MinervaFan

Quick post, because my break is almost over. I'm working on a little essay about Luke & Laura (and Tracy) that I intend to post to LiveJournal. Reading the transcripts of last night's bacchanalia--erm, Break Room Chat, I realized I have a lot of thoughts on this issue. Unlike many of you, I was alive during the throes of L&L Mania in the late 70s/early 80s. I was 15 when Luke married Laura, and remember having VERY definite opinions on it. I'm going to revisit those opinions, see how they've changed, how seeing Luke with Tracy has changed my opinion of him, and how 25 years have got me seeing Laura in a much more sympathetic light. I'm older now, and a lot less judgemental. And I still love LuNacy. I think it has a strong potential to continue and to flourish. I like Laura, and I'm sorry for the L&L fans. But I hope this resolves some SERIOUS issues I've always had with the pairing. Probably, not, in GuzaLand, but we can hope.

Reading the chat transcript from late last night. Regency, you're writing fics about sexy!Tracy and not cutting me in on the beta-deal? You are so in the puppy-house, girl. MsQ, I checked J-E.com this morning. It looks like Tracey went with something totally different for the header banner, because it includes a tiny version of the Earth Goddess photo. about your header banners, but she did say she was using your banners on the individual pages. I'm totally psyched today--J-E.com is live and mostly fully functional, we KNOW TQ is on today, and it's election day. (You have a voice. Use it. VOTE.) I'm going to work now, but I will come back and talk to you guys later. ETA: Did I mention the AU story is at 51 pages (22K words)? And she's not even a Quartermaine...yet...

Jane is soooooo purty. She makes the fangirls go SQUEEEEEE! I'm not sure why, but this seems to be the heart-pounding picture of the day. Be forewarned--it's huge. But soooo worth the wait. Oh, and joy-rapture-bliss! Tracey has informed us that, barring any unforeseen catastrophes, www.jane-elliot.com should be fully up and running tomorrow. I know the boards and galleries are already in full swing. She mentioned something about vids, which makes me alllll twitchy and happy inside. I like the cookie. (Me=Hammy, Tracy=Cookie)

A little birdie told me I've been slacking on my Tracy Posting duties, so I thought I'd catch you guys up with what's been going on. Fey and I have been doing things pretty much every Saturday for the last month, and will continue our Saturday excursions through the end of the year. So that just chops my weekend online time in half. Sundays are a toss-up, depending on what chores/errands/catch-up we have to do (and also on how bad the Redneck is being and how badly we need to get out of the house.) On the Tracy front, I actually had a very productive Sunday. Fey and I sat and watched Thursday and Friday's episodes (much Tracy Love) last night. I'm still amazed at how incredibly beautiful JE looked on those days, and how well she executed her scenes. I spent most of the day Sunday packing boxes (we are SO moving in January) and cleaning, but I still managed to get 10 pages written on the AU story. The current page count is 46 (20K words) and it's about half done. I'm not saying this is going to be a 92 page story. I'm just saying that in my mind, I'm at the center point. It's a huge storyline, and Tracy's part is just about to get much, much bigger. I was stalled on it for a long time, maybe getting two-five pages done every few days. But I think this last burst got me over the hump, and I will be able to get more done, quicker, now that the really hard stuff is over. I've also been posting quite a bit on the Jane-Elliot.com message boards. I'm not trying to dilute my efforts, but I really want this forum to succeed, because JE totally deserves her own spot on the web. I do apologize for missing so many chats. Fey and I share online time, and when she's in school, my access is limited. I will be picking her up at the college computer lab tonight, so I may be online in the break room around 6 pm eastern, if anybody wants to check. Again, I'm sorry I've been slacking on my fannish duties. You know I love you guys, and that my LURVE for LaTracy is undying!

Couldn't miss it. Carly's speechless about as often as Tracy is. I just adored the look on Tracy's face when she was snarking at CarJax. Granted, I know it was the alcohol and pain talking, but JE has the cutest expressions.....

