From: Marni Centor <marni@panix.com>

          GUIDING LIGHT UPDATE -- THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1997

                         PRELUDE TO REVENGE

Highlights:
* Abby & Rick help the Lewises decorate for Xmas.
* Reva encourages Cassie to go after Hart. Cassie declines.
* Blake encourages Hart to pursue Cassie. Hart declines.
* Dinah invites Cassie to a party. Cassie accepts.
* Annie vows revenge on Reva when the infamous video airs.
* Michelle says her goodbyes before eloping.
* Jesse has it out with Jack & announces that he's marrying Michelle.
* Jack riles up Ski & his pals.

LIGHTHOUSE: Michelle meets Jesse, suitcase in hand. They can't wait until 
tonight, when they'll be married. Jesse says the Justice of the Peace is 
expecting them in a few hours. He asks if she's sure about wanting to 
honeymoon at the cabin. She is. It doesn't matter where they are, as long 
as they're together. Jesse can't believe how perfectly everything is going. 
And after tonight, everything will be perfect. Michelle says she has to 
take care of a few more things. She's meeting her dad for an early dinner, 
& to say goodbye. Jesse thinks it must be hard for her to keep such a big 
thing from her family. She doesn't want them to worry about her. Jesse says 
he'll take care of his wife. Michelle likes the sound of "wife." Jesse 
mentions his plans to stop by the garage for a few things & Michelle gets 
upset. She worries that Ski & his buds will go after Jesse to get revenge 
for Roy's death. Jesse says he won't let anything come between them today.

LEWIS HOUSE: Reva, Cassie, Rick & Abigail are all decorating for Xmas. Rick 
tells Abby that next year they'll be doing this in their own house. Abby 
feels very hopeful now that she has Ross on her side & she's prepared to 
fight. Rick is proud of how strong she's become. Abby says she's learning. 
She mentions that she's glad they got rid of the security guards, because 
they were making her really nervous. Rick isn't totally comfortable with 
it, but at least they're surrounded by friends.

In the dining area, Reva advises Cassie to go after Hart. Cassie notes that 
Reva keeps flip-flopping on this issue. Reva says she can tell that Hart 
cares about Cassie by the way he looks at her. She hands Cassie the phone & 
tells her to invite him over. Cassie says Hart is engaged. Reva dares 
Cassie to see if Hart answers her like an engaged man.

COMPANY: Blake & Hart meet for lunch. Drew is her usual charming self as 
she waits tables. Blake thinks Hart must be having a hard time after 
Dinah's latest move. Hart thinks the "baby thing" was funny, and he was 
touched that Dinah would go to that length to show that she's ready to have 
kids. Blake is stunned. Hart knows that Dinah is not going to win Mother of 
the Year, but it was a nice gesture. Blake thinks Dinah is trying to trap 
Hart. He says she doesn't have to trap him, since they're getting married. 
Blake feels like she's in a bad dream. "I'm sorry," says Hart. "That's 
exactly what you'll be if you marry that little witch," replies Blake.

SPAULDING MANSION: Dinah & Annie make plans for Hart's surprise party. 
Annie is testy when Dinah asks a question about the Lewises. Dinah reminds 
Annie that the party was her idea. Annie apologizes, explaining that today 
would have been her & Josh's wedding anniversary. Dinah is sympathetic. 
Annie says her next marriage will last. Dinah is all for that: "Here's to 
marriages that last, and to hell with those women who screw `em up."

Dinah dons her coat & gleefully announces that she's off to invite Cassie 
to the party in person. She promises Annie that if this works out, she'll 
owe Annie forever. All Annie cares about is that Dinah find the videotape 
of her wedding announcement. Dinah says it's WSPR property & no other 
station would dare air it. And if they do, she'll see that her reporter is 
stuck doing infomercials on public access TV. Annie doesn't care about 
that; she just wants the tape. Dinah promises & runs out. Annie leans 
against the door, looking like she has a killer headache.

