HOT SHOT
Week of 4/26/99

Things that make me go hmmm...
Wow, what a day for RJ. I never dreamed that I would ever be treated to such a wonderful RJ filled day. Starting with RJ and Max at the Club talking to their banker, Ms. Dreary. Could her name be more apropos? I don't think so. I see that this is the beginning of the end for Club Indigo. Just what do you think is in the future for both Max and RJ? If this is the end, I am kind of sorry to see yhe end of their partnership. I know, I know, I was objecting months ago when I saw that they were going to make RJ and Max partners, but TDS and JdP brought something to that partnership that made watching the two of them so much fun. That something that is lacking on OLTL in every other pairing these days.Ê

I felt so sad for RJ; his one clean and legitimate business is going up in SMOKE right before his eyes. Then to make matters worse SYKO shows up; egad could SYKO be anymore stereotypical for a white cop? I just loved how RJ stood his ground and made SYKO look ridiculous. RJ made SYKO look like the joke of a cop that he is, and his remark about SYKO being a NITWIT. I loved it. SYKO may think he is all that because he got away with covering up a crime and his job back; but I just hope RJ is around when SYKO is brought down. I hope RJ is the one that brings SYKO down. Notice how he didn't get into Max's face when Max told him he was at the Club and not RJ. He barely acknowledged Max. He was so intent to rub Tea in RJ's face. I don't like the character Sykes anyway, and this "up in your face" with RJ certainly doesn't endear him to me. Back to RJ not being at the Club that night, Just where was RJ?

Max has turned out to be quite a friend and their friendship is priceless. I can't think of any friendships on the show between two men. In his way he lets RJ know that he understood and then he lightens it by mentioning the glass that he broke. I liked how he encouraged RJ to do something about Tea and let him know where he could find her.Ê

Unfortunately I didn't like watching RJ go through a scene where I knew he was going to be rejected. I also wondered where Carlotta's hostility was coming from. I thought that they were at least civil to each other now. I certainly wouldn't have been as cool as RJ; but then RJ is always cool. I agonizingly sat through RJ asking Tea out; cringing at the moment that I knew that Tea was going to turn him down. But during that conversation where RJ talks of their experiences of discrimination I wondered what Tea meant when she said that was all in the past. I was wondering what was Tea thinking; that there is no discrimination out there now because she is a lawyer, a woman with money, or she has shed herself of her ethnicity? Tea said she was infinitely flattered; I was thinking she was infinitely, well suffice it to say I didn't think she was infinitely smart in turning this man down. She turned him down for SYKO. I don't even want to go into why that is; I just know that I certainly thought she made the wrong choice. As a RJ fan, I guess that stands to reason, doesn't it? I want nothing but the best for the man; but then is Tea the best for him? Probably not, I just didn't want to see him being rejected by anyone.Ê

Oh Syko had to make an appearance at the diner. What was all that about anyway? SYKO had to show up at the diner after Tea rejected RJ. Enough, no more, I am not going to even think about those two. On with RJ.

RJ and Dorian, do these two ever disappoint you? They certainly don't disappoint me. I know I said that RJ and Max were the best pair on the show; but RJ and Dorian are tied as the best couple to watch, even if they aren't romantically involved. I think RJ is one of a few that dumbfounded Dorian. She for once seemed at a real loss for words. I hope that PTB do give us more of Dorian finding out about what makes RJ tick; what's going on in his life; why did he lose his temper with her. I hope that we get to see more of a two-sided friendship than the one sided one we are seeing now.

