Keeping Up With The Deverauxes
Episodes 26 - 30
EPISODE 26
EXT. DIMERA LAWN
IN ON OVERGROWN BUSHES. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, THE BUSHES BEGIN TO SHAKE AS IF SOMEONE IS IN THEM.
JENNIFER: Jack, Jack, are you okay? (POPPING HER HEAD OUT OF THE BUSHES)
JACK: (POPPING HIS HEAD OUT OF THE BUSHES AND SPITTING OUT SOME LEAVES AND COUGHING) As well as to be expected. (HE STANDS UP AND BRUSHES HIMSELF OFF AND HELPS HER UP) Yourself?
JENNIFER: Fine. I'm fine.
(JACK SMILES AND NODS IN RELIEF AND THEN PEERS UP AT THE MANSION)
JENNIFER: (TRYING TO GET JACK'S ATTENTION) That was some fall, huh?
JACK: (NOT LOOKING AT HER) Uh-huh.
JENNIFER: (STILL TRYING TO GET HIS ATTENTION) I guess we're lucky these bushes were here.
JACK: (CONTINUING TO PEER AT THE MANSION) Uh-huh.
JENNIFER: (GETTING ANNOYED) Well, I'm glad you're okay, Jack. I mean if anything had happened to...
JACK TURNS AND WATCHES HER.
JACK: (ACCUSINGLY) You pushed me. I can't believe you pushed me.
SCENE 2:
IN PROGRESS
JENNIFER: (MOUTH FLYING OPEN IN SHOCK) I did not.
JACK: You most certainly did. And you better shut your mouth, you might catch flies.
JENNIFER: Jack, I did not push you.
JACK: Okay, then, how did I, who was very adamant about not jumping, wind up here (STOMPS HIS FOOT), the very place I did not want to be?
JENNIFER: (SMILING BECAUSE SHE CANNOT BELIEVE HE WOULD ACCUSE HER OF SUCH A THING) You, we, fell, Jack.
JACK: We fell? No, I think that I fell after you forced me to.
JENNIFER: Jack, I did no such thing...if you hadn't fought with me we'd probably still be up there (NODDING TOWARDS THE LEDGE).
JACK: How can you say that? I was simply, I was simply, sticking to my guns. I was happy there (POINTING TO THE LEDGE) and would've eventually made it here (JUMPING UP TO INDICATE THE GROUND). But no, Miss Jennifer Rose Horton, who has the arm power of a professional wrestler may I add, had to go and see that I fell face first into the DiMera flora. (HE FUSSES WITH SOME LEAVES)
JENNIFER: Jack, if you hadn't been so stubborn...
JACK SCOFFS AT THIS.
JENNIFER: (ROLLING HER EYES) If you hadn't been so stubborn, we would not be here (JUMPING UP TO INMITATE JACK), Jack. We would be there (POINTING TO THE LEDGE).
JACK: Here (JUMPS UP AND IMITATES HER), there (HE WAVES TO THE LEDGE). The point is you pushed me. I did not want to go and you pushed me.
JENNIFER: I did not.
JACK: Did so. (CROSSING HIS ARMS) I guess it's my word against yours, isn't it?
JENNIFER: No. Jack, come here (SHE PULLS HIM TOWARDS HER).
JACK: (GETTING NERVOUS) Miss Hor-(NOTICING HER SHIMMY HER BODY UP TO HIS) what are you doin--?
JENNIFER: I'm showing you. (SHE SMILES AT HIS NERVOUSNESS) I'm showing you that I did not push you. You see here you were (SHE PUTS HER ARM BEHIND HIS NECK TO STEADY HIS GAZE AT HER) and here I was (SHE TAKES HER OTHER HAND AND TOUCHES HER CHEST SLIGHTLY).
JACK: (GULPING) Hehehe. Here and there.
JENNIFER: (SMILING AT HIS NERVOUSNESS AGAIN) And then you said that you were not jumping. Any of this coming back to you yet, Jack?
JACK: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) Bits and pieces.
JENNIFER: Good. And then I said that you had to, that it was too dangerous and you said...
ALL OF A SUDDEN SHOTS RING OUT. JACK INSTINCTIVELY JUMPS ON TOP OF JENNIFER AND INTO THE BUSHES.
SCENE 3:
IN PROGRESS.
JACK: (PEEKING HIS HEAD OUT OF THE BUSHES) It's clear. Jennifer, Jennifer?
JENNIFER: (PEEKING HER HEAD ABOVE THE BUSHES AS WELL) Jack-
JACK: (PUTTING HIS FINGER TO HER MOUTH) Shhhh...Enough of this fighting. We've got to get out of here. Once I'm sure that we're safe, that they're safe (NODDING TO THE MANSION), then we shall resume our usual banter. Understood?
JENNIFER NODS.
JACK: Good. Now, Miss H, let's get to stepping. (HE GRABS HER HAND AND THEY RUN OUT OF THE BUSHES AND JACK STOPS)
JENNIFER: Jack, what's wrong? Why did you stop?
JACK: (SMILING SLYLY AT HER) Nothing.
JENNIFER: (SMILING) What?
JACK: You remember that arm power we were talking about earlier? Well (HE LOOKS DOWN AT HER HAND AND COUGHS NERVOUSLY)
JENNIFER: Jack! (SHE MOCK HITS HIM AND THEY RUN AWAY)
SCENE 4: INT. PUB.
JACK HAS JUST HUNG UP A PAYPHONE AND JENNIFER IS LOOKING NERVOUSLY AT HIM.
JENNIFER: Was that Shane?
JACK: (NOTICING HER CONCERN) Yes, yes it was. (HE WALKS PAST HER TO A TABLE AND SITS)
JENNIFER: (FOLLOWING HIM WITH A CURIOUS LOOK AND SITTING DOWN) Jack. Jack, what did he tell you?
JACK: (SMILING WEAKLY) He told me that the fish and chips are wonderful here and we should try them (HE OPENS A MENU).
JENNIFER: (TOUCHING HIS ARM) Jack, be serious.
JACK: (NOT LOOKING UP FROM THE MENU) I am being serious. A good Englishman would never lie about fish and chips and that's what Shane is you know.
JENNIFER: (PULLING THE MENU DOWN TO MAKE HIM LOOK AT HER) I'm serious, Jack. Tell me what he said.
JACK: (NERVOUS) I don't think-
JENNIFER: Jack, I don't care what you think. I have a right to know.
JACK: (TRYING TO TAKE THE EDGE OFF THE SITUATION) It's probably nothing really. I don't know why I'm so worried. You see those shots that rung out, somebody...(SEEING HER IMPATIENCE)...Somebody was shot, Jennifer.
OUT ON JENNIFER'S SCARED FACE.
SCENE 5: IN PROGRESS
IN ON JACK LOOKING AT JENNIFER'S FACE, WHICH IS SAD AND AFRAID. HE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.
JACK: I...I shouldn't have told you. (INSTINCTIVELY PLACING HIS HAND ON HERS)
JENNIFER: (SQUEEZING HIS HAND INSTINCTIVELY) No...no, I'm glad you did.
JACK: How can you say that? I scared the bejeezus out of you.
JENNIFER: Jack, I needed to know. Thank you. (SHE MOVES HER HAND AND TURNS AWAY, SHIVERING AND WRAPPING HER ARMS AROUND HERSELF)
JACK NOTICES HER FRIGHTENED EXPRESSION.
JACK: (AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF SILENCE TOUCHES HER SHOULDER) Is there anything I can do?
JENNIFER LOOKS BACK AT HIM WITH TEARS IN HER EYES.
JENNIFER: Just be here. That's enough.
JACK: (CONFUSED) I...I don't...sometimes I don't feel like that's enough.
JENNIFER: (TURNING TO FACE HIM) It is to me, Jack. Sometimes I just need you with me.
JACK: (QUESTIONINGLY) Really?
JENNIFER: Really.
JACK: (AMAZED) Okay. Then I'm here, but not without reinforcements (HE DIGS IN HIS POCKET AND GOES TO THE PHONE)
JENNIFER WATCHES HIM CURIOUSLY.
JENNIFER: Jack, what are you doing?
JACK: You'll see. (HE PUTS MONEY IN AND BEGINS TO DIAL).
OUT ON JACK'S NERVOUSLY SMILING TO JENNIFER.
SCENE 6: IN PROGRESS
IN ON JACK ON THE PHONE AND THE PHONE RINGING. HE LOOKS OVER AT JENNIFER AND INDICATES JUST A MINUTE AND THEN SMILES WEAKLY AT HER. SOMEONE ON THE OTHER END PICKS UP.
JACK: Hello...hello...is there an Abigail Johanna Deveraux there? Could you tell her that her loving father would like to speak to her? (HE SMILES WIDELY AT JENNIFER WITH LOVE IN HIS EYES)
JENNIFER SMILES BACK AT HIM.
ABBY: (VOICE ONLY) Daddy, it's me.
JACK: Well, hello "me." You sound so mature. I better not come home and find you married-you know what we said about that.
ABBY AND JACK: No dating until your sixty-five. (JACK SMILES AT JENNIFER AND SHE BEAMS)
ABBY: (V.O.) You're so silly, Daddy. (BEAT) When are you and Mommy coming home?
JACK: (THROWING JENNIFER A LOOK) Soon, Abigail, soon. Speaking of that cool Mom of yours, why don't you say hi? (HE GESTURES FOR JENNIFER TO COME OVER AND SHE TAKES THE PHONE)
JACK STANDS BEHIND JENNIFER SO HE CAN LISTEN.
JENNIFER: (WANTING TO CRY. SHE MISSES ABBY SO MUCH) Hi, Baby. (SHE BEAMS AT JACK) Are you taking good care of Grandma Jo and Uncle Vern?
ABBY: (V.O.) I sure am. Grandma Jo's been making all sorts of dinners. She even made Daddy's favorite, tuna, tuna cass-(STUMBLING ON THE WORDS)
JENNIFER: Casserole (SHE GIGGLES AT JACK, WHO MAKES A FACE). Green noodle casserole.
OUT ON JENNIFER AND JACK BEAMING WHILE TALKING TO ABBY.
SCENE 7: IN PROGRESS
JENNIFER IS STILL ON THE PHONE WITH ABBY AND JACK IS STILL BEHIND HER LISTENING. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE OPERATOR COMES ON AND SAYS THEY ONLY HAVE 60 SECONDS LEFT ON THEIR CALL.
