October 24, 2007 Screencaps

Nikolas: So how did a reasonably friendly divorce between two people who've practically known each other forever end up in mediation in front of a judge?

Lucky: One word -- "lawyers."

Nikolas: Lucky, I told you that Alexis and Diane would try to outdo each other. So if you know that going in, ignore all the posturing and focus on what's best for your children.

Lucky: All I wanted to do was secure a place in Jake and Cameron’s lives. Instead, I could wind up losing them forever.

Elizabeth: Thank you. I cannot believe I am this nervous. The last thing I wanted was to be sitting across the table from Lucky, listening to lawyers rip our lives apart. Who knows what kind of hurtful things they'll dredge up?

Lucky: Well, I can't even see the boys until after the arbitration, if then.

Nikolas: Look, is there any way you can just back off a little?

Lucky: Elizabeth and I, we agreed on almost everything until she dragged Jason's lawyer into it.

Nikolas: Look, I seriously doubt that Elizabeth would allow Jason or his lawyer to influence any decision she makes about her children.

Lucky: Okay, so what about me? I am Jake’s father; I might as well be Cameron’s. Don't I deserve some influence?

Nikolas: Yes. I'm just saying don't go into the mediation expecting the worst. At least give Elizabeth the chance to be reasonable.

Lucky: Well, I wish I could trust Elizabeth to do the right thing. I guess I just lost almost all faith in her. I guess that's why we're getting a divorce.

Elizabeth: Alexis sees this whole thing as a competition and she'll do anything to win, even use the custody of Jake as a bargaining chip.

Emily: I'm sure Lucky regrets going along with that.

Elizabeth: Oh, no. He told me that if the judge had granted the petition for emergency guardianship, he would've taken Jake away from me.

Emily: Wow. See, Elizabeth, you've known for a while that your marriage was over, but Lucky didn’t. He was counting on a future with you and the boys, and now, that's not going to happen, and he's devastated.

Elizabeth: Lucky and I have invested so many years.

Emily: Try to remember that, okay, when you're in the mediation. Lucky might not be dealing with this in the best way, but he's still a really good person. Just hold on to that, Elizabeth. Try to remember all the times when you saved each other. Lucky believed in you, he encouraged your dreams.

Elizabeth: Until my dreams changed.

Emily: For all of the times that Lucky helped you, maybe you could try to help him now, too.

Emily: I had to get Elizabeth dressed -- that's how nervous she is about this mediation.

Nikolas: Lucky has more to worry about than Elizabeth does. He hasn't been very discreet about Sam. That affair will hurt him in the mediation.

Emily: Yeah, and so will filing for emergency guardianship of Jake. What was Lucky thinking? If he would just back off, then Elizabeth would, too.

Nikolas: I tried to tell him that, but it didn't register. At least I allowed him to vent without flying off into some rage.

Emily: Hey -- have you heard from Patrick?

Nikolas: Yeah -- inconclusive, so far. I have to go back to the hospital tomorrow, run some more tests. I'm so tired of this. How am I supposed to deal with the problem if I don't know what the problem is, and why can't out what it is?

Emily: Nikolas, you have never been known for being all that patient. You know that, right?

Nikolas: Yeah.

Emily: And whatever it is, I'm going to be here.

Nikolas: Okay. You know, the worst part of it is, is that when it happens, I don't have any control over it. Like I told you before, I'm just -- I'm afraid that eventually I'm going to hurt someone that I care about.

Emily: I'm honored to give you the very first invitation, and the rest are also going to be delivered by hand.

Lulu: Do I have to wear a white dress?

Nikolas: Oh, it's --

Emily chuckles.

Nikolas: It's a black-and-white ball. You can either wear a black or a white dress, and men wear white ties and tails.

Emily: Yeah, it's a gorgeous effect.

Lulu: Yeah, it sounds amazing.

Emily: Huh. Yeah, the entire ball is a gift from Nikolas, and -- uh -- it's a bit of an inside joke.

Emily chuckles.

Emily: And he's going to be announcing an endowment in my father's name, and he's also paying homage to one of my favorite nights -- the Bacchanalia Ball.

Nikolas: You were too young to remember the last one, but we hope you can join this one.

Lulu: Um, can I bring a date?

Nikolas: Bring anyone you like.

Lulu: Only if you promise not to try to kill them.