March 22 through 26, 1999

RJ and Max at Club Indigo in a meeting with their banker; the banker informs them, "You're bankrupt, with a Capital "B", and that rhymes with "C" and that's Club Indigo."
Max looks over at RJ, then back at the banker "You're kidding, right?"
the banker responds, "Bankers as kidders tend to have short careers."
RJ asks kind of hopefully, "Are you sure it's that bad?"
"I may be exaggerating, slightly but not much, you are definitely on the brink."
"Well maybe we should go over the figures again," suggests RJ. "It would be a waste of your times and mine, and yours would certainly be better spent finding a large source of cash," the banker tells RJ and Max.
On that reply RJ nods his head than says, "Excuse us." As he and Max have a little conference over by the bar. RJ asks Max "What about the money you got from Asa for your 2% in the SUN?"
Max responds, "Pretty much gone."
RJ shocked, "What? How? Man I thought you had your gambling drones pretty much under control."
Max "Oh do you mind. Last thing I would do is gamble it away, I put it in a trust fund for my kids." RJ: "Well, get it out." Max: "I can't. Airtight.
RJ: "Didn't trust yourself."
Max: "Do you?"
RJ sighs, "Great." The banker interrupts, "Have you come up with a plan?"
Max turns to her, "We're working on it.".
Banker tells them, "Well, you better move fast. Nobody wants to hear the "F" word from their banker." They look at each other questioningly then back at the banker. Banker: "Foreclosure."
RJ perturbed: "Hmm, You know frankly I find your sense of humor." Max interrupts, pats RJ on the shoulder and chimes in "refreshing, refreshing yes see musical lyrics fascinating too." Max then suggests to RJ, "Why don't you take five, while I see if I can get more specifics from Ms. Dreary."Ê
Max leads Ms. Dreary back to the table as RJ walks back to the bar visibly upset, as he turns around he sees Sykes walk in, he looks up to the ceiling, "Oh, oh thank you very much, this should make everything just about perfect."
Sykes walks up to RJ smiling, "RJ." "Detective." Sykes, "I need to ask you a few questions about the incident that happened in your parking lot last night."
RJ irritated, "Well uh a couple of Neanderthals butted heads outside last night. No big deal, your boys and girls in blue swooped down on them and made the taxpayers proud."
Sykes, "You're welcome. One of those Neanderthals had a knife on them.
RJ, "Shocking."
Sykes, "We have reason to believe that drugs may be involved and since it happened on your property."
RJ angrily interrupts, "Listen to me, there are no drugs here. Not last night, not now, not ever. No one fools with drugs in my club."
Sykes, "I never said they did. I said I have a few questions for you." RJ, "I am sick of your questions. Your questions are the ones that got me blamed for a murder I didn't commit. Do you need another fall guy? "
Sykes shakes his head, "No. You know I think I can guess where all this hostility is coming from."
RJ, "I don't like being harassed."
Sykes shrugs, "Who does? But believe me, you know something RJ, if I were to harass you, you would know about it. Now you know I think this is personal, I think this is about Tea."
Tea? You're talking to me about Tea?" RJ laughs. "I thought this was an official interrogation, I don't see how Tea connects."
Well, at this moment I'm not speaking to you as a cop," replies Sykes.
RJ laughs, "Well, good then I can just throw you out."
Sykes smiles then laughs, "Big mistake you see I am going to try my best to try to act civilize." RJ, "Oh, well you can do that very easily, show yourself out."
Sykes, "Can't do it, I still gotta ask you questions about last night."
RJ explodes, "Oh now you're a cop again. Well you I already told you that I don't know a damn thing about last night. Max interrupts, "Because you weren't here last night, were you RJ?
RJ, "No."
Sykes, to RJ, "Well why didn't you say so?"
RJ to Sykes, "Because NITWIT you were so busy with irrelevant questions you failed to ask me the one question a good cop would have asked first.." Max tells Sykes, "But I was here last night and I will be more than happy to answer any questions, maybe we can discuss this later, Detective, down at the station house."
Sykes responds barely glancing at Max as he tries to stare RJ down, "It's a good idea, why don't you do that. I also suggest that you speak to your partner here and talk to him about losing his cool, it could be real bad for business Gentlemen." Sykes leaves. RJ is furious, "Losing my cool, losing my cool, that arrogant son"and Max quickly stops him, "kh, kh, kh, would you st"
The banker walks up to them, "Fights with the police, drugs, why am I surprised this place is going under."Ê
The banker leaves and RJ really explodes shaking his head "Uh hmm, why, why do I bother? Why do I bother. I try to run a clean business and these people still treat me like I'm a crook. And guess what. Surprise! Surprise! The cop gets the girl." As RJ is pounding on the bar, then takes his arm and swooshes the glasses on the bar onto the floor, glass is breaking. RJ then is fuming as the scene ends with him standing there leaning on the bar away from Max.Ê

Max, "Well that is going to cost about $37.50 not counting the clean up crew. So what are gonna do now, give up?"
You saw the way Dreary was looking at me, now I am some kind of drug dealing low life."
Max, "Ooh, who care what she thinks."
RJ: "I do. She is the one that will foreclose on our club, don't you mind?"
Max, "Yeah, I mind and I also mind you breaking up the place that puts us more in the hole."
RJ: "What, what do you care? You're the one with the rich girlfriend." Max: "Kelly's money has nothing to do with our relationship."
RJ: "Oh, well, doesn't hurt though, does it?"
Max: "Last time I looked, uh Tea's wasn't exactly hurting in that department either."
RJ: "Tea is not my girlfriend."
Max: "Which brings me bring me back to the question. What are you going to do? " RJ: "I don't want to talk about Tea." Max: "You're just gonna stand back and watch her ride off on the back of Sykes white horse galloping off into the sunset."
RJ: "No, what's your point?"
Max: "Do something. Or is Sykes too much competition for you? They're not married, they're not engaged, I don't even think they are going steady." RJ, "Look I don't know why we're talking about this when our club is going under."
Max: "Because this is something you can do something about. I saw Tea this morning at the diner, go ask her out. If she says yes, well at least you will be a low life drug dealer with a date."

