Viki - 1970s
Source: ABC writing team and Gary Warner’s book “One Life to Live Thirty Years of Memories”
1970
Although drawn to the compassionate "nice-guy" Vinnie, Viki's true love was Joe. Their love finally overcame all obstacles and Viki became Mrs. Joe Riley. As Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Riley continued to work at the Banner together, their married life seemed idyllic, too much so. They were deliriously happy, and with no apparent worries or cares. While under intensive therapy with Dr. Marcus Polk, Viki, who would continue therapy for several more years, seemed to have conquered Niki. Dr. Polk helped Viki to understand how Niki had been born, due to her (Viki's) love-hate relationship with her father, and her own repressed feelings of love and passion for Joe. With Niki in the background, and their future to look forward to, Viki and Joe dreamed starting a family. However, after less than a year of marriage, Joe became involved in an investigation for the Vinnie Wolek. eventually led him to California, to help prove Vinnie's innocence, and to extricate him for murder charges. While in California Joe had a car accident, and was presumed dead, as no body was found at the scene of the wreckage.
1971
Show Note: Erika assumed the role of Victoria Lord in March 1971. Her first taping day was Wednesday, March 17 for Episode #703 with air date of Thursday, March 25. Below is the taping order for that day and then a few lines of dialog from Erika’s first scene as Viki. (click image to enlarge)
Viki was devastated by the loss of Joe, and although she had drawn free of Victor's domination after marrying Joe, she fell under her father's control once again. After Joe's”death” and the fact that no body was found, Viki became almost dependent on Victor, and moved back Tinto Llanfair at about the time her sister Merri married Larry Wolek and moved out. Viki retreated into herself, rarely went out of the house, and had no interest in work or friends. Neither Meredith nor Victor could make her come out of her shell. Vinnie, who blamed himself for Joe's death, tried as hard as he could to make Viki show an interest in living. Before Joe died he had told Vinnie to "take care" of his wife, in case anything should ever happen to him. Vinnie, still in love with Viki, although dating a woman named Millie Parks, felt he might have a chance with Viki since Joe was no longer around. In fact, during one visit to Llanfair several months after Joe’s apparent death, Vinnie kissed Viki, but she quickly let him know that their friendship could never progress any further. Distraught, Vinnie let go of his fantasy, but a part of him continued to love Viki until the day he died.
A new man quickly entered the picture in Viki's life and Vinnie's jealously was aroused. Steve Burke, another newspaperman, came to Llanview to accept a job as an executive at the Banner, working directly under Victor Lord. Mr. Burke, about 15 years older than Viki at least, found himself intensely attracted to her cool, regal beauty the moment he met her. However, Viki had no eyes for Steve, and continued to mourn Joe. Steve made no bones about his feelings for Viki, and surprisingly, Victor pushed Viki towards Steve. He felt that Steve possessed all the stable qualities and security his daughter needed for a happy, fulfilled life. Steve was so opposite to Joe in Victor's eyes, and he encouraged Viki to see Steve romantically, hoping that Steve would become his son-in-law. Eventually Viki gave in, and found herself falling in love with the more mature Steve, although she'd continually have nightmares about Joe still being alive. She never truly gave up hope that one day Joe would return.
After many months Viki returned Steve's feelings, but Vinnie was determined to keep them apart. Vinnie knew he could never have Viki, and a part of him wanted no man to have her, so he continued to fill Viki’s head with doubts about Joe really being dead, since no body had been found, and Viki began to listen to him. Because no body had been found in the wreckage of the accident Joe had to be declared legally dead, before Viki could ever hope to marry Steve, and Vinnie kept haranguing her not to sign the papers. Viki was once again in a quandary, as people were pressuring her from all sides - Steve and Victor on one side trying to force her to sign the papers, and Vinnie and Joe's sister, Eileen Siegel, on the other side, telling her to never give up hope. Meredith, concerned for Viki's happiness, even gave her blessing to Steve, and wanted Viki to sign the papers.
Off course this was not the only problem standing in the way of Viki's life with Steve. A woman named Marcy Wade, who worked at the Banner at the time, fell in love with Steve and became intensely jealous of Viki. Marcy, who learned bout Viki’s split personality problems, decided to try and drive Viki over the brink again, or to at least try and make everyone believe Niki Smith had returned. Marcy, very demented, but also very intelligent, began to work as Viki's assistant, and started setting the stage for Viki's "breakdown". All of a sudden Viki became very "forgetful" and had "memory lapses", according to Marcy. Then Marcy started sending Viki hate notes, signed with Niki's name. Viki believed Niki was back, due to all the pressure she was undergoing, as a result of her dilemma over whether or not to declare Joe legally dead. Marcy even went so far as to drug Viki, who passed out in her bedroom at Llanfair, while Marcy, dressed as Niki, started appearing at Ernie's Bar. However, try as she might, Marcy made no headway with Steve. Viki's emotional problems only drew Steve and Viki closer together, and Marcy planned her revenge.
Marcy intended to kill Vinnie, and frame Niki for the crime. One day she phoned Vinnie, masquerading as Niki, and she told him to meet her near the river. However, Steve, who had realized by this time what Marcy was doing, appeared at the riverfront instead of Vinnie. Marcy, dressed in her Niki disguise, had a gun, and pulled it on Steve. The two struggled, and Marcy was eventually killed as the gun accidentally went off. Steve was charged with murder and stood trial. With all the evidence stacked against him, things looked bleak.
1972
Enter into the picture a mysterious man who viewers first saw lying in the streets of skid-row. This man came across evidence which would prove Steve's innocence - Marcy's purse which proved her crimes. This man was none other than Joe Riley, recovered from amnesia, but suffering from a brain aneurism. Joe, who passed out in a diner one day, was befriended by a waitress named Wanda Webb. Eventually, Joe anonymously sent the evidence to the police, which gained Steve's acquittal. Joe, aware that Viki was engaged to Steve, promised he would not disrupt her new life and prepared to leave town. Viki had signed the papers which declared Joe dead and she and Steve were married at lanfair on Memorial Day. Joe, however, was lurking in the bushes as his wife married another man during the garden ceremony. It wasn't until after the wedding that Wanda realized Joe's true identity. Steve and Viki, happy at last, left on their honeymoon, as Joe collapsed and was hospitalized at Llanview Hospital.
After Joe was hospitalized the news that he was miraculously alive quickly became public, but the question immediately arose, "Should Viki be contacted on her honeymoon with the ambivalent news about Joe being alive, and that he could die at any moment?" After much debate Victor Lord's opinion won out, and Viki was not contacted, enabling her to enjoy her fleeting moments of tranquility with Steve.
