Friday Update
March 1, 2002

PREVIOUSLY ON ALL MY CHILDREN

As Bianca apprehensively watches, Anna ponders out loud: "Perhaps Maggie was here against her will." David: "Would Vanessa go after her own niece?"

At David's cabin, Vanessa finishes loading files from an ultra-mega- super-duper-compressed floppy onto his computer and says: "Now, David, Darling, you have ALL of Proteus' files."

From his hospital bed Chris rasps to Derek: "Hayward is Proteus. You impound the computers."

At the PVPD, Jake tells Greenlee: "We have to let these people know what Vanessa tried to DO to us!" Greenlee: "This happened to all three of us, all three of us are going to do this together." She looks around to discover that Leo has gone AWOL.

PV HOSPITAL

Hayley and Mateo respond to an urgent message to come and see Chris. Hayley grumbles about why it can't wait and why they have to meet THERE. [Uh, maybe because one of your threesome is not ambulatory and can barely breathe?] Chris tells them that they are collecting evidence on Proteus right now and they should have him in custody by tonight. Mateo timidly asks if Chris thinks Proteus is a HIM. Hayley asks what about Vanessa. Chris says she may be in on it, but they are going after DAVID. The duo are shocked, SHOCKED, I tell ya! They protest that David saved Chris' life. Chris angrily tells them that David didn't save his life -- he CRIPPLED him! [How come the wires coming out of Chris' chest disappear under his head, but never reappear again? I know he has damage to his spinal cord, but I didn't realize they had to do an external bypass from his head to his heart to make it keep beating.]

DAVID'S CABIN

Neither David nor Anna seem to have noticed that the cabin has surreptitiously crab-walked down the mountain to the outskirts of town. [I suspect it took its trees with it and twinkle-toed it down a few feet at a time, but stopped and pretended to be firmly implanted whenever a car drove by.] While David intently works on his PC, Anna is freezing and tells David she's going to turn up the heat. She has a sarcastic conversation with herself when David doesn't respond. Ever the competent, savvy spy, she complains about him going through every file on his computer. He reminds her that someone broke in. She corrects him and says that the ALARM went off -- it probably FROZE or maybe a rat bit through the wire. He is SURE someone broke in, but concedes that maybe it was a squirrel. But WAIT! He suddenly notices a file that shouldn't be there! He's never seen it before! He opens the file and discovers that it is a list of money transfers from the Cayman Islands. [Hasn't anyone ever told him NOT to open a file if he doesn't know what's in it? Being a doctor, you'd think he'd be more aware of viruses.] Anna takes a closer look and recognizes the codes -- it's accounting for funds sent to Proteus. David: "WHAT!!!" Anna explains that these files belong to Proteus and match the files on the disk Mateo gave her. It contains all the info necessary for the Feds to put Proteus away for GOOD. And it's on DAVID'S computer. David vehemently protests that he's NOT Proteus and that someone set him up! Anna opens her mouth so long that I'm surprised icicles haven't formed on the roof of it as David SWEARS he's NOT Proteus. Someone knocks at the door and identifies himself as the police. David is astounded and turns to ask Anna if she called the police on him. She stares, still open-mouthed, then rolls her eyes and huffs a sigh to indicate that she can't believe he would think she would do that.

David again accuses Anna and she indignantly denies it. He hastily tries to delete the files, but there is some kind of safeguard on them and he can't do it. He and Anna frantically try to override it. In the meantime, the police are pounding away at the door and threaten to break it down. David rushes over to pick up a glass of water to short the computer [which will do nothing to the HARD DRIVE where the files are actually stored], but the police break in before he can get to it. [You know, the computer is right in front of a big window -- why didn't someone just look in the window to see what David and Anna were doing?] Derek directs the officers to grab the computer. David and Anna ruefully look at each other with the-jig-is-up faces.