ÊThe scene ends and switches to the diner where Carlotta, Roseanne and Tea are talking about Tea's life. Roseanne leaves and Tea and Carlotta are talking about John. Tea to Carlotta, "I still worry that John is too good to be true."
Carlotta is watching RJ enter and says to Tea, "This is the one that you have to worry about."
Tea looks then says, "Behave, he is a friend of mine."
RJ walks up to the counter and greets Tea, "Hello there. I didn't expect to see you here." He sits down and acknowledges Carlotta, "Carlotta."
Carlotta kind of glares at him and says nothing while Tea speaks up, "Well a girl's gotta eat." RJ laughs, "So do I , which is why I dropped in, for some of Carlotta's famous roast convollo."
Carlotta pours more coffee for Tea and is hardly civil, "Sorry, I am all out."
RJ looks at Tea then back at Carlotta, "So early?"
Carlotta "Like you said, it is famous."
RJ, "Okay, I will just have a cup of coffee and study the special."
Carlotta pours RJ's coffee and barely gets it into the cup, and RJ just looks at her somewhat perplexed as Carlotta says, "Sorry." And walks away. RJ kind of grimaces, "No problem." "Not for you, maybe," Says Carlotta. Tea pipes up, "Is there something burning in the kitchen?" Carlotta takes that as her cue to exit.

ÊTea and RJ look at each other while RJ is trying to clean up the mess that Carlotta made while pouring his coffee and they chuckle, "She's a little grumpy today, just getting over the flu. Don't take it personally, okay?"
Tea: "Want to go sit down?" as she points back at the booths.
RJ responds, "Yes." And they move from their counter seats to the booth. RJ says, "Well you know everyone is entitled to a bad day every now and then."
Tea: "The trick is feeling entitled to the good ones."
RJ laughs, "mm, I know what you mean. Some days I wake up and the sun is shining, the sky is blue and the air is filled with the smell of sweet flowers I am thinking I must be about to step in something the dogs left behind."
They both laugh and Tea says, "I know what you mean." And then she says, "You know, I didn't realize that we had that in common."
RJ: "Oh well, more than that, I suspect."
Tea: "Do you think?"
RJ: "Umm, sure." Sips his coffee, "Well let's see, we both grew up blue collar but learned to appreciate the finer things."
Tea shakes her head in agreement, "True. How did you know my background? Does it show?"
RJ assures her that it doesn't, "No ma'am, not in the least. Maybe that is what put me on to you."
She chuckles as RJ continues, "and we have both felt the sting of racism, discrimination."
Tea, "Ah, actually shouldn't that be past tense?"
RJ: "Good point, but on a brighter note, there's music. You like jazz, otherwise why would you hang around my club?"
Tea responds, "And you like Spanish food, otherwise, why would you hang around here?"
RJ laughs, "See, that's what I am talking about. What about French food, do you like French food?"
Tea, "Cum se, cum sa, it's a little bland to me."
RJ, "We don't like bland."
Tea: "Uh huh."
RJ: "Indian?"
Tea: "Ah, I adore Indian food."
RJ: "Is that a fact? Well, are you aware that there is new place opened on the west side."
Tea, "Oh, I will have to check it out."
RJ: "How about Friday night?"
Tea: "You mean, with you?"Ê
RJ: "Yeah, if we go early enough we could even squeeze in a movie or something afterward."
Tea: "Careful, this is beginning to sound like a date."
RJ: "Is there something wrong with that?"
Tea stunned, "What's wrong with that? Nothing, it's a little surprising, that's all."
RJ: "Why?"
Tea: "I guess that we were just making conversation."
RJ: "We were, I just , I just took it in another direction. It seemed natural to me, it didn't to you?"
Tea, "Look, I think, think you are a terrific guy, I just never thought of you that way. Now I've uh well are, are you likely to start.
I don't know what to say RJ. I love talking to you, you are wonderful to talk to.
But now I've complicated things.
No please, I am infinitely flattered. I think you are a terrific guy.
I got it.
I would never do anything to hurt you.
No. Please. No I'm cool, It's fine. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Nothing lost, I hope.
We're still friends if that is what you mean.
Still friends.
RJ pulls out his time piece and says as he is looking at the time, " It's um It's much later than I thought. I should go. Um would you tell Carlotta she can come out of the kitchen so she can spill coffee on the next brother she doesn't approve of. Well, I will see you.
RJ leaves and Sykes appears. Sykes and Tea kiss as RJ looks in the window at them.

ÊRJ is at Club Indigo all by himself looking at the books, when Dorian walks in, Where's Max Holden?
Out.
Out with my niece, no doubt. She's barely more than a child and that vulture is preying on her. I mean he is like some sort of insidious disease eating away at the, at the fabric of my family, preventing me from bringing us all back together again. It's, it's infuriating. Why? Why? Why didnÍt you help? You did nothing to prevent it. You're supposed to be my friend, I thought I could count on you.
Damn it Dorian, You think you are the only person on the planet with problems and you come running me to solve them. Follow Kevin for me, save me from a murder rap, follow Viki, find me the perfect cheesecake, it's always something. Do this. Do that. Well what about me? What do you know about me? Have you ever asked about me? Maybe I've got problems that need to be dealt with too."
Dorian is taken aback at RJ's response, "I'm sorry, I never thought."
RJ sees that Dorian is upset and he softens, "Just forget it."
No, you're right, Okay. I miss Mel, I am trying to hold it together but I am having a really hard time.
I'm sorry, mmm? I'm sorry I was a jerk.
I need a hug even if I was a jerk.
RJ laughs and Dorian smiles a little as RJ gives Dorian a hug.

