh cares
about is that they leave him & Reva alone.

CHICAGO APARTMENT BUILDING: Annie rushes down the hallway, unable to
contain her excitement at the impending meeting with Cassie Layne. Alan
tries to temper her enthusiasm, but Annie's glee will not be extinguished.
Alan instructs her never to overplay her hand. He knocks on a door & a
young, short-haired brunette opens it, asking if she can help them. Alan
hopes so.

The woman asks why they're staring at her. Alan asks if she's Cassie Layne.
She says no, she is Danielle Dwyer. Cassie doesn't live there anymore. She
starts to close the door, but Alan asks if Danielle might have a forwarding
address for Cassie. "So the bill collectors could have an easier time
finding her? I don't think so." Annie asks if she can at least tell them
how long ago Cassie moved. Danielle says it was about a month ago. Annie
asks if Cassie moved out because of a disagreement with Danielle. Danielle
says she kicked Cassie out because she couldn't cover her half of the rent.
Thanks to Cassie, Danielle now owes money to half the city.

Alan says they may be able to help. They are trying to find Cassie because
they have money for her, and there is also a finder's fee for anyone who
can help them locate her. He claims that Cassie has inherited a tidy sum
for her birth mother & if Danielle helps them find her, it could change her
life in thousands of ways. Alan flashes some cash to illustrate his point.
Danielle takes the wad & invites them in.

COURTHOUSE: Michelle prevaricates as Jesse listens from behind the door.
She says she's there to talk with the judge about the program. They are
thinking of expanding it to teach inmates how to read. Rick isn't sure he
likes the sound of this. Michelle says she would be tutoring at the local
women's facility. Rick thinks this is OK, then, and is very proud of her.
He says he'd like to spend more time with her before she goes off to
college. She says she has a lot going on right now. Rick asks if this has
anything to do with Jesse, and refers to him as a punk. Michelle doesn't
want to hear this kind of talk. She's teaching someone how to read & she
wishes Rick would just give her credit for that & stop harping on Jesse.
Rick apologizes & says he trusts her.

After explaining that he's at the courthouse to give a deposition, Rick
says he's going up to Lake Geneva afterwards to help with the Reardon
house. He asks Michelle to join him, but she has a tutoring session
scheduled. Rick plays on her mom's connection to Vanessa & adds that
there's going to be a big housewarming, so Michelle says she'll try to come
by later. Rick heads off for his deposition & Jesse emerges from the
judge's office.

Michelle apologizes for what Rick said. Jesse doesn't blame Rick for being
concerned, & doesn't like that Michelle is lying to him. She says she just
didn't tell him everything. Jesse doesn't like having to hide what they
have going on. Michelle suggests they go somewhere where they can be alone
& Jesse is all for it. He tries to take her hand, but she warns him away.
They head out.

LAKE GENEVA: Matt brings in a bucket of beer for the guys. Reva calls out
to them, demanding a break for the ladies, too. Matt says he was just about
to bring them some iced tea. The women tease him mercilessly & grab their
share of the beer. Abby takes a swig & burps [ROTFL, I am not making this
up!], looking slightly surprised & embarrassed. Nola says they're going to
whip Matt into shape so Vanessa doesn't have to. Dinah says they should
make sure they have enough beer, because Van really prefers it to
champagne. Matt thanks everyone for helping to get the house almost
finished. Everyone toasts to Matt & Vanessa. Matt reminds them to all
return to the housewarming party tonight.

Josh & Reva beg off the party because they have other plans for the
evening. Buzz & Jenna show up to help, having left Coop out front to play
with the Lewis kids. Jenna tells Matt how happy she is about Vanessa. Matt
says she's out there somewhere & he knows she's coming back.