*pets Lainey* These weeks are going to be the toughest on you, I think, Little Camper. But I'm telling you, Luke may be Luke, and he may be acting like a jacka$$ right now. But he does care about Tracy. He can't divide his feelings right now. He's in SuperHero mode, and Laura is his Damsel in Distress. All other things are Obstacles to rescuing the damsel, including Tracy. I think my interpretation of their scenes together on Friday are different than other people. Yeah, I think Tracy was about to spill the beans until Luke cut her off at the pass. His lie was believable and based in the truth, so it really took very little for Tracy to play along with it. In fact, it gave her a very good excuse to be there and keep an eye on him, so it served her purposes to agree with him. When Laura asked "why," and Tracy made that comment about the big ROI, I paid very close attention to Luke's face. He was grateful, and actually smiled a little. I know it's not much, but I think every once in a while, something cuts through this giant wall of "GOTTA SAVE LAURA" that's surrounded Luke to the exclusion of all other relationships in his life. Let's face it--Luke hasn't treated Lulu or Lucky or Bobbie or Leslie any better than he's treated Tracy. He's developed tunnel vision, and Tracy's just another victim. It just seems worse because, well, we love Tracy and we don't want her hurting. As for the secret Luke's hiding? I don't think it's his love for Tracy. Sorry, but no. It's some other Guza-fied plot device, like Dr. Miracle Worker is actually Sonny's love child or he's had to sell the Haunted Star to the Cassadines to fund the purchase of the wonder drug.... On the topic of LuNacy, post-Laura. It's a definite possibility. Tracy is hurt, but she's in love and she's loyal. She would let Luke make it up to her, especially if he was devastated afterwards and turned to her for support. (Girl is a powerhouse, but can really be a sucker for a man who needs her.) Luke is being a sh$$, but come on--put this against Paul Hornsby or Mitch Williams. He's not so much worse than her other husbands, and it's not like she's ever had a GOOD husband to compare him to. Paul and Mitch were downright vicious to her, barely concealing their obvious contempt for her. Luke doesn't feel contempt for her. He may not return her feelings (YET), but he admires her and respects her power and is mostly amused by her. There is affection between them, a connection that wasn't there with Mitch or Paul. OTOH, Luke, like all her other husbands, is still all about Luke and Luke's Agenda. Tracy may let him back, but she's going to demand her pound of flesh. And Luke might give it to her...in his own way. I think their relationship will always be a power struggle, but that's how they like it. And if (gawd forbid) those two ever start working with each other, instead of against each other, they will still argue and squabble and jockey for position, but the rest of the world will quake in its boots.

For Regency, who lives in a Bad Place that interrupts Tracy scenes with news reports. Tracy Sees Laura >

Dear TracyQ: I know you are stunned and wounded and saddened by what happened to you yesterday in General Hospital. I know that finding out about Laura's recovery that way was painful and inexusable. I want you to know I'm proud of you. I'm proud of your grace, and your strength, and your dignity. You pulled yourself together and showed kindness and generosity to that poor woman, even though everyone around you doubted you would...or could. You managed to find your inner calm in a situation that would have had lesser women crumbling. I know you think the world is against you now, that you will be lost in all the celebrating and reunions and happiness that Laura is back. But there is one person here who will not forget you, who never takes her eyes off of you. I have not abandoned you. I see your tears, and your victories. I am with you on the lonely nights when you think no one at all cares if you live or die. In life, I may have let you down, but in death, I am your guardian, your guide. There is a light at the end of this tunnel, my darling Tracy. Be brave. Hold on to that light inside of you, and keep moving forward. I will be with you every step of the way. With all the love in the universe, Mother