Little things that make me go hmmmm.....
I really love RJ and Blair together. I just wish that they weren't made to look like they were stalking Max and Kelly. RJ and Blair could certainly find more interesting things to do than sit in the Palace Lounge. I will admit that I have not always liked Blair. I couldn't stand her during those screeching Marty days when she was trying to make Marty jealous by getting next to Patrick. I am getting pretty close to that level of intolerance with her again. I was really hoping that PTB would move Blair and RJ onto more than just sitting in the Palace Lounge. TDS however, gave his great performance again as did KdP.

However much I love TDS as RJ and I enjoy watching RJ and Blair I certainly was puzzled by the whole set up. JFP has to be the worst at SPDs. JFP spends more time explaining a scene with inane dialogue that only leads to more questions as to what was that all about? Of course the biggest puzzler for me and other RJ fans was "How many times have RJ and Blair gone out to dinner as friends? How often did they sit in the Palace Lounge staking out Kelly and Max or Tea and SYKO? I certainly would have much preferred seeing them at the Japanese restaurant eating sushi rather than hearing about it. I also thought it would have made more sense for RJ to have suggested that they skip the Japanese food for a steak while at the restaurant.

Friday, March 26, 1999
RJ: "I am ravenous. I don't know how you can call those few rolls of rice and some raw fish dinner. I mean lunch, ok.
Blair: "You know what? The Japanese do just fine with sushi, Mr. Bonsai Tree."
RJ: "Yes, yes they do, but I'm not Japanese."
Blair sarcastically sneering and laughing: "Wait a minute, really?"
RJ: "Come on, come on, let's just get out of here and go some place andn get a steak, hm?"
Blair isn't listening because she suddenly notices Max and Kelly exiting the elevator, then RJ notices, too. Turns to her, "You ok? You know we shouldn't eve come here anymore. I mean if it's not Max and Kelly, it's Tea and the DIMWIT detective. And why should we give them the satisfaction of thinking that we care?"
Blair: "Exactly, that's why we aren't going anywhere. I don't want Max and Kelly to think I'm hiding. I don't even want them to even think that I care that they are alive because I don't."
RJ looks at Blair as if he is about to say "Uh huh" but doesn't. Then RJ sighs while Blair is evil eyeing Max and Kelly.
RJ: "Blair let me give you some advice."
Blair: "As long as you don't expect me to take it."
RJ: "Just give it up."
Blair: "Oh easy for you to say."
RJ laughs: "I'm doing it."
Blair again with her sarcasm and laughs back: "I'm doing it, yeah right until Tea walks in the door with that detective."
RJ: "I won't even notice."
Blair: "Oh yeah?"
RJ: "It was ridiculous anyway. Me with an assistant DA? I mean how funny was that?"
Blair: "Oh come on RJ, you've been a good boy lately and Club Indigo is legit, isn't it?" RJ doesn't respond right way and Blair reaches out and touches his arm to get his attention, "Isn't it?"
RJ: "Yeah, what did it get me?"
Blair: "What did you want it to get you? What's that supposed to mean anyway?"
RJ: "Nothing. Nothing. It's just that uh it doesn't pay to pretend to be someone you're not." Blair: "Tell me about it." RJ: "Okay, exactly how long do I have to sit here and watch you pine for Max?" Blair unconvincingly: "I'm not."
RJ: "That's how it looks to me. Come on Blair, get a hold of yourself. I mean since when do men dictate to you? You're usually in control except for Todd."
Blair: "And Max."
RJ: "Well Todd is who knows where and Max has found younger flesh to fondle."
Blair looks at RJ not liking what she is hearing and RJ quickly says: "I, I mean other flesh to fondle. So what are you going to do, hm? We gonna sit here like a couple of losers or are we gonna get out of here and take control of our lives?"
Blair: "Oh well gee RJ that's such a hard choice. I'm waiting..."
RJ: "For what?"
Blair: "For you to tell me how to get on with my life."
RJ: "We both should."
Blair: "How?"
RJ: "Simple. First you forget about the past; then you choose exactly what future you want for yourself and then you make moves to go get it. I mean, you're like me Blair, once you decide what you want you will not be denied." Blair: "Exactly, I spent far too much time worrying about Max and Kelly. I've gotta start thinking about me."
RJ: "Damn straight."
Blair: "Max and Kelly can take care of themselves. I mean how long is taht going to last anyway? It's not like they're living together right?"
RJ: "Come on, I'll take you home."
Blair: "You know what RJ, I think I'm gonna hang out here a little longer."
RJ: "Come on Blair."
Blair: "No I'm gonna be fine."
RJ sighs: "Okay, see you later."
Blair: "Hey thank you."
RJ: "Sure." and RJ leaves.
Little things that make me go hmmmm.....
What can I say? I was in Gannon heaven today, someone at OLTL has remembered that RJ and Hank are brothers. Well, they are the only African Americans on the show, and I would never have known that they are related had I not been watching before RJ arrived in Llanview.