PVPD PARKING GARAGE

Greenlee determinedly hops into her car [which patriotically has a flag on the back side window]. Jake follows and snatches her keys out of the ignition and tells her she canNOT do what she's thinking of doing -- he won't LET her! She tells him not to try to stop her -- Leo is in trouble! He insists that they have to go back in and tell the police that Vanessa tried to KILL them! They have to go in and press charges! She says she knows that, but Leo went to find Vanessa -- if he's helping her when the police find her, he'll be arrested. Jake: "If he's helping her try to escape, he SHOULD be arrested!" She says SHE is not going to be the reason Leo is tossed in jail. Jake says if he's tossed in jail, it will be because it was his own CHOICE. Greenlee firmly tells him: "Jake, this ISN'T about me choosing Leo over you. I have to help him, and I'm NOT going to let you get in my way. You got that?" Jake reluctantly settles in for a while.

Greenlee tells Jake to go ahead and tell the police what happened. He says they are BOTH going to do it because it's the right thing to do and she KNOWS it! He opens his door. Greenlee: "Fine, go be right, Jake. [LOL] I'm not stopping you. Just get out of my car so I can go find Leo! Jake sighs and shuts the door. He tells her that he's going with her because if Leo is with that nutcase, there's no way he's letting Greenlee go near her by herself. She thanks him. He says they'll go look for Leo, but if they can't find him, they are going right back to the PVPD to report what happened because he's not going to be responsible for Vanessa hurting anyone else. Deal? Greenlee agrees. Just as they are about to take off, Bianca jumps into the back seat. She breathlessly tells them that she's so glad they are all right! Greenlee: "Well, thanks for caring. Now get lost!" Bianca says she has to find Leo right away! Greenlee says that Leo has a lot more to worry about right now than Bianca's latest spat with Mommy. Bianca insists that they listen to her -- Leo's life is in danger! Greenlee and Jake exchange worried looks.

PV PUMPHOUSE

[Now THERE's a building that people should be having sex in, not the BOAThouse!] Vanessa places a hand over a struggling Maggie's mouth to tape or retape the mouth (or maybe just to remind her to shut up) as she speaks to Leo on her cell phone. She asks Leo what does he mean she has to get out of the country? He says he doesn't have time to explain, he just needs to see her NOW! She agrees and tells him to meet her at the airport with the tickets to Spain. Maggie is whimpering and struggling again, so Vanessa gives her what can only be termed as a Vulcan neck grip, because Maggie inexplicably stops struggling and trying to yell through the duct tape. Leo says they can't go to the airport because that's the first place they'll look. She sputters and asks what he means "look for her". He interrupts and tells her to go to the boathouse by the lake -- it's so cold no one will be out there tonight [if they have any brains at all, that's the 2ND place they'll look]. She asks if he's still coming with her. Leo, already at the boathouse, hesitates, then says yes. He looks down, shamefaced and says there is nothing left for him there. Vanessa smiles with great relief that her baby boy is once again firmly within her grasping talons. [I'd say she smiled in relief that he has returned to the family fold, but their relationship is incestuous enough as it is -- remember the way she spoon-fed him ice cream when he first appeared on the show? GROSS!!]