Joe did not want Viki to know that he was alive, but in his weakened condition he had no strength to fight those who felt it imperative that Viki be told about him and his condition. For Viki and Viki alone, in the minds' of Joe's doctors, would give him the will to live. When Viki and Steve finalty returned to Llanview, they were greeted with the double bombshell about Joe, to which Viki fainted.
Viki wasted no time getting to the hospital where Joe's life or death would soon be determined by the delicate operation. As she entered Joe's room she was once again reunited with the man she loved above all else. At the sight of Viki, Joe's will to live surfaced, and he made up his mind, during their tearful reunion, that one day he would get her back again, no matter how long it would take. Joe's operation was successful, and thus his recuperation initiated the most intense triangle OLTL had ever attempted Joe-Viki-Steve.
The main question in everyone's mind at the time was, "Who is Viki's husband?” Although it appeared that Viki had unwittingly committed bigamy, it was learned that she was Mrs. Steven Burke after all, for when she signed the papers declaring Joe legally dead, she had legally dissolved their marriage with her signature.
Viki was now facing a perplexing dilemma. She told herself, and everyone else, that she loved Joe and Steve equally, but because she was Steve's wife, her duty was to Steve. VViki and Steve were living in Steve’s penthouse apartment and for the first months of their marriage, with Joe’s presence obviously apparent to both of them, Viki desperately tried to make her marriage succeed. However, she subconsciously wanted Joe, and Steve and Joe both knew this, creating a major conflict between them - especially when Joe ended up working at the Banner again as a reporter. The more she came into contact with Joe, the stronger her attraction to him became, and Joe pursued her relentlessly, with the two sharing token kisses at impromptu moments, but with Viki guilt ridden and confused over her betrayal of her husband, never allowing things to go further. Still undaunted, Joe persisted, continually pushing Viki to admit her love for him.
1973
As the months wore on, Viki's resistance to Joe began to wear down, and fate finally intervened. Anxious to get away and think out her problems, Viki went to her father' get away mountain cabin to unwind. While at the cabin, a snowstorm caused an avalanche in the mountains and viki went to the quiet town of Mt. Jefferson to cover the story for the Banner. Joe, who knew Viki was covering the story after talking to Victor, went to Steve and asked him if he could cover it. Since Steve had no idea Viki was already working on the story, Steve gave Joe the okay, and Joe ended up in Mt. Jefferson, checking into the same hotel Viki was at. After the “coincidence” of them being assigned to the same story had brought them together, Viki could relax around Joe, and the two shared some old stories and laughs, which culminated in a romantic dinner in Viki’s hotel room, champagne, dancing and a night of love-making which convinced Joe that Viki once again belonged to him. The next morning Viki was torn by her love for Joe, and duty to Steve, and she informed Joe that their night together had not changed things - she was still remaining with Steve. A terrible argument ensued between them causing Viki to run out of the hotel in a frenzy, jump in her car, and drive off frantically, only to have an accident as Joe watched.
Viki's car accident in Mt. Jefferson left her in a comatose state. Joe, Victor and Steve all were crazy with worry especially when it appeared that Viki would not pull through. Joe blamed himself, and Steve had a sinking feeling that whatever caused Viki to crash her car involved her relationship with Joe. The fact that the two of them had been stranded together in the same hotel made Steve furious. Several days passed by and there was no progress in Viki's condition. She was transferred from Mt. Jefferson to Llanview Hospital, and it wasn't until Meredith was allowed to visit Viki, and plead with her to open her eyes, that Viki finally came out of her coma.
During the time Viki was unconscious Joe used alcohol as an escape from his problems, but he also befriended Jim Craig's young daughter, Cathy Craig, who was a budding writer and a great admirer of Joe as a journalist. Cathy and Joe became quick friends, but Cathy looked upon Joe as more than a friend, and over the next few months her feelings grew into love.
When Viki awoke from the coma Joe half believed that she would tell him she loved him, that she’d leave Steve, and that after her divorce was final she and Joe could be remarried. It was a crushing blow to Joe when he learned Viki was suffering from amnesia after she came to, and that she had no memories of anything that had happened since her wedding to Steve. She had totally blocked out the fact that Joe had returned from the dead and that she had learned this after coming back to lanview from her honeymoon. Steve was delighted at this turn of events. Even though he knew in the back of his mind that Viki and Joe had an affair in Mt. Jefferson he still loved Viki and wanted her to be his wife. He had no intentions of giving her up.
Joe was devastated. He was not allowed to see Viki because then she'd have to relive the shock all over again that he was still alive. Several months passed with Viki in the dark about what had happened since her wedding to Steve. Joe and Cathy grew closer as Cathy offered Joe compassion and friendship. Viki was aware of her amnesia and tried desperately to piece together the period of the time she had blotted out of her mind. When she did remember Joe was very much alive, and that they had been lovers in Mr. Jefferson accident, she made the same decision she had made before the accident - she tearfully told Joe she would remain with Steve as his wife. Joe was a defeated man, but he refused to give up.
Joe and Cathy grew closer since Cathy was working at the Banner as Joe's assistant, and also because she had asked Joe to give her advice on a novel she was writing. Viki came into contact every day with Joe, but shunned him, and he started returning Cathy's interest in more than a platonic relationship. His heart still belonged with viki, but in his eyes it appeared that Viki wanted nothing to do with him even though he knew she still loved him. Viki professed her love to Steve, but even Steve knew that she really wanted Joe.
Then tragedy struck the Lord family. Meredith and Larry seemed to have no problems in the world. They had a beautiful baby boy, Danny, and were talking about adopting another child. Meredith wanted to become pregnant again but the doctors told her it would cost her her life if she did. She therefore decided she and Larry should adopt a child. When Victor Lord decided to take a trip to the orient he realized that his absence from his estate might present some problems. He wanted extra security on the grounds in the event that someone should try to break into Llanfair. He hired Vinnie Wolek as a security guard for the time he would be gone. Meredith and Larry were living on the grounds of the estate in the garage apartment and the fact that Vinnie would be around to protect his younger daughter made Victor feel secure.
Two convicts heard of Victor's trip and decided to break into Llanfair to steal some of Victor's priceless art treasures. Ben Howard and Earl Brock did manage to break into the mansion, but they were unaware that Vinnie Wolek was inside. Before they had a chance to take anything of value Vinnie found them, but he was unable to keep the from fleeing. They shot at him and he was hit in the arm. Ben and Earl were not able to leave the grounds of the estate because the police were quick to arrive. They saw the garage apartment and at the time Meredith was alone there with the baby. They managed to enter the apartment with Meredith's consent since they gave the some type of story that they needed help and she had no idea that they had just broken into her father's mansion. Once inside Meredith realized she'd made a mistake, and that her life and her son's life were in danger. Vinnie knew that Meredith was alone and he decided to check on her. Earl and Ben told Meredith to pretend nothing was wrong when Vinnie knocked on the door. Vinnie, however, sensed something was amiss and he entered the apartment only to find Ben and Earl holding him and Meredith at gunpoint.