OFF ROAD: A backwoods hick takes a gander under the hood of Vanessa's car &
doesn't seem to know jack about all them little parts. Van is a mite testy,
& he suggests she chill out with another drink. She insists she was not
drinking, but went off the road when she swerved to avoid something. The
hick asks if it was a possum, because they make a mighty good stew. Van
says it wasn't a possum; it was her conscience. Never mind, she says. Just
fix the car.

LAKE GENEVA: Having taken the tour, Jenna & Buzz tell Matt that the house
is wonderful. Buzz is sure that when Van gets back, she & Matt will be as
happy as he & Jenna.

Blake & Ross try to find out what plans Josh & Reva have for later on, but
Josh says he's sworn to secrecy. Reva says they'll let them know when they
return.

Rick arrives & Matt offers him a beer, but Abby says he can have hers,
because (hiccup) it's very filling. She sits on the couch, looking just the
slightest bit tipsy. Rick asks since when does she drink beer. Since she
was moving furniture today, she replies. Somehow, popping open a brewski
just seemed like the thing to do. She grabs the bottle from him & takes
another swig. Rick warns her to be careful, or she'll be whistling at men
she doesn't even know. "Not after seeing you in your swimsuit, I won't,"
she replies. "Besides, I've only had two." Rick seems taken aback.

Abby asks where Michelle is & Rick says she'll be by later, after she
finishes tutoring. He tells her all about the reading program. Abby thinks
it's great, especially since Rick thought Michelle was going to spend all
her time with Jesse. "Jesse, Jesse, Jesse," she babbles. Rick takes the
beer from her hand & puts it down on the table (no doubt leaving a ring on
the brand-new table). Rick says he didn't give Michelle enough credit. Abby
picks up the beer & says Michelle is doing a wonderful, selfless thing.
Rick says it's better than spending her time with a guy who can't keep his
paws off her. "That's you," laughs Abby. Rick shushes her & gives her a
kiss. They erupt in giggles.

PARK: Michelle & Jesse look for a secluded spot & settle on one in front of
a backdrop that is so flat & fake-looking, it's scary. Jesse doesn't want
Michelle to get into trouble for being seen with him. She figures they're
pretty even on that score. Besides, she says the park will give them plenty
of privacy. Jesse suggests they get started... with the reading. Michelle
picks up a newspaper & asks if he can read the headline. He's too busy
playing with her hair. She wants to see how much Jesse can already read.
Jesse takes a look & manages to sound out "Family waits for..." He switches
some letters (maybe he's dyslexic?) and with much help from Michelle,
interspersed with sweet (I'm going diabetic here) comments from Jesse, he
finally manages to master "Family waits for missing socialite." He knows
what a socialite is, showing that his vocabulary is a lot better than his
reading skills. Michelle decides that this accomplishment merits a kiss.
Talk about reinforcement. Michelle says all Jesse needs is lots of
practice. And the occasional reward, adds Jesse.

Michelle doesn't understand why Jesse never learned to read properly. He
says he missed a lot of school growing up & instead of catching him up on
his work, the teachers just passed him along to the next grade. Michelle
thinks this is terrible. Jesse says it happens to a lot of kids. Michelle
asks why he missed so much school. He says he was sick a lot. [Gee, do you
think he had a heart problem? And if Jesse has Maureen's heart, would that
make sleeping with him a form of incest?]

CHICAGO: Danielle says she & Cassie used to work together, and they started
rooming together after Cassie's ex got sent to jail for dealing drugs. The
marriage didn't work out, just like the rest of Cassie's life. Alan asks if
Danielle can help them find Cassie. Annie makes a snide comment & Danielle
gets pissy. Alan apologizes for Annie, saying she's quite obsessed with
finding Cassie. Annie adds that she's trying to right an injustice and make
sure that everyone gets what they deserve. Alan says if they don't find
Cassie, her inheritance will revert to another family member.

Alan takes out some more cash. Annie takes it from him & waves it in front
of Danielle, saying this would be the perfect time for her to tell them
where to find Cassie. Danielle says she knows where they can find her.

