From: Marni Centor <marni@panix.com>

          GUIDING LIGHT UPDATE -- THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 1997

                             SWEET & SOUR

Highlights:
* Rick prepares for a date with Abby & bonds with Michelle.
* Michelle searches her heart & comes to a decision.
* Nola & Buzz's reverie is shattered by the truth.
* Cassie rips into Annie for Reva's benefit, proving her loyalty.
* Annie & Alan plot their next move.
* J asks Harley to check up on Nola. 
* Harley & Phillip go for a drive in the mountains.

A nippy fall evening in Springfield, USA...

BAUER KITCHEN: Rick gets rid of a call from the hospital by lying that he's 
dealing with contractors at his house. Michelle enters, looking miserable. 
They both have a lot on their minds. Rick asks if Michelle is staying or 
going to Africa. He wants her to stay. Michelle thinks he really wants her 
to leave; everyone else does, including Jesse. She wants everyone to back 
off so she can decide for herself what to do with her life.

COMPANY: Phillip & Harley arrive & comment that the place is practically 
empty when it should be the middle of the dinner rush. J tells them to sit 
wherever they like. They pick a table away from the bar. Phillip tries to 
reassure Harley that everything is fine with Buzz, but his message didn't 
leave her with that feeling at all. He didn't say where he was, what he was 
doing, or when he was coming back. Phillip thinks she's overreacting. 
Harley is afraid her father isn't coming back.

BAUER CABIN: As he pours wine into a couple of glasses in front of a 
roaring fire, Buzz says everything is so nice, he could stay there forever. 
Nola agrees that it's nice. Buzz feels safe & at peace, thanks to Nola. She 
turned a plain cabin into "Enchanted Cottage." He'd like to stay there 
forever with her. Nola says maybe they could.

TOWERS CLUB LADIES ROOM: Reva interrupts as Annie calls Cassie on the 
carpet about doing her "job." Reva wants to know what's going on. Annie's 
not saying, so Reva turns to Cassie. 

Annie pipes up that Cassie doesn't have to tell Reva anything, & it's none 
of her business. Reva heard her name mentioned, which makes it her 
business. Annie decides to leave, but Reva grabs her & spins her around. 
She wants to know how long Annie & Cassie have known each other. Cassie 
says they don't know each other. She claims that Annie found out she worked 
at Lewis Oil & cornered her. Reva wonders why Annie cares what goes on at 
Lewis Oil. Annie says she introduced herself as Josh's ex-wife & Cassie 
freaked out, thanks to the lies Reva's been spreading about her. Reva 
wonders which "lies" Annie could be talking about. The fact that she tried 
to frame Reva for murder, or that she kept her from finding her sister? 
This is exactly what Annie was talking about. No wonder Cassie freaked out.

Cassie claims she was minding her own business when Annie sidled up to her 
& started insinuating disgusting things about her & Billy, saying the Lewis 
boys sure love blondes, & if she didn't put out for Billy, she'd probably 
lose her job. Annie says if Cassie wants to date a drunk, it's her own 
business. Cassie thinks she should compare notes with Alan. Annie lunges 
for Cassie, but Reva holds her back. Reva then locks the bathroom door, 
saying that no one is leaving until she gets some answers.

BAUER KITCHEN: Rick says no one is trying to get rid of her. Michelle says 
going to Africa may not be the best thing for her. She's had a really rough 
year, and she needs to take some time to decide what to do next. Rick says 
she should do that. Michelle doesn't want to run away from her problems. 
Rick agrees with that. 

Michelle asks about all the food that Rick has out on the counter. He 
starts packing it into a picnic basket as he explains that Abby is coming 
over soon so they can spend some time together. Michelle asks if everything 
is back to normal. Hardly, says Rick. Abby is still having nightmares & 
panic attacks, but Holly suggested some ways for them to get used to being 
together again. He explains that Abby's experience left her not wanting to 
be touched by anyone. It brings back the bad memories. Michelle still 
blames herself for what happened to Abby. Rick hugs Michelle & assures her 
that it's not her fault. Michelle thinks how awful & alone Abby must feel. 
It breaks her heart. Rick says it breaks his heart too.

COMPANY: Phillip calls Frank from the bar to see if he's heard anything 
about Buzz. He says Harley is still upset & he was hoping he could give her 
some news that would make her feel better. Frank has nothing new, so 
Phillip returns to Harley. She asks if everything is OK at work & he 
replies that it's fine. Harley wishes she could get some news about Buzz. 
Phillip is sure Buzz is fine & will be home soon. He says she will feel 
very foolish when Buzz returns safe & sound to learn that she thought his 
phone message meant he was being held hostage. Harley would rather feel 
foolish than be right. Phillip wants Harley to eat. She says she can't eat 
when she doesn't know if Buzz is safe. She gets up to leave, but J arrives 
to take their order. Harley complains that Phillip isn't taking her 
seriously. He insists that he is. She sits down again & Phillip orders a 
couple of burger platters.