This situation went on for several days. Victor Lord heard that his daughter was being held hostage and he immediately returned to Llanview. Larry and Viki were out of their minds with worry especially since Merri was so fragile. The police surrounded the garage apartment, and there were several attempts by Merri and Vinnie to escape but they were thwarted. Finally, Ben and Earl made a deal with the police, which Ed Hall had no intention of following through on. The two convicts told police they'd let Meredith, Vinnie and Danny go if they could take another hostage in their place. Since Meredith was a Lord and worth a hefty ransom Ben and Earl decided they needed another Lord to replace her. They demanded that the police turn over Viki in her sister's place. Of course Victor, Joe and Steve did not want Viki to be taken as hostage, but because Larry was so frantic he felt it was the best thing to do or Meredith would not come out of the situation alive. Viki knew she had to come through for her sister and she made up her mind to take her place.
Viki never had to take Meredith's place though - for there was a last ditch effort by Meredith and Vinnie to escape, and during this confusion the police broke in, several shots were fired, and Meredith slipped and hit her head on the floor. Ben and Earl were captured by the police and the ordeal seemed to be over for the Lord family. Nobody knew however that Meredith's head injuries would prove to be fatal. She was rushed to the hospital unconscious, and after the doctors examined her they saw that the blow to her head had caused a massive cerebral hemorrhage, she need emergency surgery or she would die from internal bleeding. Merri was prepped for surgery, but before she was taken to the operating room she came to. She asked to see her father, Viki, and Larry. She knew that she was dying and she wanted to say her goodbyes to her father, sister and husband. Victor, Viki and Larry refused to believe that Merri was being taken from them, but Merri knew it and she had accepted her fate. There was a serene type of peace which radiated from Meredith in her last few minutes of life.
Merri's death had a great impact on Viki. She loved her sister dearly, and it was a great loss to her when Meredith did not survive. But her sister's untimely death made Viki realize that life can end at any moment, and that a person should do whatever it is to make him/herself happy in the time they do have. Viki then knew that her heart was with Joe and that she should be with him. She knew that her life with Steve was a farce even i f duty bound her to him as his wife. Viki was jealous of Joe's involvement with Cathy Craig, and realized that Joe was beginning to be romantically involved with the girl . Viki decided she wouldn't allow this to happen, and she make a vow that she'd tell Joe she still loved him and wanted to be with him.
Even through Viki finally realized she was in love with Joe, and wanted to be his wife again, it took her a while to act on her feelings. She and Joe still argued, and she continued to remain Steve's wife, while her dreams both in her sleep, and her fantasies, haunted her. Joe had reached his breaking point and he and Viki had a terrible argument in which he begged her to leave Steve, and admit that she still loved him, or that he would walk out of her life forever. Viki could not do what he asked and Joe was finally ready to give up on her, and get on with his life.
The same night of his argument with Viki Joe was grieving in his apartment and couldn't deal with losing the love of his life. Cathy Craig, who was deeply in love with Joe, ended up at his place and she learned that Viki was finally out of his life. Cathy used Joe's vulnerability that evening to her advantage, and Joe welcomed her support and sympathy, but he succumbed to her subtle means of seduction and the two of them ended up spending the night together. Joe cared deeply for Cathy, but it was caring born out of the need of a woman's companionship, and he had continually told Cathy that he was not in love with her, and that he had not stopped loving Vikl. Cathy, at the time, did not care about this. All she wanted was to be close to Joe, and she felt that he would come to love her in time.
The evening of the argument Viki knew the way she had treated Joe was terribly wrong, and it tormented her that she had been unable to say the words he desperately wanted to hear. She took a long drive and came to grips with the situation. She couldn't allow it to continue any longer. She decided she had to leave Steve, as unpleasant as it would be, and that she and Joe could eventually be remarried. Several months before Viki's godfather, Lazlo Bradecker, who was portrayed by Walter Slezak, arrived in town and had helped to sway Viki in the direction of Joe over Steve. Now Viki felt free to act according to her heart's desire, and she told herself that the following morning she would go to Joe's apartment and profess her love for him.
Viki did go to Joe's apartment the next morning and she had not felt that happy in months. Soon Joe would know she was leaving Steve. When she knocked on his door she expected to jump into his arms, but she received the shock of her life when Cathy Craig, clad in Joe's bathrobe, opened the door. The two women exchanged a few heated words, and Cathy felt as if she had the upper hand. Viki had lost Joe and now he was hers. The fact that Joe and Cathy had become lovers hurt Viki, but she realized she had driven Joe to his involvement with Cathy, and she did not blame him. Instead, she vowed that at a more appropriate time she would go to Joe with her news, and then he would end his relationship with Cathy.
1974
When Viki did tell Joe the news he was stunned, but he was the happiest man in the world. They immediately began making plans for their life together, but Viki had to inform Steve first that her life with him was over, and that he had to agree to give her a divorce. When she finally approached him with her desire to end their marriage Steve refused to give her up, and he did not intend to make things easy for her and Joe to be together. Since Viki had no grounds for divorce against steve she needed his cooperation and initially he was unwilling to let her go.
Cathy was just as unhappy at the news of Joe and Viki's reconciliation as Steve was. She and Joe had not had the time to build on their relationship and they had only been lovers that night in his apartment. She still felt that Joe would tire of the incessant turmoil that Viki brought into his life, and that he would once again turn to her, Cathy, for solace.
The pressure of wanting to hold on to a woman who didn't want him anymore finally got to Steve. He realized he loved Viki enough to give her her freedom, and to allow her to be with the man she had never stopped loving. Although Viki's father was not pleased with the prospect that Joe Riley would once again become his son-in-law he learned to accept it, and he had even learned to respect Joe since he had been working at the Banner again.
Viki and Joe were experiencing a happiness that they both believed had been lost to them. They made quiet plans for their next wedding, and they had decided to start a family as soon as possible. Nothing could ever stand in the way of their new blissful life together as husband and wife - or so they thought.
Cathy Craig discovered that she was pregnant with Joe's placed Cathy under a great deal of strain, not knowing what to do about her situation. It was Anna Craig, Cathy's stepmother who finally realized that Cathy was carrying Joe's baby and she advised Cathy to tell him she was pregnant, despite the fact that Viki's divorce would soon be finalized when she would fly to the Caribbean. Prior to this time Cathy could not discuss the situation with anyone, but Anna, at one time, had also been in love with Joe, and she had felt the same kind of jealousy toward Viki that Cathy was now experiencing. The difference in this situation was that Anna and Joe had never been romantically involved whereas Joe and Cathy had become lovers. Anna's heart went out to the girl.
