From: Marni Centor <marni@panix.com>

GUIDING LIGHT UPDATE - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1998

HIGHLIGHTS:
* Rick & Phillip share their troubles.
* Cassie tells Rob to take a hike.
* Reva mistakes Hart for Annie and injures him.
* Harley convinces Abby to reconsider her decision.
* Jesse moons over Michelle & makes up with Drew.

COUNTRY CLUB BAR: Rick sits alone at the bar, morosely nursing a beer. 
Phillip arrives, wearing a sweatshirt & complaining about being 
interrupted in the middle of a racquetball game that he was winning. 
Rick is upset because Abby's decided to accept the plea bargain 
offered by Ben. She could be in jail for 18 months or more. Rick is 
afraid he's losing her; he feels like he'll never see her again.

ROB'S MOTEL ROOM: Shirtless Rob has Cassie backed up against a wall. 
She tells him to move & then pushes him away & tries to leave the 
room. He's quicker than she is, & pulls her back. She accuses him of 
being big bully. Rob says he's never laid a hand on her, except when 
they were making love. He tries to remind her, but she's not feeling 
especially nostalgic. He asks her about Hart, but she doesn't want to 
discuss him, except to say that compared to the music she & Rob used 
to make, Hart is Beethoven, Bach & Brahms rolled into one. She also 
threatens to turn Rob into a soprano if he doesn't back off. Rob wants 
Cassie to admit she was crazy about him. "I faint at the sight of 
you," she replies sarcastically. "Are you satisfied?" He turns the 
question back on her. "Completely," she responds breathily. Rob keeps 
trying to remind Cassie of the way it used to be between them, but 
she's not responding. Rob says he's not going to let some stupid farm 
boy come between them. 

LEWIS OIL: Reva is alone in her office. The lights flicker & she calls 
out to Wanda, but Wanda's gone. She picks up the phone, but it's dead. 
Suddenly, the lights go out. Reva heads for the door, but it seems to 
be stuck. She calls out to anyone who might be around, but gets no 
response. She goes to her purse & removes her pistol. While her back 
is turned, we a hand opening the door. Reva approaches the opening 
door with her gun drawn, and we see that Hart is on the other side. As 
soon as the gun comes creeping out from behind the door, Hart grabs 
Reva's wrist. 

They struggle for control of the gun & Reva succeeds in knocking Hart 
to the ground. The lights come back on & Reva is horrified when she 
sees who it is. Josh shows up, looking peeved.

A short while later, Josh checks out the bump on Hart's head while 
asking Reva what happened. She tells him about the lights going out & 
the phone going dead. He says the power went out briefly all over the 
building. Josh wants Hart to go to the hospital, but Hart says he's 
fine. Reva explains that it was dark & she got scared & hit Hart on 
the head with her gun. Josh is outraged & yells at Reva that she has 
to get over her obsession with Annie. She could have killed Hart! This 
exactly what Josh was afraid of. 

Hart tries to shoulder some of the blame for coming up on Reva in the 
dark. Reva apologizes abjectly to Hart. But what if it had been Annie? 
She admits that she's very jumpy. Hart says Reva & Cassie are 
definitely sisters because they're both so high-strung. Josh agrees. 
Reva apologizes again. Josh wants her to give him the gun. "Not until 
they find Annie," she replies. They eye each other warily.

DINER: Jesse stares at Michelle's ID bracelet (which he found outside 
his garage) & remembers being with her. Buzz joins Jesse in the booth 
& asks what he's got. Jesse says it's another piece of the puzzle. He 
explains about seeing her at the hospital with some other guy. Buzz 
can't believe that Jesse didn't talk to her. Jesse says he didn't get 
the chance. He thinks Michelle must have come by his place while he & 
Drew were "involved." Buzz sees it all clearly now. Jesse says he & 
Drew had a few drinks & made out, but he only did it to forget about 
Michelle. He says Drew made him stop. He couldn't make love to her 
because she wasn't Michelle. 

Jesse felt guilty that he was with someone other than Michelle, but 
she moved on, so why can't he? Because Jesse loves her, says Buzz. But 
she doesn't care & finding her has only gotten him into trouble, says 
Jesse. Buzz sees more coming & nods toward Drew. He excuses himself. 
Jesse tries to leave too, but Drew holds him back. He says he's not 
the right guy for her, but she tells him not to be so sure. She knows 
that she was wrong last night & wants to give him another chance.

