Luke & Laura #4  July 4 - Aug, 1980 - Black Book, Luke & Jennifer's wedding, Wyndham's, Beecher's Corners, Laura says "I Love You" - 8 hrs

     This edit begins with the Fourth of July, Laura wakes up grumpy, and Scotty makes comments on theirs being a marriage made in heaven that has gone straight to hell. He suggests that they go away somewhere romantic for their anniversary. Laura asks if he has forgotten that Jennifer's wedding is the day after their anniversary? He had forgotten that the dates are so close together and says he can't back out of being a wedding usher; he can't afford to offend Frank. All she wants to do is escape from Port Charles. He wants to leave early for a meeting with Frank Smith. Laura isn't ready to go, as she is finishing up some food preparation. He and Laura begin yelling at each other, he says she doesn't care about anything but moving away from Port Charles. Lee and Gail arrive to hear them yelling. Lee is concerned and Scotty tells his father how inconsiderate Laura is.
     Luke meets Bobbie and tells her his plan. During the firework display, he will be wearing a jumpsuit, goggles, ect and he has an identical outfit for her. He plans on saying a few words, then going back to set off the fireworks. She will take his place, and he has written out all of the instructions she will need in order to do the firework display. Bobbie is shocked but Luke assures her he knows she can do this! He tells her to study his instructions all afternoon and he will go over it with her before he leaves.
     At the picnic, everyone starts arriving. Joe Kelly offers to help Luke set up the fireworks; he tells him that he is very good at exploding things. He points out that if he and Luke team up that they could set up some fireworks that would have the people of Port Charles talking for quite awhile. Lots of picnic fun, with a horseshoe competition, tug of war. Laura complains to her father about her marriage. She tells him she has a panicky feeling that if she doesn't get out of Port Charles that something terrible will happen. She is upset that Scotty is putting Jennifer's wedding above their anniversary. Rick points out that it would be quite rude to back out of his commitment to the wedding at this late date and that Frank Smith is the biggest client that Lee and Scotty have ever had. Scotty comes up with ice cream bars, Laura refuses and stomps off. Rick tells Scotty that a wedding anniversary is a big deal to a woman and he suggests that Scotty makes plans to celebrate even if it's only for one day. Laura tells Leslie that her and Scotty are angry at each other all of the time.
     Steve Hardy takes a few minutes to announce that enough money has been raised to make the improvements on the children's ward. Frank Smith announces that ground will be broken in the next month for the new Jennifer Smith Spencer wing that will make it the teaching hospital that Steve Hardy has always envisioned. While Luke is setting up the fireworks, Joe Kelly comes by and talks to Luke about working for Frank Smith. He subtly warns him to watch himself or he might have a fishing accident. Luke asks what he means by that? He points out that Bill Watson was a Frank Smith employee as well. Luke assures Joe that he will stay away from Lake Mead.
     Bobbie arrives and meets Luke at the firework display. She complains about having to lie about being sick and missing the whole picnic. He tells her that Joe Kelly has been hanging around him all day. Bobbie worries that Joe might come up to try to help Luke with the fireworks. He says that Ruby is going to put Joe to work handing out pie or something to keep him busy. Scotty tells Frank that he can't make Luke's bachelor party, as that night is his first anniversary. Frank completely understands, as Scotty walks away, Frank comments to Lee and Gail that Scotty is a wonderful young man and if he hadn't already been married that he would have picked him for Jennifer!
     Jennifer and Joe come up to Luke just before the firework display and insist on helping him. Luke makes a big deal about how dangerous it is, with the sparks and all and that is why he is wearing the helmet and goggles. He convinces Joe to take Jennifer somewhere safer to watch the firework display and let him do his work. Luke confers with Bobbie, she is all set with her helmet and goggles and he tells her to think taller. Joe comes up again, and Luke pushes her into the bushes. He is getting very frustrated with Joe's continual presence and orders him to leave so Luke can do his work! Ruby comes up and insists the Joe come and help her serve pie and watermelon. He is resistant, but she about pulls his arm out of his socket, and tells him she won't take no for an answer and reminds him its for charity. With Joe finally safely away, Luke announces the firework display, then switches places with Bobbie. She takes over and Luke takes off, he is headed to search Frank Smith's office.
     Scotty and Laura sit together watching the fireworks. He tells her he is not going to Luke's bachelor party the night before the wedding, and suggests that they go up to Toronto and have a romantic stay the night before their anniversary. Laura hugs him, seemingly relieved to get out of Port Charles even for a night. They both apologize to each other for their tempers that morning. They agree to no more fighting. Laura tells him she worries that with all of the fighting they have been doing that they might get so far away from each other that they might not find their love again.
     Luke spends quite a bit of time searching for the black book, time is running out and he is becoming desperate. He finds it and takes pictures of the pages with his little spy camera. Meanwhile, Bobbie is doing a great job with the firework display and everyone seems to be very much enjoying her work. Ruby continues to keep Joe busy, now with throwing away trash. He looks at her suspiciously. Luke however gets back just in the nick of time to take credit for the firework display! Joe shows up and Luke asks him where he has been? He points out he thought Joe was going to help him! Joe looks at him flabbergasted!
