From: Marni Centor <marni@panix.com>

Sorry this is so late... had a very busy weekend.

                      GUIDING LIGHT UPDATE -- THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1997

                                      MISSING YOU

Highlights:
* Ross tells Annie she has another chance.
* Michelle gets nowhere with Jesse.
* Bill gets in a bar fight.
* Rick tries to talk to Blake about Kevin.
* Matt confronts Roger about Vanessa.
* Dinah thinks of a way to find her mom.

SPAULDING STUDY: Annie paces, fidgets, and calls out to Alan. When she
gets no answer, she removes a slip of paper containing Cassie Layne's
phone number from its hiding place behind a small sculpture. She decides
that what Alan doesn't know won't hurt him, but it could really hurt Reva.
She starts dialing, but stops when she hears Alan approaching. 

Alan enters with Ross, who is there to apprise Annie of the status of the
perjury charges pending against her. Annie dons her frightened deer look &
tells Alan that she's scared. 

MARLER HOUSE: Blake carries one of her boys around and sweats profusely in
front of a fan, praying for the arrival of the AC repairman. The doorbell
rings, but it's just Rick. He tells her how concerned he was when she was
missing. She hands the baby to Rick & says everything is perfect now. She
goes to get some juice for the baby.

While she's in the kitchen, they carry on their conversation. Rick holds
the baby in front of the fan & says Blake gave them quite a scare & it
really got him thinking about how little time they have to spend with the
people they love. As she returns, he says he's decided he needs to make a
change. 

SOME DIVE: Jesse offers Michelle a beer, but she points out that she's
underage and it's still morning. He takes one anyway & heads for a pool
table as Michelle starts talking about the tutoring schedule she's worked
out. A couple of Jesse's compadres show up & ask how he got out of jail so
quickly. They also leer at Michelle, who tries not to be intimidated, but
fails. Jesse manages to get rid of the guys without actually standing up
for Michelle. She asks if they really have to meet in this dump. He points
out that she's the one who wanted to help out the poor boy from the wrong
side of the tracks. It's not his fault if the place scares her. "Only one
of us is scared," she replies. "And it's not me." 

REARDON HOUSE: Hart brings Dinah something to drink. She stares at her
mother's portrait & stresses over what's going on with Matt & Vanessa.
Matt returns & Dinah asks him where Van is. "We've been looking for her
all night," says Matt. Dinah is outraged to see Michael with Matt, but
Michael quickly pipes up that he was the last person to see Van. "What
have you done with my mother?!" Dinah demands. 

Matt pulls Dinah back & says Michael had nothing to do with Van's
disappearance. Dinah starts hurling all sorts of accusations at Michael,
but Matt calls her off. Michael explains that he brought Van back to
Springfield to see Bill graduate, and she was planning to tell them all
she was alive, but changed her mind at the last minute. Matt haltingly
explains that Van mistakenly thought Dinah & Matt were lovers. 

DIVE: Out of Michelle's view, Jesse casually convinces his buddies to keep
their distance. When he returns to Michelle, she accuses him of trying to
scare her as payback for the deal she arranged with the judge. Jesse calls
her the most annoying chick he's ever known. Michelle says if he can spell
chicken, they can play pool, otherwise they're going to hit the books. She
refuses to leave his life until he can read. Jesse hates people who stick
their nose in his business. Jesse says it's her fault he missed his
community service in the first place. She retorts that she knew he
couldn't read, but she didn't know he couldn't tell time. She wonders why
she's bothering to help him at all. They decide that they're stuck with
each other, so Jesse finally sits down. 

Jesse figures he's about to experience the excitement of seeing Spot run,
but Michelle pulls out a motorcycle magazine & says people learn to read
faster when they're interested in the subject matter. "I thought bikes,
bimbos & bikinis would get your attention." Jesse thinks she's full of
surprises, and he hates surprises. 

SPAULDING MANSION: Ross says Reva doesn't want to press charges against
Annie because she doesn't want Shayne to be traumatized. Annie is not
exactly falling over with gratitude, so Alan speaks for her, asking Ross
to tell Reva that Annie is glad that Reva is putting Shayne's well being
before her own need for revenge. "You tell her," replies Alan. Ross says
the rest of the charges will be dropped if Annie can convince the judge
that she's sincere in turning her life around. Alan says Annie is seeing a
good doctor. Annie credits Alan with helping her. Alan says Annie is
working night & day to get her life back on track. "After what she did,
she'd have to," replies Ross. Alan doesn't appreciate Ross's digs. Ross
says Annie will face much worse up against the judge. Annie says she is
trying really hard. She signed the divorce papers last night. She just
wants to get on with her life. Ross thinks that ought to be pretty easy,
given Josh's financial settlement. Annie claims not to care about the
money. 