BAR: Phillip assures Rick that he won't lose Abby. They've stuck 
together this long. Rick is not so sure. Right now they seem to be 
total opposites. He can't get through to her & every word he says is 
wrong. "Of course; you're a man," replies Phillip. Rick feels like 
Phillip really understands. Women just want to argue. And Abby is 
going to go ballistic when Harley shows up. Phillip asks why. Rick 
says he hired her to try to find the missing videotape. He's surprised 
that Phillip didn't know.

Phillip says he & Harley aren't speaking. Rick guesses correctly that 
it's about Beth. Phillip doesn't want to burden Rick on top of all his 
other troubles, but Rick urges Phillip to share his pain. Rick says 
the best-case scenario is that women just tolerate them. "Who needs 
women?" he asks. Phillip agrees, except maybe late at night. Or early 
in the morning, adds Rick. Or sometimes in the afternoon, broods 
Phillip. He offers Rick another beer.

GARAGE APARTMENT: Abby is surprised when Harley shows up at her door, 
but greets Harley with a smile & invites her in. Harley wants to talk 
to Abby, so they sit on the couch. Harley quickly figures out that 
Abby doesn't know why she's there. She explains that Rick hired her to 
work on Abby's case & she wants to ask Abby some questions. Abby says 
there's no need. Harley says they have to find the tape before the 
trial begins. Abby explains that she's planning to accept the plea 
bargain that Ben has offered. Harley asks if that's what Abby really 
wants. When Abby says yes, Harley says she feels very sorry for her. 
Abby says there are so many problems involved. Harley says if Abby 
accepts Ben's offer, she'll find out what problems really are.

LEWIS OIL: Still holding his aching head, Hart claims to feel much 
better. He says he came by to talk to Josh about the Morton project. 
Also, he wanted to check up on Cassie, since she was so antsy over her 
ex being in town. He asks where Cassie is & Josh says she went home. 
Hart says he only got the machine when he called. Reva has no idea 
where Cassie might have gone. Hart doesn't think there's anything to 
worry about. Reva apologizes again for hurting Hart. He says it's OK & 
wonders if Josh can talk to him about the project. Josh says he can do 
it in a few minutes. Hart leaves the office & Josh closes the door.

Josh tells his "wife o'mine" that they have unfinished business. Reva 
points out that technically, she's his mistress. He says she's not 
getting out of this by being cute. She says she feels awful about 
Hart, but refuses to give up the gun until they find out about Annie. 
Josh says they can't let Annie continue to influence their lives this 
way; she's gone. Reva says they don't really know that & Josh is 
forced to agree, but he still thinks they can't let her continue to 
terrorize them.

Out by the reception desk, Wanda whines that she's never going to get 
out of the office. She sees Hart holding his head & apologizes. Hart 
says he talks to himself all the time. Wanda says she wouldn't want 
Josh & Reva to think she doesn't like her job. Hart wonders if Wanda 
knows where Cassie is. In fact, Wanda does know--Cassie went to the 
Bon Aire motel to deliver papers to some guy named Bob. Hart guesses 
that it's Rob & tells Wanda that he just realized he has to deal with 
an emergency. He asks her to tell Josh that he had to leave, then 
rushes into the elevator. 

BON AIRE MOTEL: Cassie says Rob knows nothing about Hart. Rob knows 
Hart's worth about $10 million & that power is an aphrodisiac. Cassie 
says Rob has no idea about her relationship with Hart. It's nothing 
like what she & Rob had, thank god. Rob raises the issue of Tammy, but 
Cassie wants to leave their daughter out of it. How she turned out as 
well as she did amazes Cassie. Rob points out that she wouldn't be 
around at all if not for him. Cassie would like to forget that.

Rob says he has always cared for Cassie & Tammy, despite his bad 
career choices. Cassie laughs at Rob's characterization of drug 
dealing. Rob reminds her about when Tammy had pneumonia with a 110-
degree fever [is that even possible?] & he got the money they needed. 
He dealt drugs because they needed the money fast, but he never did 
drugs. All he ever wanted was for Cassie & Tammy to be happy. He 
claims to have changed. He knows she won't give up her millionaire for 
him, but it's not too late for him to have a relationship with Tammy. 
She loves him & he loves her & he swears he would never do anything to 
hurt either Tammy or Cassie again.