Vanessa again briefly puts her hand over Maggie's mouth, then simply walks a few steps away again [why doesn't she just stay there with her hand over Maggie's mouth?] Maggie continues to struggle and yell, but not so enthusiastically. Vanessa tells Leo she wishes he could tell her more, but it's a great comfort to know her darling boy is taking care of her again. Leo is disgusted and holds the phone away for a moment, then yells at her to just come to the boathouse, NOW! Vanessa hangs up. Maggie looks up at her and either asks if Vanessa will take the tape off of her mouth or if she will let her go. She shivers and jitters and looks like she has to pee really bad [I know *I* would have to by then]. Vanessa tells her that she's really too soft for her own good, but acquiesces and once again rips the tape off of Maggie's mouth [I'm surprised the lower half of her face isn't a bloody, pulpy mess by now what with the constant tape-ripping going on -- I'd have a MAJOR skin rash by now from the adhesive alone!] and retightens the arm bindings. Vanessa confides that Leo tried to warn her, but from what? Maggie states the obvious: The cops are after her! Vanessa scoffs at the idea of those buffoons being onto HER. Maggie tells her that she still has a chance if she lets Maggie go and turns herself in now. Vanessa: "SHHHH!! Are you ALWAYS this annoying? I should never have taken the TAPE off your mouth!" Maggie asks why LEO would try to save Vanessa's butt. Vanessa: "Oh, bless him, he's simply being overprotective!" Maggie doesn't think he's the overprotective type. Vanessa proudly informs her that Leo doesn't realize that she's already set someone else up to take the fall. Vanessa grits her teeth and shakes her head, muttering that David is behind this [the police, I'm assuming], she just KNOWS it! Maggie asks why she's blaming David. Vanessa paces and says: "Because he has been undermining Leo's CONFIDENCE in ME and spreading NASTY, vicious rumors!" Maggie: "FINALLY someone with some sense." Vanessa semi-sits on something, rationalizing that it will actually do David some good to take the blame for something SHE did. Maggie can't believe she's actually setting up her OWN SON! What kind of mother does something like that? Vanessa ignores the comment and says she can't leave Leo waiting in the cold for her. Maggie desperately tells Vanessa that they ARE going to figure it out. Vanessa: "What? You think those IDIOTS in this town can even have the imagination to think I could run such a COMPLEX, international organization as VAST as mine?" Maggie: "You actually think that that DITZY act is going to work for you now?" Vanessa squeaks in indignation, then bends down and viciously says: "I BEG your pardon? You think it's easy playing a DITZ, huh?" Maggie shakes her head and shrinks back in terror as Vanessa grabs her arms and gets up close and personal and yells: "You have any idea the ARTISTRY involved in that, the SUBTLE, DECLICATE balances you have to make, NEVER using CLICHES?" Vanessa's voice lowers to a growl as she snarls: "You know something? Meryl Streep and Sally Field may have Oscars, but they can't hold a candle to ME!" She steps back, breathing heavily. She throws up her hands and yells: "Well, you may APPLAUD now!" Maggie continues to cower. In a relatively normal voice, Vanessa continues: "Sorry, you can't, can you?" She tells Mary Margaret that this is adios. Maggie whines and wheedles Vanessa to take her with her. Vanessa seems not to hear her and happily muses that she never thought she'd say this, but she somehow thinks Proteus is going to MISS little old Pine Valley. Maggie begs her to untie her -- it will make it easier for VANESSA if she can walk. Vanessa again bends down to tighten the bindings. She laughs as she says: "Actually, it's been kind of FUN toying with their little lives!" Maggie: "Come on, aren't you going to untie them?" Vanessa ignores her squirming and says: "You know what -- they'll still have a Proteus to kick around, so I won't ACTUALLY be leaving, you know, and poor David, the Darling, thought he could take ME on!" She tosses back her head and gives a hearty one-upped-someone laugh. Maggie begs her not to leave her there. Vanessa explains that she WAS going to use her as a hostage, since she has that perfect little WAIF face (she draws circles in the air to illustrate), but she doesn't think she'll have to do that now that her darling boy is going to take care of her. Maggie pitifully says that she will FREEZE to death if Vanessa leaves her there. Vanessa scoffs at the notion and says someone will come by before THAT happens. Maggie desperately yells that she THOUGHT Vanessa said she didn't kill FAMILY. Vanessa clutches her leonine purple collar closed and stamps her feet before bending down to yell: "Oh, WHINE, WHINE, WHINE!!! I STOKED the fire, Dear. Look, I've given you this (space) blanket to keep you warm, for Pete's sakes! She tosses the blanket loosely over Maggie's lap. Maggie continues to plead not to be left there to die. Vanessa: "So STUBBORN, Dear!" She tells Maggie to do this: Vanessa demonstrates a saucy, but closed mouth, then slaps yet another piece of duct tape over Maggie's mouth as Maggie continues to whine and bounce in her chair. Vanessa informs Maggie that if she had listened to what-ifs, she would never be where she was today. Vanessa chortles and says: "Ok, well, if you survive this, you give my best to Pine Valley, all right?" Vanessa leaves and Maggie yells and bounces so hard I'm surprised the wheels of the chair aren't leaving the floor. She cries in frustration and despair.