Alan comes downstairs & asks if Annie's OK. She says she's fine & explains 
that she was just helping Dinah with a problem. She finds helping other 
people gives her a sense of purpose. Alan says they both have good reason 
to be happy & kisses her. He drags her over to the TV because he wants to 
get the latest news on Lewis Oil's stock. First, they hear that Ross has 
resigned as DA. Alan wonders why. Annie thinks he should have been fired 
for the way he treated her during Reva's trial. Alan says they can't afford 
to alienate Ross. Next on the news is the disastrous tape that Dinah was 
supposed to keep off the air. Annie freaks out & starts hitting the TV. 
Alan comes over & holds her in his arms.

LIGHTHOUSE: Michelle repeats that she doesn't want Jesse to go to Point 
Lester. He doesn't want to think about Ski & the guys. He'd rather think 
about getting married to Michelle. Michelle thinks it's great how Jesse is 
so willing to express his feelings. He just never expected to have a happy 
ending. Jesse promises that when they make love for the first time, it's 
going to be so special that they'll remember it for the rest of their 
lives. They kiss & say I-love-you, then run down the stairs.

LEWIS HOUSE: Rick has wrapped himself in Xmas lights & turned them on, 
declaring that he's "lit." Abby giggles & helps him unwind the lights 
before he gets electrocuted. Rick says she's bossy. Abby says she got that 
way when she decided to take back her life. Rick says she has incredible 
faith, and they can do anything. 

Cassie refuses to call Hart. Reva thinks Cassie's more stubborn than she 
is. She tells a story about a dog at Cross Creek that used to look at a 
mare with eyes of desire. Reva thinks Hart doesn't look at Dinah that way, 
& if he was so intent on marrying her, they'd at least have a date set. If 
Cassie wants Hart, Reva thinks she should go for it. Cassie refuses, 
because Hart is engaged. If he wants her, he can come after her. She says 
she has to go to the office & runs out the door over Reva's protests.

COMPANY: Blake won't let go of the baby-renting thing. Hart continues to 
defend Dinah, but Blake thinks it was sick, desperate & pathetic. Hart 
reminds Blake of all the crazy things she's done. Blake admits she's make 
questionable judgment calls in the past, but they were because she loved 
Ross. Hart says Dinah loves him, so it's the same thing. Blake asks if he 
really loves Dinah & wants to spend the rest of his life with her & never 
look at another woman, including Cassie. Hart pauses.

"Aha," says Blake. She can tell Hart likes Cassie a lot. He says she's just 
a friend. Blake thinks Hart wants more. Hart says she's got it all wrong. 
Dinah's not perfect, but neither is he. Blake sings Cassie's praises, com-
paring her to Bridget--warm, direct, loves children, as gorgeous as Dinah. 
So who does Hart really want? Hart tells Blake to stop playing matchmaker. 
He admits that Cassie's a wonderful person, but that doesn't mean they're 
star-crossed lovers. Blake asks if Hart really sees his soulmate when he 
looks at Dinah. Does he miss her the minute she's gone? Does he think about 
her all the time? Because that's the way she feels about Ross, & she 
doesn't want anything less for Hart. Hart shakes his head.

LEWIS OIL: Dinah walks in & says Cassie is just the person she wanted to 
see. Cassie isn't in the mood to spar & is very busy. Dinah announces that 
she's inviting Cassie to a party for Hart's birthday, at the farm. Cassie 
knows Dinah can't stand her, so she asks why Dinah's inviting her.

SPAULDING MANSION: Annie tells Alan to shut off the TV & screams that she's 
ruined. She vows that Reva will pay for what she's done. "When I'm done 
with that woman, she's not going to have a breath left in her sorry little 
body!" Annie tries to run off & tells Alan to let go of her, but he holds 
on to her & says he's not letting her go anywhere.

