February 8, 2002 Transcript
"Emotional Risks"

Alexis: Kristina told you that she doesn't think I'm safe with you?

Sonny: Yeah, well, I think that's what she was trying to say. You know, she doesn't -- sometimes she doesn't speak in a straight line. She kind of curves it the other way.

Alexis: Yeah, well, I'm touched by her concern, but I don't appreciate being discussed behind my back any more than you do.

Sonny: Ok, first of all, Kristina brought it up first. Second of all, most important, I would never say anything to her that you told me in confidence. What you say to me about your life -- who you are, what you carry -- is your business, nobody else's. You trusted me to listen and shut up. That's what I've done, and I expect you to do the same.

Alexis: Don't worry. I will never again make the mistake of trying to explain you or your unfortunate behavior to anyone.

Sonny: Good.

Alexis: And as for Kristina worrying about my safety, I can understand that because I had to explain to her why the lock sticks. Remember, you had the other one blown off.

Sonny: Yeah, yeah.

Alexis: Which led to further disclosure of the inherent risks of being your attorney. I didn't, however, tell her about the police shootout because I thought that would be gratuitous.

Sonny: Well, you know what? She wanted to say --

Alexis: But maybe I should have because, had I explained that, she would know that you stepped between me and the gunmen and saved my life. (He smiles) Notwithstanding your belief that you were adhering to some absurd sexist code, it was, however, courageous. And since you are, shall we say, proficient at what you do --

Sonny: Why, thank you.

Alexis: The jeopardy is substantially reduced, and I will explain that to Kristina and to Ned and to Jax and to --

Sonny: Can I just say one --

Alexis: What?

Sonny: She's -- she's thinking more in terms of not just, like, physical danger. She's -- she's thinking like emotional risks.

Alexis: Emotional risks? What are you talking about?

[Next scene]

Sonny: We're close, right?

Alexis: In what way?

Sonny: Well, I mean, you tell me things you don't tell other people.

Alexis: Well, it's comforting to have a confidant that is in no position to judge.

Sonny: We enjoy spending time together.

Alexis: When you're not hurling glassware across the room.

Sonny: Yeah, that was Kristina's point. See, she just doesn't want you to get hurt.

Alexis: Oh. Well, that will never happen again because, if you ever do that, I would just simply leave the room because there are more appropriate ways to handle your anger than through violence.

Sonny: Like when you slapped my face?

Alexis: All right, you know, that was one time. One time.

Sonny: You know what, you were upset because you thought I'd betrayed -- you thought I'd betrayed your trust, and that's the way I felt when you told Courtney about what happened with Deke. See, that's the way I know how to handle it. So we're even.

Alexis: I'd like to think that we've gone past these incidents.

Sonny: Yeah, we have. So now that we're honest --

There's a knock at the door.

Mike: (Through the door) Courtney? Honey, are you in there? Please, open up. It's your dad. Courtney?

Alexis goes to the door and lets Mike in.

Alexis: What's going on?

Mike: Is Courtney with you?

[Next scene]

Sonny walks over to Mike.

Sonny: The cops told Courtney she could go, so she left.

Mike: Oh. And you didn't try to stop her?

Sonny: I turned around and she was gone.

Mike: Why didn't you go after her?

Sonny: On foot? In the streets?

Mike: Yes, if you had to! Does it matter to you that your little sister was in a car accident tonight? Courtney is just a kid, Michael.

Sonny: She's 20 years old, Mike. Old enough to know not to walk through traffic or follow a stranger home.

Mike: You know, I can't believe that even you could shut down on your sister.

Sonny: I didn't shut down.

Mike: Michael, she disappointed you, but that's --

Alexis: You know what? He wanted to send his men out after her, and I convinced him that that was counterproductive.

Mike: You know something? You were wrong.

Sonny: I've been through this before, you know that? With Brenda and Karen -- she's a girl that used to dance at my club. The harder their families chased them, the faster they ran away. And you know what the joke is? They ran to me. Now, you got to understand something -- Courtney is going in the opposite direction. She does not think that I can help her. She thinks I'm trying to wreck her life. Nothing I say is going to change her mind, so all I can do now is wait and play it better next time I see her. That's it.

Mike: And when is that going to be, Michael? When Courtney's in the mood to call you? When she's arrested? When she's been grabbed by your enemies? Like it or not, that girl is your sister.

Sonny: You were supposed to take care of her! Why don't you -- why don't you prove it now, that you're a great father, Mike! Come on, tell me what I got to do next, then.