Dear Pod!Dillon: Do you not have a cell phone? Do you not know where your mother's room is? You found out about Laura on TUESDAY NIGHT! It is now Thursday. Did it not ONCE occur to you, you weasly, pathetic, self-centered little sack of refuse, to WARN your mother that her husband's first wife was back from her rutabaga state? Real!Dillon would have known how much his mother cared for Luke. Real!Dillon would have understood how vulnerable his mother is underneath that tough shell. Real!Dillon would not have ever, ever wanted to see Tracy the way she was today at GH. But Real!Dillon is dead, lost in a maze of hair product, absurd glasses and bad argyle sweaters. Real!Dillon, who admired his mom, who defended her, who loved her even after he realized that she had a dark side, has gone away, possibly forever. I miss you, Real!Dillon. Pod!Dillon? Don't even consider crossing me in a dark ally, loser. Signed, Tracy's Avenger

Dear Luke Spencer. Your house of cards is going down, Dude. Hope you have enough callouses on your butt to cushion the fall. Signed, The Winds of Fate P.S. "The Second Mrs. Spencer" looked totally hot today. P.P.S. Putz.

I braved SoapZone. SPOILERS FOR TODAY She comes on around the half-hour point. She nearly faints. She is PISSED. Bobbie is PISSED. Leslie is PISSED. They're ALL pissed at LUKE. Even people who normally don't like Tracy say they feel sorry for her, and that Luke is a COMPLETE jerk. Guys, I think this is going to be one of the "Good Days." Is it five o'clock yet? Pleasepleasepleaseplease let me have a tape waiting for me when I get home. (Get this? My cable miraculously fixed itself last night. Let's just hope it stays miraculously fixed long enough to tape my show!) *dancing around for TRACY DAY* IS IT FIVE O'CLOCK YET?????

So. How accurate are those spoilers????? I have to be very, very honest here. I'm thrilled about this. But I'm also sad for Luke, Lulu, Lucky, Leslie, and Bobbie. I mean, how agonizing must that be, to get her back for such a brief time? She's so integral to their lives and so much a part of them all. Getting her back, just for a month, is almost more cruel than if they hadn't gotten her at all. I want Luke and Tracy together. I really do, because I think they are good for each other in a very powerful way. I think this ordeal is going to bring them closer, mainly because it looks like Tracy is very much going to take the high road throughout. But I really feel sorry for Lulu and Lucky and all of them. I know I'm in a minority here, but I like Genie Francis. And I'm starting to like Laura, too. Not as a partner for Luke, because the girl is just TOO dang weak for him. But as a mom and a friend to those people who know her, I think Laura is wonderful. And if I didn't think she was an obstacle to MY GIRL's happiness, I'd be all for Laura/GF staying on the show. She brings out a lightness in the Spencers that's been missing for a long time. I like her. On the FIC news--my AU story is 36 pages long. Marco is about to rescue Tracy from the Evil Rednecks from Hell and return her to the bosom of her loving, completely functional and warm family. (Yes, boys and girls, we know where my inspiration comes from.....) This is going to be a long one, folks, probably around 60 or so pages. So thanks for your patience. I might write a couple of short things to fill in the time while I work on it, though....

Lalalalalalaaaaaa!!!!! *hands over ears* Not hearing negative..... Lalalalalalaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!! In the BreakRoom, if anybody wants to hang out for a little while. Oh, and the dogs CHEWED through the cable wire in the living room (Fey's and my TV), so I'm having to depend on Fey's mom to tape OLTL and GH tomorrow and Friday. Any kind person want to volunteer to post the TQ clips for those days, so as not to have to listen to me whine and beg repeatedly? :angelic smile: I just wanted to add a little something special for The TQ Ficathon Authors. You guys rock the Casbah!

Hey, thanks for posting the emails. I know that snail mail carries more weight, but frankly, I'm looking at time. I sent the following email to ABC Soaps in Depth. If you see it in print, you know who wrote it. With everybody focused on the hype of Laura's return to Port Charles (and GH), am I the only person noticing Luke's reluctance to be swept into the joy? GH has been hinting around for months that there is more to Luke and Tracy's marriage than just money and inconvenience. With the impermanence of Genie Francis's return and the obvious chemistry between Tony Geary and Jane Elliot, could it be that Laura's return will facilitate a more serious relationship between Luke and Tracy? Personally, I would relish this coupling in a serious way. They are flawed, complex, funny, intelligent, and frankly...ten minutes with LuNacy has more impact than hours of Jason and Sam, or Elizabeth, or whatever. Listen up, Powers That Be--the world is ready for a grown up supercouple. Luke and Tracy totally get my vote. Probably seeds in the wind, but maybe one will take root.....