BOATHOUSE

Leo paces until Vanessa walks in carrying a suitcase. She hesitantly asks him who and what they are hiding from and if David is accusing her again. He asks if she told anyone she was coming there. She says no, she doesn't TRUST anyone, except HIM. She's all packed and ready to hit the road again just like old times, remember? He sweetly smiles and says he remembers. She laughs and laughs, reminding him of how they used to skip out of all those little towns with nothing but the clothes on their backs and an added trinket or two, waving bye-bye to their little scams from their first-class seats. She says her favorite part of the whole thing was always the LEAVING. Leo smiles, tight-lipped. He asks if she ready to leave. She is SOOO ready. She's glad HE'S ready to go, too. He says he's realized a few things. He walks over to her. She guesses that he realizes that Pine Valley isn't NEARLY worthy enough of HIM -- he was BORN for the big cities like Paris and Rome, not some suburban backwater little town. She fiddles with the front of his jacket and tells him: "And you know what, Darling -- after -- after you get rid of all the memories of that little tramp GREENlee, you'll be better off, Sweetheart." He tantalizingly asks her if she would like to know the REAL reason why they are sneaking away. She seems slightly taken aback, but quickly strikes a pose and asks him to tell her. Leo shrugs and laughs, saying he wanted to pull one last con before they left. Vanessa is THRILLED with this information and says: "Well, my Darling boy, you're back! Oh, and I was afraid this boredom capital of the world maybe had dulled your edge!" He suavely says he's still the same old Leo. Vanessa is salivating with anticipation and delight as she asks whom he scammed THIS time. Leo: "That would be YOU, Mother. This time YOU'RE the mark." Vanessa tilts her head challengingly and smirks ever-so-slightly.

DAVID'S CABIN

David protests and says he doesn't know how the PVPD got a warrant to come in there in the first place -- it's not like he's done anything wrong [BWAHAHAAA!!] Anna seconds the motion. A cop sits at the keyboard next to Derek as Derek says David was trying to destroy the computer. The officer informs Derek that all the files seem to be intact [how would HE know?] and that the computer was NOT destroyed. [Where's that self-destruct virus when you need it?] Anna tells them that the files are confidential -- David is a DOCTOR! Derek mocks them for being shocked and stunned. Anna insists David can't be a suspect and Derek should call Chris Stamp to verify that. Derek yells: "Who do you think ordered the search [you morons]? Anna protests that David just saved Chris' life! The cop at the PC calls Derek's attention to the Cayman Islands file. David says the file is NOT his. Derek: "Oh, they were part of a package of an internet upgrade?" [heh, heh] David insists they were PLANTED. Derek calls him Proteus and tells him to take it up with the judge -- in the meantime, he's under arrest for trafficking in narcotics! David is cuffed and Miranda-ized.

PV HOSPITAL

Hayley meekly asks Chris if he's paralyzed. He says he may never walk again, and Hayward is responsible for it. David somehow managed it so that HE could operate on him and then somehow left a piece of bullet in him just close enough to his spine that Chris may have to spend the rest of his life in a fricken wheelchair. Mateo rubs his chin and says he wouldn't put anything past Hayward, but doubts he would orchestrate something like this in front of a whole roomful of people. Chris insists Hayward did this to him and it fits Proteus' MO *PERFECTLY* in his book -- the only thing better than killing his enemy is leaving them alive and making them suffer! Hayley points out that the syringe with the heart attack drug had Vanessa's prints all over it. Chris says he's not counting Vanessa out and she may even be a killer, but when Devane found the syringe, David was with her and he probably planted it. H&M exchange weirded-out looks. Mateo: "So Vanessa kills for him and then he sets his own mother up with a syringe?" Chris thinks it sounds like something Proteus would do. Hayley says Anna seems to think it's Vanessa. Chris condescendingly says that Anna is not thinking too straight when it comes to Hayward [i.e., she's thinking with her crotch]. They stare disbelievingly at him. Chris asks if they think this was all a coincidence. They try to be polite. Chris rants some more about the same stuff. Hayley carefully tells him that he's not in the best place right now to be objective. [Chris coughs to his left, and I finally see that the wires from his chest ARE going up over the back of the bed, but I still prefer my idea of his brain being jerry-rigged to bypass his spinal cord :-)] Chris: "Don't make me laugh! You're questioning MY judgment, the duo who trusted SIMONE?" They look sheepish, but Mateo says it's not the same thing. Chris: "Look, she's the one who got me shot, ok? So excuse me if I don't have a hell of a lot of patience with YOUR judgment." They look even MORE sheepish. Chris' room phone rings. It's Derek calling to say he got the goods. Chris tells him to follow the book on this one. Derek apparently gets huffy and Chris starts to yell at him and says he's NOT telling him how to do his job, but this was HIS bust! He then calms down and tells Derek that he's doing a great job and to keep him posted. Chris tells H&M that David was arrested at the cabin and was trying to delete the Proteus files from his computer. They are taking David and his computer to PVPD. Chris: "Ain't this something -- Proteus is finally going down and I'm stuck in this lousy bed!" He says THEY have clearance, though, and they can go to the PVPD and watch it all happen. Hayley looks stunned and afraid. Mateo thanks Chris and they leave the room. Outside Chris' room, Hayley tells Mateo she thinks it's the other way around -- Hayward may be helping his MOTHER. She's not willing to count out Vanessa as Proteus. They depart.