Cathy decided to have the baby and raise it as a single mother. The idea of abortion appalled her since she loved Joe so much and couldn't destroy his baby. Joe was still unaware of Cathy's condition when Viki was making final preparations for her trip to the Caribbean. The happiness they were feeling, as Viki's marriage was no longer an obstacle to them, brought them closer together than ever. Shortly before she left on her trip Viki and Steve said their goodbyes as husband and wife, and Steve felt as if his life had been shattered.
While Viki was in the Caribbean, Joe learned that Cathy was pregnant with his child. Being an honorable man, Joe knew that he could not marry Viki under good conscience, when another woman was carrying his child. He was pulled in two directions - how could he break the news to Viki that, after all they had was now seemingly ruined. Yet, Joe has deep feelings for Cathy, and he was willing to marry her, so that their child could have his name. He was willing to learn to love Cathy, and to be a family with her and their baby. The first obstacle to all this was to tell Viki the news of Cathy's pregnancy, and Joe did not know how he would be able to do it.
Viki left the Caribbean a free woman, and on the plane ride back to Llanview she dreamed of the beautiful life she and Joe would now be able to begin. When she arrived at Joe's doorstep as a free woman, she flew into his arms and plastered him with kisses. But, the look on his face said it all. He gently informed her that they couldn't get married because Cathy Craig was pregnant with his child. She sat in stunned silence as Joe calmly told her he was going to ask Cathy to marry him so that he could be a father to their unborn baby. Viki suppressing the rage that she was feeling at that moment, accepted this sad twist of fate, but prayed that all hope was not lost on her and Joe.
When Joe went to Cathy, asking her to become his wife, he assumed that the young woman would accept immediately. He wasn't prepared for Cathy's reaction. Cathy was a truly liberated woman. She knew Joe did not love her, and that he and Viki were planning to marry, so she decided she could not possibly marry him - not even for the sake of her child. Cathy's intense pride gave her strength to turn down Joe's proposal.
After several unsuccessful attempts to make Cathy change her mind, Joe knew he had done everything he possibly could have to do right by Cathy, and if it was her wish to have their child as a single mother, he was going to support her decision. Cathy assured him he would be able to see the baby any time he wanted, and he told her he would offer her any financial assistance necessary for the child. Then, Joe's mind could rest easier, and he realized that he and Viki would still have a chance for happiness together. However, Cathy was not taking this as stoically as she made Joe believe. Despite her brave front to him she secretly wanted to marry him more than anything and have her baby raised as a Riley. She loved him too much to trap him, and she realized he would indeed be free to marry the woman of his dreams.
Joe told Viki that Cathy had refused to marry him. This was almost as shocking to Viki as the news that had greeted her upon her return for the Caribbean. Although she did feel sorry for Cathy's predicament she realized that the love she and Joe shared was going to help them through the rough time and eventually they would be able to be together. A short while after Cathy's decision, Joe showed up in Viki's office at the Banner and presented her with a little box. Viki opened the box and found a beautiful engagement ring in it. Joe slipped the ring on her finger and tenderly asked her to marry him, and she immediately accepted. The intimate moment between them ended in a passionate kiss, but unknown to Joe and Viki, the door to the office was slightly ajar and Cathy Craig witnessed the scene, and promptly exited with tears in her eyes.
Joe and Viki knew that it would be improper to have their wedding in Llanview when Cathy was carrying his child so the decision was made that they would marry secretly outside of Llanview and not announce that they were married until much later. They agreed that New York City would be the perfect place for a very romantic and secret wedding and shortly afterward the wedding took place in a small Catholic Church in the city. Joe and Viki's witnesses were his sister, Eileen Siegel, and their mutual friend, John Douglas, an employee of the Banner.
The newlyweds returned to Llanview blissfully happy. Viki went home to Llanfair, and Joe back to his apartment, in order to keep up the pretense that nothing had changed in their relationship, but this arrangement soon proved to be very inconvenient for them as there was never any time to be together. They then decided to approach Viki's father and tell him the news. Surprisingly, Victor Lord accepted their marriage and gave them his blessing. After years of seeing his elder daughter in perpetual torment Victor was ready to welcome Joe into his family if it meant that Victoria would finally have the happiness she so deserved. Victor and his new son-in-law buried the hatchet and established a friendly rapport. Victor even started making plans for Joe to be elevated to a prominent position at the Banner for Victor knew that Joe and Victoria would make a formidable team at the paper in the future after he handed the day to day operations over to them.
Life at Llanfair for Joe and Viki was wonderful, but they realized that living under the same roof with Victor Lord did not give them the privacy or independence they desired, and so they made plans to buy their own home. Victor did not want them to move out, as he always wanted Victoria under his roof in Llanfair, but he would not win this battle. Joe and Viki scouted around for a while and eventually found their dream home - an old carriage house.
While Joe and Viki were spending their first few months of married life, a new romance seemed to be blossoming in Llanview. Cathy Craig, who was extremely vulnerable after making the decision to remain single, started commiserating about her problems with the equally vulnerable Steve Burke, who was trying desperately to pull himself together after his divorce. It was unbearable for both Steve and Cathy to watch Joe and Viki, as husband and Wife, seemingly flaunting their love for each other. Steve and Cathy spent more and more time together due to their mutual heartbreak over the situation, and it began to appear that the two would form a more personal relationship because of this.. As it turned out they did get to know each other in a more intimate way, but not as lovers.
Cathy was nearing the end of her pregnancy when the offer came for her to go to New York to talk over the possibility of having a book published which she was writing. Despite the fact that it was the middle of the winter, and Cathy was well into her eighth month of pregnancy, she decided to go discuss this offer. When Joe heard about it he tried to and he was worried about her and the baby. Cathy was not about to listen to him though, after all, he was not her husband, and she told him she was going whether he liked it or not, since the doctor said it was ok. A compromise of sorts was reached and it was decided that Cathy would not fly, but that Steve would drive her into the city, as he had business there himself.
As the time grew closer for Cath’s baby to be born, Viki became more uncomfortable. She desperately wanted to conceive a baby herself, but in the first few months of marriage, had not been able to become pregnant. It was not that she saw Cathy's baby as a threat to her marriage, but she wanted Joe's baby more than anything in the world, because it would be living proof of their love.
1975
Cathy and Steve did not even make it to New York. A blizzard hit the East coast as they neared the city and they were forced to seek shelter in a small cabin off in the woods. No sooner than they had made themselves comfortable in the cabin did Cathy realize she was going into labor. With no hope of help in the inclement weather Steve was forced to deliver Cathy and Joe's child, a daughter, which Cathy named Megan Riley Craig.
About the time Megan was born, many changes were taking place in Llanview. Vinnie Wolek had finally asked his sweetheart Wanda Webb to marry him and she readily accepted his proposal. Their wedding was a joyous occasion for all of Llanview, but an extremely uncomfortable situation occurred when Cathy Craig carried her daughter into the Craig's living room, where the ceremony was held, as Viki couldn't control the envy she felt for Cathy because Cathy had given him his first child.