LAKE GENEVA: Michael & Rick clean up together as Rick mentions that he
talked to his chief of staff about Michael's situation & how he helped
Vanessa. Dr. Grant can't reinstate Michael as a physician, but there is a
physical therapy job available if Michael wants it. Michael is very
thankful.

Hart & Roger work together. Hart hopes this all turns out the way Matt
wants. Rog says stranger things have happened. Hart agrees; look at how
things worked out for him & Dinah. He realizes this probably doesn't please
Roger too much, but Rog says he's fine with it & just wants Hart's
happiness. Hart thinks maybe the house does have some magic.

Amanda tries to find out what Reva's plans are, but she's not telling.
Amanda recalls from her LTA days that Josh can be pretty romantic. Reva
says he makes her toes curl, and she intends to hold onto him this time.
Blake & Nola pester her about her plans, but she's not telling. Even the
kids don't know. But everyone will know soon enough. The important thing is
that they're happy. Blake says she & Ross are so happy too. And Dinah is
happy with Hart. And Jenna is happy with Buzz, as annoying as he can be.
Everyone is so happy, I think I'm going to puke.

Abby mentions that Rick "kind of" asked her to marry him again. Reva asks
what she means by "kind of." Abby says she was wearing a bikini at the time
& he might have had ulterior motives. Reva says he's a man, not a saint.
Nola hopes all their happiness is contagious.

Abby thinks that since they all have such wonderful relationships, it's
fitting that they help Matt finish the house so his soulmate can return to
him. Reva says if Van is as connected to Matt as he is to her, she'll be
back before they know it. Amanda hopes that none of Annie's bad vibes
interfere with all their good vibes. Reva doesn't even want to say her name
out loud. Nola asks if anyone's heard about her lately. Reva is worried
because it's been "too quiet." Jenna thinks "this Annie character" can't be
as bad as they're all making her out to be. "She's worse," replies Reva,
and heads upstairs.

CHICAGO: Danielle hopes that Alan & Annie are on the level, because Cassie
doesn't want anyone to know where she or her kid are. Cassie's little girl
is 6. Her father is the drug-dealing scum of an ex-husband. When he was
arrested, he lied that Cassie was also involved & the child was put in
foster care. Cassie is trying to save up for her court case to win back
custody of her daughter. Alan says the money Cassie has inherited will more
than pay the bills. Annie adds that if they find Cassie, they will help her
get her daughter back.

Danielle adds that Cassie was raised in foster care, and it didn't go well
for her. That's one reason she's so intent on getting her daughter back.
She always said that family was the most important thing. "I have a good
friend who says the exact same thing," smiles Annie.

LAKE GENEVA: Ross comments to Matt on how beautiful the day is. Matt says
only one thing could make it more perfect. Ross tries to caution Matt about
his hopes for Vanessa, but Matt won't hear any negativity. He knows Van
will come back when the house is finished. Ross isn't sure, but admits that
miracles do happen. Matt thinks it's pretty miraculous the way everyone has
pitched in & worked side by side on the house, including Amanda & Roger.
"It's the beer," comments Buzz.

Matt says he knows that they don't all believe that building the house will
bring Vanessa back, but the miracle is that they're all there anyway. But
every little piece of the house is his belief that Vanessa will be back. He
won't lose faith. Vanessa will sense what's going on & she will come back.

ROADSIDE: The hick slides out from under the car & gives Vanessa the bad
news: she's busted an axle, a shock absorber, a muffler & a passel of other
doohickeys. She needs a truckload of parts. The hick says it's going to be
expensive. Van doesn't care about the cost; she just wants to know how long
it will take. The hick says they have to tow the car back to the shop &
order a heapload of parts... probably 1 or 2 weeks. Van says she can't
possibly wait that long. She curses & says she's never had so much trouble
getting out of a place in her life.

