So at the time I abandoned Mad World, I had started Chapter Twenty-Three, and outlined the story through to Chapter Twenty-Six where I had decided to end it in favor of a sequel to carry on Brianne and the East Side Rapist, but if you’ve gotten to this point, you’re probably as ready to strangle to Jason and Elizabeth as I am and you’re way less interested in all the other moving pieces.

So the rewrite is going to take back the original story and make it a true ensemble piece — with less annoying Jason and Elizabeth nonense. 

Until then, here are the original scenes and outlines for the final four chapters of Mad World.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Friday, December 10, 2004

Kelly’s: Dining Room

Once you make the decision to throw yourself into something–to really put your heart on the line and go for what you want, you’d be surprised at suddenly how easy it all really seemed.

She’d made that phone call on Tuesday night and by Wednesday morning, Jason was sitting in the living room and they were talking. Really talking–not skirting issues or denying anything but being completely honest in ways they hadn’t been months ago when she’d come home from California with Cameron to tell him the truth.

Not everything had been solved and it would probably never be completely perfect, but she could never say she hadn’t given it everything she had. Jason wasn’t moving in but they were going to see each other. There would be dinners, and there would be bike rides–if the snow ever stopped–and of course, there would be the kissing. She had really missed that.

After two days of hashing everything out and coming to a conclusion, she and Jason were ready to start what they had decided would become their routine. They would meet for breakfast before each of them had work and Jason would get to start his day with his family.

They had only just ordered when Carly approached them, plopping into an empty chair as though she had been invited. “I’m telling you that kids are exhausting,” she sighed, signaling for a cup of coffee.

“Carly–” Jason began, intending to inform his friend that this was a private meal but Elizabeth waved a hand at him, indicating it was all right.

“Well, a small boy with as much energy as Michael and a baby Morgan’s age, I’m surprised you’re still standing,” Elizabeth remarked not without sympathy. “What did you in this morning?”

“Math homework,” Carly said, disgusted. “You would not believe the world war we had to have before Michael would finish it. Sonny is gonna have to crack down on him and insist to see the homework instead of just taking Michael’s word for it, because Michael always just tells us it’s done.”

“Yeah, that’s how I handled it with my parents,” Elizabeth said. “I was such a brat that poor Cameron is never going to get away with anything because anything he can think of, I’ve already been there and done that.”

“Exactly,” Carly nodded. She thanked Mike as he set down her coffee. “So what brings PC’s resident Romeo and Juliet together this morning?” she asked, dumping sugar into her coffee.

Jason just blinked at her and Carly decided he wasn’t going to give her any information so she turned her attention to Elizabeth who just raised her eyebrows at the blonde. Carly huffed. “You two aren’t any fun at all.”

PCPD: Conference Room

“Bri, we received some information,” Mac sat across her, a folder in his hands. “It’s about what we expected but it opens up some interesting possibilities.”

“And it also leads to a possible conflict with your prosecution of Diego Sanchez,” Ric remarked.

Brianne frowned and looked from one man to the other before turning her eyes to Lucky. “What did you say to them?” she demanded.

“Bri—” Lucky shook his head. “Our concern here is making sure Diego does the maximum and catching the pig that did this to you.”

“What does one have to do with the other?” Brianne demanded. “I know that Diego claims to know information and happened to know a few…” she swallowed hard. “A few details, but—”

“We have proof that Diego knows more than he’s alluding to,” Mac told her. “He sent you the flowers.”

Brianne blinked. “W-What?” she asked, her heartbeat accelerating. “How can you…why would he…?”

“In addition to you, three other victims of the rapist also received flowers,” Ric told her. “The phone calls scheduling the deliverie—including the ones made to Brook Lynn—were traced back to a motel that Diego was staying in.”

“How would he know that kind of information?” Brianne asked. “I’ve moved since the attack, I imagine the other women have as well. I don’t understand—”

“That’s what concerns us,” Lucky said. “It means our perp has access to that kind information—and the fact that he can get the whereabouts of an ADA…”

“We think Sanchez has had direct contact with the perp,” Mac finished, “and that the perp has been keeping track of his victims. We worry that this recent bout of activity might mean that he has started to target new girls.”

“Or that he might try to attack the old victims,” Brianne said softly. She was silent for a minute. “You think I would make a deal with Sanchez because I was a victim and he could help me put the guy away.”