PVPD PARKING GARAGE

Bianca explains that she and David and Anna figured out that Vanessa had used the heart drug on someone and that it may have been Greenlee, Maggie or Leo. Somewhat relieved, Greenlee tells Bianca that Leo was with them until about 1/2 ago [it took them 30 minutes to get to the car?], so he's fine. Bianca was at the station to give a statement. Greenlee realizes that the cops are onto Vanessa. Jake tells her that's not a BAD thing. Bianca says Vanessa is probably the one who killed Frankie, and now that they've found Maggie's earring at Greenlee's place, it looks like she's next! Greenlee turns to Jake for reassurance and says: "Oh, my God, if she's sick enough to turn on her own family, would she kill Leo?"

PV PUMPHOUSE

BOATHOUSE

Vanessa scoffs at the idea of Leo conning HER. She smiles at him, waiting for Leo to laugh with her. Silence. She laughs some more and says she forgot how much he was always joking with her. He grimly stares at her and calmly says: "Do I LOOK like I'm teasing?" Vanessa smiles and shakes her head. She reaches for her suitcase and says she really just wants to get out of there: "Let's go!" He says she doesn't get it, does she? He's not going ANYWHERE with her. She tried to KILL Greenlee. Vanessa huffs and dips while laughingly chiding him. Vanessa: "What? I have no clue -- what? I mean, have you heard from her -- recently?" Leo smiles and nods: "VERY recently. I've seen her. Yeah, yeah she's alive, Mother." Vanessa, still the twittering socialite, says: "Of COURSE she is, Darling." Leo: "She survived the drugs that you gave her and the wrecked boat that you put her in." Vanessa tries to fasttalk and says who KNOWS what lies Greenlee has been telling him -- you can't trust a WORD out of her mouth! Leo says he's seen Jake, too. They are both alive." Vanessa, open-mouthed, breathes out hard and looks like she has a sinking feeling. Leo continues: "And they're both well enough to be siccing the police on you as we speak." Vanessa stares, slightly puzzled. Leo gives her a "gotcha!" smile. He quickly loses the smile, though, and asks how she could DO this. He gets quietly angry and asks how she could try to KILL the woman that he LOVES! Vanessa looks as if she's just smelled something quite sour, then VERY hesitantly says he can't be talking to HER and accusing HER! Leo backs away and jabs his finger at her, saying: "You SHUT up. You SHUT UP! I want you to admit it. I want to hear you admit what you did!" Vanessa stares and tries to think fast. She turns with a dismissive wave and says she's not going to buy into these crazed delusions! He tells her that for once she's going to tell the truth, or he will tie her to the boat out there and watch her sink to the bottom of the lake, just like she did to Greenlee. [No, LARRY was sunk in the lake -- Greenlee was semi-sunk in the Pennsylvania Ocean] They face off, staring.

