[Having not left his ISA room in days, Shane continues poring over the Roman files, talking to himself of course.]
Damn! I feel like I'm not getting anywhere with these bloody files. I know there are people on this island and in Salem who know something, but everyone is so tight lipped. Kim definitely has thoughts about her brother, but she just won't share them. I wish I could get a hold of Kayla. Shawn and Caroline didn't seem to know where she was. (And it would be nice to reminisce about our misguided days together. God love Mr. and Mrs. Brady, who are so certain that this Roman is their boy. They were so certain about John being Roman too. A little story about the chicken pox and they're convinced...

[Shane decides to make a call to Bo. Not only can he share his insights about Roman, but maybe he knows something about where Hope might be hiding.]

Bo: Gov'ner? How you doing ol' pal? What can I do you for?

I've got some cases I'm working on that I hope you can help me with. First of all, have you heard from your wife recently?

Bo: No, I haven't. Haven't you? She's on that island with you, isn't she?

It's a long story. Suffice it to say that Princess Gina has made a reappearance, and not in a nice way.

Bo: Oh, my Fancy Face is fighting her demons again and I'm not there to help her. But then again, that's nothing new. I'm never around for her or the kids.

I had her cooped up in the padded cell here in the ISA room, but she escaped and hasn't been seen in days. I'm sure she's fine, but it's what she might do to the rest of us that I worry about. But...can we get on to your brother?

Bo: My brother? Phillip?

No...your other brother...what is it with you people and these teens?

Bo: Roman?

Yes, Roman. I'm doing some investigating and I'm not that convinced that we know who the real Roman is. The guy with the curly hair is on the island, again claiming to be Roman. I know that Chris is in Salem claiming he's Roman as well. Then there's always John Black. After seeing the curly haired guy again, constantly clutching a picture of Marlena, I'm starting to think he is indeed Roman. But, John and Marlena are the ones who seem to have that never ending passion, that connection that soulmates have, which make me think he is indeed Roman.

Bo: You're making very little sense.

[Frustrated] I know...that's why I need help. Are you going to help me or what?

Bo: What can I do?

I want you to talk to John. Probe him about his childhood memories. See what he remembers as Roman. Then pass along some notes to me. I'll ask this curly haired guy the same questions to see what he says.

Bo: I'll do what I can. I'll fax you some notes by the end of the week.

Thanks pal.



confessed by Shane Donovan at 11:17 PM

[Crawling from her tent out into the bright sunlight, a squinty-eyed Laura looks around the campsite. As a dull pain settles behind her eyes, she rolls her neck and tries to release the pent up tension. Hearing the grate of bone on bone, Kim looks up from where she's cleaning fish.] Ugh...ever feel like you have a hangover for no reason?

Kim: [Unconvinced], Hangover or strung out?

Well no...[laughs lightly], but at least if I felt strung out there might be some logical explanation. [Blinking tearily, Laura tilts her head in quiet consideration. After a moments pause, she ventures tentatively.] So where'd the fish come from?

Kim: [Kim offers a tight smile as Laura's eyes follow her straying glance over to where Sam and Roman are in the midst of a heated conversation.] Roman finally decided to put the fishing skills Pop taught him to good use.

[With a small sigh of relief], Oh...did you tell Shane?

Kim: [Again looking up from the fish, Kim's eyes darken and her voice takes on a dangerous edge.] No...why would I?

[As the tension washes over her, Laura gnaws her lower lip.] I'm sorry...it's just, well, Shane's been so baffled by Roman's less than Romanesque behavior [shifting uncomfortably on the balls of her feet], I thought that maybe...[Her voice begins to trail off into a muffled whisper.] Nevermind.

Kim: [With guarded curiosity], You thought what?

[Squarely meeting Kim's gaze], I don't know exactly...just that you'd want Shane to know. I mean, it just seems so obvious to me that you're convinced of Roman's identity. [Smiling sadly], And I know you've been working with Shane on the files...[Subtly shrugging her shoulders, Laura lets the idea hang in the heavy air--incomplete. Finally, she can stand the silence no more.] So you want some help? I don't know much about cleaning fish, but...