“It’s crossed my mind,” Ric admitted. “But any deal would have to come through me and as much as part of me would like to make a deal, Sanchez’s terms are a full walk. That’s not an option even if Brook wasn’t a Quartermaine. However, her being a member of a family that basically put the mayor in office makes this a sticky situation. I don’t think I could make a deal at all and not have them come down on my head hard.”

“You say no deal, no deal,” Brianne assured him. “I want to see him behind bars for what he did to her as much as anyone else and I promise you I won’t let anything compromise that. You can’t take me off this case, Ric. I’ve done nothing to deserve it.”

“It’s not a matter of punishing you, Bri,” Lucky huffed. “This case puts you in the spotlight. That’s the last thing any of us wants.”

“That’s not my problem,” Brianne argued. “I’ve worked hard not to be a victim. You can’t make me into one again.”

“All right,” Ric agreed reluctantly. “You’re still on the case but I want Lucky to continue in his current capacity after the trial. If that’s all right with you, Spencer?”

“No problem,” Lucky pledged. “I’ll do whatever’s needed.”

General Hospital: Nurse’s Station
Robin asks Patrick to the wedding.

PCPD: Commissioner’s Office
Ric and Mac discuss East Side rapist, Brooke and his wedding.

Brownstone: Carly’s Apartment
Sonny comes by. His divorce from Carly has been filed and is now final.

Gatehouse: Living Room
Ned and Lois talk about Lorenzo. Lois wants to take Brooke back to Brooklyn.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Saturday, December 19, 2004

Port Charles Hotel: Bridal Room
Alexis and Elizabeth have a moment before the ceremony.

Port Charles Hotel: Lila Quartermaine Room
Carly is there with Steven and Sonny is there with Sam.
Audrey and Jason briefly discuss Elizabeth and Cam.

Port Charles Hotel: Lobby
Patrick and Robin spar, he remarks she’s nothing like her father.

Port Charles Hotel: Lila Quartermaine Room
Brooke and Lucas dance, she wants to be just friends for a while. He agrees.
Alexis throws the bouquet and Brianne catches it.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Friday, December 31, 2004

Port Charles Hotel: Lila Quartermaine Room
Brianne is nervous about the case. She and Elizabeth bond.
Sam and Jax discuss her plan, he is intrigued.
Robin wants answers: How does Patrick know her father?
Steven thinks he and Carly should define their relationship. She balks at commitment.
Lucky, Nikolas, Emily and Elizabeth share a moment. They catch up.
Sonny and Ric share a civil moment.
Brooke and the rest of the teens commiserate about being underage.
Lorenzo brings Maria to the party. Lu takes her under her wing and the teens accept her.
At midnight, all couples kiss: Dillon/Georgie, Lucas/Brooke (cheek), Jason/Elizabeth, Nikolas/Emily and Brianne surprises Lucky by planting a kiss on his cheek.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Wednesday, January 5, 2005

Wyndemere: Conservatory
Jason discusses his job with Nikolas. He’s willing to give it six months before making his final decision.

Kelly’s: Dining Room
The teens have a tense breakfast. It’s Brooke’s first time back. Lu shares some good news.

PCMB: Brianne’s Office
They arrive to find two dozen roses on her desk with the usual attached. Brianne refuses to let it bother her.

Elizabeth’s Cottage: Living Room
Jason takes Cameron for the day, Elizabeth is going to the trial. They discuss moving in together but table it for a while.

Port Charles Hotel: Jax’s Office
Jax calls Sam into his office. He likes her idea, he thinks they should do it together. Sam hesitates but agrees.

Port Charles Courthouse: Courtroom B
The trial begins. Jury selection goes quickly, Brianne opens her case and Lucky, Mac, Mike, Ned, and Steven all testify before lunch.

Kelly’s: Dining Room
Liz joins Brianne and Lucky for lunch.

Port Charles Courthouse: Courtroom B

Brooke testifies. Hartman has only Diego for a witness, who gives the expected testimony. Both lawyers make their closing arguments. The jury goes to deliberate.

PCMB: Brianne’s Office
Brianne barely has time to sit down before she gets the call the verdict is in.

Port Charles Courthouse: Courtroom B
He’s guilty.

← Chapter Twenty-Two |