I kind of felt that it was a shame that Roseanne is playing a teenager because she is actually quite likable with RJ. I know I say that about every female that comes in contact with the MAN, but it is true. The actress Erica Page is hardly a teenager so it would not be difficult to buy her being SORASed for storyline purposes. I could see the two of them together even more now than RJ and Tea. I liked their little talk and they do have chemistry; but then who doesn't TDS have chemistry with?

I hated Max today. He just waltzed into the Club as if he is the owner and not an equal partner. Give me a break. Did anyone but me love watching RJ poor that rot gut stuff in the good bottle? I thought it was hilarious even though I am sorry to see the once Classy Club going up in smoke. Although I must say that I also think that substituting good booze with bad booze sounds more like Max's style. The character assassination of RJ began when his feelings for Tea came out of nowhere. No I take that back, the destruction of the savvy, street smart RJ started way back when he picked up the gun that killed Drew. Now he is being seen as one of those cheap owners who is trying to cut corners. Like I said before, Max should have been the one trying to pull that off. Another thing that bugged me was where does Max get off grabbing on RJ like that? I hate how these guys (first Bo, now Max) can just throw the Man around. How come I never get to see RJ man handle someone. Sure RJ gets to get into people's faces but he can't touch anyone. What is up with that? Is it because it is not acceptable to see an African American be one up on a white guy? Is RJ even supposed to be looked upon even less than Max, of all people?Ê

The dialogue between Max and RJ was good to a point. I mean I understand where RJ is coming from. Indigo was RJ's dream; his first legitimate business and it's going down. What does pretty boy Max care; Max always lands on his feet. Where does RJ go from here? RJ only knows one way. Now back to the dialogue; who wrote that? Did TDS and Max ad-lib? I don't think so because their dialogue is usually so crisp and sharp but RJ's sudden remarks about Kelly buying Max Graham's senate seat seem to come out of nowhere. It made no sense to me. And Max sees himself as a CEO? HUH? I have never seen Max as a CEO of anything, let alone Buchanan Enterprises. RJ now I could see RJ in a position of authority; too bad JFP can't.

I wish there was more to post on Lisa and Hank; they are so cute together. I was also glad to see that Hank and Lisa finally made an appearance at Club Indigo. I have always thought that Hank and Lisa would be hanging out at Indigo, but then I don't write for the show.

I guess it was more important for Hank to look after Bo and be at the Palace Restaurant when Bo needed him; or at Rodi's the other day listening to Tea's side of the story before Hank heard it from RJ. Hank was finally able to take Lisa to Club Indigo. Not much came out of what is going on with Hank and Lisa. I guess they are the gatekeepers of the lovelorn in Llanview; their relationship isn't important, at least not to JFP. When RJ and Hank were talking about Hank and Lisa I kept thinking yea, it's nice that Hank found Lisa, but what gives? I mean give me something so that I can judge whether or not I am glad that Hank found Lisa. Are the PTB afraid that I and other viewers would be screaming for MORE HANK AND LISA and less Viki and Ben; or less Max, Kelly and Blair. Well get a clue PTB, I am screaming 'more Hank and Lisa' and if you gave the viewers something they too would be screaming more. The viewers are already screaming less Ben and Viki; less Kelly/Max/Blair, and NO MORE RAPPAPORTS; and don't even try to pull another one of your bait and switches by thinking that changing the Rappaports name to Davidson will work. Rappadorks, Invadisons, it is all still the same, what's in a name when you don't like the characters?Ê

I just loved how they sat their and Hank was so concerned about his little brother but I would prefer to see Hank escort Lisa home; something, anything, but what I am seeing or not seeing now. Hank has finally been able to find out that his brother is in financial trouble and he is concerned. He is also concerned about Tea's rejection of RJ, too. Hank was ready to help RJ out. I also loved how RJ kind of opened up to Hank; kind of let Hank in. Hank is a great big brother. He wants RJ to succeed so badly; almost as if he could go out and make it right for RJ just to keep RJ on the right side of the law, he would. Is that brotherly love or what?