     Luke plans on using the black book that he stole from Frank Smith to use as leverage to stay clean and not get involved in the drug side of Frank's business. Luke tells Bobbie and Ruby about the information he found in the black book. Bobbie is critical that Luke risked everything for some figures and notes that he doesn't understand the meaning behind. Luke is also determined to try and make his upcoming marriage to Jennifer work. Ruby is very concerned that Luke plans on blackmailing Frank in order to stay clean and stay out of the drug business.
     The day before Luke's wedding, Luke takes Jennifer out to lunch to celebrate their nuptials. Luke tells Bobbie earlier how very determined he is to make this marriage work. It is also Laura's anniversary. She is busy packing, trying to decide what dress to take with her, asking Scotty's opinion. He unfortunately has to go into work and Frank tells him about some urgent case that needs immediate filing or it will cost the company millions. He tells Scotty he is terribly sorry but Lee is in court so needs Scotty's services. Scotty calls Laura and breaks the news to her. She is very understanding, and even offers to make a quiet romantic dinner in their apartment, he tells her she is the best wife in the world. This request will cost Frank Smith dearly.
     This leaves Laura time, and she re-reads Luke's Christmas letter to her, freeing her of the past, releasing her to go back to Scotty and her marriage.  Laura sits down to write a letter to Luke in an attempt to free him on his wedding day. She writes that since the night he raped her that their lives have been tied together by all of the lies they have had to tell. She admits that she has been holding onto the bond between them but is ready to let him go out of her life once and for all. She closes that she hopes he has a happy life with Jennifer and she will always have a special place in her heart. Scotty comes in interrupting her, he had to come home and tell her how very sorry he is that he had to cancel their plans. Laura is again very understanding, telling him she doesn't need any fancy trips to Niagara Falls, she only needs him.
     Scotty comes home quite a bit later and Laura is not quite so understanding now as dinner is ruined, she points out that he could have called! He apologizes profusely, and Laura seems understanding again still desperately trying to make an effort. She hands him his anniversary gift, and he sheepishly admits that he has no gift for her, no card, no flowers, nothing. As this lack of effort on his part slowly dawns on her, her eyes begin to glitter with hurt and anger. Scotty fumbles for an excuse, he stopped by the jewelers but didn't know what she would like, but he meant to go back. She is angry that he didn't even stop on his way home for a card, didn't bother to call that he was going to be so late. There is a cold finality in her words as she says, "It didn't take long for the romance to go out of our marriage!" She goes into her room and locks the door behind her.
     That night Luke dreams of marrying Laura, it is very sweet, just like her wedding to Scotty that he witnessed only this time Luke is the groom. Meanwhile, Laura is also thinking about being with Luke. Her thoughts aren't quite as pure as she remembers the steamy moments aboard the sailboat as she admits to Luke how much she wants to be with him. She goes to her desk and sits down and finishes her letter to Luke and closes "With my love, Laura".  Bobbie calls Luke and wakes him up. She wonders if he is going to cop out, that this is the time? Laura calls Luke, reaching out to him one last time. Luke snaps up the phone thinking its Bobbie again. As soon as he hears her voice, a soft smile breaks out across his face. Laura tells him she just wanted to wish him luck. Then she tells him that she wrote a letter to him, and she would like him to read it before his wedding, that it might help end the strange relationship between them. He agrees but tells her it won't help, that he will always be in love with her.
     Jennifer calls Luke, and there is a stark contrast in the look on his face while he is talking to Jennifer. His is face is sadly resigned, almost bored while she glows about their wedding plans (Tony shows hi acting gifts as his performances in these scenes are very subtly but distinctly illustrate to the viewer Luke's differing feelings for these two ladies). Joe Kelly breaks the mood when he shows up at the door bearing a thermos of coffee (these two are becoming quite funny together). Joe surprises Luke when he says he plans on trying on talking Luke out of showing up for his wedding. While Luke is shaving, Joe starts searching Luke's apartment. Joe points out the rumors about Frank's activities and points out they just haven't been able to prove anything. Luke catches Joe going through his pants pockets. He says he is just doing the grooms job looking for the ring. Luke obviously doesn't believe him and suggest he go back and check the bookcase, pointing out that he has already looked in there and then sarcastically describes what a wedding ring box looks like.
     Scotty comes into the room with an attitude towards Laura; he is acting like the angry injured party (huh? This is the guy who blew off their anniversary plans, then didn't bother to bring flowers, a card, no gift and he's angry?). Laura tells him she isn't feeling well and he will have to go to the wedding without her. He tells her to grow up and stop making excuses and she will be going to the wedding with her and that is final! (Again huh? Guess they had to make Scotty as unlikable as possible given the storyline to come). Amy and Leslie arrive at Laura's; she pleads ill and says she isn't going to the wedding. Scotty comes out yelling at her that she is going to the wedding! She slams out of the room; Leslie realizing trouble between them follows Laura. Laura tells Leslie about her ruined anniversary. Leslie encourages her, but Laura tries to tell her how important this trip was for her marriage. Leslie observes that she was disappointed but there will be plenty of opportunities for them to go away together in the future and encourages her that she can mend this trouble in her marriage.
