Path To Power

The Path to Power

Cribs

This episode of Cribs is a bit different from any that have gone before. They’d already got the stuff in the can for the pimp my ride episode shot before the black out so the Audience has already kind of scene where Eddie Maine lives. It’s also a preview of the new show which is a kind of newlyweds /where are they now that has been in production since before Pimp My Ride. Somebody had decided to get semi-creative and started the show with footage from various spots where you might find Ned Ashton. Semi because of course Michael Moore had done it first.

The ELQ building in the city. “They’d been shown up to Ned’s office and given a quick panoramic visual of the huge office in the family owned building while his secretary tells them. “I’m sorry. Mr. Ashton only comes down for meetings. His working office is in the Port Charles building.”

Tracy Quartermaine’s apartment in the city. It’s hers, her mother gave it to her. Tracy knew of course about all this. The Quartermaine’s had decided to play nicely with MTV because of the footage they have about Lila, to make sure that nothing is aired until.. well until later and never shared. So Tracy is the one that opens the door to the cameras and lets the crew into her living room. They’d gotten a shot of the building, the view to central park. The stylish and rich decor Lila had put together for her daughter. But Tracy is Tracy. She’s going along but she’s going to be herself. “Of course Ned isn’t here. What kind of morons are you? Don’t you think he’s a little old to be living with Mommy? Ned is based out of Port Charles.”

The Private Hanger of ELQ just outside the city. “Sorry, Mr. Ashton is up in Port Charles.”

“But the ELQ jet is here.”

“They have two.”

“Are they the same?”

“Yeah, why?”

“Can we shoot some footage?” Since this is already prearranged the crew makes their way onto the plane which is set for entertaining with fine crystal and flowers out. The stewardess gives the tour of the passenger area and introduces the uniformed pilot. This is flying beyond first class. “And ELQ, the company Ned Ashton is CEO of has two of these planes.”

“Yes. It’s the most efficient way to get Mr. Ashton where he needs to be.”

The ELQ building in Port Charles. It’s the tallest building in the upstate New York City. Zander Smith, a company Vice President, meets the crew on the Penthouse floor. “You just missed Ned. He was in early to take some international calls. So his day wrapped about an hour ago.” The cameras sweep again for a panoramic view of the office which pretty much is a twin of the office in the City. The view is to the Charles River and the Port Charles Harbor where you can see the piers that house the ELQ ships. “You might want to try him at home.” Zander ushers them out of the room, floor and building.

The Quartermaine Mansion. The Butler is down at the gate. He is dressed in black pants, a black vest and a white dress shirt. He’s got a parka over the top. You can see from the gate the shell of new construction to the right. “Ned doesn’t live here. He hasn’t since the gatehouse burned down.”

“He couldn’t have moved to the big house?” There is a long lens on the camera that takes in the Quartermaine Mansion that looks like something off of Dallas or Dynasty. “It looks like there would have been room.”

“Sure. His grandparents would have given him a whole wing. But Ned is basically a newlywed. He and his wife got their own place. They moved into it the same day as the fire. Luckily, Ned’s cousin owned the property outside of town or they would have been in a hotel– that the family owns too.”

The little Cottage in the Woods. From the road, The crew sets up at the wrought iron gate that connects with the big fence that runs along the property line. It looks like it’s been there forever even though they know it’s not. Three other seasons of the year you wouldn’t be able to see the Cabin from the road but because it’s winter you can see the Cabin in the distance through the barren trees. It’s got a Currier and Ives on steroids look to it. Off to the right is another building, the stables/garage/bunkhouse. It’s bigger than the cottage. Between the two building is a cleared area for cars, a greenhouse, and a gazebo complete with hot tub. And someone is in it because they can see the heated vapor even from this distance. Because it’s a play for the Cameras, the other shot is already lined up as Faith rises from the hot tub in a skimpy black bikini that exposes every tight curve. Faith shrugs into a plush robe and leaves it hanging open while she puts the hot tub cover back on. Sliding on her shoes she goes to the kitchen side entrance. It’s as if the camera crew isn’t even there.

At the front door Ned is dressed in a matching robe when he answers the door. “Hey MTV. Welcome to my Crib. You’re a little earlier than we expected. You caught us in the hottub. Come on in.”

When they come back from commercial, Faith and Ned are both dressed although their hair is still wet. Ned looks over his shoulder. “We haven’t lived here long, not even a year. This was our first Christmas in this house. Faith and I hadn’t even been married for a month when the Gatehouse we were living in burned down.”

“Ned’s cousin Skye owned this place although she’d cleared most of the furniture out of it.”

