Stefano's very simple explanation of the "Brady/DiMera feud" from May 1984.

MARLENA

What is that thing?

STEFANO

Surely you can tell a metronome when you see one.

MARLENA

Of course I can! Don’t toy with me! What is it for?

STEFANO

But you can see for yourself.

MARLENA

Stefano, tell me something. When you were a little boy, did you pull the wings off flies? Or were you ever a little boy?

STEFANO

Ha! My my my my my my my. What a fiery little temper you have. Look at your eyes. They are like two hot coals blazing when you try to get angry. Huh? Ha ha ha. Do you want to know what that metronome is really for? It is a timing device.

MARLENA

A timing device?

STEFANO

Connected to a bomb.

MARLENA

No.

STEFANO

Mmm. And the bomb is beneath the stage, set to go off in, oh, 20 minutes.

MARLENA

You’re going to blow up the concert hall? With all those innocent people?

STEFANO

Not all innocent.

MARLENA

Stefano, please, I’m begging you. Please stop it.

STEFANO

Well, you see, the special thing about this metronome is that once it gets started, it can never be stopped. Now, if the bomb squad were to discover this device, they could never deactivate it. [pulls out the baka]

MARLENA

The baka!

STEFANO

Yes. The baka. It is the only thing that can turn this metronome off. The baka. The very spirit of my revenge – revenge against those who have hurt me.

MARLENA

But why?!

STEFANO

Why?! You, of all people, ask me why?! You, whose husband was a stumbling block when I tried to build my empire?!

MARLENA

He was more than a stumbling block for you! He outwitted you!

STEFANO

Outwitted me?! Ha!

MARLENA

He stopped you cold, and you know it!

STEFANO

Temporarily.

MARLENA

And he’ll do it again!

STEFANO

Ah, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. You see, we have a plan now that is foolproof.

MARLENA

What’s that? To kill Roman and hundreds of innocent people?

STEFANO

Innocent people? No. Roman? Yes.

MARLENA

And you think that will get you your empire. Is that it?

STEFANO

It isn’t what I think. It’s what I know. You see, originally Salem was going to be my base of operations. Now it seems that it’s not feasible, so I will operate from my island paradise.

MARLENA

Why this thirst for power?

STEFANO

If you have never tasted the nectar of power, my dear doctor, you will never know. There is nothing like it. Besides, it is my destiny.

MARLENA

Many men have felt that way. They felt they were destined to rule. And some did for a short time. But in the end, they lost. Just as you will.

STEFANO

Those men you speak of were all madmen.

MARLENA

Yes. What about you?

STEFANO

Ha ha ha. If I were mad, would I say it? Or could I say it? No, my dear doctor. You see, only a sane man can say that he is mad. But if he says it, then it only follows that he is as sane as you and me.

MARLENA

How very clever of you, Stefano.

STEFANO

Ah!

MARLENA

We must assume that you are sane.

STEFANO

A very wise assumption.

MARLENA

Uh huh. Well, a sane man would not kill hundreds of people to revenge one man. Roman is the man you want. So why don’t you clear the concert hall and stop trying to hurt innocent people?

STEFANO

Well, I’m sorry, but that is not possible. I am on my way to a safe place to await transportation out of Salem, and I anticipate a very pleasant journey. And, you know, I certainly hope that you also have a pleasant journey.

MARLENA

Stefano, please. I’m begging you. Please stop this now.

STEFANO

Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Please, do not despair. My dear good doctor, perhaps your husband, the stalwart and brave Sergeant Brady, will come riding in on his white horse and save you at the 11th hour. If the police don’t shoot him first.

Very interesting!

But why would Stefano chose Salem to be the base of operations for his empire?

Wasn't there also an explanation given years ago when Stephano kidnapped Carrie? There is a scene between Cristie and Joe that explains it all.