     Luke shows up and has coffee with Bobbie and Ruby. He tells them that he is going to meet with Frank before the wedding and go over their business arrangement. They are worried about him going through with his black book blackmail plan. Ruby cautions him to be careful with Frank. Leslie and Amy leave, and Scotty insists that Laura get ready for the wedding. She refuses and he gives her the ultimatum that if she doesn't go he will never talk to her again! She doesn't seem too worried about that threat (I think at this point it would almost be a relief). Scotty finds the letter and realizes that Luke is the one who raped Laura.
7/11/80 Luke's Wedding Day to Jennifer Smith  (great quality scenes from Soapnet episode) - Susan is at the Smith residence, helping Jennifer get ready. Susan glances nervously at Mitch as Frank Smith tells Susan that he hopes to make Susan his fiancé soon. Outside at the marina, Brian, Claudia, Amy, and Richard Simmons decorate Luke's car with a "just married" sign and paraphernalia. Brian complains when he finds his shoes tied to the car.
     Scotty is furious as he reads her letter to Luke, becoming more and more enraged. Laura comes out of the bathroom and finds him reading her letter, he tells her off as he thinks she has been having an affair with Luke. When Laura enters the room, Scotty turns on her, accusing her of having an affair with Luke. Laura denies it, asking for a chance to tell him the truth. He tells her it is all lies that she has known about this for months. He says he has made excuses for her, for all of the times she pulled her away; he is convinced that she pulled away from him because of her affair with Luke. He doesn't believe her; she says she wouldn't lie to him that she loves him. He raises his hand and almost hits her and she cowers away from him. He tells her he hates her. He then figures that she was never raped, that it wasn't rape at all! He grabs his jacket to leave and she calls out to him to stop and listen to her. She insists that it was rape, and that it happened in the disco. He accuses her of sleeping with Luke at the disco and then going to the park and crying rape. He realizes that she lied about that too. Laura tries to explain about that night, how desperate Luke was, how he just wanted to hold her for comfort, then dance with her but things got out of hand and she couldn't stop it. Scotty tells her it is just like her affair with David Hamilton, and calls her a tramp. He throws her down and tells her that she won't have Luke, because he is going to kill him and she is lucky that he doesn't kill them both. He runs out of the apartment, leaving Laura on the floor crying.
     The rest of PC is arriving at the yacht for Luke's wedding to Jennifer, Luke gives them all a tour and they all toast the day with champagne. Luke has a great time playing the grand host. Bobbie, Ruby, Jennifer and Frank arrive on the yacht. They love the champagne fountain! This is very festive as they all enjoy the beauty of the yacht and the wedding preparations. Frank informs Jennifer that he and Luke are going to sign a contract to be business partners prior to the wedding. Jennifer is ecstatic and asks Susan to help her get dressed. Scotty first goes to Luke's apartment beating on the door, as Laura calls trying to reach Luke before Scotty does. Laura calls Lee and asks him to get to the yacht as soon as possible and stop Scotty from getting on the boat and hold him until she gets there. She hangs up before giving any additional explanation and Lee is quite puzzled by the drama and mystery of her demand.
     Luke and Frank meet out on the deck. Frank wants to know if Luke has read the contract? He expects Luke to be pleased about what he is deeding Luke to in Fair Oaks. Luke tells Frank he isn't pleased and wants to know why Frank continues to lie to him. Luke wants Frank to assure him that Luke will be able to stay clean and not become involved in the shady side of the business. Frank has tried to assure him that after this next shipment that Frank will be all the way legitimate. Luke accuses him of lying. He wants Frank to write a new contract, as he doesn't want him and Jennifer to be touched by the seedy side of Frank's business. He doesn't want everything Frank is offering him, he wants less. He only wants his involvement in the Port Charles disco and in the Las Vegas disco and nothing else! Frank tells him that he can't do that as Luke is too far in. Frank tells him that he is sorry that Luke is so involved in his business. Luke tells Frank that he wants away from all mob ties. He adds that he looks at Frank and sees what he could become in a few years, and he hates it.
     Luke then tells Frank he knows all about the Left Handed Boy. Frank glowers and tells him he is going to forget Luke said anything about the Left Handed Boy. Luke blackmails Frank, Luke tells him he has pictures of all the pages in the little black book, with all of the details of the organization and all he has to do is break the code! Luke looks at this information as insurance to protect him from Frank. Frank tells Luke that if Luke tries to blackmail him that Frank will crush him.  Luke is very confident that he has the power and tells him there will be no wedding unless Frank gives him what he wants! Steve, Audrey, Jesse, Joe, Jeff, and Anne all arrive, and Luke asks if Frank is going to send all the guests home with no wedding? As a police escort arrives with the governor, Luke warns Frank that the police could be coming for him. Frank excuses himself after warning Luke that he has a threat against him that outweighs anything Luke has on Frank and he sternly tells him he will see him at the wedding. Luke stands alone looking pensive, troubled by Frank's failure to meet his demands.