“We’d literally just gotten married, luckily, Faith’s furniture was still in storage. We weren’t exactly starting from scratch but it did take awhile to get things the way that Faith wants them.” Despite what Ned says the house looks like it has been there forever. Often time when stepping into a house being show on Cribs it looks like a mansion with interior decorator stamped all over it. There is very little to show the people that live there. Here Faith’s collection of crystal is on display on built in shelves that are higher than Ned’s daughter. There is a fire laid in the fireplace. There are plush throws over the furniture that is designed for cuddling and kicking back. “I’m the one who lost everything in the fire. All of my awards from when I was with the Idle Rich, any music I had been working on, my favorite guitars, pictures of my eldest daughter who lives with her mother. It made me the easiest guy to buy for this Christmas. Let me show you the dining room.” Ned leads the way through the next room. This part of the house is basically set up on a shotgun style with rooms coming off the hallway. The hallway ends at the back door.

“This house isn’t really set up for entertaining.” Faith shrugs. “We’ve had people over but it’s normally just family. If there is a big to do happening then we open up the great room over in the stables.” The table is set with tapers ready to be lit and flowers on both ends of the table. She sighs. “I know there is a tradition with this show. This way to the fridge.” She walks back down the hallway, this time it opens up to the kitchen on the left and a nook on the right with the back door straight to the deck and ramp covered stairs. She stays by the breakfast bar and lets Ned do the honors.

“This is definitely a kitchen for one.” Ned grins. “And I have no problem with that. The most I might get to do in here is bring dishes from the table. Oh or get a snack for Kristina, my daughter. She has her own shelf.” He opens up the fridge. Unlike some that might have a couple bottles of Dom and some fishsticks or maybe some power drinks this is the fridge of people who eat in pretty much every night of the week. “This is her shelf: juices, fruit, veggie sticks– she’s working on a few more teeth. She’s eating just about everything now– just in smaller bites. Faith? What’s this?” Ned points at a crock pot.

“Sauce. I’m going to put together a lasagna later.”

Ned casually opens the freezer part of the freezer. There isn’t a store bought package in there. Just freezer bags with clear writing, the icemaker and two bottles of vodka. He pauses long enough for the show to get their shot and then moves on to the cupboards. Again it’s very clear there is someone actually living there. “Unless it’s a business thing or Faith and I are going out, we eat here. And I’ve started making them business lunches rather than dinners. Faith owns a club in town, so if there is any take out... she’s normally picking it up on her way home.” The camera man pulls back so that Ned can get out of the kitchen.

“Guess it’s time to show you upstairs.”

“There are three bedrooms upstairs. This is my daughter Kristina’s room. She’s down with Alice and the guys right now.” The room is a shade of pink just off of white. The furniture is what had been in Faith’s storage but the motif of the room is all about Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The corner is filled with stuffed animals of all sizes from beanie babies to a bear that is at least four feet tall. Everything is the best. It’s the room of a little girl who is the center of the world.

The next room over is Alice’s. “This is Alice’s room. She’s Kristina’s nanny.” Faith holds the door open for about 45 seconds. Alice had known they were coming of course. They’d been on a cleaning jag for the last three days getting ready for this spontaneous visit. And even though Alice had gotten them into this mess she deserves her privacy.

“And this is where the Magic happens.” Ned goes with the key Cribs phrase. There are just a few things you had to have. The fridge and the Magic room. He comes over and pats the bed.

“Not so much.” Faith snarks. But she’s got her back up against the wall and with one hand is rubbing it in a fan like motion.

Ned grins at her. “She’s got a point. This is where we sleep off the magic. What’s next?”

“Show them your study on the way out to check out the cars.” Faith shrugs. She is the first one out of the room. She’s going to go out to the bunkhouse and let the guys know that everything needs to be locked up tight if it’s not already and to check on Kristina.

“This way.” Ned leads the way down the stairs and then behind them to the room he’d appropriated for his study. Faith didn’t need one because she had the bunkhouse for all her business. He shows them out the back french doors. “This is Faith’s greenhouse. That was a surprise she didn’t seem to mind. As a rule, she hates surprises. But she has way too many plants to not have a greenhouse. So a lot of herbs, flowers even some hydroponic vegetables.” The next stop is the Gazebo with the hot tub. “This was a present from my cousin Skye before she sold me the cottage. We could have gone to a much bigger place. Bought a house over by the mansion. But this place suits us. Especially having a Nanny who remodels cars. Ned leads the way into the heated and well lit garage. “This is Faith’s porsche. I gave it to her after the first time she met my mother. This is my BMW. This is the town car. This is my brother’s car. He got it for Christmas after Alice finished rehabbing it. This is Alice’s shop. You may have seen it on Pimp My Ride.” Ned’s voice is wry as he keeps walking. Once he is the main room of the Bunkhouse he stops. It’s already been determined that this is going to be the last room on the tour. Here is Faith’s business office basically. It’s the guy’s play room. There is a 60 inch big screen attached to one wall and a couple of guys are challenging each other on playstation. “That is my brother, Dillon and Bruno who keeps an eye on things around here.” Ned turns to the camera. “It’s been great having you hear checking everything out but I’ve got the winner here so I’m going to have to ask you to leave. Really... Bye.” He ushers them out and then shuts the door to the camera.

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