Ross says Annie will have to convince the judge that she will no longer
interfere with Josh & Reva. She will have to maintain a permanent address,
but since Josh gave her the farm, that shouldn't be a problem. Annie
doesn't want to go back there--too many bad memories. Alan says Annie will
be living at his house permanently. 

Out in the hall, Roger warns Amanda not to barge in on the meeting in the
study. Amanda hopes Ross is getting rid of the "houseguest from hell." She
thinks Annie is a bad influence on Alan. Rog says at least she's
distracting him from the family business. Amanda thought she made her
views about family clear. Rog gives her a passionate kiss. She is not
distracted from wanting to find a way to get Annie out of Alan's life. 

REARDON HOUSE: Matt explains to Hart & Dinah why Van believed Matt & Dinah
were involved.  Michael says she blames herself for everything. Dinah
wants to go find Van, but Hart stops her. He finds it hard to believe Van
would jump to such a conclusion based on one overheard conversation.
Michael explains that Van already thought Matt was involved with another
woman, because of what Roger told her. Hart realizes that he was the one
who told Rog that Matt was interested in someone knew. Dinah can't believe
Roger knew Van was alive & didn't tell them. She wants to kill him, but
Matt wants the pleasure. Matt & Hart head out to track down Roger, leaving
Dinah with Michael. 

MARLER HOUSE: Blake understands what Rick means about not wasting time &
not taking people for granted. She's very happy that he's back together
with Abby. Rick says Abby is part of the reason he feels the way he does.
He wants the same things that Blake & Ross have. Blake is sure their
dreams will come true, because hers did--her family is back together again
& that's not going to change. "Nothing stays the same forever," says Rick,
a little ominously. Blake asks what he means. Rick points to Kevin, saying
he's growing like a weed & getting smarter every day. They predict that
he'll be a pitcher someday, because of the way he hurls strawberries, or
maybe a rock star, says Blake. "You should hear him sing in the tub!"
"Yeah, I should," replies Rick.

Blake excuses herself because she has drool all over her shirt. Rick tells
Kevin that Blake's blouse isn't the only thing that needs changing. He
imagines a scene in which he shows up at the Marlers & talks with a
full-grown Kevin, who is on break from his pre-med program in Chicago. He
agrees with Rick that it's really tough, then admits that he quit. When
Rick asks what he's going to do with his life, Ross & Blake flank him as
Ross announces that Kevin's going to be an attorney, "just like his old
man." Kevin says his parents are happy about his decision; Rick should be
happy too. "You changed your whole life & you never told me?!" exclaims
Rick. "Look at me; I'm your father, dammit. I'm your father. Me!" End of
dream.

Rick tells little Kevin that he's his father & he's going to be a big part
of his life. Blake returns & asks if she missed anything. "No, but I did,"
mumbles Rick. He tells Blake they have to talk. 

SPAULDING STUDY: While Ross is occupied on the phone, Annie & Alan discuss
her future. Alan thinks it's funny that Ross thinks Annie will have to lie
about not hurting Reva anymore. Annie tentatively agrees, saying it
wouldn't be worth it to contact Reva's sister in the hopes that she would
cause more trouble for Reva, wouldn't it? Alan says he will show her that
the best revenge is living well. 

Ross returns & says the judge can see Annie soon. Annie thanks Ross & says
it will be good to end this after it's dragged on so long. "Poor, poor
Annie," says Ross, "You don't care how many people you've hurt, do you?"
He starts listing them & says if he had his way, Annie would be going to
jail, but the judge will probably buy her doe eyes, crocodile tears &
quivering voice, and she'll go scot free. Annie says she is very sorry for
everything she's done; she was under a lot of stress... Ross cuts her off
& says she should save her act for the judge. Annie gets angry, but Alan
holds her back.

Ross adds that for Blake's sake, he's not prosecuting Annie for blackmail,
but if she gives him even the slightest excuse, he's going to come after
her with both barrels. "Break a leg," he adds as a parting shot. Annie
sends her love to the twins. 