Kim: [Cutting her off], No that's all right...I'm about done anyway.

[Nodding quietly, Laura turns to the supply crate in search of water. Groaning wearily, she holds up a bottle of Midol.] Would it have killed these people to give us some simple Aspirin? [Chuckling darkly, she throws the bottle back in the crate.] What the Hell good is this...unless of course this is pre-menstrual cramping of the brain. [Almost in spite of herself, a tiny giggle escapes Kim's lips as she nods in agreement.]

Can I ask you a question?

Kim: I guess...if I can reserve the right not to answer you?

Fair enough. [With a visible shudder, Laura glances around the camp.] Is it just me or is the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife? [Laura feels the hair stand up on the back of her neck as she turns to find Stephano's intense black eyes boring into her.]

Kim: [A cold shiver runs through Kim at the sight of Dimera's dangerous glare.] It's not just you.

[A crooked grin curls Laura's lips.] What a relief. [Feeling an unfamiliar hand on her back, Laura turns suddenly. With wide haunted eyes, she gasps.] Jesus, Bob! You scared me half to death. [Breathing deeply, she tries to calm the heavy pound of her heart.]

Bob: [A slightly disheveled Bob smiles sheepishly.] Sorry...[Feeling like a third wheel, Kim returns to her work.] Didn't mean to startle you.

It's okay...[Grinning shyly], I guess I'm a little jumpy. [Her eyes scan the camp. Furrowing her brow, she notes that Stephano has again vanished. For a moment she begins to wonder if he was ever even really there. Muttering to herself], Wishful thinking.

Bob: What?

Nothing...[With a smile that never quite reaches her eyes], So, Bob, what can I do for you?

Bob: No.

No?

Bob: [Grinning mischievously], It's what I can do for you.

[Smirking], That sounds like an indecent proposal if ever I heard one.

Bob: [Grabbing her hand], Come on, let's go. [He begins to pull Laura towards the woods.]

[Pushing her free hand into his chest, Laura stops him.] Hold up Sparky--I don't recall saying I'd go anywhere with you. [Releasing her hand, Bob runs his fingers through his beard and leans forward as his eyes glow brightly.] At the very least you are telling me just where you plan on taking me.

Bob: Marlena wanted me to come get you.

[Stepping back slightly, Laura finally takes in Bob's disheveled form.] Marlena?

Bob: Yeah.

[Cautiously], Why?

Bob: [Shrugging], I don't know exactly...she got some food and champagne out of one of the cabins on the island...

And?

Bob: And she said if I'd come get you that the two of you would share the bounty.

[Arching her brow], Bounty? Is that what the kids are calling it these days? [Reaching up with one finger to scratch her eyebrow, Laura ponders Bob's words.] Why me?

Bob: Why not? [Laura doesn’t respond.] I don't know; she seemed kinda bored.

[Dryly], That's what I'm afraid of. [Taking stock of the anxiety-ridden camp, Laura is reminded of the cold thunderous intensity behind Stephano's eyes. Smiling, she again turns her honey colored eyes to Bob.] Well so long as you promise not to desert me, I suppose I could go along... Lord knows I'm hungry. And, besides, I have a question I want answered.

confessed by Laura at 9:38 PM

Another One Bites the Dust

The results of the last vote are in...well, mostly. Grace told me her vote. Apparently she's too busy stealing food and alcohol from out-of-bounds buildings with Bob, no less to actually vote the real way. Well, we'll just see what she has to say when I personally vote ol' Bob off the island and replace him with Joe. Heh. I don't think even Grace could take Joe.

Anyway, the results are in, and Susan Banks, please gather your things, especially that suede bikini, leave your parting words, and get the heck off the island.

Everyone else, THE NEXT VOTE IS DUE IN to the Tribal Council E-Mail by midnight ET on Tuesday night. Don't forget!
confessed by Your Host, The Big BadAss at 1:25 AM