     Luke meets with Frank again, he demands that Frank keep his word to Luke, that he draw up a new contract and no one will ever see the pictures of his black book. Frank says he doesn't care how many pictures Luke took of his black book, that if Luke walks out on this wedding or causes Frank anymore trouble that he is a dead man! Scotty shows up pushing past Lee, Frank making his way to the deck where he jumps on Luke. Brian and Joe pull Scotty off though Luke comes away swinging. Luke actually walks away to the other end of the boat, Scotty follows and they wind up confronting each other on the other end of the boat. The punches are flying; they both get in some good punches (everyone is yelling at them to stop but no one is stepping in). Scotty punches him knocking him down, and seems like Luke has stopped fighting. Scotty picks him up to punch him again, and then again, each time getting closer to the edge of the boat. One more punch sends Luke flying overboard. He seems to sink into the water; no trace is seen of him. (This ends the scenes from the Soapnet episode).
     As everyone gathers at the railing, they all anxiously watch for any sign of Luke. The begin commenting that Luke may be unconscious. Lee asks Scotty what he was thinking that he could have killed Luke! Bobbie and Jennifer clutch each other in fear, Bobbie rapidly becoming hysterical (as everyone stands around just looking at the water). The reality begins to dawn on Scotty and he dives into the water to search for Luke. At GH, Leslie over hears the call for the ambulance and Diana Taylor tells her about the fight on the boat. Jeff tells Rick that Scotty and Luke had a fight about Laura. The town fears Luke has drowned.  Luke has made it to the side of the dock undetected. He overhears Frank telling one of his goons that if Luke is found alive to kill him as he knows too much. Sirens are blaring, search rescue boats are swirling, and Laura arrives down on the docks. She overhears one of the cops say that the guy overboard must be dead.
     Lee and Gail arrive at Scotty's and Lee pressures Scotty to tell him what is going on. Gail asks Lee to take it easy, but Lee won't let up and demands that Scotty tell him what is going on that if Luke is dead that Scotty will be brought up on murder charges! Scotty informs them about Laura's letter, and that Luke raped Laura, their reactions are classic - pure horror! He then goes onto say that it wasn't rape that Laura has had an affair with Luke! Lee still can't believe that Scotty went down to try to kill Luke. He begins interrogating him, already trying to figure out the defense case. Gail repeatedly asks him to give Scotty a break, but Lee will not relent till he gets all of the information.
     As a confused Laura wanders down by the dock, confused by all of the commotion, Luke comes up out of the water, grabs her ankle and begs her to help him. He tells her they won't let him live and he needs to escape. He tells her they may kill her as well. Luke accuses her of telling Scotty, and can't believe she waited till that day to tell him. She tells him she didn't that Scotty found the letter. Luke tells her that Smith is going to have him killed; he says he has to get away. When she starts asking questions, he tells her this isn't the time to play little girl. He pleads with her that this is their chance! She grabs his hand and they take off running.
     Rick and Leslie show up at Scotty's, still oblivious. Gail tells them about the letter, that Laura had been having an affair with Luke. Next, Jeff and Anne show up also asking about what caused the fight. Leslie says they should wait for Scotty and he should be the one to give more info.
     Luke and Laura are running down a country road, an exhausted Laura tells Luke to go on without her. He tells her she has to come with him that she has nowhere else to go. Laura also tells Luke she can't go back to Scotty that he called her a tramp. She moans as she realizes Scotty has told everyone about them. She doesn't want to face anyone as they know the truth and that she has lied to them about not knowing who raped her. Luke tells her about the black book and he pulls out his copies but they are all stuck together, ruined and the negatives are also ruined. Luke is distraught that it was all for nothing. Laura asks if he got a hold of the book once, couldn't he get a hold of it again.
     Joe Kelly and a police detective show up and tell Scotty that its good he is going down to the station to make a voluntary statement, as they may have to book him on suspicion of murder. Ruby and Bobbie grieve for Luke. Joe shows up at the Spencer's next, he tells them he thinks that Luke was into all sorts of things with Frank Smith that he shouldn't have been. He continues that if Bobbie and Ruby know anything that it could put their lives in danger and he offers them police protection. He tells them that Luke was acting very strange this morning on the yacht and he thinks that he was sweating something with Frank. They deny having any knowledge. He asks them to think about what he has said, and then gives them the ring that Luke bought for Jennifer.
     Luke and Laura head to ELQ to get the original black book. Luke tells her the book is in code but it details the organization and the information in that book will protect both of their families. They can't get into Frank's office and has to wait for some people to leave. He warns her that if Frank figures out he isn't dead, that he will realize the copies of the book were ruined in the water and Frank will anticipate Luke returning for the original. Luke tells Laura how much he loves her. He suggests that they get a motel room. She insists that they will have separate beds that she respects her marriage vows. Luke begins laughing that he almost died this morning and if Frank Smith finds him he will be dead and Laura is worried about her marriage vows?