Oh, MsQ, that is downright cruel! Somebody has to have a clear picture of Tracy and Helena in their witches costumes! Tracy (from what I could tell) looked downright sexy....of course, you know me and Tracy. We go back a long way. I've always thought she was sexy, even when she was just an ickle baby witch! I'm loving the optimism, too. It's been so gloomy and depressing around here for so long. It's nice to see spirits up. Let's hope Thursday rocks as much as we think it will. Totally off-topic, today is the sixth annivesary of when Fey and I started dating! Actually, we started sometime in October, couldn't remember the exact date, and chose October 31st as our anniversary. (We celebrate twice--our "moving in together anniversary" is on April 16.) You know, I think you may be right. Isn't there an email address for Frons, Guza, etal? Maybe we should all send emails. We want Jane, and we're not gonna take no for an answer? Just curious.

Oh, come on--Luke/Tracy/Laura. It's vintage Guza. Especially if he can make Tracy look like the bad guy in all this. At least TG is playing it like Luke has feelings for Tracy, like he feels guilty for the pain he's causing her. Hell, he even seems a little embarrassed by the fact that he will probably fall for Laura again. And what's with Robert, anyway? Encouraging Luke to go for it? What's behind that stuff? You know I don't buy the RAcy thing at all--no sexual chemistry at all, but good friend potential there. Robert has been pushing Luke on the Tracy subject since he's gotten back. He's always been the Jiminy Cricket, reminding Luke that he could lose her, that she won't put up with his junk forever. Do you think Robert is trying to force the issue? Force Luke to admit he has feelings for Tracy? Or is it just bad writing? Robert says things because they need to be said and he's the character on screen? I don't know. But every episode I watch is making me feel that Tracy/Jane is going to stay on the show, because there's going to be a lot of aftermath to clean up. Oh, and Happy Halloween.

The following is my opinion, not based on any inside information. I believe: Jane is not leaving the show. Luke will eventually wind up with Tracy. LuNacy has a future. Tony Geary will win an Emmy this year. All will be well. I believe.

Breakroom, anybody? It's 5:45 Eastern. I'm with you totally. Paul Hornsby was a sludge, and he's not even worthy to be spit upon by Tracy. If they brought him back, it would only be to prop Dillon, and frankly, he's not necessary for that. (I could be influenced by the fact that I now equate Paul Hornsby irrevocably with Spencer Truman from OLTL. Lord, if I didn't hate him before, I hate him now.) No, Tracy doesn't need Paul back in her life. As for Luke not being goo enough for her? Well, duh. But slumming might be the best thing for Tracy--ground her, give her something besides her own dysfunctional family to deal with. I'm still LuNacy hard-core, but I'm a Tracy fan first. I'd rather see her uncoupled than alone, and coupled with someone else before she's in another abusive relationship. (Yeah, Paul was abusive, from everything I saw.) Whatever they do, just don't let her fall for a guy just like Dear Old Dad!

At this point, *close your eyes, LaineyBev*, I couldn't care less if Luke and Tracy stayed together, as long as JE stays on the show and has screen time. Now, I still think L&L are boring as all got-out, and will never until the end of time understand the hype. I like Genie, but I never understood the Laura-love. But, according to Fey, that makes me like, a minority of one. If Tracy stays and has something to do, even if it's making people's lives miserable, I'm okay with that. I'd prefer her to have something positive to do--but I'm not greedy. Oh, and the chick from SD who met Jane and John? Let's be honest, who on this board would NOT humiliate themselves at this point if they met JE? I know I would--either drooling or blubbering, or grinning like a total moron.