JENNIFER: Okay, Abby, Mommy's got to go. The operator-
JACK: (LEANING INTO THE PHONE) Tempus fugit, Miss Tuna Noodle. Tell Mommy that you love and miss her.
ABBY: (V.O.) I love you, Mommy. Come home soon.
JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT JACK AND SMILING) We will, Baby. Mommy (THROWING A LOOK AT JACK) and Daddy love you very much.
JACK: (INTO THE PHONE) That we do. (TAKING THE PHONE FROM JENNIFER) Say goodbye Abigail.
ABBY: (V.O.) Goodbye Abigail.
JACK SMILES AND HANGS UP THE PHONE AND TURNS TO JENNIFER, WHO IS SMILING AT HIM.
JENNIFER: Thank you, Jack.
JACK: (EMBARASSED) Well, I didn't do much.
JENNIFER: No, Jack, you did. You did more than I ever thought you would. About Colin, Jack-
JACK: (PLACING HIS FINGER UP TO STOP HER) Shhh. Not now. I think that something else is in order. Come on. (HE GRABS HER HAND AND GOES TO WALK OUT)
JENNIFER: (WALKING WITH HIM) Jack-
JACK: I, we, have something else to do.
JENNIFER: Jack-
JACK: (POINTING TO HIS WATCH) Time's a-wastin'...
JENNIFER: (SMILING) Alright.
OUT ON THE TWO OF THEM WALKING OUT AND JENNIFER WONDERING WHAT IS UP WITH HIM.
SCENE 8: INT. SMALL CHURCH
IN ON JENNIFER AND JACK WALKING IN THE CHURCH, WHICH IS SMALL AND QUAINT AND EMPTY. JENNIFER IS AMAZED THAT JACK BROUGHT HER HERE. HE WALKS BEHIND HER NERVOUSLY, TAKING IN HER REACTION.
JENNIFER: (TURNING TO HIM SMILING) Jack, it's a church.
JACK: (NERVOUS) Yes, yes, I believe it is.
JENNIFER: (AMAZED) Jack, you brought me to a church.
JACK: (MAKING NOTHING OUT OF IT) Now, now, don't go getting all weepy on me. I just...I just figured that it would be apropos for what you...what you needed to do.
JENNIFER: (SERIOUSLY) Thank you, Jack.
A FEW SECONDS OF UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE ENSUES.
JACK: Well?
JENNIFER: Well, what?
JACK: Aren't you going to do what...what you're supposed to do. I mean you go to a restaurant to eat, you go to the mall to shop, you go to church to-
JENNIFER: To pray. (TURNING TOWARDS THE ALTAR) Okay. (TURNING TO HIM) Well, aren't you going to come with me?
JACK: (NERVOUS) I think I'll just stay back here and watch. Me and...me and the "big guy" (LOOKING UP) kind of have a...a complicated relationship if you will (SMILING NERVOUSLY).
JENNIFER: Yeah. (SIGHS) Okay. I'll be done in a minute. (SHE WALKS UP TO THE ALTAR AND KNEELS TO PRAY)
IN THE BACK OF THE CHURCH, JACK SITS DOWN IN A PEW AND WATCHES HER WITH GREAT LOVE.
SCENE 9: IN PROGRESS
IN ON JENNIFER WALKING OVER TO JACK, WHO IS LOST IN THOUGHT.
JENNIFER: (SMILING) I'm done.
JACK: (COMING BACK TO REALITY) Wh-what?
JENNIFER: I said I'm done, Jack. (BEAT) Are you okay?
JACK: Fine. (GOING TO GET UP) So, everything worked out for you?
JENNIFER: (SMILING) I feel much better, yes. Are you coming?
JACK: (PAUSING TO LOOK AROUND) Yeah, in a minute. I just...I just want to look around for a moment. You know how I like to look at old churches.
JENNIFER: For your collection, right. I'll be right outside, okay?
SHE GOES TO WALK OUT AND THEN STOPS.
JENNIFER: (SOFTLY) For what it's worth, Jack, the "big guy" likes you, even loves you. I know. I've been talking to him about you for some time now. (SHE SMILES AND WAITS FOR HIS REACTION).
JACK SMILES BACK HAPPILY. JENNIFER EXITS.
ALONE IN THE CHURCH, JACK NERVOUSLY WALKS UP TO THE ALTAR AND PLACES HIS HANDS IN HIS POCKETS. AFTER A MOMENT HE SPEAKS.
JACK: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) Hehehe. (TAKING A DEEP BREATH) I never thought that I...that I would be standing here...asking for help from...from frankly someone I really never thought existed. I mean you can't blame me, can you? I haven't exactly lived the most enchanting life, have I? But, but...I don't even know what I'm asking for...this is silly...Jenni-Jennifer says you know about me, that you love me, and...and for that I'm glad. I know I'm not easy to love-I've been told that enough, but...but I also know that there have been a few...a few who've gotten to me. I guess I'm just asking you to keep those people...those few...safe for me...if you can. (ABOUT TO CRY) And Miss Hor-Jennifer-especially. She needs someone...needs someone who makes her happy. I used to think that it was me. Hell-heck-I still do sometimes, but I don't understand it anymore-how I hurt...I tend to hurt the ones I love. I guess what I'm asking for in Jennifer's case is...is a sign-and no money raining from the ceiling mind you-something that tells me that I'm not crazy and that we can...we can...together we can do this...We can get through this. A sign.
THE CAMERA PANS OUT AND WE SEE JENNIFER STANDING IN THE BACK OF THE CHURCH, WATCHING HIM. JACK, FEELING SOMEONE IS THERE TURNS AROUND.
JACK: (HOPING SHE DIDN'T SEE HIM) Jennifer, I-
JENNIFER: (NODDING, ABOUT TO CRY. SHE HEARD IT ALL BUT LIES) You found what you were looking for? For your book?
JACK: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) Yes, yes, I did. (BEAT) We should get out of here...before lightning strikes, of course.
JENNIFER: Yeah we should.
SHE WAITS FOR HIM TO WALK TO HER AND THEY WALK OUT TOGETHER. JACK TAKES A PEEK BACK INTO THE CHURCH LOOKING FOR HIS SIGN. OUT ON A CARD SITTING ON THE ALTAR AMONG OTHER GIFTS. THE CARD READS "CONTRAMUNDUM". HE DOES NOT SEE IT.
EPISODE 27
INT. HOTEL ROOM.
IN on hotel room door. JACK and JENNIFER fiddle with the key for a moment and then walk in. JENNIFER walks over and throws herself on the bed and sighs. JACK fiddles with the flowers on the bureau.
JENNIFER: (LOOKING UP AT JACK) Do you think we should call Shane again?
JACK: (NOT PAYING ATTENTION) Huh?
JENNIFER: (SITTING UP) Jack, are you okay?
JACK: (COMING TO AND SHAKING HIS HEAD) Yes...I mean I'm fine.
JENNIFER: (NOT BUYING IT) Well, you can't blame me for asking. You've been kind of out of it since we left the church.
JACK: (FLASHING HER A SLY SMILE) Well, you know that churches and I never sat well with one another. Kind of like a fish in water, (CORRECTING HIMSELF) out of water. The church being the-(WAVING IT OFF) Never mind.
JENNIFER: (SMILING SLIGHTLY) Jack, you look like you've been looking for something. (GETS UP AND WALKS OVER TO HIM) Did you lose something Jack?
JACK: (NERVOUSLY SMILING. REFERRING TO HER.) I guess you could say that.
JENNIFER: Well, what is it? What are you looking for?
JACK: (NERVOUS. NOT WANTING JENNIFER TO KNOW HE'S LOOKING FOR "A SIGN") Um, my wallet.
JENNIFER: Jack, you have your wallet. You just paid for the hotel with it.
JACK: Did I say wallet? I meant...I meant...something from my wallet.
JENNIFER: (KNOWING HE'S LYING) Money, Jack? I'm surprised you haven't called Shane and had him set up a search party for that.
JACK: No, not money. I...I was looking for...(TAKING OUT HIS WALLET AND THUMBING THROUGH IT)...for...this. (HE PULLS OUT A BUSINESS CARD OF SOME SORT AND SMILES WIDELY).
OUT on JENNIFER'S amusement at JACK'S lies.
SCENE 2: IN PROGRESS
IN on JENNIFER'S amusing smile. SHE grabs the business card from him.
JENNIFER: (NARROWING HER EYES AND READING THE CARD) "Salem Place Hardware Store. For All Your Hardware Needs. Located in Salem since 1956." (TURNING TO JACK) You were looking for this?
JACK: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) Hehehehe. You see...you see...that little card right there. (STEPPING TOWARDS HER AND TURNING IT OVER) See this little card, it entitles you to...(READING THE CARD)...to a free gallon of paint with a purchase of fifty dollars or more.
JENNIFER: (RAISING HER EYEBROW AT HIM) Paint, Jack?
JACK: Well...well...I was thinking about just how much I like this color (WAVING TO THE WALLS). It would look just great in our kitchen, don't you think?
JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT THE WALLS IN DISDAIN) It's yellow, Jack.
JACK: (PRETENDING TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN THE COLOR) It's actually more of a daffodil.
JENNIFER: It's mustard yellow, Jack.
JACK: (TURNING TO HER. SARCASTICALLY) Ya think?
JENNIFER: I know. Jack, what were you really looking for?
JACK: I told you. The paint card. You know I can't resist a sale. A penny saved is-
JENNIFER: (EXASPERATED. DRYLY.) is a penny earned.
JACK: (TOUCHING HER CHIN QUICKLY) I always knew you were a smart girl. That's why I marr-(STOPPING HIMSELF)...that's why I hired you.
JENNIFER smiles at JACK'S near mistake.
JACK: (WANTING TO FORGET WHAT HE ALMOST SAID) Now let's see...(WALKING TO THE WINDOW AND OPENING THE DRAPES TO LET THE SUN IN AND SQUINTING) Perhaps this, yes, of course, perhaps this will help you see the color more accurately. What do you think? (HE TURNS AROUND AND FLASHES HER A GREAT SMILE)
OUT on JENNIFER rolling her eyes.
SCENE 3: IT IS SOME TIME LATER.
