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The Quintessential Q
Chapter Seven
"The fastest way to succeed is to look as if you're playing by somebody else's rules, while quietly playing by your own." -Michael Konda
I have no idea who this guy is but Bark found the Quote and I love it; it is quintessentially Q.
Bending the Rules.
Emily tears up the streets on the way home. Eluding a couple of cops that were no match for a motorcycle. Her only concern was they might have gotten her plate, and they'd meet her at the mansion. Maybe
maybe not. Damn Johnny anyway. Damn him. Emily pulls up to the open gates and rides through unmolested. Emily pulls around to the front door and parks the bike. Gathering the small package, she strides confidently into the mansion. Reggie is there putting out a new flower arrangement in the foyer. "Where is grandfather?"
Reggie nods toward the den."And I haven't seen him in such a sour mood in a long time."
Emily holds up the package. "I think I have the cure." She walks into the den. "Oh am I interrupting? Sorry, just had to make a phone call." Emily goes over to the phone and calls up the weather recording, she pretends she is leaving a message for Liz. While she is on the phone she opens up the package and pulls out one of the eclairs. She takes a hearty bite and cream filling oozes from the hollowed pastry shell. "Oh these are so good but messy too." She licks her lips and then her fingers. Edward breaks off his rant at Ned and crosses to the desk. "Oh I'm being rude. Grandfather, did you want one? I brought back a couple."
Edward harrumphs then bellows. "REGINALD!"
"You bellowed, Mr Q?"
"Bring me a plate and a fork." Edward grabs the box and takes it over to the table. He waits impatiently for Reggie to bring back the utensils. When he thinks no one is looking he sneaks a fingerful of the chocolate topping. Reggie gets back with the silverware a moment before Edward damns manners and gobbles up the confection. Edward slides an eclair onto the plate and cuts off a bite that is quickly slid into his mouth. Emily looks over at Ned and grins.
"Grandfather, you never did ask what Carly bought at the auction or how much she spent." Edward grunts in Emily's direction. "It was a really good deal." Emily declares. "Only fifteen grand." Edward chokes on the eclair. Emily pounds him on the back. "It could have been worse if she had gotten a stallion, a proven stud, but she wanted to get something that was gentle enough for Cook's new step-daughter to ride."
"She got a mare then, something that can have offspring and payback the investment." Edward hopes.
"Nope a gelding. Pretty as a picture. Gentle as a lamb. But what more could you expect from a Morgan." Edward chokes again.
"A Mor-Mor-gan" He studders
"Yep, you know like in Justin Morgan had a horse...?" Emily sings the beginning of the old folk tune. "One of those."
"She's trying to kill me."
"Oh no, Grandfather. If Carly was trying to kill you, we'd be picking flowers for you already." Emily pulls a stem from the flower arrangement on the table. "Daisy, Grandfather?"
"Brat. Your parents need to take you in hand!"
"And here I was thinking only of you-- braving Johnny's wrath for stealing his chef to bring you back a treat." Emily puts on a sad face, clutching a hand to her heart dramatically. "No one appreciates me. I guess I'll have to just go upstairs and drown my despair in the rest of these eclairs." She makes a move on the box, but Edward beats her to them.
"Now there's no need to be hasty. I wanted to talk to you about that project. Get your input. Part of the dock renovations is the prominade. We have to have a young person's perspective of the plans. Your demographic has money to burn. Ned, talk to the girl." Edward slides another eclair onto his plate before Emily can take them away.
"I told you, Grandfather. It's inappropriate for you to give me those plans. I'm not a shareholder." Emily reminds.
Ned looks at her oddly. Emily had been giving him suggestions for over a week. Emily had said that she and Carly had been wandering the docks one day after shooting a game of pool at Luke's and had brainstormed all kinds of ideas. Ideas she'd shared with him as surely as Carly had shared them with Junyur. "What do you want me to talk to her about, Grandfather? We've got some very well paid consultants advising us on the arcades and the shops that will be designed to attract the youth market."