Vanessa momentarily slips into gritty mode and growls: "All RIGHT, all RIGHT, I'm guilty!!! If you choose to look at it so NARROWLY!" She walks away. Leo turns to her and says: "So you're admitting what you did?" Vanessa: "Yes, I drugged Jake and Greenlee and I sent them off on a boat." Her voice softens as she sits on a bench and says: "And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry [and then back to growling] that they came BACK!! Are you SATISFIED?" She angrily yanks off her gloves. Leo rubs his forehead and gapes at her. He asks about Larry and Paolo. She says Paolo wasn't exactly an accident, and Larry didn't die of "natural causes". She admits she's probably done a lot of other things WRONG, if he wants total HONESTY! Leo blinks, raises his eyebrows and asks for specific confirmation that she murdered Larry and Paolo. She says MURDER is the wrong choice of words -- she killed worthless riff-raff. He says she killed living, breathing PEOPLE. She yells that the world would be far better off without the Larrys and the Paolos -- what are THEY ever going to do for world peace or finding a cure for cancer? Vanessa shakes her head with angry futility as she says: "And as for GREENLEE --" She snorts in derision at the idea of Greenlee ever having any value in the world. Leo doesn't care for THAT remark. He sits next to her and quietly asks: "What about Greenlee?" Vanessa tosses her head and says: "Oh, God, Darling, look, I saw the way she hurt you when she was with Jake, Darling. She's going to CONTINUE to hurt you. There will always be another Jake out there, you know, until you get rid of her. I just simply won't have my son putting up with all that humiliation, that grief!" Leo says HE's the one who hurt Greenlee over and over again. Vanessa says THAT'S the cruelest thing Greenlee has ever done to him is to make HIM feel responsible for all that SHE'S done! He repeats that HE was bad to HER. Vanessa starts to yell that she is NOT going to have HIM feel guilty for all that, then abruptly changes the subject and says they have to get out of there and they'll talk about it later. She starts to get up, but he pulls her back down, shaking his head. He asks if she hears ANYTHING he says. She says yes, but she understands that it's because he hates this hellhole just as much as SHE does. He tells her that he's not going ANYWHERE with her! She loses some confidence and says he can't leave and ABANDON her. He says she really doesn't GET IT, does she? Vanessa: "Because, my Darling, I know that you still love me. You brought me here to warn me, to protect me!" Leo: "No. I brought you here so that I could look you in the eye and I could tell you that I can't stand you." Vanessa laughs at the absurdity of that notion and says he doesn't mean that. Leo: "All those years, Mother, all the cons and the scams, did you ever ask yourself why I did it?" Vanessa: "Because we both LOVED it!" He says no, it was because he was always hoping that her life would WORK, that maybe each new town would finally make her happy. She holds up a hand and tells him to stop. He doesn't. Leo keeps shaking his head (and his eyeballs keep sliding back and forth with each shake) and says: "No, you're PATHETIC! You're SICK. You don't have a heart, you don't have a soul, and, you know, if it was anybody else, I'd feel bad, but for you I don't -- I don't feel anything. NOTHING." He gets up and walks away. Vanessa calls after him to stop. He does, near the entrance. She looks truly crushed and says he can't walk away from her and abandon her NOW, not after all these years. She gets up and whines his name, then grits out: "I want you to turn around, Darling. I want you to turn around and look at me one last time." Leo stares ahead and thinks about it, then turns to see her holding a gun on him. She looks sadly and longingly at him, then suddenly narrows her eyes as her face goes somewhat blank [split personality clue?], then tilts her face up and raises her eyebrows as she eyes him heartlessly.

PVPD

As they march into the office area, Anna continues to nag Derek non- stop. She points out that SHE gave the disk with the incriminating information to Derek -- why would she do that if David was Proteus? David is handcuffed to a desk and Anna gets pissed off about it, saying David is not being any trouble. Derek says SHE'S the one he doesn't trust, and if she doesn't keep quiet, he'll have HER arrested for aiding and abetting. She goads him and says she'd like to see him TRY! David tells her to knock it off -- he doesn't want her in jail WITH him. Anna says VANESSA is the one they should be questioning. David tells her to keep quiet until his lawyer gets there.

