James: Get in the chair, Mr. Cassadine. You see, I've injected you with a lethal, fast-acting, and none-too-pleasant poison, and I'm the only one with a counteragent, which means you're going to do exactly as I tell you.
Nikolas: You escaped from there with your life. Why would you come back here?
James: Very good, Mr. Cassadine. You're keeping your panic at bay, you're drawing me into conversation to buy time and assess the situation -- very good.
Nikolas: You know, the police are looking for you.
James: Oh, I can't say I blame them. But they won't be searching here, which means you're entirely at my mercy. You know, I must confess, you were one of my more annoying hostages. I'm tempted to sit back and watch the last hour of your life. You see, as the drug does its work, you'll struggle with increasing fear and panic to continue breathing. Fortunately, you have a more agreeable option. You see, my buyers were extremely disappointed that I failed to deliver the goods that were being held at the Metro Court vault. So I need a new identity, deniability, money for my next venture, and you are in a position to provide them all. In exchange, you get to stay alive.
James: In about 30 minutes, you're going to feel very, very sick indeed. But if I give you the counteragent, you'll be normal for the next 24 hours -- and then, of course, the process starts over.
Nikolas: And what -- and what if I don't get it?
James: You die.
Nikolas: Why are you doing this?
James: Well, you're a very wealthy man, and you have Greek, Russian, and U.S. Citizenships. You're not affiliated to any of my business associates, and best of all, you have a great deal to lose, Nikolas Cassadine.
Nanny: Mr. Cassadine? Am I interrupting?
Nikolas: Uh -- no. Could you -- could you come back later, though, please?
James: No, no, no, no, it's quite all right. This -- this must be the son you've told me so much about. Aw. He's so cute.
James: Aw. What an adorable child. Now, I believe he has your eyes, Nikolas. And look at how alert he is -- they say it's a sign of intelligence, you know?
Nanny: So you work with Mr. Cassadine, sir?
James: Oh, well, you see, we're about to conclude a -- a deal that is extremely beneficial to both of us. You could say it -- it's going to save both our lives. Right, niki?
James chuckles.
Nikolas: Thank you. You can -- you can put him to bed now.
Nanny: Yes, sir.
James: Good night, little one. Let me help you. Good night.
Nikolas: You touch him, I'll kill you.
James: Well, you see, without me, you'll die in a matter of hours.
Nikolas: What do you want?
James: You're going to arrange a new identity for me -- a new name, history, immigration records -- and it needs to be ironclad. So if I get recognized as the man who took the Metro Court hostage, I'll just pretend that I'm my own twin -- just like that oddly tattooed priest.
Nikolas: What do you want, a passport, what --
James: And tax records and birth certificates and a whole new life. This will take time and money to construct.
Nikolas: If I give it to you, you'll leave?
James chuckles.
James: What, and waste the bulk of your resources? No, no, no. We will conduct business in the international market. You see, the Cassadine holdings will be the perfect camouflage for my particular type of transaction.
Nikolas: I'll give you the identity, but that's it.
James: Well, we'll see about that -- in about 15 minutes.
James: As I understand, it becomes more difficult to breathe as the poison takes effect. The pain is apparently excruciating. So, where do you say you are on a scale of one to 10?
Nikolas: I'm not going to p-- play games with you.
James chuckles.
James: I'm sure you're not. You see, your speech is already labored. I'm afraid that the poison is moving more rapidly than I expected. See, pain is a great motivator, partner.
Nikolas: We're -- we're not partners.
James: You see, I have the counteragent ready should you change your mind. It won't cure you, but it'll keep the symptoms at bay for the next 24 hours. Or you could call 911 and report me to the police. In that case, I will be carted off to jail, and you will go to the hospital. But since you only have 30 minutes to live, you'll probably arrive D.O.A. What shall it be, Niki? Shall I dial it?