Roger & Amanda arrive as Ross is leaving. They exchange pleasantries.
Amanda asks, sotto voce, if Ross can have Annie arrested. "Not today, it's
too hot," he parries. Amanda promises to keep an eye on her. Ross leaves &
Roger gets a call on his cell phone.

The caller is Vanessa. Rog is surprised to hear from her. She's wearing
sunglasses & calling from a diner. She says she needs his help. Matt &
Hart interrupt. Matt says Rog has a lot of nerve & tells him to hang up
the phone. Van hears Matt's voice & asks Rog if it's him. Rog says yes.
Matt grabs the phone & says Rog will call back. Van quickly hangs up. Rog
says Matt has no idea what he's just done. Matt informs Rog that they've
just found out what Rog has known all along--that Van is alive. Alan &
Amanda enter in time to hear this stunning piece of news.

Alan doesn't believe it, but Amanda does. She remembers all the messages
he got from the woman in Switzerland. Hart urges Rog to tell them what he
knows. Matt is angry that Rog never told him the truth. Rog says he wanted
to, but Van had sworn him to secrecy. And Matt is the last person she
wants anything to do with right now. "It was her you just hung up on," he
adds. Matt doesn't believe it. Roger repeats that Van wants nothing to do
with Matt. 

REARDON HOUSE: Dinah says Michael could have prevented all this from
happening by calling her family when he saw she was getting better.
Michael was respecting Van's wishes. Dinah says he was too weak to do the
right thing, but Michael says he was doing what his patient wanted. "Just
like your other patient, Celeste?" asks Dinah. Michael says this is a low
blow. He explains that Van loved her family so much that she didn't want
to hurt them any more. It wasn't clear if her remission was temporary or
permanent. Van agonized for months over whether to contact her family.
Being apart from them was worse than her disease. Dinah figures maybe
she's being selfish. They all had each other to lean on & Van was all
alone in a strange place. Michael agrees. Dinah apologizes. "It seems that
my mother was lucky to have you around." 

DIVE: Michelle says Jesse is being a "J-E-R-K." "A what?" he asks. She
informs him that it spells "jerk." She reminds him that she's trying to
help him stay out of jail & learn to read. Jesse thinks the "cheesy
magazine" was a put-down. Michelle insists it wasn't. Jesse says he's not
a goon who gets off on that kind of stuff. Michelle apologizes for
insulting him. Jesse says he thinks about a lot of stuff; he just doesn't
babble about it all. They sit down at a table. Michelle says she's a good
listener & he can talk to her if he wants. He suggests they just get the
reading thing over with. Michelle suggests that it could be fun if they
could just get along. Jesse tells her not to push her luck. 

Bill shows up & says he has to talk to Michelle right away. She's got to
go with him. She asks for a few minutes to finish up. Bill goes outside to
wait. Jesse asks if Bill is Michelle's boyfriend. She explains that they
grew up together & their moms were best friends. Jesse thinks the Bauers
have a lot of best friends. "People that stick by your side even if you
don't deserve it." Michelle wants to know why he hates the Bauers so much. 

SPAULDING STUDY: Annie learns the news of Vanessa from Alan. Matt follows
Roger into the study & asks what Van said to him. "Not much," replies Rog.
Matt hung up before they had a chance to talk. At Hart's urging, Rog
reports the entire conversation. Matt asks why Van would even talk to Rog,
when she hates him. Rog says they've developed a bit of a friendship over
the past year. Matt asks how Rog knew she was alive. Rog explains about
seeing her at the airport with the nuns. When he told Dinah, she didn't
believe him, so he had Leo track Van down. Amanda realizes that this is
why Rog went to Switzerland so much.  Matt still can't believe that Rog
kept this secret. "She begged me not to; I gave her my word," replies Rog.
Matt is still angry, but Hart says it's water under the bridge. The thing
is to find Vanessa. 

Rog asks if Van was in Springfield, why didn't she come to Matt. Matt
admits that Van thinks he's in love with Dinah. Hart tells Rog that if Van
calls again he must tell her that this was all a misunderstanding. Matt
asks them all to get in touch with him if they hear anything. He & Hart
leave. Annie comments that everyone wants a love like Matt has for
Vanessa.