IN on JACK sitting on the bed, reading. JENNIFER is pacing back and forth and wringing her hands together nervously. JACK looks up at her from time to time with concern.
JENNIFER: (LOOKING OVER TO JACK, WHO IS READING) What time is it?
JACK: (NOT LOOKING UP) Fifteen minutes from the last time you asked.
JENNIFER: I'm going to call Shane (SHE GOES TO PICK UP THE PHONE ON THE NIGHTSTAND).
JACK puts his hand over hers. They stare at each other for a moment.
JENNIFER: (SOFTLY) Jack-
JACK: (LOOKING AT THEIR HANDS AND THEN TO HER) You are not calling Shane.
JENNIFER: Jack, maybe he knows something.
JACK: He said he'd call. Now just relax. Your nervousness is making me nervous (HE REMOVES HIS HAND AND RETURNS TO READING).
JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT HIS CALMNESS) You'd never tell.
JACK: (LOOKING UP AT HER FROM THE BOOK) Come again?
JENNIFER: (FRUSTRATED) Jack, how can you sit there so calmly? Someone you know and love may be hurt or even worse.
JACK: (PUTTING THE BOOK DOWN) Do you think that I'm not affected?
JENNIFER: No...Yes. I...I just don't understand how you can sit there and go about your business. (SITTING DOWN ON THE EDGE OF THE BED AND TURNING AWAY) I never did.
JACK: (PLACING THE BOOK ON THE NIGHTSTAND AND LEANING FORWARD) Jennifer. Jennifer, is that it? You think that I don't care?
JENNIFER: (NOT LOOKING AT HIM) Jack, it's silly, I know. You care. I know that. (SHE WIPES AWAY TEARS FORMING IN HER EYES AND TRYING TO BE CHEERFUL) So, how 'bout those Cubs?
JACK: (LEANING FORWARD AND CAREFULLY TOUCHING HER BACK, MAKING HER TURN TO HIM) I do, you know. I do care. I...I just...
JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT JACK WITH TEARS IN HER EYES) I know. I just...you just have a funny way of showing it.
JACK: (SMILING WEAKLY) It's a Jack Deveraux staple. Afraid of heights, afraid of being stuck in tiny places for too long, afraid of emotion...(LOOKING HER IN THE EYES). The latter being the most severe. Just because I go about my business, our business, it doesn't mean that I don't care. You know that, don't you? (HE GENTLY STROKES HER HAIR.)
JENNIFER nods sadly.
JACK: I'm just not good with that stuff, that's all (SMILING)I can go on and on you know about the things I'm not good at if you'd like...I can't make a good cup of coffee, I can't spell very well...
JENNIFER: (SMILING WEAKLY AT HIM) Appreciative. A-P-P-
JACK: (STILL STROKING HE HAIR) See, there's that famous Miss Horton smile? Where have you been all this time?
JENNIFER: (GIGGLING THROUGH HER TEARS) You can't swim either, Jack.
JACK: That, that I'll give you.
JENNIFER: (SERIOUS) Jack, you know there are a lot of things that I can't do, either.
JACK: (GUFFAWING) Come on now.
JENNIFER: I'm serious, Jack. I can't make a good cup of coffee either...
JACK: That's just a matter of opinion.
JENNIFER: Why do you do that?
JACK: Why do I do what? (HE STROKES HER HAIR)
JENNIFER: Why do you insist that I can't do anything wrong?
JACK: Because you can't. You can do anything you set your mind to. I know it (HE LOOKS AT HER WITH DEEP LOVE). You're the strongest woman (CORRECTING HIMSELF) person I know.
JENNIFER: (WANTING TO CRY) Jack, how can you say that? You hardly know what I-
JACK: Jennifer, I don't have to know. I believe in...I believe in you.
OUT on JENNIFER'S face filled with emotion.
SCENE 4: IN PROGRESS
IN on JACK'S surprised look.
JACK: What, you...you look so surprised. You do believe me, don't you?
JENNIFER: (UNCOMFORTABLE) Jack-
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PHONE RINGS.
JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT THE PHONE) We should really get that.
JACK: (NOT WANTING TO STOP TALKING BUT KNOWING THEY SHOULD ANSWER) We should. (HE PICKS UP THE PHONE AND HANDS THE HANDSET TO HER)
JENNIFER: (NERVOUS. LOOKING AT JACK.) Hello?
OUT on JACK watching JENNIFER attentively.
SCENE 5: IN PROGRESS
IN on JENNIFER, who is still on the phone.
JENNIFER: I see. (BESIDE HER JACK CRINGES AT THOSE WORDS) That's...that's wonderful. (SHE SMILES AND PULLS THE PHONE AWAY A LITTLE SO SHE COULD TELL JACK) Everyone's okay. Hope has the baby! (BACK INTO THE PHONE) In about fifteen minutes? We will. Thank you, Shane. Thank you for everything. Tell the kids we said hello. Bye. (SHE HANGS UP THE PHONE AND LOOKS TO JACK, WHO IS BEAMING) Oh my goodness. Jack, I don't know if I've ever been so relieved.
JACK: (GETTING UP. SMILING.) I'm glad for you.
JENNIFER: (JUMPING UP AND HUGGING HIM) And I have you to thank for getting me through this. You're wonderful, Jack.
JACK: (UNCOMFORTABLY HUGGING HER BACK) No, I'm not. I'm...I'm just a friend.
JENNIFER: (BREAKING AWAY AND LOOKING UP AT HIM) Jack, you know that's not all you are. You know it.
JACK: (SMILING UNCOMFORTABLY) I guess I'll have to take your word on it. (HE TURNS AWAY AND PLACES THE PHONE BACK ON THE NIGHTSTAND)
JENNIFER looks at him wondering what made him change like that.
JENNIFER: You will, Jack.
JACK: (TURNING AROUND) I will what?
JENNIFER: Have to take my word on that, Jack. That you are wonderful. Without you, I couldn't have made it through all this...I mean, you called Abby, you took me to the church...
JACK: I did nothing you couldn't do yourself.
JENNIFER: (UPSET) But you did, Jack.
They lock eyes. After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, JACK speaks.
JACK: (LOOKING AT HIS FEET) So what's this I hear about fifteen minutes?
JENNIFER: Shane said that's when Hope, the baby, and the others will get here. I can't wait to see the baby, Jack. Hope must be so happy.
JACK: (SMILING) I bet she is. (BEAT) Well, aren't you going to get ready?
JENNIFER: Ready?
JACK: For the baby. Little Isaac, JT, whatever they're calling him, doesn't want to see his cousin Jennifer looking so sad, you know, with mascara running-(HE POINTS TO HIS FACE TO INDICATE HER CRYING)
JENNIFER: Yeah, right. (BEAT) I guess I better get ready, then. (SHE GOES TO GO INTO THE BATHROOM BUT STOPS TO LOOK AT HIM) Jack?
JACK: (TURNING AROUND TO LOOK AT HER) Yes, Miss Horton?
JENNIFER: (TOO NERVOUS TO SPEAK ABOUT COLIN. TRYING TO READ HIS FACE.) Nothing. (BEAT) I'll be out in a minute, okay?
JACK: (SMILING THROUGH HIS PAIN) Okay.
JENNIFER exits into the bathroom. OUT on Jack sighing and wondering what to do.
SCENE 5: A FEW MINUTES LATER
IN on JACK who is standing with his hands in his pockets and is nonchalantly pacing, wondering what to do. JENNIFER emerges from the bathroom and is looking at him for a moment.
JENNIFER: (BREAKING THE SILENCE) All done. (SMILING A LITTLE AT HIM)
JACK: (LOOKING AT HER WITH GREAT LOVE AND TAKING HER ALL IN) I see.
JENNIFER walks over to the flowers and plays with them. There are a few moments of uncomfortable silence.
JACK: (WATCHING HER ALL THE WHILE. NOT KNOWING WHAT TO SAY.) Your hair. You put it up.
JENNIFER: (SMILING) Yeah, I figured since our bags are still with the others...
JACK: Good thinking.
JENNIFER: (NERVOUSLY LAUGHING) I know you like it down. Like a-
JACK: (EMOTIONAL OVER THE MEMORY) Like a curtain. (CHECKING HIS WATCH) You better get going, Miss H, if you want to make that welcoming party.
JENNIFER: Aren't-aren't you coming?
JACK: I think...I think I'd much rather stay here.
JENNIFER: Jack, come on, it will be fun.
JACK: No, no. I...I'd (SMELLING HIS ARMPITS MOCKINGLY AND GRIMACING) like to freshen up myself. Besides, I'll be bored silly. Who am I going to speak with? John? I think not.
JENNIFER: You can...you can speak to me.
JACK: No, no. We'll have plenty of time for that later. You better run along. You don't want to miss the grand entrance.
JENNIFER: (RELUCTANTLY WALKING TO THE DOOR. TURNING TO LOOK AT HIM.) If you change your mind...
JACK: (DEFIANT BUT DRY) I don't think you have to worry about that.
JENNIFER nods and exits. OUT on JENNIFER outside the door, upset that JACK had a change of heart.
SCENE 6: INT. HOTEL LOBBY
JENNIFER is down in the lobby when the whole gang arrives. She beams as HOPE rushes over to her with the baby.
JENNIFER: (HUGGING HOPE) Oh, Hope, I'm so happy for you! (TO THE BABY) Hi little guy. Hi. (SHE PLAYS WITH HIS FEET)
HOPE: Oh, Jenn, I'm so happy too. (NOTICING THAT JACK'S NOT THERE) Where's Jack?
JENNIFER: (BITING HER BOTTOM LIP) He's not coming.
HOPE: (CONCERNED) Did you tell him about Colin? About what happened, Jenn?
JENNIFER: I tried. It's just, Jack, Jack has this way of (FRUSTRATED, SHE BURIES HER HEAD IN HER HANDS)
HOPE: (RUBBING HER BACK) It'll be okay, Jenn. He'll understand.
JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT HOPE WITH TEARS IN HER EYES) I hope so.
Behind her, COLIN clears his throat. JENNIFER turns around.
JENNIFER: Colin? What-what (LOOKING TO HOPE AND THEN BACK TO HIM) What are you doing here?
HOPE: (FLASHING COLIN A LOOK. SARCASTICALLY.) Colin was working with the ISA all along, Jenn. I'm sure he'd be delighted to tell you all about it.
OUT on JENNIFER looking nervously from HOPE to COLIN.