     They hide as Frank returns to his office. His assistant recommends Frank hide the book somewhere else. Frank says his office is the safest place and that Luke Spencer is dead and the book is with Luke. He knows that Luke is dead or otherwise he would have returned for the book. After Frank leaves, Luke grabs the book and they decide to get cleaned up and get something to eat. He tells her first he has to go to the disco and get all of the money out of the safe. Later, they arrive at a cheap motel; Laura is less than thrilled with their accommodations. When Laura complains about Luke buying wine with their limited resources he points out that he isn't with her for her money, after all she has no house, and no sailboat! Laura makes it clear that she will not sleep in the same bed with him. He argues this to no avail; she gives him a pillow and a blanket and shows him the bathtub. She tells him that she paid for the room so she gets the bed and he will NOT be sleeping with her. Luke fails to find comfort trying to sleep in the bathtub and later climbs in bed with Laura after she has fallen asleep.  He softly kisses her hand and tells her she is an angel, and then continues, "but damn, I wish you had more money!"
     He lays in the bed next to her and gently strokes her face, she wakes up not happy that he is in bed with her. She asks why his hair is wet and he reports a dripping shower. He says her perfume woke him up. She says she doesn't wear perfume, he tells her she has some sweet smelling skin. She asks him not to make love to her; he says they didn't plan this that he aches for her. She says she can't sleep with him, as she is married. She gets out of the bed and she goes to the tub with the blanket and leaves him the wet bedspread. She points out that now he has the bed. Laura comes back out and reports he is right that the tub is too small. However, the exhausted Luke is sound asleep. She covers him with the blanket and gets into the bed next to him.
     Luke wakes up, surprised to find Laura next to him. He says it's the first time he has ever slept with a woman and not touched her. She corrects him that he touched her twice. She also tells him that he talks in his sleep that he said her name. The next morning, they see a news report that Scotty is being arraigned on charges for Luke's death. Laura is upset and asks Luke what they are going to do? Luke points out that Scotty isn't going to trial, he is just answering questions. Luke promises that if he has to he will come forward. Laura worries though that Frank will then kill Luke, she asks Luke if he really thinks they can beat Frank Smith? He says that if she looks at him like that, he can do anything.
Luke wants to go back to sleep but Laura won't let him back in the bed. He tells her it won't matter if she has twin beds or twin rooms as he is a man and he wants her! Luke tries to sneak back into her bed but she wakes up. Finally she relents to his begging and lets him have the bed while she goes into the bathroom to get dressed. She takes the blanket with her; he is freezing and begs for the blanket.
     She opens the window for fresh air and he questions her sanity when it's already freezing. He asks since he has no money if she can bring back a stale crust of bread for him. Laura returns with some food and coffee and a newspaper. She reports that the paper says Scotty is out on bail. He tells her not to worry about Scotty that Luke won't let him go to jail. He tells her he has to go to the disco so he can get the money that he has in his safe there that will tide them over for awhile. Laura thinks that is a bad idea. He tells her he wants her to wait in the motel and keep the black book on her. He tells her to wait and if he isn't back by the end of the day that he wants her to take the book to Joe Kelly and only Joe Kelly, to tell Joe where he got it from and Joe will know what to do with it.
     She asks to go with him and he absolutely refuses. She worries and he accuses her of starting to care about him. When he gets to the disco, he hears Richard Simmons and the police detective coming down the hall and Luke has to leave before he can get into the safe. Luke returns to the motel and finds Laura gone and he freaks. Laura comes in and tells him she has been at the library researching to try to help him decode the book. He tells her he couldn't get into the safe but got the $32 in petty cash. She is disappointed over his lack of success and tells him she is hungry. He asks if she has a savings account and suggests she take out her half of the money in there. She doesn't really know how much of the money in the account is really hers.
     Scotty approaches Bobbie and figures she hates him. She says she doesn't, but cries why did he have to hit Luke so hard? She tells him that she feels sorry for him; she blames Laura for all of this. He tells her about Laura's letter, he can't believe Bobbie knew about this and didn't tell him. She observes that he would never have believed her about the sainted Laura. Bobbie defends Luke that he was obsessed with Laura, and was trying to protect her. She says she is glad that Scotty found out about Laura that for the first time in her life she is going to get exactly what she deserves.
#4B Luke and Laura go over the code in the black book and try to decode it. Luke asks Laura if she would ever go back to Scotty and she says no way in the world would Scotty ever take her back that he will never believe that Laura didn't have an affair with Luke. They aren't making any progress; Laura suggests that they take the book to the police. Luke says no way, there is no guarantee that the police will be able to decode it and Frank will be free in the meantime. Luke feels like he has to decode it himself and that he can do that with Laura's help and it's the only way he can keep Bobbie and Ruby safe. He worries that Frank is already tailing them. Luke tells her that he knows the Left Handed Boy has to do with a shipment coming in from South America in the next couple of weeks and he believes the shipment involves drugs. Luke takes off his shirt and Laura gets nervous. He tells her she is safe and not to worry.