My heart went out to RJ as he was talking about how he dreamed that he would have clubs opened up in all the major hotspots. While he was talking to Hank I could almost see it. However, and there is a however, when he started talking about lost dreams etc. as with this thing with Tea that came out of nowhere, RJ mentions how he lost Jacara. I never thought he had her myself, but then this was another one of Jilly's insta- romances that went nowhere so that she could write Jacara's character out. Not only did it go nowhere but when Jacara first came to the show she was interested in big brother Hank.Ê

Wednesday, March 31, 1999
RJ serves Lisa and Hank beers.
Hank starts to pay RJ for the beers: "Uh uh, it's on the house."
Hank: "You sure?"
RJ: "Come on Hank, I can afford a couple beers."
Hank puzzled: "Well I didn't say you couldn't."
RJ: "Just forget it."
Lisa (Det.. West): That fight in the parking lot must have hurt business."
RJ: "Yea and Sykes couldn't wait to tell the world about it."
Lisa: "RJ I'm a detective. It was on the board."
RJ: "But I wasn't involved. I had nothing to do with it, was that on the board?"
Hank: "RJ, no one said you were there."
RJ: "Fine, my mistake." and he walks away.
Lisa to Hank: "You worried about him?"
Hank: "Well you know my little brother, he doesn't mix very well with rejection."
Lisa: "Tea."
Hank: "Yea. You he doesn't deal well with losing, people or things."
Back at the bar RJ's and the bartender asks him he wants to close up. RJ says "No" as he reaches for a glass and proceeds to pour himself a drink of the good stuff and he barely gets a drop out of the bottle as the bartender notices: "I'll get another." RJ responds, "No, there isn't enough." RJ then reaches for a bottle of the house liquor and starts pouring it into the prime stuff's bottle. The bartender looks on in disbelief and asks, "What are you doing?"
RJ responds, "I'm being creative. Listen, from now on when we start to run out of the good stuff I want you fill them with the house brand." Bartender says, "Maybe we should run this by Max."
RJ snaps back, "Do you see my so called partner, huh? Have you seen him anywhere near the Club today? No. So I do not want to hear about Max. Max can go to hell." RJ hands the bottles to the bartender, "Here, fill 'em."
Back at Hank and Lisa's table Hank says to Lisa, "RJ's made a lot of mistakes in the past." Lisa agrees, "I have seen his records."
But Hank is quick to defend his little brother, "Yea, but he's...he's turned his life around." Lisa responds, "It's something to be proud of."
Hank continues, "The trouble is his self esteem is not his strong suit. He desperately needs to feel respected and when he doesn't..." Lisa fills in, "And Tea's rejection..."
Hank agrees, "Yea, that look I saw in his eyes tonight. I've seen it that before."