Thoughts after finally forcing myself to watch Friday's episode. 1. I don't think Laura is, was, or ever will be strong enough to be paired with Luke, sickness or not. She just seems so...pliable, fragile, and sweet. Luke needs a stronger type of woman. Like, a Quartermaine woman, for instance. (As opposed to a "fake" Quartermaine.) 2. I STILL don't get the Luke & Laura thing. When I see Luke and Tracy together, they zing and pop and sparkle. When I see Luke & Laura together, I see two talented actors playing the part of being in love. I don't believe it for a heartbeat. I didn't believe it in 1981 and a quarter of a century later, I still don't believe it. 3. I think if Luke ever does try to keep Tracy in his life, he's going to have to grovel. Not crawl. Not beg. Grovel. 4. This week is gonna be really, really hard on Our Girl. 5. Patrick and Robin should be smacked, hard, for not MENTIONING to Laura's kids that, maybe, they shouldn't, oh, rush in on her and send her back into Freak Out Land..... Waiting for today's episode, with queasy stomach and clenched jaw..... And yeah, I STILL like Genie Francis. I just don't want Luke and Laura together.

Break Room, anybody? It's about 10 Eastern.

Title: At the Café Author: MinervaFan Fandom: General Hospital Character: Tracy Quartermaine Word Count: 2601 words Rating: R Pairings: Tracy/Luke Ficathon: No Summary: Four years after their divorce, Tracy and Luke have a brief encounter in Brussels. Author’s Note: LaineyBev requests something to get us through this current dark times in LuNacy history. I believe, too, Lainey. URL: http://community.livejournal.com/tq_ficathon/52792.html

Breakroom? http://pub13.bravenet.com/chat/show.php/1049349012 Still in the breakroom, if anybody's interested. LaineyBev, Operation LuNacy Reunited is on Page 4. Everybody else, Operation Hard Core Computer Desk Cleaning has recovered my lost disk of video clips. We launch into Operation Happy Dance! *dance dance dance dance* Oh, and Lainey--to give you an idea of what I have planned for Luke and Tracy? I'm listening to Bjork's Human Behaviour. That's the song that yielded this story.

Spoilers from SON: Against All Odds Laura awakens from her catatonic state and she learns she lost 4 years of her life. She is shocked to see LuLu all grown up and she learns all about her childrens' lives, minus the ugly truth they keep from her. Robert becomes suspicious when he thinks Luke is keeping something from him about Laura.]When Luke goes to visit Laura at Shadybrook, he finds her missing. Laura shocks Lesley when she encounters her mother, and then Bobbie and Tracy. Nikolas prevents Tracy from telling Laura about her marriage to Luke. Luke goes racing off to find Laura in the hopes of finding her before she remembers something that could trigger another breakdown. Tracy is furious with Luke because he didn't tell her about the experimental drug for Laura. Later, Tracy and Luke are found together by Laura. Laura begins to ask questions and Luke explains all to her, as much as he believes she can handle. They head out on a road trip to Beecher's Corners where Laura asks Luke one more important question. The important question would be the proposal, ya'll. SO that would mean he either DOESN'T tell her he's married to Tracy (which would validate the spumors that he just tells her they're partners in the HS), or he tells her they are, but it's not a "real" marriage. Comments? Questions? Newly-invented swear words to bypass the Kiddie-Scrambler on SON?

cross-posted to the Jane-Elliot.com Message Board: MsQ inspired me with the banners she posted to the LoveFest the other night! (And the amazing pictures of Jane that Tracey and Staci have been posting haven't hurt either.) These banners are sized perfectly to use as headers for LiveJournals (I used my header for the Ficathon as a template). I liked how the Jane one came out, so I decided to do a series. So far, I just have Jane and Deidre Hall, but I want to do more eventually. They are free to good homes. If you want to use them, and need help setting up your LJ, just PM me and I can walk you through the process.