     Bobbie and Ruby show up at the disco for Luke's funeral. Frank asks Bobbie if he can say a few words, she says yes she will be very interested to hear what he has to say about Luke. Luke has snuck into the disco, intending on trying to get the cash out of the safe. He finds his funeral beginning! Bobbie begins his service by talking about her and Luke's childhood, growing up on Elm Street. Luke listens in and he looks so sad at the pain he is causing his family. Luke rolls his eyes during Frank's tribute. He heads back to his office and finds his safe is empty!
     Luke returns to Laura, he tells her about his funeral, and about the safe being empty. He tells her the weird thing is how happy he is. But he tells her that they can't go on without money that she has to return to her mother, as he can't take care of her. He says he doesn't just want her for right now or next week, he wants her for all of his life and he can't offer her anything. She asks him not to send her away. He is worried about her and cares about her. She says she wants to be with him no matter what. He tells her if Frank discovers that Luke isn't dead before Luke decodes the black book that Luke really will be dead! She assures him that they will decode the book together! He insists that she go home for her own good. She refuses and says she will get a job, and they will make it work. He is trying to say goodbye to her, but she reminds him of all the people that are depending on them, Bobbie, Ruby, Leslie & Rick, even Scotty. This reminds him that she is still married; it says that is killing him, as he wants her so much. She tells him she doesn't want to be the tramp that Scotty accused her of being. He tells her last night she kicked the covers off and she looked so beautiful. He says he can't go on like this, but she insists they will find a way to make it work. He says that he won't take a chance with her life and tells her again to go home.
     The next morning, Laura tells Luke she is going out for breakfast and tells Luke she needs some time to think about their money problems. He jokes that she can come back when she makes her first million that he is used to being with a rich woman. While Luke is sleeping, she takes the medallion that Jennifer gave Luke as a wedding present. She returns and surprises Luke with $150. He says he is almost afraid to ask where she got the money. She smugly informs him that she pawned the gold medallion that Jennifer gave him as a wedding present. He glowers in disbelief and tells her Jennifer paid over $1,000 and the fact that she was willing to accept so little the pawn broker is going to think it is stolen and call the cops. If the cops investigate it they will see Luke and Jennifer's name inscribed on it. He suggests she should have pawned her stupid wedding rings that are probably worth $150! He wants to know why she didn't ask him about it first? He says he is going back to the pawnshop and get it back before they call the police! Laura tells him she was just trying to help, that they didn't even have enough money to pay for the motel. He asks if she didn't notice that Luke and Jennifer's names were on the back? She says yes, he can't believe she hocked it anyway. He tells her he is really worried as if the police figure it out, they will tell Frank and Jennifer and then Luke will be dead.
     Laura calls her mother but hangs up without saying anything. Luke comes back and reports that there were already a couple of Plainclothes cops there. Luke left and doesn't think he was recognized. Laura says maybe she shouldn't be there with him; she is costing him more money and making things worse for him. He says no, he needs her. She says how will he get them out of the mess they made. He tells her they have to get away, that when the pawnbroker gives Laura's description that it won't take long for Frank to put it all together that Luke is alive and that Laura is on the run with him.
     The police show up at Frank's and say they have something they think belongs to Jennifer. They show Frank the medallion and he recognizes it. Frank asks for the address of the pawnbroker so he can reimburse him and thank him for reporting it. They report it was pawned for only $150. After they leave, a furious Frank says to his new sidekick that Luke was wearing that medallion. Luke and
Ruby returns home and finds Frank waiting for her in her apartment. She is surprised to see him and asks how he got in? He says he owns the building, the whole street. He tells Ruby that Luke wasn't loyal to him and tried to blackmail Frank. Ruby plays complete innocence of knowing anything about the blackmail scheme or the black book.
     Laura check into a new motel, Luke warns her they aren't safe yet. Luke tells her he knows someone will be coming after them but they are going to be cool and not make any more mistakes. He asks her why she agreed to help him? She tells him she just can't say no when he is in trouble and needs her. She tells him that Luke needs her in a way that Scotty never did. He promises her again that he won't let anyone hurt her that he will die first. Laura freaks over the cockroaches in the seedy motel. He tells her he is sorry that this isn't what he wants for her. He tells her she is changing before his eyes, changing from a little girl to a woman. He promises to try not to touch but says one day it will happen. He tells her there is still time for her to go back, she says there is no going back.
     Luke calls Ruby while Frank is still there. Luke is shocked when he hears Frank answering Ruby's phone. Luke hangs up without saying anything. Luke is panicked over Ruby's safety (Ruby and Bobbie both still think Luke is dead). Luke is desperately worried over Ruby and Bobbie's safety. Laura convinces him that he can't protect them right now that they think he is dead and if he tells them he is alive that Frank will sense that knowledge. Laura apologizes again as her actions with the medallion brought this on. Laura promises him that they will make it up to everyone they love.