J starts to go fill their order, but turns around to ask Harley what she 
would charge to check up on someone. Harley says it depends on what he 
wants to know & who it is. J says he's worried about his mom, because she's 
been acting weird lately. "How can you tell?" jokes Harley. J tells all 
about Nola going up to the cabin, & how she didn't sound "just fine" when 
he called her. This reminds Harley of Buzz. J explains about driving up to 
the cabin & finding her up there with a guy. And she wouldn't let him 
inside to meet the guy. So he'd like Harley to check up on Nola & this guy. 
Harley wants to think about it & promises to get back to him. 

J departs, leaving Phillip to wonder what's brewing in Harley's head. She 
finds it awfully coincidental that Nola is communing with nature at exactly 
the same time that Buzz has vanished. Phillip thinks Harley is crazy to 
think that Buzz is Nola's new boyfriend. Harley doesn't think that. She 
thinks Nola is the stalker. 

BAUER CABIN: Buzz thinks the cabin would be a great place to spend the 
holidays. Nola hasn't thought that far ahead. She says being there is one 
thing, but planning to stay there is another matter entirely. It's a 
fantasy that can't happen. Buzz asks what's not real about it. Nola says it 
can't last. Buzz challenges her to say that she'd rather be back in her own 
life. She wishes it were the two of them, but it's impossible. Buzz says 
they should just call the people in Springfield & let them know what's 
what. Nola laughs. Buzz figures everyone should be happy that they're 
happy. Nola says Buzz has lost his mind. She wishes she could lose hers 
too. Maybe she should throw herself down the stairs & get amnesia too. Buzz 
doesn't want her to get hurt. 

Nola can tell he really cares about her, but says he doesn't really know 
her. She's done some terrible things. Buzz asks her what she did. She says 
that it's all her fault they're in this terrible mess. Buzz encourages her 
to go on.

TOWERS CLUB: Alan waits impatiently for Annie & wonders what she's up to 
now. 

Billy & Josh wonder what's going on in the ladies room. Josh is sure it's 
none of their concern.

In the ladies room, Reva tries to get to the bottom of things. She heard 
Cassie say that Annie was using her to ruin the Lewises' lives. Annie gets 
all bent out of shape, especially after Cassie calls her a liar. Reva 
laughs & steps back as Cassie lets Annie have it. She can't believe anyone 
speaks to Annie, because she's not happy unless she's causing people 
misery. Annie says Reva is the liar. Reva fixes her lipstick & watches them 
in the mirror. Cassie says everyone in town is talking about crazy Annie. 
Annie's not surprised at what the Lewises says. Cassie says the trial was a 
matter of public record. She thinks the Lewises are warm, wonderful people, 
who don't deserve to be hounded & harassed by a "bitch" like Annie. "You're 
like a rabid dog that attacks anything & everything that gets in its path. 
And you don't care who you hurt, including poor, innocent little children." 
Annie tells Cassie to shut up before she's sorry. Cassie says it's worth it 
to tell Annie what she really thinks.

Reva smiles with satisfaction as Cassie comes to her side. Even people who 
Annie has just met see her for exactly what she is, notes Reva. Annie blows 
a kiss in Reva's general direction & leaves. Cassie starts crying & 
apologizes abjectly to Reva.

BAUER CABIN: Buzz doesn't believe it when Nola says she did horrible 
things. She insists it's true. She lied to him. She didn't save his life; 
she ruined it. She fills him in on her whole little stalking adventure. 
When he found out, he came up to the cabin to have it out with her. She 
confessed, he forgave her, and then he fell down the steps & forgot it all. 
They've been living in a fantasyworld. The truth is that she's destroyed 
his life, and now it's a nightmare for both of them.

COMPANY: Phillip is incredulous at Harley's suggestion that Nola is the 
stalker. Harley says it makes perfect sense. The stalking began when Buzz 
joked that men never got flowers. Nola was there when he said it. Next day, 
he gets flowers, then cookies, etc. She remembers Nola coming over with a 
casserole, and she brought balloons when Harley got out of the hospital. 
Yet Harley barely knows Nola, and Buzz & Jenna were never good friends with 
her either. Phillip says Harley will be back in the hospital if she keeps 
talking this way. Harley knows it sounds wild, but there's no other 
explanation, unless they're having an affair, which is impossible. Finally 
Phillip agrees with her about something. 

Harley says there's no time to lose, and puts her jacket on. She's going to 
save her father. Phillip tells her to wait because he's coming with her. He 
leaves money for the burgers & follows her out the door. J arrives with the 
food & calls after them, but they're already gone. "What about my mother?" 
he asks himself.