Steve Burke had become a very unhappy man after his divorce from Viki and especially after her marriage to Joe. Although Steve tried to pick up the pieces of his shattered life, and even pursued a relationship with Cathy Craig, he realized life in Llanview would always be too painful for Viki was too close at hand. Steve accepted a job as a foreign correspondent for the Banner in Europe. He shared a friendly goodbye with Viki and left town never to be heard from again.
Several years before all the above was happening a woman named Dorian Cramer, and her younger, neurotic sister, Melinda, had appeared in town, The Cramers moved into a big house, very near the grounds of Llanfair, and Melinda was quickly befriended by Meredith Lord Wolek and her husband Larry. Dorian, a doctor, got a job with Llanview Hospital, but made few friends because her cold and aloof personality kept everyone at arm's length. She resented the fact that the Woleks had become friendly with Melinda and she tried everything in her power to keep them away from her sister. Melinda, who was at one time an accomplished pianist and child prodigy, had a paralyzed arm, and it was eventually revealed that the young girl had always lived in the shadow of her elder sister. After their parents died in a tragic accident, Dorian was left as Melinda's guardian. Melinda had an accident and fell off a horse leaving her unable to use her right arm and therefore unable to play the piano. Dorian experienced many feelings of guilt for Melinda's misfortune and the sisters' relationship was extremely complicated.
When Meredith showed a maternal interest in Melinda, Dorian seethed with jealousy and this was what initially caused Dorian's resentment of the wealthy Lord family. Even after Meredith's death this resentment continued. Dorian began to resent Viki for her wealth, power and position in the community. Dorian became lovers with Mark Toland, husband of Joe Riley's niece, Julie. Mark was also a doctor on staff at Llanview Hospital and his affair with Dorian became an obsessive one. The two lovers were so caught up in themselves that their patients began to suffer. A young woman named Rachel Wilson, suffering from a terminal illness, died due to their incompetence. Rachel received a dose of the wrong medicine, prescribed by Mark and given to girl by Dorian, which caused her death. This situation made it appear as if Dr. Larry Wolek, a very close friend of Rachel's, had committed a mercy killing, and he was arrested for her murder. Dorian and Mark kept quiet about the situation to save their own skins, and Larry stood trial.
Eventually Dorian's conscience got the best of her and she told Mark she had to go to the police and tell what really happened to Rachel. Mark refused to listen to her and the two disagreed on what to do. During a violent struggle Mark pushed Dorian down some stairs and he skipped town. Dorian was hospitalized and during her recovery she told the authorities about her part in Rachel's death. Larry was exonerated, after Dorian's testimony, but it took him years to act civil to Dorian, without any of the resentment he felt for her after what she had done to him and Rachel.
After Dorian's part in the ordeal was revealed, a decision had to be made as to her status as a practicing physician. Her medical license was revoked, but the hospital board at Llanview Hospital was to meet to decide Dorian's fate, concerning the possibility of lenience being given to her so that she might one day be reinstated to her position at the hospital. Dorian had been sincerely repentant about her crime, and due to her unblemished record prior to this incident, she hoped she would still be allowed to practice medicine in Llanview. Jim Craig and Viki were both members of the hospital board, and in order to gain some sympathy for the lone female board member, Dorian swallowed her pride and paid a visit to Viki at Llanfair to plead her case to her. Dorian automatically assumed the very high and mighty Victoria Lord Riley would never lower herself to feel any sympathy for her, and after Dorian left Llanfair she believed Viki was her sworn enemy.
The fact was that Dorian had gotten through to Viki and Viki did sympathize with Dorian’s predicament, despite what she had done to Larry. The day the hospital board met to decide the situation Viki was the only one of the five members to vote in Dorian's favor. Since the way the board members voted never became public knowledge, and it was not even revealed if the vote was unanimous, Dorian was certain that Viki had voted against her, along with the other members. From the moment Dorian lost all hope of ever practicing medicine again at Llanview Hospital, she blamed Viki for the board’s decision and she was determined to gain revenge on the woman no matter how long it would take.
Victor Lord's health began to deteriorate in the mid 1970's. He suffered at least one minor heart attack, and he later suffered a major heart attack which almost cost him his life, but which in fact changed the circumstances of his lifestyle dramatically. The major heart attack occurred at Dorian's house and Dorian was credited with saving his life. Prior to this Dorian had no use for Victor and vise versa, but his heart attack changed everything. He was so grateful to Dorian for her medical expertise, which saved his life, that he wanted her to become his private physician. Dorian's sister Melinda had been institutionalized after the trauma of the scandal involving Mark Toland, and Dorian was living alone. Victor eventually asked Dorian to move into Llanfair with him so she could watch over him 24 hours a day. Since she was in need of a job, and with the ulterior motive of gaining revenge on Viki lurking in the back of her mind, Dorian accepted Victor's gracious offer.
Viki of course did not like the idea of Dorian becoming so close to her father that she would move into Llanfair, but Victor didn't care what anyone thought. As the months passed it became apparent that Dorian and Victor were more than doctor and patient. Their relationship blossomed into a romance and it sincerely appeared as if Dorian had developed feelings for Victor. However, other things were taking place in Llanview around the time of Dorian and Victor's romance.
Cathy and Joe's daughter began having attacks in which the infant would stop breathing and almost die. Cathy was hysterical about her baby, but she was not really given any diagnosis of Megan's problem. Neither was Joe Riley. But, Cathy’s father, Dr. Jim Craig, and Larry Wolek had indeed diagnosed the baby’s problem but they were too heart-brokento bring themselves to tell Cathy and Joe about it. Poor little Megan was suffering from a congenital heart defect, which had been passed on to her by her father, and this ailment meant that the child would die at a very young age.
Meanwhile, Joe was given adequate visitation rights to Megan and he took advantage of them. He would pick up his daughter at Cathy's and bring her back to the carriage house where he and Viki were living. Viki became very attached to the baby and grew to love her as if she were her own child. She desperately wanted to become pregnant herself, but it had not happened since her wedding and she began to worry that she might not be able to have Joe's baby. Then Viki received a bombshell when she learned the truth about Megan. Larry informed her that the infant was suffering from a congenital heart defect which she had inherited from Joe. What this meant in effect was that if Viki were to conceive Joe's baby that child would run the high risk of inheriting the same problem. Larry wanted to break the news to Joe, but Viki could not bring herself to do it. She knew that if she told Joe he would never want her to get pregnant, and that was the one thing she wanted most in the world, despite the situation. She took Larry's warning seriously, but she also chose to ignore it for the time being, hoping that any child she and Joe had together would not meet the same fate as Megan. As the months passed, and she still had not told Joe the truth, Viki began to turn to Larry as her confidant, and the two became very close. In fact, Larry began falling in love with Viki.