     Frank doesn't believe Ruby's profession of ignorance. He motions his goon towards Ruby, he grabs her and Ruby cries out just as Bobbie comes in. Ruby is very relieved to see Bobbie. Bobbie is confused by Frank's questions, about the medallion. He tells them it was pawned; Bobbie doesn't get what does that mean? So what if someone found Luke's medallion? He says someone fitting Laura Baldwin pawned it! The knowledge dawns on both of them that this is evidence that Luke is alive! They are so relieved and hug each other and rejoice. Their reaction is so genuine that Frank believes that they didn't know that Luke was alive. He continues to play the heavy about the black book but Bobbie stands up to him toe to toe. She swears she doesn't know anything about the black book, that she hasn't heard from Luke, and she kept quiet after Roy DeLuca's death and doesn't deserve these threats from him. He tries to backpedal and say he hasn't threatened her yet. She says yes he has and she doesn't appreciate it and opens the door and orders him out! (Go Bobbie!)
     Joe Kelly and his police partners also figure out that Luke is alive and with Laura. Luke warns Laura that there is probably already a hired killer out there looking for them. Frank hires Hutch to find Luke and the black book. Hutch overhears that the Left Handed Boy is worth over $10 million. Laura is upset by an article in the paper suggesting she is having an affair with Luke, she is afraid no one in PC will speak to her again and worries that Scott won't take her back. Luke tells hers if she wants to go back to Scott then she should go home now. He says, "Loving you has never been easy for me but I don't have any other way to live!"
     Bobbie has received a dead rat as a present and her apartment is ransacked. Bobbie realizes that it is a warning to keep their mouths shut or else!
Frank tells Hutch that he is going to smoke Luke out of hiding. Hutch has traced Luke and Laura to the motel and calls Frank and tells him he thinks he may have located them but has to get a good look at them to be sure. Luke has a premonition that something is going on, but he isn't sure what it is. He wants to call Bobbie and Ruby to see if they are all right but knows he can't do that. Ruby returns home and finds her apartment ransacked and is grabbed by a goon. Bobbie finds Ruby knocked unconscious and bleeding and calls for an ambulance.
     The next morning, Laura wakes up to find Luke staring outside. He tells her he has a bad feeling and thinks they should get out of town as soon as possible. He says he has a terrible need to get in touch with Bobbie and Ruby and that he is really scared for them. Luke comes in with a newspaper and reads about Ruby's injuries, he is desperate to get to her. Hutch stops by to see Frank and tells him that he has definitely located Luke and Laura and that they are holed up together. Frank tells him about having Ruby roughed up and that Luke will go to see her in the hospital. Hutch is annoyed and tells Frank that was a stupid thing to do (like him already!), that he wants L&L together as there is no guarantee who has the black book. He continues that there is no way he is going to stake out the hospital, as it is too dangerous.
     Luke tells Laura that he has to go see Ruby that he has to see her. Laura is against it and she is worried about him. He leaves the black book with her and tells her if he doesn't come back within four hours that she is to take the book to Joe Kelly. She tells him how to get into the Doctor's Lounge and where the locker area is and suggests he puts on surgical scrubs and a mask as a disguise but she warns him he has to get past the Nurse's Station undetected. He tells her that is a good idea and appreciates her suggestion. He tells her to stay in the motel and not answer the door to anyone. Luke kisses her and holds her tenderly before leaving.
     Luke is successful in getting into see Ruby undetected. Ruby is relieved to see him, but tells him he shouldn't be there that it is too dangerous. He promises he will get them for doing this to her. He tells her she has to get better as he can't lose her. Bobbie calls Joe and tells him about the dead rat. He asks her about what was going on between Frank and Luke the day of his wedding. She starts to tell him the truth but Frank's goon comes in and she clams up and runs out. Frank's goon assures Frank that Luke never showed up, he is positive. Frank believes his judgment and figures Luke is too smart to fall for something so obvious. Hutch calls Frank and gloats about his plans failure. He makes a snarky comment about Luke getting past Frank's goon. Frank doesn't quite no what to make of Hutch and wonders how he got his information. Hutch reports he has seen Luke leave and return with doctor's scrubs! Hutch points out the failure of Frank's plan as Hutch predicted and tells Frank he has never failed on any contract. He demands that Frank stay out of it and not make any more moves and let Hutch do the job he is being paid very well to do. Ruby tells Bobbie about Luke's visit.
     Luke and Laura wash their clothes, Laura wears a bed sheet and Luke tries to sneak a peek at her. He tells her she looks sexy in anything! They talk about moving on and she admits she is going to miss their crummy motel, as she feels safe there. He says they have enough for bus fare but doesn't know how far they will get. He says they are in one of those old road movies, "The Road To Ruin" (reference to Bo Hope's Road to Rio, ect series). Hutch waits outside with a gun pointed at both of them, his plan was to kill them both together. He overhears them say they are going after the Left Handed Boy (Hutch overheard Frank say this was worth $10 million) so he lets them go obviously intent on following them to the treasure.
He calls Frank and lies to him, tells him that he was about to eliminate them but the hotel manager and a guest came along and he knew Frank didn't want a blood bath so he will have to wait for the next opportunity. Hutch checks out ahead of Luke and Laura and asks the manager not to tell the honeymoon couple that he was looking for them, that he intends on surprising them and asks her not to give it away.
