Nash & Claudia [2006, Jan-June]

Nash: I met Claudia Reston when I was out clubbing one night, upper east side. She was all lit up, in a real party mood. The next thing I knew, I was in the back of her limo drinking $300 bottles of champagne. That's how she spent money -- like it didn't even matter, and you know what? I figured, "hey, she wants to throw a little bit my way, who am I to say no?"
Tess: So you hooked up with her for loads of sex and even more money -- is that it?
Nash: Yeah, something like that. We only dated for about six months. It was nothing serious. I didn't even really like her most of the time. She was a spoiled little rich brat who needed some serious life lessons, and I needed the cash, so I figured, "you know what?" I took her for a ride, a very long and expensive ride. I just -- I had no idea how much it would actually cost her.


Claudia: (to Tess) I wanted so much for Nash to be a part of my family, for the two of us to have a family of our own. I didn't care that he was broke. He had more drive than any of the rich boys I knew and I could make his dreams come true. You know how seductive he can be talking about his plans for the future. And even with all of that ambition, he was still so caring, gentle, sweet. How could someone fake love like that? He even fooled my parents into thinking he had my best interests at heart, called my father "sir." Hmm. Daddy loved that.


Nash: Hi, Claudia. How are you?
Claudia: In recovery. That's what we addicts like to say.
Nash: Good. That's good. I want you to know that I do want what's best for you.
Claudia: And that was never you, right? Those are the exact words you said to me when you walked out. Hmm. Brings back memories.


Nash: Claudia, we shouldn't be --
Claudia: I'd like one moment of your time. Don't you owe me at least that?
Nash: I just don't really see the point in going over everything that happened with us.
Claudia: Put yourself aside for one minute and think of someone else. That would be the point.


Nash: It's not like that with Tess and I. Claudia, I love her.
Claudia: Like you loved me? "No, Claudia, not like I loved you. That was all a big joke. I was actually repulsed by you. But I sure did love your money!" Get your lying ass out of my sight.
Nash: I'm sorry for what I did. I will be sorry about what I did forever. I really hope that you find someone who can love you the way that you deserve to be loved.


Claudia: (to Antonio) I know it sounds strange, but I thought maybe Tess and I could help each other the way recovering addicts do. You know, because Nash is a dangerous drug, and I was definitely an addict.


Claudia: Since Llanview's going to be my new home --
Nash: Your what?
Claudia: I'm moving here. And since I'm going to be in the neighborhood, maybe we can finally make things right between us. It'll be nice to have a conversation with you that didn't end in accusations and insults.


Claudia: (to Antonio) Besides, my life coach told me that I need a reason to get up in the morning, one that isn’t named Nash or Vicodin.


Nash: (to Mr. Reston) You know what? I've met your daughter. I don’t want any parenting advice from you.


Nash: What are you doing?
Claudia: I just got out of the shower. Keep your pants on. Or don’t.


Nash: (to Claudia) You and I both know that you play your dad like a poker hand and a stacked deck of cards.


Claudia: I know what it’s like to have the person you love the most disappear from your life. But I made it through, and so can you. Want to know how?
Nash: Can’t wait to hear this.


Nash: Well, this just works out perfectly for you, doesn’t it? First, I lose my business, my daughter, and the woman I love.
Claudia: Why would I want all those things to happen to you?
Nash: Besides revenge? Maybe so that once Nash falls apart, you'll be there to pick up the pieces.
Claudia: I've learned a few things in A.A., you know.
Nash: Hmm. What?
Claudia: Doing the same thing over and over, always expecting it to turn out differently? That’s their definition of insanity.


Claudia: (to her father) If you think he’s going to crawl out of here with his tail between his legs because you took away everything he loved, you have seriously underestimated Nash Brennan.


Claudia: Um, I know how you operate. What makes you think I'd be naive enough to go into business with you?
Nash: Naive, never, but you're here. It's a good sign that you're curious.
Claudia: Try "curious" with a side of "suspicious."


Nash: It's a chance for us to be friends again.
Claudia: Were we ever friends?
Nash: No, not really, but we could be.


Nash: We should have a more amicable relationship and not -- not just because I don’t want you to clip-clop away with your money. Sometimes I forget who I'm dealing with now.
Claudia: You mean the new-and-improved, fresher and scratch-resistant Claudia Reston?
Nash: "Scratch-proof." Something like that, yeah.
Claudia: Hmm. The new Claudia doesn’t pull on daddy’s shirt sleeve anymore. I want to be independent and this is a good start for me.
Nash: I hope so.
Claudia: I understand why you'd be hesitant -- because sometimes I forget that you're the new-and-improved and fresher Nash Brennan.
Nash: "Fresher"? You suggesting I wasn’t always as -- fresh?


Claudia: (to Nash) I am going to prove to you that we can be in the same room without some sort of ugly incident.


[Nash is shirtless]
Claudia: Looking good, Nash.
Nash: Oh, yeah? Well, it's nothing you've never seen before.
Claudia: Oh, yes, it's all too familiar.
Nash: Mm-hmm.
Claudia: And no longer effective.


Claudia: I can’t be played like that anymore.
Nash: I am not trying to play you.
Claudia: No? But that would be so out of character, Nash. I don’t know if you can pull that off.


Claudia: You think my father's thugs followed me here.
Nash: Yeah.
Claudia: Well, they didn’t. I said I would take care of the problem, and I did. In fact, I braved it here into this dump all by myself. I mean, this lovely cottage. Sorry.


Nash: (to Claudia) Tell you what -- look, why don’t I go get dressed? And then I'll take you for a tour of the winery. I'm sure you want to see what you're going to be investing all your hard-inherited money on.


Nash: Do you really think that I would walk away and abandon my own daughter?
Claudia: You abandoned me!
Nash: You're not my daughter.


Nash: You know what? I am going to hit the sack. I haven’t slept in nights.
Claudia: Good idea.
Nash: Whoa! Hold on there, princess. I gave you the bed last night, but I should have told you not to get used to it. I just had some work to do.
Claudia: Where am I supposed to sleep?
Nash: Pull up a piece of floor.


[Nash is furious after Claudia climbed into bed with him and pretended to be Tess]
Nash: Listen to me! I do not love you. Maybe you should have that tattooed somewhere nice and prominent, so the next time you want to pretend to be somebody else, you'll see it there.
Claudia: Well, I -- I thought you liked girls who pretend to be someone else.


Nash: I want to make something clear. You ever talk about Tess like that or pull another move like that, and you'll be sleeping out on the porch with the other critters in the night.
Claudia: Deal. And just remember, your girlfriend is a figment of Jessica Buchanan's imagination.


Claudia: I am right here, right now, with a no-strings-attached offer. 3,000 miles away from anyone who would care what we did tonight.
Nash: I care.


Claudia: Suppose your plan against my father works. Suppose you get to raise your kid. Do you honestly think you can do it alone?
Nash: And what are you planning, on dressing up and playing mommy?
Claudia: At least I'm real.
Nash: Good night, Claudia.