SCENE 7: THE HOTEL ROOM
IN on JACK, lying on the bed, talking out loud to himself.
JACK: (TO THE CEILING) You just couldn't give me one sign, could you? (TO HIMSELF) What am I doing here? Talking to the ceiling? Next thing you know I'll be talking to Harper and Duke (SHIVERING AS IF HE EXPECTED TO SEE THEM) Tell you what (HE GROANS AND GETS UP) I'm not going to wait around for some silly sign...I'm going to make my own sign...that's what I'm going to do...(HE WALKS TO THE DOOR AND STOPS AND SPEAKS SOFTLY TO HIMSELF AGAIN) That's what I'm going to do.
OUT on JACK exiting the room.
CUT TO
SCENE 8: IN PROGRESS
HOPE: (LOOKING FROM JENNIFER TO COLIN) I see you two have a bit of catching up to do. I think I see my husband over there. (SHE SQUEEZES JENNIFER'S ARM AND WALKS OFF TO BO)
COLIN: (ONCE HOPE HAS GONE) I wanted to tell you.
JENNIFER: (ANGRY) Tell me what? That you were using me?
COLIN: It wasn't like that.
JENNIFER: You're right. You were using me and Jack.
COLIN: (STEPPING CLOSER TO HER) Jennifer Rose, you've got to listen to me.
JENNIFER: I do not.
COLIN: But you and I were, are, chums. (BEAT) God, I've missed you so much (HE EMBRACES HER)
At that very moment, JACK walks into the lobby and sees JENNIFER in an embrace with COLIN. Her back is to him, so she does not know he is there. JACK stops at the doorway, sneaks back into the hall and steadies himself on the wall. He wasn't prepared to see that and is thoroughly heartbroken. OUT on Colin holding JENNIFER, who is uncomfortable, and looking smarmily at JACK.
EPISODE 28
SCENE 1: INT. HOTEL LOBBY
IN on JACK clutching the wall to steady himself. He has just seen JENNIFER and COLIN in an embrace and was not prepared for what it would do to him. He reluctantly looks back their way to see if it was for real.
CUT TO JENNIFER and COLIN still locked in an embrace. COLIN avoids JACK'S eyes and rubs JENNIFER'S back.
CUT TO JACK who can't take it anymore. After a few moments he turns around and walks out angrily.
CUT TO JENNIFER who is feeling very uncomfortable. She breaks the embrace and looks at COLIN.
JENNIFER: What do you think you're doing? Do you think that you can come in here and hug me and expect me to forgive you? You used me, Colin. You used Jack, Colin. You used us, your so-called friends.
COLIN: Jennifer, I-I wanted to tell you, I just couldn't. You weren't part of this plan. I didn't even know you knew me family.
JENNIFER: That's because you never said anything, Colin. You could have, I don't know, mentioned that your mother was a Brady or your father was a DiMera at anytime. Or when I said Salem, you could've said, "me family lives there."
COLIN: I couldn't then. I didn't want to get you involved.
JENNIFER: So leading me on and letting me follow you to Ireland wasn't involved?
COLIN: Jennifer, I did not lead you on. That was real. (STEPPING TOWARDS HER AND BRUSHING HER HAIR WITH HIS HAND) You do believe me, don't you?
OUT on JENNIFER'S confused face.
SCENE 2: IN PROGRESS
JENNIFER: (SLAPPING COLIN'S HAND AWAY) Don't touch me. I don't believe you, Colin. You told me we were-what was the word you used--"chums"?
COLIN: (PLEADINGLY) Can't you see? I couldn't let you get too close.
JENNIFER: (LOWERING HER VOICE) To let me take my daughter and leave Jack wasn't "too close"?
COLIN: (LOWERING HIS VOICE TO MATCH HERS) That was your decision, Jennifer Rose. I didn't push or prod that one. You came to me.
JENNIFER: (RAISING HER VOICE) I thought you were a friend!
COLIN: (YELLING) I was a friend!
OUT on the whole room looking at them.
SCENE 3: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
IN on JACK walking out into the blaring sun and alone in the garden. He is walking solemnly with his hands in his pockets and wanting to cry. He checks to make sure he is alone and then speaks.
JACK: (LOOKING UP AT THE SKY) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH! (CATCHING HIS BREATH) You just couldn't give me a sign could you? Could you?! (HE LOOKS AROUND AND SEES AN OLD COUPLE WALKING IN THE CORNER OF THE GARDEN LOOKING AT HIM AND SMILES NERVOUSLY AS THEY RUN AWAY AND THEN CONTINUES SPEAKING LOUDLY AND LOOKING TO THE SKY) Okay, fair enough, you gave me a sign. It wasn't what I was looking for but...who the hell am I kidding? What do you owe me? That's right-what do you owe me? Happy Jack, Billy Jack, Deveraux, what do you owe me? (LOWLY) Nothing. (LOUDLY AGAIN) Nothing! (HE TURNS TOWARDS THE HOTEL AND BREATHS HEAVILY)
Behind him, the ghosts of his two fathers, HARPER AND DUKE appear. They are dressed like leprechauns and are drinking ale.
HARPER: (TO DUKE) Looks like somebody's having a bad day.
DUKE: (NODDING TO JACK) I'd say.
CUT to Jack's face which is in shock over the voices. He turns around and looks curiously at them.
DUKE: What's the matter, Billy? Cat got your tongue? (HE POKES HARPER IN THE RIBS AND THEY BOTH LAUGH)
OUT on JACK looking nervous at the sight of these two.
SCENE 4: INT. HOTEL LOBBY
IN PROGRESS
COLIN: (NOTICING EVERYONE IS LOOKING AT THEM, LOWERING HIS VOICE) I...I was your friend, Jennifer Rose. I am your friend. You just have to believe me.
JENNIFER: (LOWERING HER VOICE AS WELL. CALMLY) I can't do this, Colin. I can't. I have to go find Jack (SHE GOES TO TURN AND HE GRABS HER ELBOW) What?
COLIN: Are you and Jack together?
JENNIFER: Yes. No. I don't know. All I know is that I've got to tell him what went on before he thinks the worst.
COLIN: What does it matter to you what he thinks?
JENNIFER: It does. It just does, Colin. You say you're my friend... Well, Jack...Jack is my friend too. We've been through so much together...(TRAILING OFF)
COLIN: Do you think he's going to understand? Do you think he's going to forgive you?
JENNIFER: All I know is that he has to. If there's any chance for us, he has to.
OUT on JENNIFER'S doubtful face.
SCENE 5: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
IN PROGRESS
JACK: (TO HARPER AND DUKE) Oh no. This can't be happening. I'm just going to close my eyes and you'll be gone (CLOSING HIS EYES, PAUSING, AND THEN REOPENING THEM).
HARPER: Boo! What's the matter, son, are you not happy to see your dear old dads?
JACK: (NERVOUSLY SMILING) Hehehe.
DUKE: It's been awhile hasn't it, Billy? Hey, Harp, when was the last time we visited Jackson here? Gosh, it's got to be a good, a good,
HARPER: (FINISHING HIS SENTENCE) Eight years. (TO JACK) Not that we haven't been around. Yup, this boy's done mighty fine for himself, Duke. Not a dime in the bank but a cute little daughter who adores him. She doesn't pay the bills but--
JACK: You just...you just leave Abigail out of this.
DUKE: (TO DUKE) Testy, ain't he? (TO JACK) You should really watch yourself there, Billy-boy. It's because of that little girl that me and Harp are here.
JACK looks bewildered.
HARPER: Don't look so confused, son. Somebody has to come and tell you where you went wrong. And who better than your loving fathers? After all father knows best...or in your case fathers know best...
OUT on JACK smiling nervously and HARPER and DUKE laughing.
SCENE 6: EXT. HOTEL LOBBY
IN on JACK who is nervously joining HARPER and DUKE in their laughing. They both stop and look at him.
HARPER: What's so funny, son?
DUKE: (LOOKING AT DUKE AND THEN TO JACK) Yeah, what's so funny?
JACK: Why, you, of course. Making me believe that nonsense that Abigail sent you here. For my good, that's funny. This from two people probably burning in-
HARPER: (WAVING HIS HAND TO STOP HIM) Shhh. Lucie doesn't like it when you say things like that-
JACK: (NARROWING HIS EYES IN CONFUSION) Lucie?
DUKE: Lucie, Lucifer, Satan, the Devil? Any of this coming to you, Billy?
JACK: (NERVOUSLY SMILING) Right. How could I forget?
HARPER: (TO DUKE) Never mind that, Duke. Let's tell the boy why we're here. (TO JACK) You do want to know why we're here, don't you?
JACK: (CONTINUING TO SMILE NERVOUSLY) Well, to say I wasn't curious would be lying.
HARPER: We're here to show you the error of your ways--where you went wrong with Jennifer.
JACK: Where I went--? I think I can do that just fine on my own, thank you very much.
HARPER: Oh, can you now? You can tell how you drove her into that lad's arms in there (NODDING TOWARDS THE HOTEL)? (TO DUKE) What was his name again? Carl? Colon?
DUKE: (JABBING HARPER IN THE RIBS WITH HIS ELBOW) Colonic, that's it. Colonic. (HE LAUGHS AND JACK GRIMACES)
HARPER: Colonic? I like the sound of that. (TESTING OUT THE WORD) Colonic Murphy. Doctor Colonic Murphy. (NOTICING JACK'S UNAMUSED EXPRESSION) Back to the subject at hand, do you, Jack Deveraux, want to know how you and the darling-
DUKE: (CHIMING IN) Darling-
HARPER: How you and the darling Jennifer Horton got here? Or rather how you got here (POINTING AROUND TO THE GARDEN) and she got there (HE NODS TOWARDS THE HOTEL)? You must be curious.
OUT on JACK'S curiosity.
SCENE 6: INT. HOTEL LOBBY
IN PROGRESS
JENNIFER turns to go and COLIN grabs her elbow again. She pushes his hand off her.
JENNIFER: (ANGRILY) What?
COLIN: Let me at least go with you.
JENNIFER: No, Colin. This is something I have to do. It's time to tell Jack everything.
COLIN: I can help.
JENNIFER: You've helped enough. (SHE TURNS TO WALK AWAY)
COLIN: Please...I meant what I said...about me being your friend...about me wanting to help. Listen, I owe it to Jack.