     Frank gets a call from the organization and is told that they are canceling the shipment that they can't bring it in with all of the heat in Port Charles because of Frank's screw up. Frank says the shipment has to come in as he has donated his part of the proceeds to build the new wing of the hospital. His contact makes it quiet clear that the organization is not at all happy with the way Frank has messed things up and he can either make the donation out of his own pocket or cancel it, that he should be a lot more worried about his standing with the organization than with the Port Charles society. He is ordered to find the black book!
     They check out of the hotel and Laura becomes sentimental about leaving the dump. They then hit the streets; Luke buys a paper and finds their pictures plastered all over the front page including descriptions of the one set of clothing each has. They see cops and duck into Wyndham's Department store. They head to the beauty shop section looking for a wig for Laura. Luke pretends they are the expected French hairstylists. Hutch follows and gets a manicure to keep an eye on the salon. Luke cuts some poor woman's hair, she runs out screaming when she sees the results. Hutch realizes what has happened and cracks up. Luke's next client brings in a black wig, which he talks her out of making her feel sexy without it and Lucy Johnson is born. Next, Luke sneaks trainee badges for them and they head to the shoe department. They introduce themselves to the manager of the shoe department as new trainees. The manager sends Luke over to work with a difficult customer who doesn't like anything. They remain in the stock room as the store closes and they are there alone. The store is about to close and Luke proposes a very fancy evening for the two of them, including fabulous clothes and a gourmet meal.
     8/6/8 Dancing at Wyndham's  (great quality scenes from marathon episode) - Luke tells her this is their night of nights. When they run into a storage room to hide from the night watchman, Luke discovers mannequins donning the perfect tuxedo and evening gown. Luke is dressed in top hat and tails, and Laura is dressed in a fuchsia evening gown. The couple does not realize that a stranger is lurking in the same storage room. The couple dance through the aisles of the department store. Luke takes Laura to where he has a table fully dressed and set with china, and the two share a champagne toast and caviar. Laura tells Luke she has never had caviar before and he suggestively says that this is a night of firsts. Laura exclaims that she feels like Cinderella, and as if they are the only two people in the world. Luke tells her she has never been more beautiful to him and she tells him the evening is like a dream. Luke says it's very real and when he looks in her eyes he sees every beautiful thing in the world and he sees love. She looks down, and he pulls her chin up to continue to look at him. He tells her that he loves her more than he ever thought possible. She tells him that everything feels so right and it doesn't feel like there is a world outside of this room. Luke says that after this night the world will never be the same again. Luke and Laura continue dancing their way through the store, stopping for more kissing along the way. He tells her this is their night to be alone and picks her up and carries her to a bed in the furniture department. Much to Luke's dismay, Laura drifts off to sleep just as the couple is in the midst of a passionate kiss. The stranger from the storage room watches over the sleeping couple, gun in hand.
       Hutch finds them sleeping and readies his gun. As he moves towards them, Laura cries out in her dream waking Luke. Luke tells her he spent a lot of time during the night studying the black book (explaining why Hutch wasn't able to make his move?). Luke and Laura change clothes, Laura apologizes for falling asleep on "their night".  They find a security guard lying dead, and Laura becomes really scared, after this evidence a hit man is following them.
     They take off again, and run down deserted streets with Hutch following behind them. Laura ask if he thinks anyone followed them, and Luke says no he didn't see anyone (were either of them looking behind them, the gunman following them was the only other person on the street pretty much, kinda hard to miss him! LOL!). They watch everyone enter the bus station, suspecting everyone who enters to be the hit man. Luke tells Laura that he thinks one of the clues has to do with the Left Handed Boy being located 150 miles from Port Charles. He instructs Laura to get a map so they can see what towns are around Port Charles within that distance.
     He studies the map and realizes that Fair Oaks is 150 miles south of Port Charles. Luke says that is it, as Frank had told him on his wedding day that as part of Jennifer's dowry that he was giving them a building in Fair Oaks. Luke is sure the Left Handed Boy is there. He says they don't have enough money to get to Fair Oaks and even if they did Frank would have someone watching the bus station there. Luke decides they will go to Beecher's Corners, it's about half way there, and they can get jobs and drop out of sight.
     By the time they arrive in Beecher's Corners they stop off at a restaurant, the owner tells them to stop at a local diner as the cook recently ran off with one of the waitresses (watch Tony knock over a drink and how quickly he recovers, even thinking to ask Laura to clean it up!). They are out of money so they take refuge in a barn, surrounded by noisy chickens and a cow. He breaks out a picnic, and as he opens the food the chicken decides to join them for dinner (again watch Tony save the scene as he shoos the chicken away, trying to keep a straight face as he delivers his dialogue trying to ease Laura's fears, and Genie is cracking up over the antics of the chicken).  He teases her about June's kisses (the name tag she wore at Wyndham's), he says she kissed him better than any other woman before and sexy Simone (her French hairdresser) character who looked at him with such desire. They share a quiet evening together, feeling somewhat safe for the moment.

**The End**

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