"Waste of money. Bigger even than wasting money on a GELDING, for goodness sake. What middle aged fogey is going to know what the kids really want? We've got a teenager right here. I know I question her taste on occasion hanging out with that hoodlum in the making, Lucky Spencer, and that Eurotrash lothario, Nikolas Cassadine, but that Webber girl seems quite nice."
Emily rolls her eyes. Grandfather just can't pay a compliment without a slam. "As long as they're hoodlums and lotharios with money you don't care how nice they are."
"True, where the docks are concerned but not around my granddaughter." Edward points his fork at Emily for emphasis. Edward polishes off the last of the eclairs. "And I wasn't kidding about the rocksalt either, young lady. Your grandmother and I have an extra ticked to the theater tonight. It would hurt her feelings if you didn't attend with us." Edward rises and looks down at his watch. "I need to talk to your grandmother, I'll tell her that you accepted. Ned, draw up a contract for Emily as a consultant on the docks project. We might as well keep the money in the family." He leaves the room hollaring for Reggie as he goes.
Ned quietly applauds. "Brava. You played him like a fiddle."
Emily curtseys. "Why thank you kind sir. It's only your lead that I follow."
"I have a date for drinks at the PC grille, but I was wondering if you wanted to go over there with me. We have details to discuss. Things that sharp pointy ears need not hear."
"Oh fun. The best kind of details." Emily strings a hand through Ned's arm. "Lead the way."
"You do realize that the old man feels safe offering you the contract since you won't see a dime of the money."
Emily pats Ned's arm. "Of course. That's one of the pesky details we'll be discussing, right?"
The Port Charles Grille.
Carly walks into the grille and grimaces. There has got to be a better place to do this. Meeting at the grille gave her the heebies. Too much history here, or was it hystrionics? But Jerry had another appointment after meeting her. He was fitting her in as it was since Carly had called at the last minute when Johnny had called to tell her that Rita was fine with him until the dinner rush. They'd agreed that Carly would pick up dinner when she picked up Rita. Carly had only given him one request-- no fish. Johnny had laughed at her and said "You and my sister both." Carly sees Jerry off in a corner with a file infront of him and a drink on the side.
Carly flags down a waiter on her way to the table. "I'll be sitting at Mr Jack's table can you bring me a glass of wine please-- house white is fine."
"Of Course, Mrs Quartermaine."
"Thanks." Carly takes the seat next to Jerry. "Why do I think that I wouldn't have gotten the same service if Quartermaine wasn't attached after my name?"
"Don't know, luv. Waiters are often more attached to tips that name dropping. I thought that you had the lovely Miss Rita today."
"She is spending time with her brother. I have to pick her up by five. I have a couple of things to run by you. First this one." Carly pulls out a file from her oversized bag and hands it to Jerry.
"Blue Jay Records? Since when did you get interested in the music business?"
"I've already talked to two people about this. Jacara Principal, she is the owner, develops the talent etc. She needs cash but seems to have a good business plan and is primed to take it to the next level."
"Who else did you talk to."
Carly grimaces. "Uncle Luke."
"I'm sorry."
"It had to be done. He claims to have the best record collection on the east coast if not the world. He is hooked into the blues scene. Blue Jay has jazz artists but the heart and soul seems to be blues. It was a natural conclusion."
"What did my annoying brother in law have to say?"
Carly grins at Jerry; finally, someone to share horror stories of Luke with. "She's good. Jacara's got the creme artists of this decade and is placed to go big. Anyone that's into the blues is into Blue Jay. She's aggressive in recruiting talent, and in showcasing them. I think Luke put it together what I was asking. One of the selling points for Jacara is a built in venue here in Port Charles. She'd have had it anyway, but I didn't tell her that."
"She didn't ask."
"Right." Carly looks up and sees Emily and Ned entering the grille. "Uhoh. Not a word, Jerry. This one was strictly you and me."
