James: Tick-tock, tick-tock. I'm afraid I'll need an answer. So, do I call an ambulance so you can alert the local law enforcement as to my whereabouts with your last breath, or do I hang up the phone and give you the counteragent so we can get down to business? I see I didn't make myself clear. You are right now experiencing the effects of a fast-acting poison. Even if a Medevac chopper would come now before you die, the doctors wouldn't be able to treat you. I am in possession of the only counteragent. Now, to review -- you can either become a medical mystery on the nightly news, tragically survived by an orphan son, or you can cooperate and live to see your little boy grow up. What will it be?
Nikolas: You got to give it to me. Oh, please.
James: Welcome back.
Nikolas: Uh --
James: Things were a bit touch-and-go for a few moments. Fortunately, I gave you the counteragent in the nick of time.
Nikolas groans.
James: How you feeling? Hmm? Oh, dear, dear, dear! I was really hoping that your brush with death would squelch these futile attempts at defiance. Am I going to have to kill someone of sentimental value to prove that I mean business, Mr. Cassadine? No? Good.
James: Drink up. It'll take the edge off.
Nikolas: Uh --
James: Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Relax, relax. No point in name-calling right now. Just focus on breathing and listening. It's now time to get down to the task at hand.
James: So you see, you need an injection of the counteragent every 24 hours to stay alive
Nikolas: And in turn, you want me to bankroll your new identity?
James: I'm afraid we're going to have to be a little more involved than paying for a fake I.D. You see, you're going to create a whole new life for me.
Nikolas: How's that?
James: Well, we can start by a paper trail. You can put records of homes and automobiles in my name, from Caracas to Connecticut. You can start running a bar tab from Berlin, or a history of child support payments from an ex-wife from the Maldives.
Nikolas: It could take months to arrange those.
James: We have plenty of time to get it up and running. You see, a new identity is just a new beginning. You and what I will become will be going into business together.
Nikolas: You can't -- you can't be serious.
James: Oh, have a little faith, my friend. You're not a known player, but you have holdings all over the world and I'm sure you can easily broker transactions and exchanges for me. Hmm. A bit dry.
Nikolas: Oh. You seem to be forgetting that each and every one of those hostages will recognize you the moment you set your face in public.
James: Well, perhaps I should dye my hair, hmm? What do you think? Or visit a plastic surgeon. A good waste of a perfectly good face.
Nikolas: You're crazy.
James: I'm afraid not. We're about to begin a very lucrative partnership, one that will make us filthy rich, Mr. Cassadine.
Nikolas: Look, if it's money you want, I can make you rich in a matter of days.
James: Do tell.
Nikolas: I'll have 20 million wired into an account of your choice, if you agree to leave my son and me alone.
James: Well, that's a very generous offer, but, you see, 20 million won't do me any good if I'm dead -- and that's exactly how the people who lost their dignity at the metro court deal want me to be found.
Nikolas: All the more reason why you should just take the money and disappear.
James: See, therein lies the problem. Because I've been constantly looking over my shoulder, you know, wondering where and when my past transgressions will catch up with me -- and, believe me, they will. No, think the real option is to start a new life, and what better place than here?
Nikolas: You can change your appearance, your accent -- whatever -- but someone will recognize you.
James: I think I'll take a cue from the illustrated priest. I'm going to be a remorseful twin anxious to atone for my evil brother's sins. What do you think -- too cliche, hmm?
Nikolas: 40 million.
James: I can make 10 times that with our new business venture.
Nikolas: Well, then you name your price, then.
James: I already did. I think it's time for you to accept that you're stuck with me.
Knock on door.
Nikolas: Come in. Norma, is, uh, Spencer down for the evening?
Norma: Yes, sir. And Elizabeth Webber's here to see you?
Nikolas: Send her in.
James: How is Nurse Webber? Has she had the child yet? I think she should call him "Hostage."
Nikolas: I don't want her involved in this.
James: Then you better play along, because if she suspects that something is amiss, I'll be forced to take desperate measures.
Elizabeth: Thanks, Norma. Hey. I hope you don't mind, but Emily asked me to stop by so we could --
Nikolas: Oh, yeah.
Elizabeth: Are you okay?
Nikolas: Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just --
Elizabeth: You don't look fine. Do you have a fever?
Nikolas: I do, actually. It's just a touch of the flu. Alfred's been out with it all week. I'm okay, though.
Elizabeth: Oh. Well, you don't want to take any chances, especially with a baby in the house. I think you should go to G.H., have someone look at you.