I'm Not Getting Drunk – I'm Expanding My Mind

Lucas shows Carrie the ropes at Titan. Carrie is concerned about her Highstyle family, but, hey, it's toast. Lucas assures her Titan is like a family, too, the Sopranos. They go into Victor's office. Carrie tells him HR has set her up and given her a tour.

Victor wants a few moments alone with her. She's looking forward to working for him.

Victor is ominous, "I hope I can say the same."

Carrie asks, "Why do you say that? Did Lucas hire me without your approval?"

"No one does anything at Titan without my approval," growls Victor. He goes through the history of the Highstyle takeover and says he assumes she still has feelings for Austin, "You don't exactly have the reputation of being a corporate barracuda. Hell, you're not even a corporate guppy. My question is, do you have what it takes to go after Austin Reed and Company?"

Austin apologizes that he didn't get back for dinner. Sami assumes its because Kate told him to stay away from her.

Abe wishes he could do more to help John. The shot of whiskey John takes helps some, though. He remembers Alex' threats to Marlena. Abe tells him to slow down on the booze. John can't, "Alex murdered Lois and intends to make Marlena his next victim."

Alex comes up to the penthouse door, "Marlena will pay for what John did to me. And when she pays, he'll pay." He hears Marlena and Belle yakking inside and thinks, "All I need is Marlena's whiney brat in there. Get rid of her, Marlena."

Marlena and Belle keep it up. Marlena keeps pushing her to ditch Phillip and hook up with Shawn. Belle wants to know what if she lost custody of Claire. "That probably doesn't sound crazy to you since you walked away from our family."

Marlena says, all together now, "I will always be here for you. You have to follow your heart. And we both know, your heart belongs to Shawn."

Belle asks, "Do you really love Alex that much?"


"I do," says Marlena, "He was my first husband, my first love. Shawn is your first love. If you want to be with him you have to act now. You always have a choice."

"So do you," says Belle, "I wish you would remember your life with Dad before it's too late for you."

Marlena says, "Even when I do remember, I will choose Alex."

Alex stands outside and smirks, " I think I have done my work well."

Marlena reiterates, "Alex was my first love. I belong with him. And we both know where you belong."

"I can't be there," says Belle, "The asylum is full."

Bonnie can't believe she snagged the world famous Calliope Bradford to plan the wedding.

Shawn returns. Mimi asks if they will have to postpone the wedding. Shawn tells her they will have to have the wedding without Hope, "She is leaving town alone."

Bo searches the airport. Hope waits. Patrick waits. Bo goes up to the counter and asks if Hope is on a flight. The attendant can't give him that information without a warrant or TSA approval.

Abe tells John they don't know that North will kill Marlena. John says Alex confessed about Lois' murder. Abe says maybe North is playing John, "Maybe there is no truth in anything he says."

Alex stews outside the door while Belle and Marlena rehash. Belle says, "If I leave Phillip, what happens to Claire? I don't want her growing up in a tug-of-war. Look at Sami. She still hangs every bad thing in her life over your divorce."

Marlena says, "There are studies showing some kids never get over a parents' divorce and some that show kids shouldn't stay in a bad family situation. There are no guarantees."

Belle says, "I just think Phillip and I should stay together."

"You don't love him the way you love Shawn," says Marlena, "Don't you think you deserve that kind of love. And don't you think your daughter deserves it too."

"It's too late," says Belle.

"Not unless you give up," says Marlena, "But you have to act fast."

Alex comes in. He has brought flowers. He puts them in water. Marlena tells Belle to think about what she said as Belle leaves. "I am so proud of what you have become," says Marlena, "A whiney bowl of mental Jello."

Calliope tells Shawn the mother of the groom must be at the wedding.

"Well this one won't be," says Shawn.

"I'm sorry," says Calliope, "It was just a reflex. I heard about your patents' situation." Calliope introduces herself. Calliope doesn’t know what's going on in Salem, "All these couples breaking up... Marlena and John, Bo and Hope."

Mimi assures Shawn it will all work out. Bonnie suggests crossing Bo and Hope's names off the list since Shawn is not speaking to Bo and Hope is gallivanting.

Shawn picks up a family picture and contemplates it.