ÊBack at the bar RJ's having a drink when Roseanne walks in all dressed up and RJ greets her, "Mm, wow Roseanne you are looking very hot."
Roseanne: "Thank you RJ."Ê
RJ: "But if you think you can dress up and flash a fake ID and get served in here, better think again. And that goes for your boyfriend, young Mr. Rappaport, too. Where is he?"
Roseanne tells RJ, "He's not my boyfriend anymore. I'm here on my own."
RJ: "And still under 21. Your Aunt Tea would love an excuse to prosecute me."
Roseanne: "Oh my Aunt Tea has gotta real soft spot for you."
RJ laughs, "Since when?"
Roseanne: "She's the one that suggested I come see you."
RJ: "Right. Are you wearing a wire? Is this a sting?"
Roseanne: "No law says that you have to 21 to serve drinks in Pennsylvania. I want a job."
RJ: "So you're here for an interview? At this hour?. Well, I'm sorry you got all dressed up for nothing."
Roseanne: "All my friends are heading to New York. I need a job that will money in the bank."
RJ: "For a ticket to the Big Apple."
Roseanne: "Why not? But busting my butt for tips at the diner won't even get me fare on a cross town bus."
RJ apologizes: "I'm sorry. I mean you got lousy timing. We're not hiring."
Roseanne: "Give me a chance. If not for me, for Tea."
RJ laughs again, "You can stop singing that tune right now."
Roseanne: "I've seen you look at Tea. I could be a big help to you with my Aunt."
Laughingly RJ says, "Well may be but Tea has already turned me down."
Roseanne surprised, "What? For that cop?"
RJ: "Mm hmm. Shocking, isn't it? Let me buy you a coke and call you a cab."
Roseanne: "Don't patronize me RJ because you're mad at Tea."
RJ: "Mad, no I'm not mad at... I'm just uh." and he sees Max walk in, "...will you excuse me for a minute - enjoy."
RJ walks over to Max, "Well, well, well, well, well, well, well, well, Mr. Invisible." Max looks around, "Big night, huh?" RJ: "Oh yea. So why aren't you at the new love nest with Kelly the heiress, wheedling funds out of..." Max quickly interrupts, "Because Kelly the heiress is driving me nuts."
RJ : "So, let Kelly drive you nuts as long as she stops by the bank regularly."
Max defensive, "Hey I'm holding my end getting us out of this little financial difficulty. I got the linen bill paid, didn't I?"
RJ really perturbed, "Oh that's a drop in the bucket."
Max: "Look I don't like hitting Kelly up for cash."
RJ: "Oh stop the presses, stop the presses, Max Holden get a conscience. You know we better call the Sun."
Max: "You know why don't you get your but in gear instead and hit Tea up for some money. She's good for it."
RJ: "That's not why I asked Tea out."
Max: "That's not why I'm seeing Kelly."
RJ: "Oh sure, but avoiding Chapter 11 is a nice little perk, isn't it?"
Max: "Did you even have the guts to ask Tea out?"
RJ: "Yes. Yes and thanks for that little piece of advice."
Max: "Well I'm sorry that you lack my charisma. It was fun while it lasted."
RJ: "You don't even give a damn about Indigo, do you?"
Max: "Yea, I do. I gave it my best shot. This was my re-entry into the game."
RJ is furious, "Game? Indigo is not a game."
Max: "Get over yourself, life is a game. You know sometimes you're on top of the world, other days you roll craps. You pick up the dice and start over."
RJ: "See, I forgot who I was talking to this, Max Holden. If you blow a business you just blunder onto another one. If Blair is giving you a hard time, just move on to Kelly. See it's all the same to you."
Max: "I care about Kelly."
RJ: "Except she's driving you nuts, hmmm? So come on Max, who's next? Tea?"
Max: "Hey don't take it out on me just because you drove this into the ground twice."
RJ: "We were breaking even until you came aboard."
Max: "You were going right down the toilet until I came up with some cash."
RJ: "Yea Max anyway you want to remember it..." RJ notices Ed entering and immediately, "Just be cool. Just be cool."
RJ: "Hey Ed."
Ed: "RJ. Max."
Max: "Ed."
RJ: "Don't salesman take a break?"
Ed: "I'm not pushing liquor tonight boys. Matter of fact I couldn't take an order from you if you had one. Look, Indigo's three months behind in payments. My boss is not very happy."
Max: "Oh Ed, come on, we're good for it. Hey just a little cash flow problems, that's all."
Ed: "Max. Max, I've been talking to your other suppliers. No one's being paid."
RJ: "Oh come on now, Indigo is sound."
Ed looks around, "Don't look that way to me, fellas."
Max: "Hey one slow night."
Ed: "Yea, right. Checks in the mail."
RJ: "Absolutely and look I will make sure of it first thing in the morning."
Max: "Hey. Hey look we're all friends here. Hey Ed come on, we go way back. Way back to Holden Towers. Have I ever stiffed you?"
Ed: "No Max you haven't."
Max: "And I won't now; you got my word on it." Max then goes behind the bar and grabs the bottle that RJ had just substituted the house brand with, and RJ tries to stop him.
Max: "Come on RJ."
Ed: "RJ relax a little drink's not going to hurt nobody." Ed takes a sip of his drink, "What the hell's going on? THis isn't my stuff, it's some cheap body shop rot gut stuff."
Max puzzled, "What?"
Ed: "Drink it if you can' stomach it."
Max takes a sip, "Hey, what? Something strange is going on."
Ed: "Yea, no kidding Max. Look get my money and pay me boys, otherwise you have even have this crap to pedal around." And Ed storms out of the club.
Max looks at RJ: "Better get the bartender."
RJ: "Just cool it, he's doing what I told him."
Max: "Are you out of your mind?"
RJ: "What do you care Max. It's only just a game, right? At least I'm trying to create a profit margin. Who knew you were going to serve it to the distributor. Everytime you come through my door, disaster follows."
Max: "Excuse me."
RJ: "Why don't you just go back home? Play with Kelly Cramer and bring us some cash. Make yourself useful."
Max then grabs RJ, "I told you I care about Kelly."
RJ: "Good. Good well maybe you will have some fun."
Max: "You know what I'm sick and tired of your attitude."
RJ: "Well, I'm not thrilled with yours, Partner. Maybe the club has been a stepping stone for you but it has been my life."
