Scene ~ Sonny's PH, Jason's at the desk as Carly comes in Carly: Hi.
Jason: Is Michael okay?
Carly: Yeah.
Jason: Mmhmm.
Carly: What's Sonny got you doing there? Can't he operate a calculator by himself? (pause) Where is he?
Jason: Not here.
Carly: Oh, thank god for small favours.
Jason: You need money?
Carly: No, actually. AJ gave me some. I probably shouldn't take it, but...
Jason: Well, money's money.
Carly: Yeah, that's what I figure. I should be charging them a thousand dollars a day for putting up with them all. (pause) This place is like an oasis, sanity, for me. You know? Even though we don't live here anymore. AJ wants to buy me a car.
Jason: Mmm. You'd have a lot more independance.
Carly: Yeah. I might drive myself right off a cliff.
Jason: Yeah, you might.
Carly: It's funny, you know. He can be incredibly sweet, just out of nowhere. You know, it's this 220 volt shock. And then, just when you're thinking - 'Hey, you know. Okay, this guy is, he's like - not so bad.' Arg! I mean, I had this neighbor, right? He had this old dog. And the husband used to smack the wife around all the time. And I guess, you know, the dog probably got the same treatment. And you'd see him laying outside in the sun, looking up at you with these really soulful eyes. You know, and whimpering and making these little noises. And just seemed to be saying - 'Someboy love me. Please, love me. Anybody.' And then when you would go to pet him, he would try to bite you. (pause) Jason, are you through ignoring me?
Jason: Did you- Did you want something?
Carly: No. I came for the view. Yeah, we have a problem, hello? Can psychiatrists be bribed?
Jason: Sure.
Carly: To say what you want them to?
Jason: Yeah. But no two of them ever think the same so you're bound to find someone who will say it for free.
Carly: Well, that's good. Cuz this whole custody trial thing, is... It's gonna be uglier than we thought, when it happens.
Jason: Uglier - than calling me a kidnapper? Uglier - than calling me violent and threatening?
Carly: When I say that, you say I'm a psycho. And make me admit that you never touched me. Right?
Jason: Yeah, yeah. Right, Carly.
Carly: Anyway. Jason, this is worse. Look, AJ wants to subpeona your medical records. He's gonna get Tony Jones or some other idiot to say that you are braindamaged. And incapable of being a father.
Jason: Well. AJ's taking a big risk. My brain is what it is because of him.
Carly: Yeah. But he can say he's in recovery, and you are-
Jason: And I have irreversible, neurological blah-blah, blah-blah. Yeah, I know.
Carly: He says any neurologist looking at your brain scans or whatever? Will say that you are emotionally incapable of loving a child. And mentally not able to make the best decisions for his well being. I mean, you know, Emily, Bobbie. Everybody who knows you will say that's a crock. All the same, Jason. I think that if we can buy an expert, we probably should.
Jason: Well, if you want to say I'm an animal, and they want to say I'm dumb as a rock. There's nothing I can do about it.
* * * * *
Carly: What, you just gonna quit on me? You just gonna throw in the towel, Jason? That's not you.
Jason: How does a custody hearing work, Carly? We have a witness list where my side gets yours beforehand?
Carly: You're asking me?
Jason: If my lawyer gets official notice that Dr. Jones or some other doctor is gonna testify. Yes, I will get an M.D. to say that I can add two plus two. But until then, I can't let on that I know what AJ's up to. Your plan might work, it might not work. But if it's gonna have a shot at working, AJ has to trust you. And he won't if I know what he's doing before he does it.
Carly: Well, I'm trying to help you, Jason!
Jason: Wh- (sigh) I know you're trying to help me. And that's good. What- What are you doing? Why do you keep coming here? You gotta be careful. You can't keep cutting your classes to come here.
Carly: So I flunk out. Who's that gonna shock? I'm sorry, okay? I just, um. It's not easy. You know? I'm gritting my teeth every second at the Quartermaines. They all hate me. The guys who don't hate me - I hate. Last night I had to bite my tongue so hard it almost started to bleed while Bobbie... explained what a gold-digging tramp I am for going after AJ's money.
Jason: Well?
Carly: Well what?! Hey, I realize that's what it looks like, Jase. But she's my mother, she should know better!
Jason: She thought she did know you, that's why she's upset.
Carly: Can I be allowed to finish here? I'm just saying, whatever the reason is. It hurts to have everybody think that I just completely suck as a human being! Why do you think I come here? Why do I come here? I just need to see one person that doesn't hate my guts.
Jason: Don't look at me. I'm the leading opponent of your stupid plan. And since I'm also wearing the tire tracks, I got no choice but to go along with it.
Carly: Yeah. But you don't think I'm a senseless waste of flesh and blood. (Jason gives her a look that says 'no') Like it or not, that puts you in a category all by yourself. (pause) You know what I do? I go down to the docks and I look at your warehouse being rebuilt. And I think - 'You know what? That looks like our future. That looks like all the things that you and me and Michael are gonna have together.' Don't you believe me, when I say, we're gonna be a family, Jase.
Jason: We already are a family. We just couldn't find a way to stay together.
Carly: Well, I have. And we can. And I know.
Jason: Well, look. I gotta go. Do you need a ride? Are you supposed to be at school? Are they gonna recognize you if you show up?
Carly: I got a B- on the only project we've had to do. So there. (she laughs) Which way are you going?
Jason: It's none of your business.
Carly: Oh, well. Why? What's the big secret?
Jason: That's none of your businesss - either. You have your way to work on a future, I have mine.
Carly: You buying me a car?
Jason: No, I'm not buying you a car.
Carly: Well, don't. Because even if I learned how to drive, I'd never learn how to park.
Jason: You in a car? Watch out.