Annie cries that Reva has to pay. Alan says they won't get back at Reva by 
ranting & raving. Annie wants to know his plans. He says now isn't the 
time. They have to be strong & rise above it all. Annie cries that she 
wanted their wedding to be a fairy tale. Alan wishes he could protect her, 
but the damage is done. They have to act like it doesn't matter. Besides, 
they have more important things to worry about, like Annie's perfume. Annie 
thinks it's sweet that Alan's trying to distract her, but it won't work.

COMPANY: Hart says he can say yes to all the questions Blake asked. "Then 
why didn't you?" she asks. "Because I'm a guy," he answers. Blake reminds 
him that he cries every time he watches "It's a Wonderful Life." Hart 
doesn't want it getting out that he's mushy. He calls for the check.

Ed arrives & greets Blake & Hart. Drew brings the check. Blake picks up a 
receipt, wondering what it is, then nearly faints when she sees how much $$ 
Hart spent on jewelry that she assumes is for Dinah. Hart explains it was a 
"little gift" for Cassie. "How can you even think about marrying Dinah when 
you're lying about your feelings for Cassie?" demands Blake.

Ed takes a table & orders for himself and Michelle, who's not there yet. 
When Michelle shows up, she seems a little uncomfortable. Ed says she has a 
glow about her. She says it's the weather. Ed says there's a few inches of 
snow up at the cabin, so she & Jesse should have great sledding. Then, he 
figures out that the glow is from Jesse. 

JESSE'S GARAGE: Jesse tosses his bag down & packs a photo of his mom. He 
grabs something else that he'd hidden & puts it in his pocket when he hears 
someone at the door. It's Jack, drunk. He demands that Jesse get his 
mother's ring back from "that little slut." Jesse tells Jack never to talk 
about Michelle that way again, and says Jack will never get the ring back, 
because he's going to marry Michelle.

Jesse says the wedding is tonight. Since he doesn't expect Jack to be happy 
for them, he might as well just pretend they're dead. They can both just 
forget each other. Jesse heads for the door. Jack yells after Jesse that he 
can't walk out on him. "Watch me," says Jesse, as he leaves. Jack yells 
that Jesse can't get rid of him that easily.

LEWIS OIL: Dinah says Cassie is right; she doesn't care if she ever sees 
Cassie again, but Hart likes her & it's his birthday, so she's invited. 
Cassie can't remember ever receiving such a gracious invitation. Dinah says 
she knows Cassie & Hart are friends & she wants to make Hart happy. Cassie 
declines, saying she has other plans. Dinah asks why Cassie is afraid to 
come to the party, if she's such good friends with Hart. Or will it be too 
painful for her to see Hart with the woman he loves. Cassie says she's not 
afraid of anything & Dinah finally goads her into accepting the invitation.

COMPANY: Ed notices Michelle's new ring & she says it's from Jesse & used 
to be his mom's. Ed says it's very special & asks what it means. Michelle 
says it means they love each other & want a future together. Ed thinks 
Jesse's a fine young man & he's glad he makes Michelle happy. Ed thinks 
Michelle is very smart for her age & hopes she will give a lot of thought 
to any decision that might affect her life. Michelle wonders what he means. 
Ed stammers, then settles on saying if she & Jesse decide to get married, 
they can talk about it then. OK, says Michelle, when the time comes.

Michelle explains that she's going to Chicago with Marcus & Dahlia. She 
goes into great detail to cover her nervousness. Ed is clueless & just asks 
if the trip will interfere with her classes. Michelle says she's on 
semester break & she'll only be gone a few days. Ed tells her to have fun & 
says he has to get back to the hospital. Before he leaves, she gives him a 
big hug & says she loves him. Then she leaves ahead of him.

Hart explains that he bought the present for Cassie when he & Dinah were 
fighting. He wasn't going to give it to her, but then they delivered that 
baby together, so he decided to give it to her after all. She almost didn't 
accept it. Blake knows why: because she knew what it meant. Hart says 
Cassie made it perfectly clear she just wants to be friends. She just found 
out about her family & she just got Tammy back; she's got a full plate. 
Blake can tell that Hart & Cassie have discussed this. Hart says they both 
know nothing will come of it. Blake says Hart is a fool.