Hayley and Mateo walk in. Anna orders Mateo to tell Derek that David is NOT Proteus. Mateo doesn't think so -- HE'S the one who set the trap on the computer, and David fell right into it. Anna asks if everyone has gone crazy -- can't anyone see that David has been framed? David calmly tells her that H&M are NOT his friends and they are not about to help him. Hayley makes a snotty (but understandable) remark about him drugging a boatload of people. Anna says that's ancient history (it was a year and 3 or so months ago). Hayley muses that some things just stay with you, and it's strange how pharmaceuticals just keep following David around. She smugly smiles and says it's not so hard to believe that he'd be caught up in a drug ring. Mateo steps over to David and very quietly tells him that he's going to step over to the computer and see what they're finding -- if he finds out that David was even a little bit involved, he's going to make prison seem like HEAVEN compared to what Mateo will do to him. David stares.

Anna walks over to Derek and says this is a WITCHhunt! [Like that's going to help] Derek ignores her except to stare. David tells her she's making things worse. She swears she could STRANGLE Vanessa! David still says Vanessa is not CAPABLE of this, and even if she was, what could she possibly do to him? Anna: "Excuse me, but the metal things around your wrists are not friendship bracelets, and the cop going through your computer isn't shopping on-line!" David says he's not worried about what they find on his computer -- he keeps meticulous records of his whereabouts -- they'll be hard-pressed to prove he was someplace where he wasn't. Anna clearly enunciates as she says Vanessa could and DID frame him. David says Vanessa gets OFF on the fact that her son is a great doctor -- if there's ANYTHING in life she's proud of, it's THAT. In her twisted eyes, it validates her in the eyes of others -- there is NO WAY that she would frame him! Anna points out that Vanessa allowed Leo to take the rap when she "accidentally" murdered one of her lovers. He says it's not the same thing. She wonders how it's different. Mateo strides over and says the files on the computer match those on his disk. Anna says Proteus put them there. Derek says that's enough and to put David in a cell. David demands to see his attorney the second he gets there. Mateo walks away to gather his composure and think about it. Hayley walks over and says: "You're not buying it, are you -- Hayward is Proteus?" Mateo: "We have solid proof on his computer." Hayley: "But the VICIOUSNESS, the overall VICIOUSNESS points to Vanessa." Mateo: "Listen, Vanessa or David, I really don't care. I'm making Proteus pay for what he did." Hayley, wearing enough pancake makeup to require syrup, stares.

BOATHOUSE

Holding the gun on him, Vanessa wheedles Leo, saying: "Leo, I love you, but, Darling, I can't let you leave because you'll just go to the police, and I can't have that." He tells her it's over, whether or not he goes to the police. They're onto her, and she can't get away. She says she CAN -- she's done it before! He calmly tells her that this time it's different. Back to semi-mothering again, she says: "Nooo, if you just help me this one last time, Leo. Come on, all we've been through! Is that asking you too much?" Leo: "It's not asking when you're pointing the gun at me." She stares and breathes heavily for a few moments. In a deadly, yet motherly voice, she says: "Leo, I've asked you to go with me. I don't want it like this. I begged you. But that stupid little twit, she has changed you so much, Darling." He asks what she's going to do. Can she really pull that trigger? What if he turns and walks out -- is she going to put a bullet in him? She looks hurt to the quick and says of COURSE she would aim to WOUND him, but then says: "But I can't promise I'd DO it!" Leo never breaks eye contact with her and says: "So what if I don't walk out? What if I walk right towards you? Then what are you going to do?" He slowly walks toward her. Vanessa's eyes get big and her mouth gapes as she straightens her gun arm, bracing to shoot. Leo stops and watches.