About this time Larry was dating a young nurse, Susan Barry, who worked at Llanview Hospital. Susan fell head over heels in love with Larry who could not return her feelings. Susan turned out to have emotional problems and she soon realized that Larry did not love her because he was in love with viki Riley. Viki and Larry's close relationship had not turned into a romance but Susan perceived it as such because of the time Larry spent consoling his sister-in-law. This situation escalated into a big mess when Mark Toland returned to town. Mark had learned that Victor Lord's illegitimate son, the son he had been searching for for years, was alive and well and he intended to blackmail Victor for this information about his son's whereabouts. Before Mark got to Victor, he met with Dorian, who was by now ensconced in Victor's personal life, and was hoping Since Dorian was so greedy the last thing she wanted was for Victor's son to enter the picture as another possible heir to the will. Dorian persuaded Mark to change his plans. She had gotten hold of the information that Joe Riley had passed on a congenital heart defect problem to his daughter Megan, and Joe did not know about this, but that Viki did know and was keeping the information from him. Dorian told Mark he could blackmail Viki with the same results as blackmailing Victor, and Mark changed his plans and listened to Dorian.
Enter into the picture a mysterious young man named Tony Harris who was staying at a motel in Llanview with his oriental lover, Michiko. Tony had turned up in Lianview with photos of the Lord family, and although it wasn't revealed to viewers at first, he was Victor's long-lost son. Mark Toland was staying at the same motel as Tony and it was at this motel that Viki and Larry showed up to pay the blackmail money Mark demanded. Although dead set against paying the money, Larry was right by Viki's side during the ordeal. He pleaded with her to tell Joe the truth but she would not allow herself to do it. One day Susan Barry followed Viki and Larry to Mark's motel room, and she incorrectly assumed it was their love nest. Susan decided to kill them both and showed up at Mark's room the next day thinking Viki and Larry would be there. Mark was there instead. A scuffle ensued as Susan was drunk and the gun went off killing Mark. Susan ran out in the street and was killed instantly by a hit and run driver. Tony Harris heard the commotion and found Susan dead in the middle of the road.
After Mark Toland's death Viki could breathe a sigh of relief for a while knowing that the secret she was keeping from Joe was safe. Larry and Viki had to talk to Ed Hall and tell him about their recent dealings with the man, and how he was blackmailing Viki. Ed agreed to keep the reason for the blackmailing quiet. Joe was still in the dark about the whole situation.
Larry's love for Viki was quite obvious to viewers but he had trouble admitting it to himself. He continually warned Viki that she had to tell Joe the truth about Megan, but she still refused to do so, even though she had tried several Meanwhile, Megan kept having attacks, and the child's health grew frail. Joe brought the baby home one day, and Viki ended up alone with Megan, as Joe had urgent business to take care of at the paper. While Viki was watching over Megan the baby stopped breathing and had a terrible attack. At the same time an electrical storm hit Llanview and all the electricity went out, as well as the phone lines going dead. Viki was panic stricken and helpless. She could not call for an ambulance or get any kind of help to come to her, so she had to take the infant to the hospital herself, in the middle of the storm. While trying desperately to get Megan to the hospital, the roads became impassable, Viki could not see to drive, and she was involved in an accident.
Viki and the baby were rushed to Llanview Hospital as an ambulance miraculously got through to the accident site. Viki lay in critical condition for several days, but poor little Megan died as a result of her injuries from the accident. Joe Riley was devastated. Not only had he lost his daughter, but his wife was still not out of the woods, and when Viki came to and asked about the baby, Joe was told not to say one word about the child's death because it could cause Viki's condition to deteriorate. Cathy, however, wanted revenge on Viki. Cathy was destroyed over Megan’s death, and she believed that Viki had deliberately killed the child by causing the accident. She wanted Viki to pay for what she had done and she had no qualm about entering Viki's hospital room one day and vowing vengeance for the death of her daughter. Viki was shattered to hear about Megan's death, and did blame herself for what happened. She slipped into an awful depression and wondered how Joe could ever forgive her for causing the baby's death. She grieved for Megan as if she were her own daughter.
Prior to the accident, Dorian and Victor had decided to elope and get married in a quiet ceremony away from Llanview. Tony Harris had befriended Cathy Craig, and the two had become close friends, and eventually lovers. Tony had also gotten a job at the Banner, and after he had learned Victor was indeed his father, he waited for the time he could get even with him for deserting him and his mother when Tony was a child. Tony had become acquainted with Viki, and although he didn't want to like her, he found that she was a very nice person, and he could accept her as his sister. Besides, Viki was not the one at fault for victor's behavior. Tony's hatred was for his father.
Victor Lord was immediately taken by Tony and enjoyed the young man’s company, but Tony did not give any hints to the man about his real identity. He wanted to do it in his own way, and he felt the best way was to become friendly with his father, earn Victor's respect and friendship, and then tell him the truth and disown him. Victor grew attached to Tony, and started to groom him as a future newspaper editor, realizing that he had all the qualities necessary to be worthy of running the Banner. When Victor finally did learn Tony was his son, the two had a heated argument, Tony told Victor he would never accept him as a father, and never accept the Lord name as his own, which Victor wanted desperately for him to do. Throughout all the turmoil between father and son, Dorian gloated. She had known for months that Tony was Victor's son, but she kept quiet while Victor was again searching for that young man. Victor knew it would take a long time, but he was determined to earn Tony's respect, and bring his son into his family willingly. Dorian, however, kept devising ways to keep the two men at odds, and she succeeded.
When Victor learned of his daughter's car accident, upon his return to town after marrying Dorian, he rushed to her side. Even though Dorian and Tony had recently become two of his prize possessions, he still loved Viki more than anything in the world, and the thought of losing her would destroy him. When she was finally strong enough, physically and mentally, to deal with more shocking news, Victor realized he had to tell her about his new wife, and her (Viki’s) long-lost brother. Surprisingly, Viki took both shocks well. She was not happy about her father's marriage to Dorian Cramer, but she could see that he loved her, and she wanted him to be happy so she accepted the news of his marriage albeit a little reluctantly. When Victor told her that Tony Harris was her half-brother Viki was surprised, but pleased because she had become friends with Tony and sincerely liked him. Shortly afterward, Tony visited his sister in the hospital and none of his animosity for Victor spilled over to Viki. They were to become very close, and much of this was due to their dislike of Dorian.
