"Like many other Pine Valley residents, Liza and Adam's wedding failed to spur any feelings of happiness for Jake and Gillian. The pair sat on a park bench by the river trying to find a silver lining in an otherwise dark cloud. Jake asked Gillian why she hadn't thrown her bundle of birdseed at the bride and groom. Gillian smiled and remarked that "Americans have the weirdest customs." She proceeded to untie the lace package and spread the seed on the ground. Gillian admitted to being "teary-eyed" at the chapel because of the memories of her own wedding. In Hungary, Gillian said that she would have sat on the banks of the Danube and the placid waters would have washed her sorrow away. Seemingly out of nowhere, the princess told Jake that the Danube divided Hungary's capital city into two parts---Buda and Pest. She wondered aloud if the river in front of her divided her new residence into to parts---Pine and Valley. Jake crinkled his brow and asked Gillian if she was feeling okay. Gillian shrugged slightly and said that a little over a year ago she'd been ready to marry Scott Chandler just to get her green card. Then, Ryan burst into the chapel and asked to marry her. They'd wed for all the wrong reasons and by the time they'd finally found love... their marriage was over. "Ryan used to be my anchor," she said. "Now I'm just drifting again." Jake wanted to brighten Gillian's day so he suggested that they go dancing. He then realized that going to SOS would only make Gillian feel worse because she'd undoubtedly bump into Ryan. Gillian wanted to go out with Jake and promised him that he could drag her out of the club if she so much as looked in Ryan's direction.
Palmer continued to reach out and touch members of the board via his cellular. He phoned one of his closest friends and asked that the word be spread that no meetings or votes would be held unless he specifically asked for it. A woman with short, dark hair walked assuredly into the room. She introduced herself as Maureen Duvall, an aide to the Senator Palmer had called earlier in the day. The Senator was forced to tend to some business in Washington and was unable to meet with Palmer personally. The multi-millionaire grumbled that he was not pleased especially after he'd help the Senator raise campaign money. Maureen assured Palmer that she'd been briefed on the situation and was ready to discuss the matter with him. Palmer smiled fiendishly and stated that he was ready to get rid of Adrian once and for all. "Bury him inside the bowels of the Earth," Palmer cackled. That would have been possible if Adrian was still on the agency's roster. But thanks to a tabloid article exposing Adrian's true identity, Maureen explained, the agency had dismissed Adrian. By outing Adrian as an operative, the tabloid put Adrian and his loved ones in serious danger. Maureen then noted that Palmer had only himself to blame since he'd been the one that had contacted The Intruder. The woman hinted that Palmer should feel fortunate that he hadn't been brought up on charges because he had "already violated several agency protocols." After Maureen left, Palmer got back on the phone. He told his associate that he needed him to contact every stockholder and find out how they plan to vote. By doing this, Palmer would know who he had to finesse into seeing things his way. He vowed that he would not relinquish control of his company to a "hick and her illegitimate spawn."
Mateo dropped by Raquel's condominium to inform her that he'd spoken to Dr. Erle about Max's latest outburst. The therapist voiced her full support for Mateo and Raquel's decision to punish Max. Dr. Erle said that the couple must learn how to set limits for their son's behavior. Mateo told Raquel that he expects his son to respect Hayley even if he doesn't want her as his best friend.
Becca and Scott exchanged smiles and introduced themselves to one another. When Scott mentioned that he was Stuart's son, Becca said that she knew "all about the Chandler twins." Junior and Jamie scampered into the room and asked Becca for permission to go to next door and play with a friend's ferret. Becca granted them permission but cautioned them to be careful around the furry little critter. Becca and Scott sat down on the sofa and Becca immediately noticed Scott's video camera. Scott explained that he'd used the camera to film his Uncle Adam's wedding. Becca asked a series of technical questions that showed she knew an awful lot about the camera. It came somewhat as a surprise to Scott since he didn't expect a Pigeon Hollow native to be up on digital cameras. Scott offered to tape a message from Becca to the bride and groom, but Becca said that she'd feel awkward since she didn't know Adam or Liza. The young woman burst into spontaneous laughter. She apologized for her outburst, but explained to Scott that she'd remembered a joke she'd played on someone back in West Virginia using a video camera. Apparently an attractive male teacher, five years her senior, had put the moves on her during her senior year. The man had asked Becca to consider changing their relationship from teacher-student to friends or lovers after graduation. All of the girls, said Becca, adored the man. Before school was out, Becca learned that the teacher was married and that he had children. No one had any idea that he was married. She used her videotaped project to get back at him. The details were sketchy, but the tape consisted of two parts. In the first part, Becca rambled on and on about how much she cared for her teacher. In the second, she secretly taped the teacher and his family on a picnic. Apparently this was Becca's way of letting him know that his days as a gigolo were over. Shortly thereafter the man packed up his family and left town. Scott's eyes lit up and he announced that he'd just thought of the perfect idea for his documentary.