CHICAGO: Danielle is counting her cash & Annie has to snap her fingers in
front of the woman's face to get her attention. Annie wants to make sure
they are going after the correct Cassie Layne. Annie pulls out her cameo &
asks if Cassie has something similar. Not to Danielle's knowledge. Annie &
Alan explain that the real Cassie was given a similar cameo by her birth
mother & if she still has it, it would help prove she's the right person.
Danielle says if Cassie had anything like it, she never wore it. It's not
exactly her style.

Alan says the cameo isn't essential to proving Cassie's identity. If they
can just get her address, they can check her out & see if she's the right
person. Danielle gives them a matchbook from a place called "Teasers" &
says Cassie was tending bar at this place the last she knew. Alan says
working at a place like that won't help Cassie get custody of her daughter.
Danielle says the pay is good & that's Cassie's first priority. Annie
thinks it's admirable. She just wants to find Cassie so they can get on
with their plan. "What plan?" asks Danielle suspiciously. Annie covers by
saying it's their plan to get Cassie started on a new life. Alan hands
Annie his cell phone & suggests that she try calling Cassie now.

PARK: Michelle asks Jesse what was wrong with him growing up. "Stuff," he
answers helpfully. She asks for details. Jesse says he had all kinds of
problems because he was born prematurely. He had trouble breathing &
eating. And when he was in school, the kids made fun of him because he
couldn't play with him. Michelle can't imagine him as a sickly kid, since
he's so buff now. He says he started working out when he was 15 to make up
for lost time. No big deal, he says. "Tell that to your mirror," says
Michelle. Jesse thinks Michelle has the lucky mirror. He would love to see
her first thing in the morning & last thing at night.

Michelle suggests getting back to the reading. She hands him a brochure &
he reads "Hetsons College." Michelle notices that he keeps getting the
letters backwards. She tells him she's going to Stephens College in the
fall. It's where her mom went, in Columbia, Missouri. Jesse says that's a
long way from Springfield. She didn't really think so when she decided to
go. Jesse senses that maybe she's changed her mind. She doesn't want to
think about it right now; she's more interested in enjoying her summer. She
leans into him for a kiss, but he backs off, saying he has a lot of work to
do. She wants to stay longer, but Jesse reminds her about the judge's
warning. He knows he's been coming on to her, but he can't be with her like
this because it's hard. ;-) They kiss passionately to the creak of Jesse's
leather jacket.

Finally, Michelle pulls away & apologizes for getting them started. She has
to get to the housewarming party & wishes she could bring Jesse with her.
He says the others don't see him the way she does. Finally, at long last,
they part. Michelle walks off & Jesse sits on a bench.

LAKE GENEVA: Josh & Reva get ready to leave. Their lips are still sealed
about their plans, despite Blake's best efforts. The only hint they will
give is that they will be on dry land, but water is involved. At last, they
escape.

Dinah brings in a vse full of flowers & says the place looks great. Vanessa
will love it.

ROADSIDE: Vanessa says she can't wait 2 weeks. Mr. Hick says he can get her
a rental car first thing in the morning. Van says she can't wait until
morning. She grabs her suitcase & decides to walk.

LAKE GENEVA: Reva looks into the house & comments on Matt's unshakable
faith. Josh says Reva has plenty of faith. That's because she can look into
his eyes & know. But Matt doesn't have that. It's like Reva thinking about
her sister. Josh says they will find her sister. What's to stop them now
that Annie has stopped meddling? They exchange "I love yous" & kiss.

CHICAGO: Annie flips open the cell phone while Danielle goes to put her
windfall in a safe place. Annie is almost too excited to dial. She hopes
Cassie will answer the phone & answer her prayers.

The phone rings in a sleazy strip joint. A woman in a black bikini does a
bump & grind on stage. A guy answers the phone. Annie asks for Cassie. The
guy says he doesn't see her, but she must be around because her sweater is
there. Close up on the sweater, fastened by a cameo pin, as the screen
fades to black.

--
Marni (ma...@panix.com)