BAUER KITCHEN: Rick says there's no way to undo what happened to Abby, but 
she never blamed Michelle for it. Michelle feels like that makes it worse. 
Abby is such a nice person; this never should have happened to her. And 
Rick can't even comfort her. Rick hopes that he can begin to change that 
tonight. Abby needs to trust people again. He doesn't think she'll ever 
forget what happened to her, but he thinks there's a chance she can get 
past it. Michelle hopes so. She hugs Rick & then goes out on the patio.

Outside, Michelle remembers being at the lighthouse with Jesse when Abby 
got attacked. Then she remembers Rick blaming Jesse for the attack. She 
watches Rick through the window.

TOWERS CLUB: Annie gives the Lewis boys a special smile as she sashays past 
them to her table. Alan pulls her aside & asks where she's been. Annie 
fills him in on being locked in the ladies room with Reva & Cassie. Alan 
thinks it sounds like Cassie is doing a good job. Annie says Cassie was 
having too much fun putting her down in front of Reva. She thinks Cassie 
should be a lot more grateful after all they've done for her. Alan says it 
doesn't matter. Annie rants some more & Alan laughs because it's too 
perfect. Now Reva will have no doubts whatsoever about Cassie's loyalty. He 
congratulates Annie & she calms down, realizing that her hurt & humiliation 
will be nothing compared to what Reva & Cassie will feel when they find out 
they're sisters. Alan kisses her.

In the ladies room, Reva tries to assure Cassie that it's perfectly normal 
to lose it around Annie. Cassie says it's a lot more than that, but Reva 
won't let her waste any more breath on Annie. Cassie says she should have 
realized that Annie was trouble from the start, but Reva knows how easy it 
is to be taken in by her, even when your eyes are wide open. By the time 
you see her for what she really is, it's too late to escape. She suggests 
that Cassie just steer clear of Annie in the future. She apologizes to 
Cassie for assuming the worst when she walked in. Cassie says it's really 
OK. Reva says it's not. She confesses that she was going to read Cassie's 
personnel file after hearing that Cassie & Billy were dating, but Billy 
caught her & she's glad he did. It was wrong for her to have doubts about 
Cassie. It's just that she loves Billy & doesn't want him to get hurt. 
Cassie understands how important it is to protect your own. 

Reva thanks Cassie for giving it to Annie. It was great to hear her get it 
from someone else for once. Cassie says she meant any word. Reva says 
Cassie can defend her & her family anytime & she'll do the same for Cassie. 
They shake on it. 

Back in the restaurant, Alan tells Annie not to worry about a thing. 

Reva & Cassie return & Josh jokes that they were worried when Annie came 
out but they didn't. Reva tells the boys how Cassie reamed Annie. Josh 
didn't think Cassie knew Annie. Reva says Cassie immediately recognized 
Annie for what she was. She shares the bit about Cassie calling Annie a 
rabid dog & everyone laughs, except Josh, who looks thoughtful.

Annie complains to Alan that they're all laughing at her. 
as the screen fades to black. Alan says they're playing right into their 
hands. His plan will leave them utterly destroyed. Annie reminds him that 
it's *their* plan, not just his. He realizes that she's still pissed at him 
for paying off Fran to tell the truth in court. He insists he did it for 
them & wants them to be partners in every way. He likes the new, stronger 
Annie, but she shouldn't get cocky. She still needs him to teach her how to 
be truly devious.

PHILLIP'S CAR: Phillip drives while Harley frets. She asks if he can go any 
faster. Phillip says his car will do 180, but he doesn't want to wrap them 
around a telephone pole. Harley wishes they'd taken her car. Phillip says 
her piece of garbage wouldn't make it up the first hill. Harley can't see 
the point in having a big engine if Phillip is going to drive like her 
grandmother. She says she can run faster than he's driving. Phillip steps 
on the gas & Harley smiles.

Phillip didn't exactly think this was the way their date would turn out. 
Harley doesn't want to think about that now. Phillip asks why they can't 
have normal dates. If they're not on a sting operation, they're picnicking 
in a loony bin or chasing a stalker. He feels like her bodyguard. Harley 
says he should think of it as a perk. "I do," he replies. Harley hopes 
everything turns out OK & they can laugh about it in the morning. Phillip 
advises her that it's a faux pas to wake up laughing with the guy you're 
sleeping with. "It's like using the word `little.'":-)

Harley hopes Nola isn't the stalker. Phillip points out that if she's not, 
they're about to barge in on her & some woodsy guy with an axe. They laugh 
about the possibility of getting hacked up. Harley is glad Phillip is 
there. She thinks about how many years she was mad at Buzz, and how she 
told him she hated him. Phillip says she's past that now. She asks what he 
thinks they'll find up at the cabin. He doesn't know, but whatever it is, 
they'll get through it together.