Stuart and Marian returned home and collapsed on the sofa. Stuart told Marian that she should be very proud of herself because the wedding was a success. As Stuart massaged her feet, Marian reviewed a stack of mail and bills. She questioned a two thousand-dollar bill for some camera equipment. Stuart explained that Scott had bought a new video camera and accessories. Marian was first shocked by the total. Stuart wasn't concerned in the least. He explained that he would give the bill to Adam so that the accountant could make payment. Any bill over five hundred dollars required Adam's approval before the accountant would cut a check. Marian found the arrangement very strange. She and Stuart had once before talked about taking care of their own finances. Stuart saw no reason to change things because Adam had been handling all of the financial arrangements for years. Marian felt that Scott should be learning to take care of his own finances as part of a step towards adulthood. She noted that when she was Scott's age she was forced to get a job to make money. "That sounds mean," Stuart said under his breath. Still, Stuart promised that he'd seriously consider what his wife was saying. Later, Scott burst into the house and proudly informed his father that Becca had helped him come up with the idea for his documentary: "49 ways to leave your lover." The film would feature different people telling their tales about their worst breakups. Becca introduced herself to Stuart who immediately recognized her last name. He was overjoyed to learn that Becca was from his hometown. He fondly remembered how her grandmother was an expert and making herbal remedies. He pulled her close and gave her a big hug. Marian returned to the room and saw the exchange and was not at all happy.
Hayley poured herself a glass of vodka. She reflected for several moments on some of the more painful memories in her recent past---learning that Mateo was married to Raquel and Dr. Erle's admonishment that now was not the time to think about starting a family. Hayley slowly lifted the glass to her lips. Ryan walked into the bar and called out to Hayley. He had no idea what she was doing. Hayley, whose back faced the door and hid the fact that she had a glass of vodka in her hand, slowly put the glass under the bar so that Ryan wouldn't see it. Ryan told Hayley that he'd just come from an ACOA meeting at the hospital. He explained that he'd decided to go because Alcoholics Anonymous had helped Hayley turn her life around. Hayley became agitated and unwilling to listen to Ryan talk about the therapeutic effects of the meeting. She walked out from behind the bar and saw on a barstool. Ryan took a position behind the bar and started tidying up for the club's opening. He came across the glass of vodka and mentioned that he'd have to have a talk with the waiters about leaving glasses of alcohol in the open. "Don't bother," Hayley said just above a whisper. "That glass is mine." Ryan was terrified that Hayley might have had a drink. He asked her how she'd gotten to this point. Hayley told Ryan that she was "blindsided," but that having to repeatedly explain why Mateo was not by her side at the wedding didn't help matters any. Ryan offered to dump out the vodka, but Hayley told him that she had to be the one to get rid of the alcohol. "It doesn't count unless I save myself," she explained. "Alcoholism isn't in a bottle. It's in me." Mateo strolled into the club with a broad smile on his face. He asked Ryan and Hayley how they were doing completely oblivious to what was going on. Mateo apologized to Hayley for missing the reception, but he said that he had had a problem with Max. "What else is new?" Hayley snapped. Ryan said that he'd leave so that the couple could speak in private, but Hayley told Ryan that he didn't have to go. Looking back and forth at Ryan and Hayley, Mateo asked what was going on. Before he could get an answer, Mateo had to go to the back entrance and sign for a shipment of liquor. Ryan urged Hayley to tell Mateo about her near-drink, but Hayley wasn't ready to do that. In her mind she had two choices on what she could do---but neither one was something that she wanted to do. Hayley headed to the back room to talk to Mateo. Meanwhile, Jake and Gillian arrived. Seemingly forgetting the promise she made to Jake, Gillian stopped dead in her tracks and stared across the room at Ryan. In the back room, Mateo scurried back and forth checking the delivery. Again he apologized for "things getting so crazy." Without once looking at Hayley, Mateo told her about his talk with Dr. Erle. "Stop!" Hayley shouted suddenly. Mateo put down the liquor bottles and turned in his lover's direction. "I need to tell you something before I lose my nerve," Hayley continued. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. "I can't do this any more. I-I can't.""
- Soap Central