After several weeks in the hospital, Viki returned home but the injuries she sustained in the accident, including a fractured pelvis, left her unable to walk without a cane. Viki was determined to overcome this temporary handicap, and she refused to use a walker. Before her discharge from Llanview Hospital Larry once again told her that she must that she the truth that she could not bear his children because of that. Joe desperately wanted to make love to his wife, but due to her delicate state from her injuries, he knew she needed time to recover. When she finally got the okay from Larry that she could become Joe's wife physically again, she surprisingly did not let Joe make love to her for fear she would get pregnant. Jim had prescribed birth control pills for her, but Viki didn't take them thinking Joe would find out, and not understand why she was taking the pills when they wanted a baby. Viki kept putting Joe off about sleeping with him, and he began to wonder what was wrong, and if the accident had left her psychologically scarred.
Something finally happened to cause Viki to make a complete recover. Her new step-mother, Dorian Cramer Lord, had sent out invitations to a party to be held in her honor at Llanfair. Dorian had secretly planned this party to upstage Viki since she was now the lady of the manor and mistress of Llanfair, a role always held by Viki. But Dorian had another secret. She had removed Viki's mother's portrait from its place of honor over the fireplace in the library and she had replaced it with her own portrait. Dorian could not wait to see the look on Viki's face when she walked into the library and saw the new painting.
Viki was still walking with a cane when she arrived at the party. She was visibly shaken and upset upon walking into the library and seeing her mother's portrait replaced by the new portrait of her step-mother, but Viki, always the quintessential lady, refused to give Dorian the satisfaction of seeing her blood boil: Viki quietly excused herself, and went upstairs to seethe in private with Joe by her side. When Viki was ready to return to the party, she stood at the top of the stairs with her cane, about to descend, but Dorian had brought everyone into the foyer at this time to watch Viki since she knew Viki would have trouble coming down the stairs. Viki would not allow Dorian to humiliate her in that way, and she gave Joe her cane, defiantly looked Dorian straight in the eye, and she slowly and elegantly came down the stairs and everyone applauded.
1976
Although upset about Dorian's overt attempts to unnerve her at the party, Viki and Joe returned to the carriage house in high spirits. Due to Viki's dramatic decision to walk downstairs without the use of her cane, in their bedroom that evening Viki knew she could not provide Joe with any excuse as to why they couldn't make love. Besides, she wanted desperately to be a wife to Joe, and when she was brushing her hair, he slowly came up behind her, kissed her neck, whisked her into his arms carrying her to the bed, and they spent the night in each other's arms. Their son, Kevin, was conceived that night, and several weeks later, when Larry asked her if she and Joe were sleeping together, she told him yes, and Larry demanded she have a pregnancy test. He reprimanded her for not taking the birth control pills; her pregnancy test came back positive. Viki was both happy and upset at the news because she knew how complicated her life would become because of the baby she was carrying. But she wanted Joe's baby more than anything in the world, and she was determined the child would be healthy.
Tony's life was becoming complicated too. Cathy Craig's best friend, Pat Kendall, had moved to Llanview with her young son, Brian. Pat was a writer, and she and Cathy had met in New York several years before. Cathy invited Pat, a widow, to stay in Llanview and start a new life for herself. Pat quickly got a job at the Banner, working with Viki, and she came into contact with her old lover Tony Harris. fact, unknown to Tony, Pat had given birth to his son, Brian, and she had never stopped loving Tony even after all the years that had passed. Tony was heavily involved with Cathy at the time, and although he did care for Pat he was resigned to the fact it was over, and he planned to start a life with Cathy and make her his wife. Pat gradually found her friendship with Cathy fading because of Tony and Cathy's relationship, but also because Cathy hated Viki Riley and her hatred was bordering on the irrational. Pat worked with Viki at the Banner and had grown very close to her. The two eventually became best friends, much to Cathy's chagrin, and Cathy only saw this as another way in which Viki was trying to destroy her life. Tony became worried about Cathy's constant obsession with Viki, and the obsession became worse.
Tony slowly began to mend his relationship with his father, Victor, Dorian grew more incensed. She didn’t want Victor to leave this “bastard” a penny of his vast fortune! Fearing that a father/son reunion would end her chances of inheriting the Lord fortune, Dorian stepped up her campaign against Tony. When Tony realized what she was doing, he went straight to Victor to tell him of his wife’s treachery. Later, Victor lashed out at Dorian. Confronted with her lies, Dorian was forced to admit that she’d had know before anyone else that Tony was Victor’s son. The shock of the revelation proved too much for Victor; on April 30, 1976 he crumpled to the floor of the Lord library. Llanview’s most powerful figure had suffered a massive stroke that left him unable to speak.
Determined to keep her husband from recovering, Dorian sprang into action. She succeeded in having Victor moved from the hospital back to Llanfair. Her devilish aim was to isolate him as much possible from his children and thereby reduce the chances of them finding out about the climatic fight that had led to his stroke.
Soon, a second stroke sent him back to the hospital. As his strength slipped away, Victor struggled to speak to Viki. It became obvious, much to Dorian’s distress, that he had something very important to tell his daughter.
Viki refused to be denied access to her father. Eventually, Dorian realized she could not keep Viki from seeing Victor, and she allowed her stepdaughter five minutes with her father. Victor was incredibly weak when Viki entered his room. Try as hard as he might to muster enough strength to warn her about Dorian, no words would come out as he tried to speak. Before Viki left, Victor was able to mouth the word "lawyer" to her, and she saw to it that Victor's lawyer was summoned immediately and Dorian had to allow the man in. However, Victor was unable to communicate to the man that he wanted his wife out of his will. Shortly thereafter, the strain of trying to communicate and his fear that Dorian was trying to kill him caused another stroke while Dorian was in the room. While Dorian watched Victor in agony, she withheld his medication which might have alleviated the attack. This time Victor was left almost a vegetable, and Dorian did have him transported to Llanview Hospital.
Viki rushed to the hospital when she heard Victor would not live out the day. During the last meeting with her father, the man tried once more to warn her about Dorian. His final word to Viki, almost inaudible, was "Dorian". Then, all his strength gone, he died with Viki thinking he meant to plead with her to become friends with his wife, and grow closer to her. Since that was what Viki interpreted as his dying wish, she decided to turn over a new leaf and try to get to know Dorian.
Tony vowed revenge on his "step-mother" for causing his father's death, and when he told Viki he believed that Dorian had killed Victor, Viki could not believe that the woman could be that cruel. Dorian appeared to be sincerely grief-stricken, and because of Victor's dying request, Viki was ready to give Dorian the benefit of the doubt. Besides, of utmost importance to Viki, at this time, was her unborn child, and the secret she was shielding from her husband.