JENNIFER stops and thinks about it for a moment.
JENNIFER: Okay, but Colin-
COLIN: (STOPPING HER) I know. You lead the way.
OUT on JENNIFER sighing and COLIN following her.
SCENE 7: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
IN PROGRESS
IN on HARPER and DUKE looking at JACK in anticipation.
DUKE: Well, whaddya say, Billy Boy? You want to know, don't you? You want to know what did you in, don't you? Not that we ever thought it would last, did we, Harp? You, a greasy, law-bending, politician-wannabe who wouldn't know the meaning of love if it hit you in the face and the virginal-
CUT to JACK's face in pain over these words.
HARPER: (CHIMING IN) Virginal--
DUKE: Sweet, caring, Jennifer-
JACK: (THINKING IT OVER FOR A SECOND AND THEN SHAKING HIS HEAD) No. No, no. I don't need your help with this. It's not like that. I was never that way-not with Jennifer--
HARPER: Really now? As I recall, you weren't exactly the most open and honest person now were you?
JACK: (THINKING IT OVER) It doesn't matter. (ANGRILY. TO PROVE A POING.) It doesn't matter. Jennifer knows better. She knows I didn't mean those things--
HARPER: Oh, does she now? Is that why she's inside getting all hot and bothered over some young Irish lad? It matters, doesn't it? It matters to you and it matters to that little girl of yours. To see where her Papa screwed up. Hey, I think Jennifer even called you that once-a screw up. (TO DUKE) You have seen little Abby, haven't you? She's about yay high now (HE HOLDS HIS HAND UP TO INDICATE A HEIGHT)
JACK: (NOT LIKING THE IDEA OF THEM KNOWING ABBY) Stop it. Just stop it. Show me. I don't know why I'm doing this, but show me. Show me where I went wrong.
DUKE: I knew you'd come around. After all you are my flesh and blood, aren't ya, Billy?
JACK: Unfortunately so. Now where is this little viewing going to take place, after all? (LOOKING AROUND) It's not really big enough for a drive-in.
HARPER: Right here, son. Just look right here. (HE POINTS TO THE STREAM RIGHT BEHIND HIM)
JACK, HARPER, AND DUKE lean over and look into the stream. HARPER and DUKE put on 3D glasses.
DUKE: Jack Harcourt Deveraux, Billy Earl Johnson, this is your life or rather the downfall of your life.
OUT on all three looking intently into the stream. JACK is looking very pained over what the past might make him remember.
SCENE 8: INT. HOTEL ROOM
JENNIFER and COLIN enter the hotel room.
JENNIFER: Jack! (SHE LOOKS AROUND FOR HIM AND OPENS THE BATHROOM) Jack, I've got to tell you something! Jack? (SIGHING. TO COLIN) He's not here.
COLIN: Where could he be?
JENNIFER: (NERVOUS) Your guess is as good as mine.
OUT on JENNIFER'S nervous face.
EPISODE 29
SCENE 1: INT. HOTEL ROOM
IN PROGRESS
JENNIFER sits down on the bed and sighs. She buries her head in her hands. COLIN walks over and sits down and rubs her back.
COLIN: (WANTING HER TO FORGET ABOUT JACK, BUT COVERING) There, there. He can't be very far.
JENNIFER: (NOT LOOKING UP) You don't know Jack.
COLIN: I know enough that he wouldn't leave not knowing what went on.
JENNIFER: (LOOKING UP WITH TEARS STREAMING DOWN HER FACE) Do you even know Jack? This is the same man who left me on countless occasions-anytime he thought that I'd be better off without him. (SHE GETS UP) I've got to find him. I've got to find him.
COLIN: (WATCHING HER) Jennifer Rose, maybe that's not such a good idea.
OUT on JENNIFER'S curiosity at COLIN'S suggestion.
SCENE 2: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
JACK, HARPER, and DUKE are all leaning over the stream. HARPER and DUKE are wearing 3D glasses. JACK glances nervously at them and DUKE hands him some popcorn.
JACK: (LOOKING ODDLY AT THE POPCORN AND THEN NARROWING HIS EYES TO LOOK INTO THE STREAM) So what exactly am I supposed to be looking for anyway? (NERVOUS LAUGHTER) Is this supposed to be wide-screen format or what?
HARPER: (CONTINUING TO LOOK INTO THE STREAM) Give it a moment, son. Give it a moment.
JACK looks into the stream and after a moment is in shock of what he's seeing.
SCENE 3: INT. HOTEL ROOM
COLIN has just told JENNIFER that it might not be a good idea to look for JACK.
JENNIFER: What do you mean, Colin? I shouldn't go looking for Jack?
COLIN: I didn't say that.
JENNIFER: You just said that it might not be a good idea.
COLIN: (GETTING UP) Exactly. It might not be a good idea.
JENNIFER: I don't like lying, Colin.
COLIN: (PLAYING HER GUILT) Then why did you do it, Jennifer Rose? Why didn't you tell him about us from the start?
JENNIFER: (AT A LOSS FOR WORDS) Because...because-
COLIN: Because you knew he wouldn't understand, Jennifer. What makes you think he'll understand now?
OUT on JENNIFER'S confusion.
SCENE 4: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
IN on JACK who is amazed at what he's seeing in the stream.
JACK: (SHOCKED) I don't believe it. It's-It's Jennifer and
DUKE: Don't be so surprised, Billy-boy. It's Jennifer and you, ain't it? Working side by side at that rag you ran-what was it, Harp, The Chronicle? The Sentinel?
JACK: (PULLING A FACE AT THE MENTION OF THESE RIVAL NEWSPAPERS. WISTFULLY.) The Spectator.
HARPER: Ah, the Spectator. It meant a lot to you, didn't it? After all, it is the place you and the fair damsel began your relationship, where you fell in love. Only it wasn't like that, was it, son? It was a lot more complicated than that. You do remember it, don't you, Jack?
JACK: (WISTFULLY) Like it was yesterday.
In the background, JACK and JENNIFER'S signature sweet leifmotif begins to play.
CUT to a series of flashbacks that fade into one another.
FLASHBACK #1: INT. SPECTATOR
JACK is sitting at JENNIFER'S desk reading what is on her computer screen.
JACK: Wait a minute. What have we here? (BEAT) This is interesting. "Frankie gone, Emilio gone, love stinks."
JENNIFER: Jack what are you doing?
JACK: Oh ah....just looking for a blue pencil....somewhere.
JENNIFER: There's a blue pencil here.
JACK: Oh thank you.
JENNIFER deletes the words from her screen.
JENNIFER: Is there anything else that you wanted?
JACK: Yes. What do you want?
JENNIFER: What do I want?
JACK: Out of life. The big "L." What do you want to be when you grow up?
JENNIFER: And what do you want to be when you grow up?
JACK: Touché. I always knew you had it. The barbed wit and the poisoned pen of a budding journalist. Now all you need is something to do with it. That's where I come in. Have I got an assignment for you.
FLASHBACK #2: INT. SPECTATOR, JACK'S OFFICE
JACK: There's nothing stupid about wanting to have the right person in your life.
JENNIFER: Where do you find them?
JACK: Well I....I don't think you really find them. I think the important thing is to find yourself and then....er....once you've become the right person, the right person will find you.
JENNIFER: (SMILING AT JACK. SHE DEFINITELY REALIZES THAT THERE IS MORE TO HIM THAN HE LETS PEOPLE THINK) Jack Deveraux, if you keep this up, you're going to spoil your image.
JACK: (SMILING BACK AT HER) Oh, we wouldn't want that to happen
JENNIFER: (SMILING IN RETURN) No we wouldn't, would we?
FLASHBACK #3: INT. SPECTATOR. JACK'S OFFICE
JENNIFER: Why did you do this in the first place, uh? Why did you go to so much trouble to keep me on this paper?
JACK: Well maybe I didn't do it for you.
JENNIFER: Oh really Jack. Okay who did you do it for?
JACK: (DODGING THE TRUTH AS USUAL.) Who do you think? I did it for me. I put a lot of work into training you and I want to see a return on all that training.
JENNIFER: Oh come on Jack. I think you can come up with something a little better than that, don't you?
JACK: (MAKING UP ANOTHER PHONEY EXCUSE.) You're right, I can. I just made a whole lot of money and I saved a lot too. You see that donation to the school was nothing. It was a write-off and it was a whole helluva lot cheaper than having to pay an experienced reporter to do what you're already doing. So I think that this little business venture turned out to be pretty profitable, don't you?
JENNIFER: (MOMENTARILY BELIEVING HIS EXCUSE AND DISAPPOINTED) Really?
JACK: Really. (BEAT) I'm very sorry Jennifer that it had to turn out this way....
JENNIFER: (SHE IS ON TO JACK.) NO, NO! No, you're doing this again Jack. You see that. You know you're really impressing me on what a liar you are because I don't believe a word that you're saying. I don't believe one word.
JACK: Fine. Believe whatever you want to believe.
FLASHBACK #4: INT. SPECTATOR. JACK'S OFFICE
JENNIFER: No Jack. Look I know all about Emilio's past but that's exactly what it is. It's his past.
JACK: Oh no.
JENNIFER: The same way you want your past left behind.
JACK: Look, my past has nothing to do with it.
JENNIFER: Look at least I can depend on Emilio. At least he's consistent from day to day and he doesn't pass instant judgment on anybody either.
JACK: As opposed to whom?
JENNIFER: Oh, take a guess Jack. Don't strain yourself.
JACK: I'm not finished with you.
JENNIFER: Well I'm finished with you Jack. (SHE SLAMS THE DOOR ON HER WAY OUT)
CUT to PRESENT DAY: DUKE'S VOICE
DUKE: (V.O.) Of course, she was wrong...Try as she may, she couldn't finish things with you. Nope, she was a trooper. She was determined to find something good about you. In fact, she likened it to somethin' once, what was it-wasn't it a...a--
JACK: (V.O. WISTFUL) A nugget...a nugget of gold--
FLASHBACK #5-THE LOFT-JENNIFER HAS JUST ACCUSED JACK OF CARING FOR STEVE AND WANTING TO HELP HIM
JACK: (GETTING EMBARRASSED BY THE TRUTH OF HIS FEELINGS) Okay, wait a minute, wait a minute, Miss Let's-Get-The Story- Clear. I hate him and he hates me. End of story.