GARAGE APT: Harley asks how Abby feels about going to prison. Abby 
says it might be as little as 18 months. Harley is sure Abby wouldn't 
last 18 minutes. Abby thinks she's strong enough. Harley says she 
knows a lot more than most people about jail. Jail changes people. 
Abby points out that she has already spent some time in jail, but 
Harley says prison is a lot different than the holding cell Abby was 
in for a few days. It's hard time with hard women. Abby still won't 
change her mind. Harley says every month will feel like a year, & it 
will be way scarier than dealing with Roy ever was. Abby says Harley 
is certainly succeeding in scaring her. Harley is glad. 

Harley thinks Abby is making a huge mistake. If Ben is offering a plea 
bargain, it means he doesn't have much of a case. All Harley has to do 
is find the tape & maybe find a witness who saw Roy threaten Abby. 
Abby has so much going for her; Harley hates to see her give it up 
without a fight. Abby doesn't think she has much fight left in her. 
Harley knows Abby is stronger than that; she just has to stick with it 
a little longer. Now the choice is up to Abby.

DINER: Drew says she overreacted last night because her feelings were 
hurt. They deserve another try. Jesse declines. Drew says they can 
still be friends & have fun. She has tickets for a concert & invites 
Jesse to join her. He turns her down & apologizes. She's beautiful & 
good company & terrific & pretty understanding. But last night was... 
Drew knows it was a fiasco. But the first part of the evening was very 
nice. Why can't they hang out together, since neither of them have 
other plans? Jesse just wants her to understand that he can't get 
involved. Drew insists that she understands completely. She lives in 
the real world. Someday she'll meet the right guy. Drew notices the 
bracelet in Jesse's hand. He says it's Michelle's & that he thinks she 
came by last night. Drew hopes Michelle didn't see them kissing.

BAR: Rick says Abby is so stubborn. Once she makes up her mind, 
there's no changing it. Phillip says Harley is the same way. A couple 
of attractive women walk by & both guys follow them with their eyes. 
Phillip seems moved to follow them with his body too, but Rick holds 
him back. Phillip says even if he went after those women, he wouldn't 
enjoy it, because he loves Harley. Rick understands completely. He 
proposes a toast to love. Phillip says Harley would be almost perfect 
if she weren't so unreasonable. Rick asks what Phillip means.

Phillip recounts the whole story to Rick: Beth approached him, but he 
resisted her & she ran out & got hit by a car. Phillip is worried & 
wants to make sure that she's OK. Somehow, Harley wants to make him 
the villain in this scenario. Is there any logic in that?

Rick tries to go Phillip one better: Abby wants to go to prison for 
something she could beat. Phillip admits defeat. Rick says there are 
no easy answers. Phillip grunts in agreement.

LEWIS OIL: Josh says a gun is not the answer & Reva is a lousy shot, 
anyway. She hits him in the stomach to prove him wrong. Reva doesn't 
think she could actually shoot anyone unless he or the kids were in 
real danger. Not even Annie. She stops, thinking she heard a noise. 
She wants to investigate, but Josh goes instead. He comes back & says 
there's nobody out there.

Reva realizes that her fear is becoming obsessive. Josh urges her to 
let it go; he has all the bases covered. He promises her they will be 
together forever. Reva says the one thing she understands about Annie 
is why she wanted Josh so much & couldn't let him go. Josh tells Reva 
that she's more beautiful now than on the day they met. She was always 
beautiful, but now she has more radiance. The mutual admiration 
society presses its swelled heads together in a kiss.

MOTEL: Cassie refuses to give Rob a chance with Tammy. She thinks he's 
after something, because otherwise he would never turn down $10,000. 
Rob feigns no ulterior motive, but Cassie doesn't buy it. She thinks 
Rob never loved her. Her life was hell, always worrying about whether 
the cops were going to come busting in, or that he'd wind up in the 
morgue. She doubts he knows anything about love. Rob insists that he's 
changed, but Cassie has heard that tune a hundred times before. This 
time, she's not buying it. She calls him a lowlife screw-up & says she 
& Cassie are well rid of him. He warns her not to speak for Tammy. 
Cassie says Rob hurt Tammy beyond belief. She wishes he could feel the 
pain that they felt. She wants him out of their lives & if he tries to 
worm his way back in, she'll sic the cops on him. She tries to leave, 
but Rob pulls her back. She yells at him to let her go, just as Hart 
is approaching the room. He rushes in & pushes Rob away from Cassie.