Mike: What do you want --

Sonny: No, don't talk!

Mike: What do you want to hear from me? That I'm a worthless nothing? Fine, I admit it. But what about you? What is your excuse, my perfect son?

[Next scene]

Sonny: Excuses are a waste of time. They don't fix anything or help anyone except the person making them. That's why you never stop.

Mike: I am trying to help your sister.

Sonny: Yeah, yeah? By putting her up in a hotel where A.J. Quartermaine lives? By letting her take the keys of a car you knew had no insurance? You just -- you were trying to play hero, Mike, like you play daddy, like you play sorry. The words come out of our mouth, the tears are in your eyes, but nothing changes. I tried to tell that to Courtney. My mistake. She's not ready to see who you are, just like she wasn't ready to see who I am. So all I got to do now is wait and not make things any worse.

Mike: That is the most self-serving crap I have ever heard in my life. Courtney didn't do what you want, so you're bailing on her.

Alexis: (Walking over to Sonny) Mike, Sonny gave her money and arranged for her to move in here. She didn't like where she was staying, so she wanted to live with you. He gave her money to move in with you, and tonight he did everything he could to extract her from the situation which was, at least in part, caused by you.

Mike: Sonny needs to show Courtney that she matters. Show her now, Michael. Show her. Find her.

Sonny: Then what happens? She falls into my arms like the big brother that she cares about? Why don't you come -- you don't you come with me? We'll go find her. She trusts you, right, Mike? You go ahead and tell her something that we're one big happy family. Is that the way it works? I don't hear you, Mike. You're the father. You're supposed to have the answer! So tell me -- what do I do for her? Whatever she needs, I'll give it to her. (He doesn't answer) Tell me!

Mike: I don't know.

Sonny: There it is -- the truth for once. You don't have a clue what Courtney wants and neither do I.

[Next scene]

Sonny: You remember the last time I saw you at the track? It would have been, what, six, seven years since my mother's funeral? We nodded. You walked away and I never saw you again until you showed up here wanting to start over. You could have made it so easy. If you'd just brought Courtney with you, I'd have given you anything you wanted for my sister's sake. But then you lost track of her. She was gone like I was gone for years until you needed something. What is it you need from Courtney? Love? Forgiveness? Someone to believe you're a good father? Go find her, Mike. Tell her your lies. I am tired of warning her.

Mike: And why is that, Michael? Is that because Courtney dared to disagree with the great Sonny Corinthos?

Sonny: You can't tell anybody that their father is a spineless coward. They got to figure it out for themselves. But I will promise you something, dad. When you break her heart and when she's finally learned about you, I will be there to pick up the pieces. I owe her that.

Mike: And what are you going to do for her now? Are you going to try to find her?

Sonny: No.

Mike: Well, damn you. You selfish --

Alexis: Mike --

Mike: Arrogant bastard.

Alexis: Mike, he honestly is just trying to do right by Courtney. She ran away because maybe she needs some time, and hunting her down is just going to make it worse.

Mike: You know something? I can see why you're his attorney, Alexis, because you tell him exactly what he wants to hear. And trust me, you earned your money tonight. I'm going to find my daughter.

He turns and walks toward the door.

Alexis: Mike, it may not --

Sonny: Let him -- it's all right.

The doorman walks in as Mike opens the door.

Doorman: Mr. Corinthos --

Sonny: Something wrong?

Doorman: Someone left a note for you at the desk.

Sonny: All right, thank you.

Sonny takes the note and reads it.

[Next scene]

Sonny: Did you see who left this?

Doorman: No, no, I stepped away from the desk for a cup of coffee. It was there when I came back.

Alexis: Thank you very much for bringing it up.

Sonny: (Handing him a tip) Thanks.

Alexis lets the doorman out. Sonny shows Mike the envelope.

Sonny: Is that Courtney's handwriting?

Mike: I don't know. I don't know.

Sonny: Do you know?

Alexis: It's possible.

Mike: Well, open it.

Sonny: "Sonny, I'm fried. I need some time to myself, so I'm going to go out of town for a while. Don't worry, I'll be fine, and I'll keep in touch. Tell my -- tell my parents I'm ok. Courtney."

Zander wants to share his feelings for Carly with her, but he ultimately focuses on boosting Carly's self-confidence instead by pushing her to jump back on the horse and drive the car.

AJ convinces Courtney to let him take care of her instead. AJ promises Courtney that he will handle all of the details regarding her family, and Courtney's false sense of security grows.