MARLER HOUSE: Blake gives Rick a cold drink & asks what he wants to talk
about. Rick says he wants to spend more time with Kevin. "OK," replies
Blake. Rick thinks that was pretty easy. Blake suggests they pick a date.
Rick suggests next week. Blake asks which day. Rick was thinking he'd take
off the whole week to spend with his son. Blake is taken aback. She & Ross
were planning to go away with the boys for a little while. Rick can take
Kevin when they get back. Rick says he's not trying to make things
difficult... Ross enters & sees the tableau of Rick holding Kevin,
alongside Blake. He gives them a sideways sort of smile. 

Ross comes in & gives Blake a quick kiss, says hi to Rick, and gives Kevin
a pat. He asks about Jason; Blake says he's asleep in the playpen. Ross
looks in on Jason (actually I suspect it's an empty playpen; Jason hasn't
been seen all episode). Rick starts to explain why he's there, but Blake
interrupts him & says he came to see if she was OK. Ross says he took the
rest of the day off so he could be with Blake & his sons. He thanks Rick
for helping when Blake was missing. Blake suggests that Rick & Abby come
over to dinner soon. Rick thinks that would be good; they need to talk
about a few things. Ross thinks they should wait until the AC is fixed. 

Ross suggests a trip to the park with the boys. Blake tells Rick that they
will call him when they get back from their trip. Rick says OK, but he
doesn't seem too happy. He lets himself out as Ross & Blake coo over
Kevin.

DIVE: Bill orders a beer at the bar & Jesse's buddies laugh hysterically.
The bartender thinks Bill is working for the cops, trying to get him in
trouble for serving underage kids. Bill calls the guy a jerk.

In the back room, Michelle wants to know what Jesse has against the
Bauers. Jesse says he hates rich people. Michelle knows it's more than
that. Jesse tells her to trust him; she doesn't want to know. 

Over at the bar, Jesse's buds start hassling Bill, telling him to
apologize. He says he's had enough trouble for one day without them
getting on his case too. "Or what, man?" asks one guy. "You'll call your
mother?" Bill goes for the guy & the fight is on. Michelle hears the
commotion & looks outside, then calls Jesse to help stop it.

Bill is way outnumbered, but fights with passion. The first guy grabs Bill
& the 2nd one punches him in the stomach. Michelle urges Jesse to do
something. Jesse goes out to the bar & pulls his friends off Bill. Just as
Bill is thanking him, he punches Bill squarely in the jaw. Bill goes down
to the floor. Michelle rushes to his side, screaming at Jesse, "What have
you done?!" Jesse postures for his friends; he seems to think he's
extremely cool. 

SPAULDING MANSION: In the hall Amanda suggests that there's more to
Roger's involvement with Vanessa than he's letting on. He deflects this
inquiry by pointing out that Amanda has to worry about subtly getting rid
of Annie. OK, agrees Amanda, but once Annie's out, she wants Annie to know
who put her there. 

In the study, Alan tells Annie he can't believe that Van is really alive.
Annie thinks it's really good news, because she was pretty good friends
with Van before. Can Alan help find her? He says he'll make a few phone
call & she should practice her plea for the judge so he'll believe her.
She gives Alan a kiss & promises that the judge will believe, then hustles
him out the door. She closes the door behind him & heads for the phone.

After a brief moment of indecision, she dials the operator & asks where
area code 312 is. The operator tells her Chicago, and she smacks herself
in the head for forgetting. [Is the woman suffering from alcoholic
dementia? How long did she live in Chicago?!] Annie decides that Reva's
sister won't be lost for long. 

REARDON HOUSE: Hart & Matt return & fill Dinah & Michael in on their
meeting with Roger.  They worry that Van won't contact Roger again, or
that Rog won't keep his word. They talk about continuing the search, but
Dinah thinks they need to do something really big. Skywriting is jokingly
suggested, as is a bullhorn. This gives Dinah an idea--she will go on the
air at WSPR to say that they know Van's alive & Matt loves her, not Dinah. 

OUT-OF-TOWN DINER: WSPR just happens to be playing on the big-screen TV.
Van paces & sighs. She remembers when Michael told her about Matt & Dinah.
She tells herself she can't ruin their happiness. She decides to stay for
some food & then leave. She sits down at a table with her back to the TV
(it looks like ATWT is just ending) as the screen fades to black. 



--Marni (marni@panix.com)