JENNIFER: But inside Jack! Inside Jack, you both (SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT WORD)....you both hurt. Yes! There is a little bit of good in you Jack.
JACK: (GROANING) Oh....oh....
JENNIFER: Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. It may be hidden, a lot of the time. But deep down inside under that black rock you've got for a heart, there's a little nugget. Yes! A nugget! A nugget of gold Jack. And someday you are going to mine it!
JACK: (GROANING) Death by metaphor!
CUT to PRESENT DAY
SCENE 5: INT. HOTEL ROOM
COLIN has just asked JENNIFER why she thinks JACK would understand the truth now.
JENNIFER: (AVOIDING COLIN'S GAZE AND WALKING OVER TO THE WINDOW TO LOOK OUT. QUIETLY) I'm not.
COLIN: (COCKING AN EYEBROW UP AT THIS REVELATION) You're not?
JENNIFER: (FOLDING HER ARMS OVER HER CHEST AND TURNING TO HIM) I'm not. I'm not sure he can handle it.
COLIN: Then why, Jennifer Rose? Why tell him?
JENNIFER: (SEARCHING FOR THE RIGHT WORDS) Because...because I'll make him. I'll make him understand.
COLIN: And how do you plan on doing that? How do you plan on convincing him that it wasn't his fault? You know that's what he's going to think. You know it. I know it. You didn't just meet him yesterday, you know.
JENNIFER: (TURNING BACK TOWARDS THE WINDOW. QUIET AND PENSIVE.) I know.
COLIN walks over behind her and touches her shoulders tentatively and bends down to speak in her ear.
COLIN: Fine, tell him. (OMINOUSLY) The question is, Jennifer Rose, are you up for the challenge? Do you think you can make him understand? Without hurting yourself anymore than you already have?
CLOSE-UP of JENNIFER thinking about what COLIN just said. She shivers slightly and then thinks back to her and JACK'S relationship and how she tried to convince him that they were right for each other, despite his past.
JACK and JENNIFER'S leifmotif begins to play.
CUT to FLASHBACK-BOTH JACK AND JENNIFER ARE SEEING THESE NOW SIMULTANEOUSLY
FLASHBACK #6: STEVE AND KAYLA'S HOUSE
JENNIFER: We?
JACK: Just don't argue with me, alright?
JENNIFER: No, forget about it. I want to have this conversation right now and I'm not going away until....
JACK: It's very hard to have a conversation on your own.
JENNIFER: Yeah! Well it's hard to have a relationship that way too Jack.
JACK: We do have a relationship. I'm a boss and you're an employee.
JENNIFER: STOP IT!
JACK: (GRABBING HER BY BOTH ARMS.) JENNIFER! Jennifer, don't you know where we are? WE'RE AT STEVE'S AND HE'S GOING TO KILL ME IF HE CATCHES US HERE AGAIN. JUST ZIP IT!
FLASHBACK #7: STEVE AND KAYLA'S SECRET ROOM
JACK AND JENNIFER ARE ALMOST NOSE TO NOSE AND JENNIFER IS LOOKING AT JACK'S LIPS. JACK IS SCARED BUT ENJOYING IT. THEY CONTINUE TO STARE INTO ONE ANOTHER'S EYES FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN JACK GETS TOO SCARED AND TRIES TO MOVE AWAY. HE CANNOT REALLY GO ANYWHERE AND ENDS UP BACK IN FRONT OF HER AGAIN.
JACK: I....I really don't think that we should....
JENNIFER: I think we should.
JACK: Jennifer....
JENNIFER: (PUTTING HER FINGER ON HIS LIPS) Shut up Jack!
JACK: Jennifer, I....
JENNIFER: I said, shut up!
SHE LEANS CLOSER AND LOOKS IN HIS EYES. JACK CLOSES HIS EYES AS THEIR LIPS MEET. THEY KISS LONG AND TENDERLY AND ARE COMPLETELY LOST IN THE MOMENT.
FLASHBACK #8: STEVE AND KAYLA'S HOUSE AFTER THE KISS
JENNIFER: Wait, Jack. We have to talk.
JACK: I'm busy.
JENNIFER: Jack, we kissed!
JACK: So? So what?
JENNIFER: So that means we have to talk about it.
JACK: (JACK AGAIN BEGINS TO PUSH JENNIFER AWAY.) There's nothing to talk about. All I was trying to do was keep you from making any noise. Obviously I didn't have much luck, did I?
JENNIFER: You're afraid to talk about it.
JACK: I am busy trying looking for something, if you don't mind.
JENNIFER: You know Jack, if Steve hadn't have come here, we would still be kissing right now. You know that?
JACK: You broke the vase!
JENNIFER: It was a minor technicality. What really matters right now, is how you feel about me!
JACK: Jennifer!
JENNIFER: Honestly!
JACK: (HE DOES NOT WHAT TO DO, SO HE PURPOSEFULLY HURTS HER; BUT HE IS OBVIOUSLY BREAKS HIS HEART DOING SO.) Honestly. Honestly, the earth didn't move!
JENNIFER: Maybe it was because you were so busy, you didn't feel it move.
JACK: Look what do you want me to say? That kissing you was the next best thing after the calculator?
JENNIFER: It would be a good start!
JACK: Start of what? Nothing happened!
JENNIFER: Yes it has. Why can't you just admit it?
JACK: Look, I'm not the kind of guy you take to the sorority dance.
JENNIFER: Jack, I quit my sorority.
JACK: I'm not the kind of guy that you take to your grandparent's house.
JENNIFER: What's wrong with my grandparents?
JACK: NOTHING'S WRONG WITH YOUR GRANDPARENTS! IT'S JUST A FANTASY, THAT'S ALL!
JENNIFER: Don't you ever fantasize Jack?
JACK: Look if you want to fantasize, go to....go to....Emilio. I mean, he's exactly what you need.
JENNIFER: How do you know what I need?
JACK: Because I'm older and I'm wiser and I've more experience. You're better off with him!
JENNIFER: But it's you that I want!
JACK: (HE TRIES TO HIDE HOW PAINFUL IT IS FOR HIM TO SAY THIS, HOW FAR FROM THE TRUTH IT IS.) I don't want you.
JACK WALKS AWAY TO A CORNER OF THE ROOM AND CANNOT FACE HER. HER EYES ARE FILLED WITH TEARS. JACK WATCHES HER FROM BEHIND AND IS JUST AS SAD. A FEW MINUTES LATER SHE IS ABLE TO TALK BUT JACK CANNOT LOOK HER IN THE EYE. IT IS KILLING JACK TO SAY WHAT IS SAYING TO HER, SEEING HER IN PAIN. HOWEVER, HE FEELS THAT HE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR HER SO HE CONTINUES TO PUSH HER AWAY.
FLASHBACK #9: JACK'S HOUSE-BEDROOM
JACK: What is it Sheldon?
IT IS NOT SHELDON, BUT JENNIFER. SHE HAS A DETERMINED LOOK ON HER FACE, AND SHE STORMS INTO HIS BEDROOM, TO JACK'S SURPRISE.
JENNIFER: Jack, we have to talk.
JACK: Jennifer, what are you doing....
JENNIFER: Sheldon let me in.
JACK: Yeah, well Sheldon can let you back out again.
JENNIFER: NO!
JACK: Yes!
JENNIFER: Not until we get something straight.
SHE THUMPS HIM ON THE CHEST.
JACK: What?
JENNIFER: US!
JACK: Jennifer.....
SHE THUMPS HIM AGAIN.
JENNIFER: Forget it Jack!
JACK: Jennifer this is my house and my bedroom and.....
JENNIFER: Exactly. So we won't be bothered.
JACK: I'm beginning to get a little bothered myself.
JENNIFER: Look Jack, you can't joke about this alright? We're going to talk about how we feel about each other right now.
JACK: I thought you said you didn't want to joke.
JENNIFER: Stop it! You know how I feel.
JACK: (ROLLING HIS EYES) Please Jennifer, Jennifer.
JENNIFER: Look Emilio wants me to make a commitment to him but the only person I want to commit to is you. You're the one I want!
JACK: Well that's my cue to leave.
JENNIFER: OH NO! NO!
JACK: Yes!
JENNIFER: NO! You are not going anywhere.
JENNIFER RUSHES TO THE DOOR AND STANDS IN FRONT OF IT SO HE CANNOT OPEN IT.
JACK: Oh really!
JENNIFER TAKES THE KEY OUT OF THE DOOR AND DROPS IT DOWN HER FRONT.
JACK: Ah.... Jennifer..... ah.... Je.....
JENNIFER: REALLY!
SHE WALKS PAST JACK WHO HAS AN AMAZED AND FRIGHTENED LOOK ON HIS FACE. JENNIFER HAS A FUNNY EXPRESSION ON HER FACE, AND STOPS AND WIGGLES HER BODY AS THE KEY FALLS FURTHER DOWN INTO HER BRA.
JENNIFER: Er....oops.
JACK: Alright, I want that key!
JENNIFER: You want the key Jack? Come and get it!
JACK: I want that key....in my hand immediately. Do you understand?
JENNIFER: You are not going to bully your way out of this, this time Jack.
JACK: No, I'm going to call a locksmith.
JACK PICKS UP THE PHONE AND BEGINS TO DIAL.
JACK: 555 1....
JENNIFER REACHES OVER AND HANGS UP.
JACK: 555 1....
SHE HANGS UP AGAIN.
THIS TIME SHE GRABS THE PHONE FROM JACK AND HANGS IT UP HERSELF.
JACK: (NODDING TO HER SHIRT) What are you going to do? Put it down there too?
JENNIFER: I am not going to let you avoid this. Now you know how I feel about you! I want to know how you feel about me. The truth!
JACK: The truth is I want you to unlock that door.
JENNIFER: Why do you keep fighting me Jack? Why can't you just give in to what you want?
SHE WALKS TOWARDS HIM AND HE BACKS UP AWAY FROM HER.
JACK: I want you to go.
JENNIFER: No you don't.
JACK: I want to be alone.
JENNIFER: You want me to be with you. You don't want to be alone. You want me to be with you. You're just too afraid to say it Jack.
JACK: You're putting words in my mouth.
JENNIFER: Oh really! Then let's see if your body can do the talking Jack, okay.
