SOAP OPERA DIGEST

December 22, 1982

By Carol Tormey

There were two forces that precipitated Bobbie Spencer's leaving her hometown where all her neighbors and friends expected she'd finish high school, go on to marry her childhood sweetheart and raise a family. The first was her lifelong ambition to become a nurse. The second, to this day, is still somewhat of an enigma. But knowing what we do about Bobbie now, we might perhaps call it her instinct for survival from the hard knocks of life. Why else would Bobbie Spencer take a detour from her cherished dream to attend nursing school and instead, opt for a life of sleaze as a prostitute in Florida?

When times were bad,
Bobbie always knew she could count on her brother Luke.

Like many other girls who fantasized about being plucked off their respective Elm Streets on the crossroads of America, Bobbie Spencer had her plans and her dreams to escape the conformity of life in small town, USA. But again, like so many others about to embark on an exciting new career, life often presents obstacles that change and shape us. To this day, Bobbie is reluctant to talk about the circumstances that brought her to Florida and her involvement with prostitution. Whatever the reasons were that motivated her, they were soon resolved, and Bobbie moved ahead with what had been her ambition all along - to attend nursing school in Port Charles.

Along about the time Bobbie was immersed in studies, enter one Cal Jamison. Life was difficult enough. Bobbie was plugging along, but she was depressed living in her dismal rooming house, impatient to graduate from school and obsessed with a man who loved someone else.

Cal recognized her from her days as a call girl in Florida. His showing up in Port Charles threatened the fulfillment of Bobbie's dream. But fate and circumstances seemed to be in Bobbie's corner this time. Before he could do her any harm, Cal was convicted as a blackmailer and whisked away to serve time.

After this harrowing incident, it was becoming more apparent to Bobbie, that to get what she wanted, required very careful planning. The ways of the world were such that she to use all her resources and intelligence to achieve her ambitions - personal and careerwise.

When Bobbie's strong commitment to her studies was brought to the attention of Audrey Hardy, the supervisor of student nurses at General Hospital, Bobbie was overjoyed. Audrey approached her, and citing her as one of General's most eager and brightest students, suggested that since she was graduating that summer, some practical experience would be very beneficial to her. The next day, Audrey had instructed, she would assist the seventh floor nurses.

Amy, Jessie and Bobbie at the Nurse's Station.

On her first day at the hospital, Bobbie had to report directly to head nurse Jessie Brewer. Despite her all business attitude, Bobbie sensed that Jessie had a heart of gold and they would become good friends. That very first day, something else happened that changed her life. Jessie introduced her to Scotty Baldwin, the twenty-three-year-old son of General's chief legal counsel. Enthralled by Scotty's good looks, charm and position, Bobbie decided almost instantly that he would become her lover. Sensing her special interest in Scotty, Jessie lost no time in letting her know he was already spoken for; Scotty was in love with Laura Webber, the seventeen-year-old daughter of Drs. Lesley and Rick Webber.

Scotty Baldwin, Bobbie's rich and charming new love.

Far from being a deterrent to Bobbie, it triggered off her fighting instinct. When it came to pursuing men, Bobbie would soon prove that she had no scruples. Whatever hardships she had endured as a hooker had toughened her ... made her ruthless when faced with something that was being denied her. If her past had indeed shaped her into a calculating, devious woman, these traits were just emerging to prove there were contradictions in her character. Bobbie seemed to be caught between an image of herself in a position of service to humanity and a woman who was truly amoral when it came to a man she wanted to make her own.

After months of scheming and manipulating, Bobbie succeeded in winning Scotty from Laura. After all, Laura was a mere child and it was a piece of cake to fool her. Feigning great interest in Laura's dilemmas, Bobbie had easily won her friendship and confidence, then proceded to give her the worst possible advice - sanctioning (knowing this infuriated Scotty) her very adolescent rebellious behavior. She then sat back and waited - but not before malting the mix even more volatile. Bobbie made sure Laura caught her and Scotty in bed - or so Laura would conclude, finding Bobbie emerging from his room in a state of semi-undress, when she came to his apartment. The outcome was not surprising. Bobbie got what she wanted but her satisfaction was short-lived.

Not long afterwards, Bobby's landlady came upstairs to talk with her. Expecting her to be alone, she was surprised and angered to find Scotty in Bobbie's bed. It was the last straw!

Bobbie used every dirty trick in the book
to break up Laura and Scotty's romance.

What she'd heard about Bobbie's past was true! Confronting Bobbie, the landlady told her she wanted her out immediately. Not only was Bobbie evicted but Scotty, appalled by what he had learned, walked out on Bobbie only to rekindle his romance with Laura.

After her landlady evicted her, Bobbie didn't know who to turn to for help. In despair, she arrived for work at the hospital and compassionate Jessie listened to her problems. She almost couldn't believe it when that good lady offered her a place to stay. Jessie generously and tactfully invited Bobbie to share her apartment. She reassured Bobbie, it wasn't out of charity but actually she'd love to have company. Gratefully, Bobbie accepted.