The reading of the will, however, proved to be quite disconcerting for Viki. While she realized that Victor was going to provide comfortably for his widow, Viki certainly did not realize the extent of Victor's generosity towards Dorian in the will. Victor split the Lord estate 50/50 between Viki and Dorian, with Viki receiving 51% of Banner stock, and Dorian 49% and Viki receiving 49% of WVLE and Dorian 51%. But, the real blow to Viki's ego was that her father had named Dorian Executrix of the estate. He left Llanfair to Dorian, with the stipulation that if ever she remarried, the mansion would revert back to Viki. (This was the codicil Viki put into use after Dorian married Herb, and Viki married Clint.) Victor had totally disinherited Tony except for giving him ten cents and this fact made Dorian's day. Dorian now saw herself as "Queen of Llanview," and she was in a position, finally, to deprive Viki of everything, especially her husband. Dorian decided the time was near at hand to play her trump card and tell Joe about the congenital heart defect problem.
Dorian schemed to ruin Viki's marriage, Cathy Craig Harris Lord was slipping deeper and deeper into mental instability. Even though Cathy's career as a novelist was very successful, (she had recently completed a novel in which the protagonist was named Kitty Mainwaring, and the antagonist, and villainess of the story, was based upon Cathy's stilted interpretation of Victoria Riley as an evil woman ), she was obsessed with only two things: revenge on Victoria Lord, and to become a mother again. Tony’s life was topsy turvy at this point. He was trapped in a marriage to an emotionally unbalanced woman while the true love of his life was living in the same town. Tony would eventually learn the truth that Brian Kendall was his son, and he would make a vow that his relationship with his son would not turn out the way his relationship with his father had.
Near the end of Viki's sixth month of pregnancy, several of her friends planned a baby shower, which was held at Anna Craig's home. New faces were now turning up in Llanview at this time for Dr. Will Vernon, his wife Naomi, and two children Brad and Samantha had returned to Llanview after years of living in Montana. Dr. Vernon had once been Chief of Psychiatry at Llanview Hospital, and when the position became vacant again, he decided to relocate his family. Also new to Llanview was Jenny Wolek Siegel's young, immature, and sexy sister, Karen, who would eventually become involved with Larry Wolek. Jenny, after grieving for her Timmy for many months, was intensely attracted to Brad Vernon no matter how hard she tried to fight it, and this relationship developed into a major storyline. Shortly after Jenny's sister Karen arrived in town, another new face claimed center-stage, Karen's ex-boyfriend, the nefarious and sleazy Marco Dane.
While Viki was having the time of her life at her party, Joe was busy working on an important story at the Banner, and Dorian realized this was the right time to do her dirty work. Dorian played her role to the hilt. Explaining to Joe she had stopped by due to a business matter, she casually inquired about Viki’s health, and how the strain of the pregnancy, and the fact that the baby might inherit Joe's congenital heart condition, which could be passed to the infant, must be unbearable for both Viki and Joe. Joe looked dumfounded at Dorian and demanded an explanation. In this way Joe learned the truth about Megan, how Viki, Larry and Jim had lied for months to him and Cathy, and how Viki had lied to him about their unborn child. Dorian's mission was accomplished. Later her explanation to everyone about unleashing this secret was that, "I just let it slip out."
Joe was devastated. He immediately went to Jim Craig and demanded verification. Then he demanded that Cathy be told the truth as well. Joe immediately went to Cathy and explained this information he had just heard. Cathy's hatred for Viki only intensified after learning this. The baby shower for Viki had ended and Viki was back at the carriage house waiting to show Joe the beautiful baby things she had received. The moment he walked through the door she knew he had learned the truth and what followed was the worst argument the couple had ever had. Viki demanded to know who had told him. When he said, Dorian, she knew this had been a calculated move by her step-mother to destroy her. Joe ended up storming out of the house, and Viki believed that their marriage was over.
Joe stayed out the whole night, and Viki desperately in need of comforting words, called Larry who only proceeded to reprimand her for keeping the secret so long. Viki then paid l a visit to Dorian and told her she was on to her little game. Joe came home the next morning, told Viki he was not going to leave her, but treated her in a cold and aloof manner. After Joe went to work the strain of the previous day took its toll on Viki. She went into premature labor, and Joe rushed to the hospital, all things immediately forgotten. For the time being, the baby was saved, but one month later, Viki went into labor again, and after the Cesarean section and Kevin Lord Riley came into the world on his grandfather's birthday. He was born without the heart defect that could have been passed on by Joe, and just as their long ordeal seemed to come to an end, calamity once again struck the Riley family. The now psychotic Cathy Craig, who was extremely jealous of Viki and all that she had in life kidnapped Kevin right from the hospital and hopscotched around the country with the infant. By the time that she wandered back into Llanview, Cathy had lost touch with reality and was without Kevin. Joe and Viki were devastated but Viki resolved not to give in to despair, while Joe became very disillusioned and turned to the bottle for solace.
1977
Much to the delight of Dorian, Joe and Viki eventually separated because of Joe’s drinking, but their time apart was cut short because Kevin was finally returned to his parents and Viki took Joe back. But due to his recurrent headaches, Joe suspected a brain tumor. He. had some inconclusive tests run, and reluctantly kept this news to himself at Dorian's suggestion. He later came to his senses, told Viki, and then had an operation on what turned out to be a benign tumor. By this time Viki had succeeded in cutting Dorian out of Joe's life.
1978
Viki's college friend Irene Clayton, who was terminally ill, came to see Viki to ask her to take care of her sixteen year old daughter, Tina, to which Viki agreed. The innocent Tina became friends with Marco Dane.
Just as Marco was about to leave town, he was murdered. Viki, whom he was attempting to blackmail with false pornographic pictures of her ward Tina Clayton, went to his health club with $50,000 of payoff month, but on discovering his body, took Tina's pictures from the file cabinet and left. All the murder evidence pointed to our heroine who withheld some facts because of Tina, while at the same time, someone was trying to incriminate her by suggesting that Niki Smith was back as a killer.
1979
Viki, sensing Karen Wolek needed a friend, bonded with her. Viki was visiting her friend Irene Clayton at the Wallington Hotel when she saw Karen accept money from a man. Viki asked Karen about it and Karen admitted she was being forced into prostitution by Marco Dane.
Viki went on trial for the murder of Marco Dane. Karen, in an attempt to save Viki, took the stand and was savagely cross-examined by D.A. Herb Callison and the whole sordid truth of her life as a hooker became public. Eventually, the truth that Talbot Huddleston was the killer was revealed and Viki was exonerated.
Tina, who was still in her teens at this point, had been causing Joe and Viki great problems, but in the midst of this trouble they were thrilled to learn that Viki was pregnant with their second child. The excitement was short-lived because Joe had a recurrence of his brain tumor. Knowing of his impending death, Joe hand-picked his successor at the Banner, an Arizona newspaper editor named Clint Buchanan. Viki, reading a letter from Joe as he died in their bed accepted Joe's sudden death courageously. Viki believing that she was needed by Kevin, Tina, and her unborn baby. Even though Clint was uneasy about it, Viki decided to fill the position of publisher of the Banner, while assuring him that he would continue to call the shots.