Bo argues with the attendant. Cops come up and ask if there is a problem. Then they recognize the Great Commander Brady and back off. He tells them his situation. The boarding call comes for Morgan Island. Hope boards. Patrick gets in the back of the line

Bo tells the cops not to let Hope get on a plane no matter what she says or does.

"Don't talk about my mother like that," says Austin.

Sami apologizes, "But Kate has said worse about me."

Austin insists, "Your name never came up. Not everything revolves around you, Sami."

That's news to Sami, "You know what she did to keep me and Lucas apart. She's probably even talked to Phillip about me."

"She didn't say anything about you," says Austin, "She did seem concerned about Belle and Phillip, though. It's none of our business unless Belle and Phillip make it ours. Let's get to work please."

Carrie agrees, she isn't a barracuda, but she just had a lesson in how to be ruthless – from Austin, "So the answer is yes, I will do what I have to do."

Victor beams, "Well then, welcome to Titan."

Kate is there to see Victor. Lucas tells her he is in with Carrie. He and Carrie will be working side by side. He hopes Kate remembers what they discussed. She has to stay away or she won't see Will again.

"I already talked to Austin about backing off," says Kate, "I want you to have someone who loves you and won't betray you."

"Like Sami did."

"Or like Carrie did to Austin when she ran off with Mike Horton," says Kate.

Victor comes out. He and Kate talk. She needs advice about the Alex/John/Marlena situation.

"My advice is simple," grumbles Victor, "Stay the hell out of it."

Shawn says whatever Mimi decides about the wedding is fine with him. Calliope tells him that is the wrong attitude. She lectures him about the importance of the groom's participation in the nuptials.

Mimi talks to Bonnie. She didn't put Belle and Phillip on the guest list. Mimi thinks they should be invited since they are, after all, the matron of honor and best man. A knock at the door. Belle. Mimi introduces Calliope. Calliope is happy to meet John and Marlena's little girl. John and Marlena's little girl is a bit confused but that's par for the course.

Abe assures John he is on his side, "What if North confessed in order to bait you, so he could get the restraining order?"

"Come on Abe," says John, "I've been around the block a few times. I'm not letting him get away with this."

Alex puts the flowers down. He hopes Belle didn't leave on his account. Marlena loves the flowers. Alex asks how the wedding planning went. Marlena says Calliope knows her so well, she could plan the wedding without her.

Alex asks if Calliope is another advocate for John.

"She did put in her two cents," says Marlena.

"Yes," says Alex, "On my dime."

She hugs him, "Don't you worry baby."

Marlena looks at a family picture, "There must have been something special about my relationship with John. So many people want us back together."

Alex asks her, "Does this mean you are having second thoughts about renewing your vows with me?"

Patrick and Hope just miss each other on the plane.

The TSA has given Bo clearance to board any plane he wants. He asks which one is leaving next. The attendant points and he runs on to the plane.

Li'l ole Carrie is just amazed at Titan's high finances, "The money Titan threw away on these products would have kept Highstyle going for a year."

"Don't do this to yourself," says Lucas, "I want to show you something I am excited about. For every bad idea we have at Titan, we have ten more bad ideas in development."

While Lucas rambles on, Carrie snoops around and finds a piece of paper. She unfolds it and reads what it says, "This is the beginning of our life together. Nothing could make me happier."

Victor says, "If you hadn't meddled in Sami and Lucas' lives, she would never have been disguised as Stan and working for Tony DiMera. She wouldn't have wreaked havoc on half a dozen lives and Phillip might still have his leg. Tony would never have kidnapped Phillip if Sami hadn't worked for him."

"How dare you say that to me," says Kate, "You hate Sami just as much as I do. Have you forgotten she tried to kill you? She's hurt every man I've ever loved. Now she's after Austin... again."

Sami gripes about Nicole getting to travel the world while she sits here and checks Austin's arithmetic. Austin tells her everyone has her own strengths and weaknesses. Sami decides her strength must be checking arithmetic. She asks what her weaknesses are. "You are easily distracted and too damn nosy," says Austin.

Sami gasps, "That is not true. I'm slaving away. Steam. It's killing me." Sami scows as they get back to work.

Shawn is catatonic as Calliope and Belle talk. Calliope says from Marlena's letters she thought Belle would wind up with Shawn. Shawn stands there wishing he were somewhere else.