SHE WALKS UP BEHIND AND PUTS HER ARMS AROUND HIS CHEST RUNNING HER HANDS UP AND DOWN. JACK IS NERVOUS, AND TRIES TO STRUGGLE, BUT HE DOES NOT DO *THAT* GOOD OF A JOB. JACK DOES NOT MIND DESPITE OF WHAT HE DOES OR SAYS.
JACK: Oooooh! While your fingers do the walking.
SHE SPINS HIS ROUND TO FACE HER.
JENNIFER: What do you want?
JACK: I don't want this.
JENNIFER: No?
JACK: Yes!
JENNIFER: Yes?
JACK: No!
JENNIFER: You don't want this, really?
JACK: Yes, really! I mean no.
JENNIFER BEGINS TO KISS HIM AND HE RESPONDS INSTANTLY. THEY CONTINUE TO KISS FOR A FEW MINUTES UNTIL JACK PULLS AWAY.
JACK: Ah....no.....no. I meant no.
JACK IS CONFUSED. JENNIFER IS DOING A GOOD JOB OF BREAKING DOWN HIS DEFENSES.
JENNIFER: Jack, you want me. I know you do. I want you too.
JACK: No, you don't know what you're saying.
JENNIFER: Yes I do. For once I know exactly what I'm saying and I know exactly what I'm doing Jack.
JENNIFER BEGINS TO UNDO THE BUTTONS ON HIS SHIRT WHILE HE PRETENDS TO RESIST.
JENNIFER: We're meant to be together. We make a perfect couple Jack. You want what I want and I want what you want. And if you just try a little bit harder Jack....
HE TRIES TO BUTTON ONE OF THE BUTTONS.
JENNIFER: ....no, no. Don't try that hard. We can be very happy Jack. We can be very happy Jack!
SHE PEELS HIS SHIRT BACK OVER HIS SHOULDER.
JACK: Ooooh! This isn't working.
JENNIFER: Jack, don't fight me.
SHE PULLS HIM BACKWARDS TOWARDS HER BY PULLING THE TIE WHICH IS STILL AROUND HIS NECK.
JACK: I'm trapped is what I am.
JENNIFER: You're scared Jack. I'm scared too. That's the point. We feel something when we're together. We have a passion, it's chemistry.
JACK: It's cold! It's very cold out here. As a matter of fact, I'm freezing. Look at these goose bu....
JENNIFER BEGINS TO KISS HIM AGAIN AND HE INSTANTLY GIVES IN.
FLASHBACK #9: JACK'S BEDROOM. A LITTLE WHILE LATER.
JENNIFER IS ON THE FLOOR ON THE PHONE. SHE AND JACK HAD BEEN MAKING OUT AND BOTH LOOK DISHEVELED.
JENNIFER: .Broadcast? Oh right, the broadcast. No I'm not going to be late. Don't worry. I'll be there. Bye.
WHILE SHE IS TALKING JACK GETS UP AND STARTS TO PUT HIS SHIRT BACK ON. JENNIFER FINISHES THE CALL AND THROWS THE PHONE ON THE BED.
JENNIFER: Alright Jack, where were we? Where were we Jack? What's wrong?
JACK SEEMS TO HAVE COLLECTED HIMSELF, AND TO HAVE RETURNED TO HIS JACK MODE OF PULLING BACK AND KEEPING HIS FEELINGS UNDER CONTROL.
JACK: Ah....nothing. We've got a show to get to.
JENNIFER: Forget the show. This is more important Jack.
JACK: Look, you've got a lot of people waiting for you down there. You've got Emilio, you've got Melissa. You've got a whole heap of them.
JENNIFER: What about us?
JACK: You know Melissa usually has really bad timing but today it's impeccable. It's time for you to go to your show.
JENNIFER IS SLIGHTLY DEJECTED THAT JACK *YET AGAIN* IS DENYING HIS FEELINGS AND IS PUSHING HER AWAY.
JENNIFER: Doesn't what happened mean anything Jack?
JACK: Sure, it meant we were just saved from making a terrible mistake.
JENNIFER: How can you say that? It was right. We both felt it. We almost made love Jack.
JACK: Oh, all it means was that we were saved from making a terrible mistake and having a lot of regrets.
JENNIFER: I wouldn't have regretted it Jack.
JACK GIVES HER A PAT.
JACK: Hey, that's okay. I know you would have gotten hurt.
JENNIFER: The only thing that's hurting me right now is what you're doing.
JACK: Look Jennifer, please. Just forget all about this. Just go, okay.
JENNIFER: You want me to go?
HE IS NOT TOO CONVINCING, AND IT APPEARS SO EVEN TO HIMSELF.
JACK: Yeah.
JENNIFER: You want me to go, I'll go Jack.
JACK: Good.
JENNIFER: I know that you want this relationship as much I do, Jack.
JACK: Jennifer....
JENNIFER: I'm going to give you one more chance, alright. If I mean anything to you, you will meet me at Wings for the broadcast and then we'll talk afterwards, okay?
JACK: Sounds like an ultimatum.
JENNIFER: If you're not there, it's over! I will never come to you again and we will never be together Jack.
SHE WALKS OVER TO THE DOOR.
JENNIFER: I EXPECT YOU TO BE THERE JACK! AND ANOTHER THING, THE DOOR WAS NEVER LOCKED!
SHE OPENS IT AND WALKS OUT, SLAMMING IT AS SHE GOES OUT. JACK LOOKS SURPRISED
FLASHBACK #10: WINGS
JENNIFER HAS JUST READ JACK'S NOTE.
JENNIFER: (READING) "I'm not coming. Forget the whole thing." (DEVASTATED) How could you do this to us Jack?
SHE SCREWS UP THE NOTE WITH TEARS IN HER EYES. SHE IS DEVASTATED. EMILIO AND MELISSA FINISH THEIR SONG AND JENNIFER GOES UP ON STAGE TO INTERVIEW THEM. EMILIO SUDDENLY TELLS HER THAT HE ONLY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT HER AND THAT HE WANTS TO SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE WITH HER. THE BROADCAST GOES LIVE ALL OVER SALEM. BECAUSE OF JACK'S REJECTION SHE ALREADY WAS BARELY CAPABLE OF GOING THROUGH WITH THE INTERVIEW, WITH EMILIO'S QUESTION HER FACE IS ONE OF COMPLETE SHOCK, AND SHE IS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS.
JACK IS DEVASTATED HIMSELF AFTER HIS VISITATION. HE IS WATCHING THE TV IN HIS BEDROOM. HIS FACE IS NOW COMPLETELY ONE OF PAIN. HE WATCHES AS EMILIO KNEELS DOWN IN FRONT OF JENNIFER AND PROPOSES. HIS MOUTH FALLS OPEN IN SHOCK. HE SLOWLY LOOKS UP IN SURPRISE UPON HEARING EMILIO'S QUESTION.
JACK: What! (PLEADING) Just say no Jennifer.....
ON JACK'S T.V.:
JENNIFER: (IN TEARS) I want you to put this on my finger.
EMILIO: You mean you're going to?
JENNIFER: Yes, yes. I'll marry you.
JACK'S MOUTH IS WIDE OPEN IN SHOCK AS HE HEARS EMILIO TELL JENNIFER THAT HE LOVES HER. JACK TURNS THE TV OFF AND RUNS OUT THE DOOR.
JACK: DAMN!
FLASHBACK #11: WINGS. A LITTLE WHILE LATER. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE DANCING.
JENNIFER: You shouldn't have come here Jack.
JACK: (WITH DEEP LOVE) I had to.
JENNIFER: Why?
JACK: (A FAINT LAUGH) I.... ah.... guess hearing you say I do to Emilio did something to me. It made me realize that I had to come down here and stop you from going through with it.
JENNIFER: (PLEADING, HOPING THAT JACK WILL FINALLY OPEN UP.) Why? Why don't you want me to marry him?
JACK: You ask too many questions.
JENNIFER: That's because you keep evading me. Tell me Jack.
JACK: Oooh Emilio is just not the right guy for you.
JENNIFER STEPS BACK. SHE CAN NO LONGER BEAR THE CLOSENESS, AND IS STILL HOPING THAT JACK WILL TELL HER HOW HE FEELS. HER EYES ARE FILLED WITH TEARS. THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER.
JENNIFER: (PLEADING) Then who is? Come on Jack. I've asked you this question before and you've still haven't given me an answer.
JACK: (WITH DEEP LOVE IN HIS VOICE) Jennifer, the point is that you are a very special person. Very talented and you're very beautiful. And you deserve....you deserve somebody that's going to appreciate that. (BEAT) You don't deserve Emilio. You deserve a whole lot more.
JACK GOES TO WALK OUT.
JENNIFER: (CRYING) Jack why can't you just say it?
JACK: (TURNING TO LOOK AT HER, NOT DOING A GOOD JOB PRETENDING HE KNOWS WHAT SHE MEANS.) Say what?
JENNIFER: You know what! That you think you're the man who can appreciate me. That you think you're the right man for me. I know you do.
JACK: No I don't.
JENNIFER: Damn it Jack! I'm giving you another chance. I swore that I wouldn't but I am. (CRYING) I don't know why. I should have some pride but I don't. All I have is what I feel.
JACK: Look Jennifer you....
JENNIFER: (PRACTICALLY SOBBING) Alright, just let me talk! If you can't or won't admit what you feel for me then it's over. I don't want to fight with you anymore. It hurts too much. It's like losing something that you never get back. And I've lost enough already. If I lose anymore I won't have anything else to give to you or anybody else. So you just have to tell me, do you want me or not Jack?
JACK LOOKS AT HER WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES BUT SAYS NOTHING. HE WANTS TO TELL HER, AND HE HATES HURTING HER, BUT HE CANNOT BECAUSE HE BELIEVES HE WILL HURT HER. SHE BEGINS TO CRY.
JENNIFER: Just leave okay. Just get out of here. Just leave me alone and get out of my life Jack.
FLASHBACK #13: INT. WINGS-JENNIFER AND EMILIO POSTPONE THEIR ENGAGEMENT
JACK: Alright. Emilio finally realized that two of you don't have a chance. You realize that you never had a chance. He finally said that to you and you both understood it. My bill's in the mail.
JENNIFER: You're wrong Jack!
JACK: Oh, no, no. Jack is right.
JENNIFER: Look you are wrong Jack.
JACK: No, Jack is right.