BAUER CABIN: Suddenly, Buzz wants Nola to stay away from him. She tries to 
explain that she never meant to hurt him, but he blames her for his 
amnesia. She says he forgave her before he fell down the stairs. Buzz 
thinks maybe he didn't forgive her & so she pushed him down the stairs. She 
insists that they had come to an understanding. Buzz says he's lost his 
memory, but not his mind. Nola wants to help him get his life back, but 
Buzz says he has no life to go back to. Nola says he has a family & a woman 
who loves him. Buzz doesn't know any of these people anymore. "You took 
away my past; you've taken away my future--I've got nothing left."

TOWERS CLUB: Annie thinks Billy & Cassie look like they're back on track 
now. Alan says it's time to head for the finish line. Tonight. He's about 
to tell her his plan.

Josh & Cassie chat about business while Billy & Reva discuss Cassie. Reva 
says the girl has heart & HB would have approved. Billy is happy to hear 
that Reva approves. Reva just wants Billy to be happy. Billy says he is.

Annie thinks Alan is brilliant & gives him a big kiss. She says she's 
realized she *can* learn a lot from him & thanks him for being such a good 
teacher. They decide to call it a night & get up to leave.

Reva sees them leaving & comments loudly that she hopes they don't make it 
back their coffins before sunrise. Annie tells Alan she'll be right back.

Billy suggests they go someplace else to dance. Everyone thinks this is a 
good idea. Cassie notes that she hasn't just danced because she wanted to 
in a long time. She says she has to go to the ladies room before they 
leave, since Annie didn't actually give her a chance to use it earlier. 
Reva says they'll meet her downstairs with the car.

In the ladies room, Cassie stands in front of the mirror & mops her brow. 
Annie shows up, takes a swig from a glass, & comments on her luck in 
meeting Cassie there twice in one night. 

BAUER KITCHEN: Rick tries to figure out if he's forgotten anything for his 
picnic. Michelle comes back inside & says it's nice, but chilly out. She 
asks when Abby is coming over. Rick expects her any minute. Michelle says 
Abby is really lucky to have Rick love her. She knows she is lucky for that 
too. She has decided that she needs to go away to get her life back on 
track. She think it will be good for everyone. Rick hugs her & says all 
they can do is hope for the best.

Later, Michelle wanders the kitchen alone. She looks at a photo & sniffles. 
She knows she will miss her house, especially the kitchen. All the memories 
of holidays & baking cookies. She remembers her mom & cries. How did things 
get so messed up? She watches herself & Maureen together. Maureen hugs her 
& says Michelle will have plenty of memories to look back on, & she'll be 
back in no time. Michelle says the house makes her feel close to her mom & 
leaving will be like losing her all over again. Maureen says Michelle will 
carry the memories in her heart, wherever she is.

Michelle says she never found the person who has Maureen's heart. She 
wonders if Maureen is mad at her for giving up. Maureen is proud of 
Michelle for following her own heart & thinks things will turn out just the 
way they should. "I'll always be with you, Michelle. Don't ever be afraid." 
Michelle takes her jacket & purse, turns out the light, & leaves. There's a 
gingerbread man on the counter that wasn't there before.

BAUER CABIN: Buzz checks his watch & grabs his jacket as Nola begs him not 
to go. She wants him to understand. Buzz says he understands that Nola has 
taken his life from him. He's nobody, with nothing, thanks to her, & if she 
thinks he's going to forgive her, she can take a flying leap down the 
stairs. They hear someone at the door & Nola thinks it's her son & says she 
doesn't want to see anybody. Buzz says maybe her son will feel sorry for 
her, because he surely doesn't. "I never meant to hurt you," insists Nola. 
Buzz says she did & now the world will know about it.

Buzz opens the door to find Harley & Phillip standing there. "Who're you?" 
he asks.

TOWERS CLUB LADIES ROOM: Annie applauds Cassie's earlier performance. 
Cassie says it was no act; she meant every word. "The Lewises are good 
people, & you--you're scum," she adds. Annie asks if Cassie has given up on 
Tammy & wants to go live with her new family. Cassie says she intends to 
see Annie's plan through. Annie says it's time for the next move. Cassie 
says there's no way on earth she can get Josh into bed. Reva will never 
fall for a setup & they're too much in love, as Annie should well know. 
Annie says Reva wouldn't believe it, but Billy would. So tomorrow, Cassie 
should tell Billy that since they're dating, she doesn't think she should 
be his assistant anymore. She needs to get a transfer & become Josh's 
assistant. Cassie doesn't see how she can do that, since Wanda is Josh's 
right arm. And even if she could, there's no way she could come between the 
brothers. Annie says she can & will She'd bet Tammy's future on it. Annie 
checks her makeup in the mirror as the screen fades to black.

--Marni (marni@panix.com)