"Kay, thumbs up on it though, sounds like you've done your research. " Jerry looks at Ned and smiles a feral knowing smile. Mr Leather Britches and Carly interested in a music company. He'd have to warn AJ that the fat was about to hit the fire. The Lad had done it for him on occasion. Carly waves Emily over. Emily and Ned take the other two seats at the table.
"Hey what are you doing?" Carly asks Emily.
"Plotting against grandfather and guarding my trust fund." Emily replies.
"Oh you too?!" The waiter drops off Carly's glass of wine and then looks quizzically at Ned and Emily who order a cosmopolitan and an ice tea respectively. Jerry gets another rye on the rocks. As soon as the waiter leaves Emily tells Carly her news.
"Told grandfather about your latest aquisition. Ned was there he can vouch for the near need for CPR. I waited until he had his mouthful of an eclair before I told him how much it set him back. And he was stuttering when he found out it was a Morgan."
"I wish I'd been there." Carly says sorrowfully. "He really choked? Did anyone get pictures?"
"Carly!" Jerry reprimands and then changes the subject. "It's a damn fine horse. I'm still trying to figure out a way to keep Jax from seeing him. One look and Jax will be buying polo ponies like there is no tomorrow."
"Really." Ned considers.
"Don't do it, Ashton. Paybacks are a bitch." Jerry warns.
Carly glances down at her watch. "I have to get going soon." She pulls another manila folder out of her purse. Emily pulls one out of hers. Jerry pulls out his. Ned looks at the three of them and realizes that Emily has been getting coached by someone else. This is where she had gotten the folder idea. He takes out the folder he had put aside for Emily. "Okay everyone pass to the right." Carly instructs. Ned hesitates as Jerry is to the right of him then reluctantly passes the folder over. Each person opens their new folders and starts reviewing the material within. Carly reaches into her bag and gets out her markers that she uses for design ideas and hands out pens of different colors to each of the people at the table. There is no talking. Each person focuses on the material making comments on it in their unique colors. As each put down their pens, the process is repeated until each has seen all the folders and they are all marked up in 3 different colored inks.
"What would junyor think if he could see us now?" Ned can't resist. Carly glares at him, her eyes throwing sparks. Jerry winces but not as obviously as Ned does when Emily's foot connects with his shin. "OW!" Ned rubs his leg. His exclamation of pain tempers Carly's glare.
"Thank you." Carly tells Emily.
"It's nothing." Emily says calmly. "I was closer." Emily glares at Ned and mouths a silent "knock it off." at Ned.
"My husband, AJ, has nothing to do with what I do with Michael's and my money. AJ makes his own investments for our son." Carly explains coldly to Ned. "Emily MIGHT have to put up with you because she is underage, but I don't. I take advice from whatever source." She taps the folder in front of her as well as the notes on the other projects. "and then I make my own decisions. Emily and I confer on strategies to minimize the damage that your grandfather could do trying to control either of us. And as to what MY HUSBAND would think about my sitting with you-- he'd wonder if he would have to break out the bail money. NOW if you'll excuse me I have another appointment." Carly rises and stuffing the folder in her she runs a thumb over the other folder consideringly and looks again at Ned. "Em, Jerry, you're both invited over on Sunday for a family dinner when Emily drops Michael off from Jason's." Carly stalks out of the restaurant.
"Damn it, Ned. I asked you to not do that!" Emily exclaims furiously.
"Sorry, it was too good to pass up." Ned says without any true remorse. "I guess I'm not invited to dinner."
"That's the problem with things too good to pass up, they frequently come back to bite you in the ass." Jerry reminds Ned. Jerry turns to Emily. "Nice pick. You're getting the hang of this. Now tell me what you're going to do about Katherine Bell."
Emily winces. Ned inquires. "What does Katherine Bell have to do with anything?"
"I hadn't told him. Who told you?"
"Bobbie." Jerry stares at Emily. "I didn't notice before and I can't tell now."
"Notice what? Tell now? What's going on?" Ned hammers away questions.