Max: "I'm sorry you have such a little life. I've got bigger dreams."
RJ: "Really. Great. so what's the master plan, huh? You gonna do, get back the Sun? But no, Kelly already has the Sun. So maybe you'll have her buy Graham's old senate seat."
Max: "Yea, I could do that but you know what? I don't think the real power is in politics. I see myself as more of a CEO of some big conglomerate; kind of like Buchanan Enterprises."
RJ: "Oh yea, keep talking Max. Keep talking."
Max: "Listen, you just watch yourself and don't mess with the stock anymore. Tomorrow's another day, another roll of the dice." Max then leaves the club and RJ is seething then turns to Roseanne and laughs, "Well, guess you get the picture now?"
Roseanne: "Yea, well I hope things work out."
RJ: "Well, I...I've been in tough spots before."
Roseanne: "Me too."
RJ: "Why am I always the guy who has to watch the party from across the street, from the big plate glass window?"
Roseanne: "Tell me about it. I never get anything I want either."
RJ: "Do you know what you want?"
Roseanne: "I did when I came to Llanview."
RJ: "And?"
Roseanne: "I don't know. I got distracted."
RJ: "Well get undistracted. You know what you want, go get it. No holds barred. I was much too cool, took it too slow with Tea...big mistake."
Roseanne: "You think so?"
RJ: "Has anyone handed you a life on a platter lately?"
Roseanne: "Are you kidding? No."
RJ: "Stop waiting for it. Don't wait for Santa - use your own claws cuz Baby, that's the only way you're gonna get to the top. If you know what you want or who you want, go get it."
Roseanne smiles, "Thanks RJ. Maybe I'll just do that."
RJ: "Good. Good. I see you at the races."
Roseanne: "You're a good guy. Tea messed up."
Roseanne leaves and RJ walks back over to Lisa and Hank's table, "Well folks I'm gonna close up. Would you like a last round?"
Lisa looks at Hank then makes her excuses to leave by herself, "I've got work waiting for me at home." She says something to Hank about having her own car and as she leaves Hank says, "Hey, thank you."
Lisa, "Thanks for the drink."
RJ: "Sure, anything for a lovely lady."
Hank then tells her to drive carefully then looks at RJ, "Hey sit down and talk to me."
RJ laughs, "Oh, okay."
Hank: "So it isn't good is it?"
RJ shakes his head no, "Man you can't imagine."
Hank: "I heard about Tea, tough break."
RJ: "Well, who was I kidding. It was never gonna happen."
Hank: "WHy not?"
RJ: "If you had a choice between a cop and me, who would you choose?"
Hank laughs, "Well RJ you're just a little hairy for my taste but between Sykes and you, I think Tea made the wrong choice."
RJ: "Thank you."
Hank: "What are brothers for?"
More laughs and then RJ says, "Well Lisa's okay for a cop. I'm glad you found her."
Hank: "Yea, me too. I'd like to see you find someone."
RJ: "Oh, don't hold your breath."
Hank: "Wait a minute, you're not quitting on me, are you? Hey, you know the Gannon boys weren't raised to be quitters."
RJ: "Yea, well maybe but we weren't raised to keep getting kicked in the head either."
Hank: "Hey, so Tea delGado shot you down. There's a lot more women out there in the world."Ê
RJ laughs, "Well Hank, you remember when I was a kid and I would tie my shoes and well no matter how tightly I tied my shoes it kept coming undone. My life is still like that; the more I try to do the right thing the more it just trips me up."
Hank: "No. No, I'm not buying it. Look, you pulled yourself together. You had a dream and you created this club."
RJ: "It's gone, Indigo is dead. We'll be completely bankrupt in a couple weeks."
Hank: "What are you talking about? Why didn't you say something? You know you could have come to me, money's not a problem."
RJ: "Hank. Hank, just save your money, it's too late."
Hank: "Wow, the RJ Gannon I know is a fighter, not a quitter."
RJ: "Indigo was a dream; it was a pure dream, Class, like Jacara, Tea. We were gonna be written up in every paper in the country. Eventually we would have had clubs in Chicago, NY, Ca, Paris, London. I wanted to walk into a rom and hear them whisper "That's RJ Gannon, the man behind Indigo. He's got the magic touch.' But I don't, Indigo is just another failure."
Hank: "RJ Gannon I watched you turn your life around; I'm not gonna let you slip back..."
RJ: "Well you know, I don't know if I believe people can really change."
Hank: "You have."
RJ: "No. No brother, I'm sorry it's all smoke and mirrors. I'm the same person I always was and will always be."
Hank: "No. NO that's not true. Look, ok you just had a few setbacks. We all had... you think I win every case? RJ, you just gotta hang in there and make your dream come true."
RJ: "I'm sorry Hank, I'm just gonna have to leave that up to you."
Hank: "Seeing you straight, see you on the right side of the law, succeeding, that's always been a dream of mine."
RJ: "Well good luck."
Hank: "Luck's got nothing to do with it. Life's about guts. You got to hold onto your dream. You gotta fight for it; you gotta fight for it till you get it."
RJ's face is kind of glazing over as if he just remembered something and Hank says, "Alright, what's that look supposed to mean?"
RJ: "Oh, oh I was enjoying the irony. I told Roseanne almost the same thing earlier."
Hank: "Well then why don't you take your own advice cuz I'm not gonna give up on you RJ. You're gonna get it right if I have to kick your butt from here to Chicago and back again."
RJ: "Okay, fine. I hear you, I hear you loud and clear."

The views stated on this page and all my pages are just that "MY Views" sometimes combined with "My Children's Views" on how we see the story. Look at this page as a one-sided conversation about a show I used to enjoy watching. If you would like to state your views to me, just e-mail me.
Many thanks to Patrick from Llanview Online for allowing me to use pictures from his site.
RJ's Story A collection of TDS's Photos Timothy's Soap Articles Gannon Brothers
Why the Gannons? Hank Carla and Ed Hall Ben Price
Llanview Online IMHOs Straight Talk w/TDS IMHO Top of page
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