ON THE ROAD

Bianca has apparently exited the vehicle because she's no longer in the backseat unless she's lying down. Jake nags Greenlee for running a red light. She says it was yellow. He orders her to slow down -- they can't cover the whole town in one night. She dials her cell phone and speeds up as he yells at her to keep her eyes on the road. He takes the phone from her. She says she's just checking her voicemail. Apparently she doesn't need a password, because he says there are no messages. She yells at him to think of someplace Leo might go! Jake: "Greenlee, we have checked EVERYWHERE that we can think of. We've been to Erica's house, BJ's, the Valley Inn --" [Well, there's always the 24-hour leather store] She begs him. He tells her she's done her best, but it's time to pack it up and talk to the cops. She tells him to hang in a little longer. Jake: "Greenlee, the police know how to FIND people. They do it every DAY. It's their JOB." [BWAHAHAAAA!! Not in PV! Of course, with the PV geography shifting like melting Jello, I should probably cut them SOME slack -- NAAAAAHHH!] She starts to tell him that she totally respects his LOGIC and it's not that she doesn't appreciate it, but--" She suddenly spots Vanessa's car down by the boathouse. [It's the one with vanity plates that show IG2BDQN (hint -- think Mel Brooks)] Greenlee, without much emotion, begs God for Leo to be all right as she drives over to the boathouse.

PV HOSPITAL

Chris is on the phone telling someone to make sure Frye does all the paperwork PERFECTLY -- he doesn't want to lose this guy. He asks who the lawyer is. Suddenly, Anna bursts into the room. She says he doesn't look so good, and his reputation is on the line! Chris hangs up as Anna tells him the cops have the wrong man. Chris holds up a file emblazoned with the FBI logo and says: Actually, *WE* have him." She doesn't care WHO has him -- they have the evidence wrong and she wants David RELEASED! She vows to drag him out of the bed and down to the station if she has to (but she loses steam partway through that threat).

PVPD

Hayley is on the phone checking with Rosa on how Enzo is doing. She is thrilled that things are moving along so quickly, and it won't be long before she can come home to get him. Distracted, she doesn't notice Mateo sneak way. She hears that Enzo passed a milestone and she's disappointed that she missed it. She turns to tell Mateo that Enzo said "DaDa", then realizes he's nowhere to be seen.

David paces his darkened cell [THAT'S a first, but the hallway has a light], then grabs the bars and yells for the guard, saying he wants to talk to his attorney, who should have been there by now. Silence. He yells for his lawyer again. More silence. He leans against the bars and sighs. Then he hears a door close and yells: "FINALLY!" He hears footsteps, but no response. He yells hello and asks if it's a guard. Mateo appears from around a corner and walks through an open gate [don't they lock ANYTHING?]. They stare. NOW David's cell is well lit, but the hallway is darker. Mateo walks up to the bars and says there's no guard -- it's just the two of them. [On a Friday night? Oh PUH-LEASE!]

PV PUMPHOUSE

Maggie keeps struggling and whimpering, but at least the tape's off now. [That is pretty thick, loosely tied rope, and she could EASILY pull them loose with her teeth unless they are false choppers] Maggie cries and looks heavenward, begging Frankie to help her. She says she's SOOO cold [then why don't we see her breath misting in the air?] and SOOO tired. She has to rest, just for a minute. She lays back a tiny bit and closes her eyes, shivering all the while.

BOATHOUSE

Vanessa cocks the gun and menacingly bares her teeth. Leo stares in careful disbelief. Still never breaking eye contact, he very slowly walks toward her (baby steps, as befitting her darling baby boy). She politely asks him not to come any closer. He keeps walking. Vanessa: "Leo, Darling, I LOVE you! Please DON'T make me HURT you." As he keeps walking, she whispers: "Please! Pleeease!" Outside the boathouse, Greenlee and Jake sneak up to listen. Before they can see in, they hear a gunshot. Jake pulls Greenlee protectively close.

ON THE NEXT AMC

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At the hospital [I think] Erica tells Anna: "Compared to standing trial for murder, this little conspiracy with you is a piece of cake! Are you in?" Anna: "Oh, I'm in."

David, while being strangled by Mateo, manages to say: "Vanessa is PROTEUS!" Standing next to him, Hayley begs: "Mateo, please, I BELIEVE him!" [Mateo looks like he's enjoying the strangling a little TOO much.]

Greenlee and Jake stand at the entrance to the boathouse as Greenlee, desperately fearing the worst, asks: "Who's shot?"

Irreverently submitted,

Robin "It's GOOD to be da QUEEN!" Coutellier