The writers have kept the off-camera relationship between India and her adoptive daughter, Dorrie, very much alive.

They certainly bring her up a lot. I know that the fans are very curious about it. I've been in touch with Kim Parks (Dorrie). She's still a terrific actress and in the business. I don't have any idea if they're serious about introducing [Dorie] back into the storyline. It'd be nice if they did.

I think everyone was pleased to see India brought back to the Spaulding fold after the story with Ross wrapped up.

In my opinion, it's what most makes sense for India. I was so absolutely delighted to start getting scripts that had me being brought back to that family. To have scenes with Grant Aleksander again and to rekindle the relationship with Alan (now played by Ron Raines) was great. The characters all have a lot of history together. I said to Jerry on one of our last days together that I'm really going to miss working with you so directly, but if I could have any sort of gift after you, it would be working with Ron and Grant, who's always been one of my favorite actors. I know [Grant] enjoys working with me, so, "Yeah! This is who India is." I'm down on my knees praying that it keeps developing.

I hear that you surf the Net a lot. When did you first venture into cyberspace?

I was introduced to the Internet via CompuServe in 1993 when I worked with Terry Lester [ex-Royce, ATWT; ex-Jack, Y&R], who is one of the very brightest, most brilliant computer geeks I've ever known. I bought his old Macintosh and he turned me on to the wonders of the Internet. I've used [the Internet] as a resource and I just love it. My parents came out to visit me in Los Angeles and I showed them my computer and the information I could find on it. My mom got her own computer hookup and we became e-mail buddies. I call her "web gal" now. It was even better when we were living on different coasts. It saved a lot in long-distance phone calls.

You worked a great deal of episodic television in L.A., including on the short-lived series Traps with George C. Scott and on Everybody Loves Raymond. Do you have any favorite appearances where you said, "I've got to put this one on my reel."

Both of those actually are on my reel. But by far the most fun I ever had in Hollywood was working on the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as the Grilka. I worked with Armin Shimerman [who played Quark] primarily. Working within that enterprise - no pun intended - was the most fun. I had a great time on a bunch of other shows, as well. There were some close calls... I heard a lot of "Oh, if this goes... you'll be back." And then, the show would be canceled.

These days, if a show's not an overnight hit, it gets canceled. Has being back in New York offered you any theater opportunities?

I just finished a short theater piece. It was a workshop, but, yes, there's a lot of potential. I started in the theater and so any opportunity I get to work in the theater is welcome. Also, New York set a record last year for films being produced in the city thanks to Mayor Giuliani. I don't have a lot of experience in that medium, but it's certainly worth a try. There's a significant amount of work to be done here, but frankly and honestly — and I've made this very clear — I would like to be on Guiding Light [more].

So would your many, many fans! With a character so steeped in history, I can't see India not being expanded.

Hopefully it's going to work out that way.

Are you in touch with your former GL co-star Warren Burton (ex-Warren)?

He's one of my all-time dearest best friends. He's in L.A. and I miss him on a daily basis. He's so good and I'd love to see him back on daytime.

Well, Warren went to jail for killing Paul Valere back in 1987. In some cities, he'd already be out of jail.

[Laughs] Exactly. In Soapland, he's ready for parole, at least. As an actor, Warren brings so much to the table. I'd dance a jig if he could come back to Springfield.

You sound happy to be back in New York.

Yes. Recently, I had met a friend for coffee and we were crossing Broadway during a beautiful afternoon and I said, "God, I love living here." My friend thought I was being funny, but I wasn't. I really love this city. I can enjoy just looking at a building and seeing the sunlight glint off it. L.A.'s a wonderful city with a lot of pluses, but it never made me feel the kind of excitement I feel when I'm in New York.