"I got in a fight with Katherine Bell." Emily rolls her eyes. "Everyone is making a fuss. Jerry, did Carly say anything to you?"
"Nope. And I'll not stop any plan she puts in place for the impulsive Ms Bell. I'd never hear the end of it from Bobbie or Carly either."
"But Jerry you're the only..."
"Nope. You want to try to stop her-- go for it. I figure the only way thing that'll stop her is for you to spike her guns like you did with Ashton here. You kicked him and so Carly didn't do anything worse. Handle Ms Bell yourself and swiftly, or Carly will-- your choice." Jerry nods to a man that has just entered the restaurant. "There is my next appointment. I"ll see you on Sunday, Emily. Ashton." Jerry collects his gear and his drink and walks over to the bar where the man waits.
"Damn." Emily bites her lip.
"I think that you have a few blanks to fill in for me, Em." Ned says sternly.
"I'm thinking that the contract money that grandfather is offering could be split between the four proposals that were on the table today. Jerry's was a little risky for me, so only ten percent there then split the other 90% with the other three."
"None of them were conservative investments but fine. Now tell me about Katherine, Carly and how much time you've been spending with Jerry Jacks."
Emily takes the easiest first. "Hardly any time with Jerry. We meet at family functions." Ned winces at Em describing herself as part of the Spencer/Jacks clan. "You know how much time I spend with Carly. I'm over there every weekend. We had driving lessons together. When she and AJ need a sitter for Michael they call me first." She pauses to collect her thoughts. "Jerry has been coaching Carly. I told you that already. It's something that AJ set up but he doesn't get involved in. Carly takes the money from the ELQ stock and invests it in other things-- Jerry taught her how. Carly turned around and, because she DOESN'T talk to AJ about it normally, she'd tell me. Not what she's doing but HOW she's doing it."
"I noticed the change about six months ago. You started taking a more active voice in your trust." Ned remembers.
"Right, the thing with the folders. I don't know if Carly is going to invest in any of those companies or how much. I don't know if she will be investing in her name or in Michael's. It could be all, one or none. The folders are a teaching exercise that Jerry came up with. He'd give them to her and she'd have to figure them out. A lot of the time she'd figure them out aloud by hashing them over with me. But she wouldn't tell Jerry if she invested or not. That's what she meant by I MIGHT need you. Because I'm underage you make all the investments, you know where my money is. Nobody knows where Carly's money is except Carly. Carly likes it because it's getting over on Grandfather. AJ likes it because it gives Carly a feeling of control. He figured out that when Carly feels trapped or helpless she strikes out-- at anybody. This way she only strikes out at the people she really doesn't like and she plans better."
"Oh thank you, Junyor." Ned rolls his eyes. Emily winces thankful that Carly is not still at the table. Ned sighs. "And now Katherine."
"We talked about Katherine last night." Emily relents slightly. "Katherine blames me for losing control of Deception, and for Nik dumping her. I despise her dating back to when she tried to kick the dogs and it has never gotten any better. Only I've gotten better at the verbal slams over the years."
"Thanks to Carly."
"Maybe. I got the best of Katherine yesterday when I ran into her at the spa. She didn't have anything to top it so she slapped me."
"SHE WHAT!" Ned roars. Emily winces and looks around. The patrons were used to Quartermaine scenes and go on with their meals with hardly a glance.
"Keep your voice down." Emily shushs Ned. She continues on in a whisper. "And now Jerry's saying that I have to take Katherine out and that *I* have to be the one to do it. Because if I don't-- he isn't going to be the one to stop Carly. No matter what you , or Nik, or Bobbie, or Alexis do or think, Carly won't stop whatever she has planned UNTIL I deal with Katherine Bell."
"Too bad." Ned says facetiously, furious to his core.
"Why is everyone freaking out on this? Damn it! I have to deal with my own stuff. I don't need a white knight racing to my rescue from the wicked witch."
"Fine." Ned snarls. "Same deal as you have with Carly. Deal with Katherine or I will. But if my ex wife from hell lays another finger on you all bets are off."