Hart struggles with Rob & throws him down onto the bed, pinning him & 
threatening major injury. Cassie yells for Hart to back off, so he 
does. He makes sure Cassie is OK; she's fine, but mad as hell. She 
wants to leave. Rob says he's not done talking about Tammy, but Cassie 
yells that it's over. She & Hart leave.

Outside Rob's room, Cassie asks what he's doing there & says she 
doesn't need him to protect her. Hart says he was worried. Cassie says 
she's fine & just wants to go. Hart offers to meet Cassie at her 
house, but she says she just wants to take a hot bath, alone.

DINER: Drew figures Jesse isn't interested in going to the concert 
with her, but if he changes his mind, he knows where to find her. She 
leaves. Buzz tells Jesse that Drew is trouble. Jesse doesn't think so. 
He apologized to her for last night & she was cool. She's free & easy. 
Buzz says women are never free. He warns Jesse not to fall for it. 
Jesse says there's only 1 girl for him, but he can't have her. Buzz 
challenges Jesse to toss the bracelet & get on with his life. Jesse 
considers. Michelle's gone; Drew's here; life's short. And the concert 
might be fun. He tosses the bracelet in a dish bucket & heads for the 
door. Then he stops & retrieves the bracelet. Buzz looks thoughtful.

BAR: Phillip advises that Rick can still help Abby even if he can't 
change her mind about the plea bargain. He will just have to love her 
& let her make this decision. Even if Rick can't see Abby's point of 
view, he can't change it. And what is he going to do, anyway? He can't 
walk away from her; he loves her. These words of wisdom inspire Rick & 
he says he has to go. He asks Phillip to give him a life & asks if 
$500 is enough for a nice dress. Phillip looks very confused, but goes 
along with Rick.

GARAGE APT: Harley asks if Abby has considered that her decision could 
cost her Rick. Being in prison will put a lot of strain on their 
relationship. Abby knows all this, but reminds Harley of one small 
point: she's guilty & if she doesn't accept the plea bargain, she 
could face a lot more than some time in jail. Harley promises to do 
her best to clear Abby. Abby says she'll think about it. Harley says 
she has to think fast, because the clock is ticking. Abby warns Harley 
not to push. She will think about it, but in the meantime, there's 
something she has to do.

Rick shows up & Abby lets him in. Harley lets herself out & runs into 
Phillip outside the door. Phillip was bringing Rick the coat that he 
left in the car. Harley says she was questioning Abby for the 
investigation. They seem awkward with each other. Harley asks about 
Lizzie. Phillip says she's not doing too well; she's got it in her 
head that she needs to take care of Beth. Harley says she knows all 
that already. Phillip asks if any of it's sunk in yet. Harley says she 
understands perfectly. She sends her best to his family & leaves.

Back in the apartment, Rick & Abby both make assumptions about the 
other's state of mind & both try to talk first. Abby wins. She says 
she can't take the risk of a trial because it could mean a lot more 
than 18 months. Rick says he's not trying to change Abby's mind. He 
can live with her decision, but he can't stand the fighting & the 
distance between them. Abby agrees & says it's why she's come to 
another decision. She wants him to make love to her tonight.

MOTEL: Rob goes out on the balcony to smoke a cigar. Hart grabs him 
from behind, taking him by surprise. Rob seems to think it's all very 
funny. Hart warns Rob to stay away from Cassie or he'll be sorry.

LEWIS OIL: Josh suggests that he & Reva go somewhere where they can be 
alone. He tells her not to go anywhere & heads for the door with a 
mischievous look in his eye. Reva loves that he still feels this way 
about her. He says he always will, then leaves. Reva turns to the desk 
& writes herself a note. Meanwhile, someone in white with a hypodermic 
in hand slips in. Reva feels a stab in her shoulder & turns to find 
Annie has returned. Reva starts to cry out, but Annie covers her mouth 
& reminds Reva that she promised to come back. "And I always keep my 
word. Always. At least, most of the time." Reva struggles fruitlessly. 
"I finally got you," exults Annie, as the screen fades to black.


--Marni (marni@panix.com)