Abe comes out of the pub. He finds John sulking on a bench. If John violates the restarting order, he will wind up in jail.

"If I don't," says John, "he kills Marlena."

Abe asks, "If he really killed Lois, why would he confess to you. He would have to be crazy."

"Exactly," says John, "That is why he is so dangerous."

Marlena says she isn't having second thoughts. She has an occasional fleeting thought about John, but he doesn't mean anything to her, "People said we were so much in love. They want us back together. He must have been a wonderful husband and father. I don't know what person."

"He is certainly not the same man now," says Alex.

"No," says Marlena, "He is controlling, obsessive, violent..." She gasps as she sees Alex' scraped up face. "John did that to you, didn't he?"

Bo rushes through the plane, bumping into people, making a nuisance of himself. Hot cop doesn't see either Hope or Patrick. Of course, we have to endure the obligatory scene where he grabs some woman, wheels her around and says, "HOPE?"
"Get away from me," yells the stranger.

Bo comes up empty-handed as they give the pre flight announcement. Hope stares out the window. Likewise with Patrick.

Kate says she didn't come to argue, "It was generous of you to hire Carrie."

"It wasn't charity," says Victor, "She has potential as long as Lucas feelings for her don't interfere. When his feelings get in the way... that is why he backed off on Highstyle. Austin made a good decision."

"He wouldn't have made that decision if he knew Carrie was the CEO," says Kate.

"I wouldn't be so sure."

Kate wants Austin to be happy and have love in his life, "Two things missing from yours..."

Lucas didn't mean for Carrie to see that. He says he was going to give it to Sami on their wedding night. He shows her the product files.

Austin and Sami work. They will have an amazing second quarter. "Good job," says Austin, "We make a terrific team."

Austin finds a cuff link. Sami tells him it must be Lucas', "He stopped by last night." Flashback to the kiss. Austin asks if Lucas was there to try to get back together with Sami. Sami says, "Definitely not. He was just here to talk about Will."

"So why did he leave his cuff link on the floor," says Austin.

"I don't know," says Sami, "His heart is with Carrie. And she said that... Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

Austin asks, "What did she say?"

Sami says, "Oh, come on, Austin, you told me not to be nosy, remember?"

Austin changes his opinion of nosiness, "No, I'm serious. Why don't you tell me, what did she say?"

"She said she doesn't want to be with you again, ever," says Sami, "But she was really upset. She didn't know what she was saying. She will get over it, but based on the way they were acting last night I wouldn't be surprised if our next wedding is Carrie and Lucas."

Carrie the tycoon thinks the stats are a lot to absorb. Lucas suggests dinner. Carrie picks up her notes.

"Actually we won't need those notes," says Lucas, "This isn't a business dinner. I am asking you out on a date." Carrie smiles.

Victor says he is unhappy because Kate won't tell Shawn about Claire, "He has a right to know he has a child."

"No good would come out of telling anyone right now," says Kate, "If you take Phillip's wife and child you take his life."

"I don't want to hurt him," says Victor, "But he has a right to know."

Calliope asks if Belle is happy with Phillip. Belle chokes out a weak yes. Bonnie butts in and tells Calliope they are very happy together, "And so are Mimi and Shawn, whose wedding you are being paid to plan."

Alex admits John roughed up his face – without provocation. Marlena comforts him. Marlena says when they renew their vows John will understand he has to stay away.

"You're right," says Alex, "It will all be over soon."

Abe tells John, "Getting drunk won't help."

"I'm not getting drunk," says John, "I'm expanding my mind. I will do whatever it takes to keep Marlena safe."

Hope stares out the window, "Goodbye Zack... goodbye Bo."

The attendant tells Bo all the planes have left for the night.

"To where," asks Bo.

"We have flights going all over the world," she says.

The cops come up. Bo asks if they found Hope. No luck. Frantic Bo runs out of the airport.

"If he gets on his bike that angry he could kill himself," says Joe the cop.

Pete the cop says, "He wouldn't care."


Previews
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Sami says, "Let's just ignore the fact that Carrie and Lucas are on a date." Austin asks, "What makes you think they are on a date?"

Lucas tells Carrie, "It looks like Sami and Austin are on a date, too."

An exotic voice tells Hope, "Love is gonna find you while you are on this island."

Bo finds an unconscious Billie in the snow, "BILLIE?"