Jessie provided a very special kind of relationship in Bobbie's life and a much needed one. She was very supportive and her wise guidance during the time Scotty was re-involing himself with Laura enabled Bobbie to get through it without too many emotional scars. When Scotty decided to help Laura through her latest crisis (Lesley, Laura's mother was going on trial for the murder of a man Laura might have killed - her considerably older lover, David Hamilton), Bobbie saw this as a transparent excuse to see more of her. Apparently, Laura had suffered a memory block about those traumatic few moments when David was killed. Scotty swore he was trying to help Laura recall what had happened but his assurances were beginning to wear thin.

When Laura regained her memory and it turned out that she had indeed killed David, she was remanded to the custody of her parents. But she had to meet very strict parole conditions. Losing Scotty to a murderess was more than Bobbie could endure! She turned to her brother Luke in desperation. They had to get Laura out of the way. Together they should be able to figure out something that would make it appear as though she intentionally broke parole. Then she would be sent away to a reformatory were a young murderess such as she was, rightfully belonged. Luke was not unwilling to help his sister, but the outcome was that all their plans failed. Not only was Laura still free, but now she and Scotty were planning marriage. Bobbie was beside herself with anger and frustration. There had to be a way! After a little while, she knew what she had to do. It was one of the world's oldest tricks but what did she have to lose? She would tell Scotty she was pregnant!

Bobbie launched her plan full-scale. She deliberately switched her urine specimen with that of a woman who was exceptionally fertile and probably pregnant. But, as she entered the office of General's top gynecologist, Dr. Gina Dante, Bobbie encountered a coldly professional stare from the doctor. It was apparent she had discovered Bobbie's subterfuge. Bobbie went home to her room, knowing that Gina would probably tell Scotty what she had done. Totally defeated, she fell asleep.

Suddenly, Scotty was pounding at her door. She had never seen him look so contemptuous. Bobbie never heard what he said to her and she had no words for him - what was there to say? She only knew it was truly over now!

Still in a state of shock, Bobbie received a phone call. Could things get worse? Indeed! It was Cal Jamison on the line - bothering her again. He threatened to go to Audrey Hardy with what he knew and some pictures to prove it unless Bobbie paid him off. But, this time, as mentioned earlier, the law took care of Cal.

Bobbie clutched at one last chance to free her from her pain. Maybe she could still get Scotty back. Luke would save her - he'd devise a plan. And so he did. Bobbie was to slip a mickey into Scotty's drink, then arrange to have Laura catch her in semi undress in Scotty's apartment. But there was one unforseen result. Laura, shocked and upset, drove off recklessly in her car, and was critically injured in an accident. By this time, Bobbie regretted everything she had done to this end. During the time Laura was in surgery, Bobbie agonized through every waiting moment. When Laura survived the surgery, Bobbie said a silent prayer of thanks.

Several weeks earlier, Bobbie had met Roy DiLucca through Luke. She was finding Roy more and more attractive, although she had second thoughts about his underworld connections. It was time to let Scotty go. Time for a new beginning. Luke had advised Bobbie to tell Roy and Jessie both about her past - to get it out in the open. Once she did, she felt so free. They all loved her anyway. Her life was turning around. She and Roy planned to be married and all her friends gave her a bridal shower. She had never been so happy!

But fate dealt Bobbie another blow! A week after the bridal shower, Roy was gunned down, trying to assassinate Senator Mitch Williams. Bobbie felt she would never recover from this tragedy and went into deep mourning. Her work became very important.

Roy (then Asher Brauner) was Bobbie's last great love.
When he died, her heart died with him.

Bobbie's friends were to give her great solace and she became immersed in her nursing. It took time, but finally Bobbie was starting to feel a bit like her old self. The tragedy that had befallen her and her work at the hospital matured her. Her compassion for others deepened and her former petulant, needs were no longer a consideration.

About a year later, Steve Hardy asked Bobbie to represent General at a medical convention to be held out of town. Yes, she would love to go - it was a wonderful opportunity, professionally. That was one decision Bobbie never regretted. She came back all aglow. At the convention, she had met Dr. Noah Drake. He made her feel alive again. He was adorable. She could think of nothing else. But would she ever see Noah again? Bobbie got back to business and pushed thoughts of Noah out of her mind.

When Jeff Webber left General to work at another hospital, Bobbie heard there was a new appointee to replace him. She couldn't believe her luck when it turned out to be Dr. Noah Drake!

Noah and Bobbie work as a team a lot these days and they are always together. It seems to be an easy-going relationship with lots of affection on both sides. Bobbie would love to get married. Only time will tell if in fact, this time she'll get her wish.

What's next for Bobbie Spencer? Our guess is that a lot depends on Noah.

The most important men in Bobbie's live: Scotty and Luke.

Bobbie Spencer (1)