SPAULDING MANSION: Alan tells Annie they have tons to be thankful for. 
Think of all they have. Annie doesn't want to seem ungrateful, but she 
can't get past what Reva has done. Alan wants Annie to forget about Reva. 
He thinks she's beautiful, young & strong. Reva can only hurt her if Annie 
lets her. She has to forget about the stupid tabloid TV show. Annie agrees 
with him. He invites her to join him in the bedroom. She says she has a few 
things to take care of first & then she'll join him.

Alan heads upstairs & Annie goes back to the TV. The interview with Reva is 
still going on. Annie flips channels & sees it's showing on other stations 
too. She throws the remote across the room, shouting, "Damn you, Reva!"

LEWIS HOUSE: Reva thinks Abby did a beautiful job decorating the tree. Rick 
hangs up the phone & says a neighbor saw a light at the lighthouse. Abby 
tells him to go check it out. Rick worries about leaving Abby, but Reva 
says Abby will be perfectly safe with her. Rick leaves & Abby says she's 
going to take a bath. Reva promises to bring her some bath salts in a few 
minutes. Abby goes upstairs.

Michelle stops by to say goodbye to Abby before going out of town for a few 
days. Reva says Abby's taking a bath, so Michelle decides to just leave a 
note & the presents she brought. Reva says Michelle looks especially 
wonderful & asks if she has a big date. "The biggest," says Michelle.

JESSE'S GARAGE: Jack finds a picture of Michelle & Jesse. "No son of mine," 
he says. Ski & friends show up & ask where Jesse is. Jack says he's gone 
off with his rich little girlfriend to get married. Ski & the boys don't 
believe it. Jack says Jesse thinks he's one of the Bauers & is too good for 
the rest of them. Ski shows Jack an article about Ross resigning as DA to 
be Abby's lawyer. Jack figures that's what you'd expect from the folks on 
the hill. They stick together & take care of their own. They don't know 
what it's like to pay. They don't know what it's like to have nothing. Ski 
thinks they have so much dough they can't spend it all in one lifetime. 
Jack talks about the fancy Bauer house & the expensive modern house where 
Abby lives. The boys think it's not fair. Jack encourages this. Ski says 
it's time to even the score. He & his friends leave & Jack seems pleased 
with his rabble-rousing.

COMPANY: Hart is fed up with the conversation & decides to leave. Blake 
can't understand how he can think of marrying Dinah when he has feelings 
for Cassie. Hart says there's nothing there & Blake needs to leave him & 
Dinah alone. He leaves & Blake sighs.

LEWIS OIL: Dinah reminds Cassie of the time & place of the party, & adds 
that it's a surprise. Finally, to Cassie's great relief, Dinah leaves. In 
the elevator, Dinah says Hart won't be the only one who's surprised.

SPAULDING MANSION: Annie, still watching the apparently interminable 
broadcast, tries to call Reva, but just gets the machine. She decides she 
can forget about opening hospital wings; her first act of charity will be 
to put Reva out of her misery, once & for all. She turns off the TV.

LIGHTHOUSE: Jesse arrives & calls out to Michelle, but she's not there yet. 
He takes off his coat & settles in to wait.

LEWIS HOUSE: Reva & Michelle come inside with pine boughs that they 
collected together outside. Reva asks about Michelle's big date. Michelle 
says it's not really a date, but before she can say anything else, Abby 
calls down that she can't find the bath salts. Reva offers to tell Abby 
that Michelle is there, but Michelle says she'll just write her note & let 
herself out while Reva is upstairs. Reva hopes Michelle's evening will be 
as special as she wants. Michelle thanks her. Reva goes upstairs.

Michelle hears a noise at the door & goes to check it out. She doesn't see 
anyone, so she goes back inside. Outside, Ski & his friends lurk as the 
screen fades to black.


--Marni (marni@panix.com)