JENNIFER: Jack you're wrong. I don't care how much you think you're right and I don't know why I'm standing here trying to convince you that you're wrong. JACK: I don't understand why either.
JENNIFER: Jack you could grab me and put your arms around me right now and tell me that you'll love me forever and that you always did and you'll never love someone else, but it won't make a difference. Do you understand me? It will not make one bit of difference because you had your chance over and over and over again and it's too late!
JACK: For what! (Beat) For what! Come on. It's your life. Always has and always will be. All I'm saying, all I've ever said, is that Emilio is a deadbeat. He's a deadbeat and marrying him is going to be the biggest mistake of your life. That's all I've ever said. Now if you want to ignore me and go ahead with your life, go ahead. I don't care! Go for it. Join the circus. Marry Emilio and run away with him. I don't care. Just don't come crying to me, alright. Stay out of my life, now and forever.
CUT to PRESENT DAY
IN on JACK, who has just been shown the same flashbacks. He turns questioningly to HARPER and DUKE.
JACK: Hey, wait a minute! Just wait a minute here!
OUT on HARPER and DUKE, who are taken back by JACK'S sudden outburst.
SCENE 6: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
IN on HARPER and DUKE, who are wondering what JACK'S outburst was about.
DUKE: Hey, hey, hold your horses there, Billy Boy. You not liking the peep show?(HE SMILES SLYLY TO HARPER)
JACK: (PULLING A FACE) Peep sho--? Hehehe. No, I mean...I mean the show is just fine, pretty great actually...good casting...excellent leading man.
HARPER: Then what, dare we ask, is the problem?
JACK: The problem? Oh yes, the problem. The problem is, well, the problem is...(TAKING A DEEP BREATH) I stopped that wedding. Rode right in there with the firetruck and the deaf dog and stopped all that. I mean, you do, (POINTING UPWARDS TO INDICATE GOD) he does remember that, doesn't he?
HARPER: (POINTING UP AND LOOKING AT DUKE) He? (TO JACK) Oh, well, son, I can't exactly tell you what he remembers, but if it happened, it's there.
JACK: Then...then what about the happier moments? What about the jade plant and my...my tons of proposals? What about the snowpeople? The hope chest?
DUKE: Geez, Harp, he really did go soft on us, didn't he? (HE JOINS HARPER IN SOME LAUGHTER)
JACK pulls a face at this accusation and puffs his chest out to indicate his masculinity.
HARPER: I think you're missing the point here, son. This is about what went wrong, not what went right. Although I must admit, I would've preferred the latter-it was much shorter. (TO DUKE) We'll never make the party at this rate, Duke.
DUKE: And poor Adolph...he loves to entertain so much.
JACK looks on curiously. He is disturbed by the turn of the conversation and the way his and JENNIFER'S relationship is being portrayed. HARPER and DUKE look over at him.
HARPER: Why the long face, son? You look as though you're best friend has died.
DUKE: Well, you did all those years ago, Harp. And poor Jackie here had no other friends really, except for Jennifer, of course. And even then he was walking on thin ice...Take a look, Jackie, take a look if you can...(HE WAVES TO THE STREAM)
JACK laughs nervously and reluctantly settles in to look into the stream. HARPER and DUKE move in closer to watch as well.
CUT TO
SCENE 7: INT. HOTEL ROOM
IN on JENNIFER, who is still standing by the window and thinking about her and JACK'S relationship. COLIN is still standing behind her with his hands on her shoulders and seems to be enunciating JENNIFER'S worst fears-that she will have to be put through the emotional wringer to get JACK to see that the deserve each other once she tells him the truth.
COLIN: (OMINOUSLY) So you can take it? You can take Jack's rejection? The way he will look at you? The way he will make you feel? The way you will make him feel?
CLOSE-UP on JENNIFER thinking about these facts. Each question cuts her like a knife. She once again shivers and thinks back to the times in her relationship with JACK when they both hurt, when he pushed her away.
FLASHBACK #14-INT. JACK'S BATHROOM-JENNIFER IS FED UP WITH BEING REJECTED BY JACK.
JENNIFER: (INSIDE THE BATHROOM)Yeah everything is a joke to you Jack. But you know what's not funny, is the way that you use people. It's mean and manipulative and it's rotten. And I'm sick of it.
JACK: (LEANING AGAINST THE DOOR OUTSIDE THE BATHROOM) Okay, okay I admit it. You got me. I'm guilty. What do you want me to say? I'm sorry?
JENNIFER: Yes!
JACK: Okay, I'm sorry. How about that?
JENNIFER: You're just saying that because you want me to shut up Jack.
JACK: As if that were a remote possibility.
JENNIFER: DON'T YOU DARE MAKE FUN OF ME, JACK!
SHE POUNDS ON THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR AND OUTSIDE HE MOVES BACK.
JACK: I'm not making fun of you, okay?
JENNIFER: (ON VERGE OF TEARS, WHICH CAN BE HEARD IN HER VOICE) Yes you are, yes you are. You are not happy unless you make a complete fool out of me or unless you make me miserable. I tried so hard to get you to admit that you cared about me but you wouldn't. No matter how many times I threw myself at you, you just walked away Jack, just like I was nothing. How do you think that made me feel, huh? How would you like the idea of feeling so unwanted and worthless?
OUTSIDE THE DOOR JACK IS FEELING SORRY THAT HE HURT HER SO MUCH.
JENNIFER (CONT.): Then you fire me from the best job I ever had because you couldn't deal with the fact that we had feelings for each other. Then you push me at Emilio like you have the right to decide what's right in my life. Then he proposes to me and you had to come running back and ruin it Jack. I hated you for breaking up my wedding and I hated you for all those tricks you played on me in the woods because I believed everyone single of them....including the kiss you gave me. Because when you did that I thought you were finally going to tell me that you cared about me. And you didn't Jack, you just pushed me away, like I was some idiot whose feelings don't matter. Is that what I am to you Jack? Just a fool that you can jerk around? Because I'm not you know. If you kick me, it hurts. And if you laugh at me and use me, it hurts, Jack. And you've hurt me so many times I can't even count them all. What do you have to say for you....
SHE HAS BEGUN TO CRY AND JACK CAN HEAR IT IN HER VOICE. HE FEELS SO SORRY FOR WHAT HE DID, BUT HE CANNOT EXPRESS THAT TO HER, SO HE LEAVES. THROUGHOUT IT ALL HE IS SOAKING WET AND IS DRIPPING ON THE CARPET. SHE OPENS THE DOOR AND FINDS HIM GONE, WHICH ONLY MAKES HER MORE HURT.
FLASHBACK #15: EXT. CHURCH BELLTOWER. JENNIFER HAS JUST GONE THERE TO FIND JACK, WHO FEELS GUILTY ABOUT KILLING HARPER THERE A FEW DAYS BEFORE
JENNIFER: I'm not going to drop it. I'm not going to stand here and let you put yourself down.
JACK: I said forget it. I said forget it.
JENNIFER: Because I know you. You are kind and caring and you are generous and....
JACK: I said forget it. I SAID STOP IT. YOU JUST KEEP TALKING. YOU NEVER STOP TALKING. WHEN I TELL YOU TO STOP IT. YOU NEVER....
HE GRABS JENNIFER BY THE ARMS AND SHAKES HER AGAIN AND AGAIN.
JENNIFER: Jack you're hurting me.
JACK IMMEDIATELY STOPS AND LETS GO OF HER. HE GIVES HER A LOOK THAT MEANS HE KNOWS THAT HE JUST PROVED WHAT HE WAS TRYING TO SAY. HE STARTS BABBLING AND WANDERING AROUND.
JACK: Don't know my own strength. (IMITATING BULLWINKLE, HE IS BABBLING, TERRIFIED OVER WHAT HE JUST DID.) Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat.
JENNIFER: If that's supposed to be funny, you're losing your touch.
JACK: Oh no, it's not funny. I think we just proved something here and I think we both know what we're talking about.
JENNIFER: Oh no I don't think so Jack. I'm not going to let you do this, alright. Getting angry doesn't mean you're crazy, that you're going to go out and beat people up. Normal people get angry and that's what's this is all about. You're angry because I won't give in to you. And don't waste your time thinking that I'm going to because I'm not because I know I'm right.
JACK: Oh you're right about one thing. I am angry.
JENNIFER: With me.
THIS HAS COMPLETELY TERRIFIED JACK, HE BELIEVES THIS PROVES WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HIM AND WHAT HE ALWAYS FELT ABOUT HIMSELF THAT HE WAS VIOLENT, AND A BAD PERSON, AND THAT HE WOULD HURT JENNIFER. TO PREVENT THIS HE REVERTS BACK TO HIS OLD SELF, AND TRIES TO ANGER JENNIFER INTO LEAVING HIM. THOUGH IT IS CAUSING HIM GREAT PAIN TO SAY THIS TO HER, AND PART OF HIM DOES NOT BELIEVE AND WANTS TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS A GOOD PERSON AND THEY WILL HAVE A LIFE TOGETHER.
JACK: No, no, not with you. With both of us. You and me. Because I knew that this day was coming. I knew it. And I just let us just go along with this romantic little dream, the good girl and the bad little boy. And fortified by her love, he knew that somehow he would become a great individual and the flowers and trees and all things great and small. It does go on something like that, doesn't it?
JENNIFER: Why are doing this? Why are you trying to make a joke out of what we have?
JENNIFER'S ARGUMENTS ARE AFFECTING HIM, HE WANTS TO BELIEVE THEM; BUT HIS FEARS AND SELF DOUBTS ARE TOO STRONG.
JACK: BECAUSE IT'S A JOKE! IT'S A BIG JOKE, THE WHOLE THING. I don't think about the future, maybe you do but I don't. And I don't believe in little shell rings either. I mean that was just something I thought of just for a minute on island. It was temporary because I thought we were never going to get back. But we did get back. We got back home to reality and it's never going to be the same again.
JENNIFER: (JENNIFER IS HURT AND NEAR TEARS) What happened on that island has nothing to do with not being home and being in danger. It was real. The bad, the good and this.... (POINTING TO THE RING, WHICH SHE IS WEARING) this shell ring that you gave me. You went through so much trouble because you care and don't tell me that you don't because I know you.
JACK: OH, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW. YOU KNOW THIS! YOU KNOW THIS AND HERE'S THE TRUTH THAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. THE FACT IS.... I'M A RAPIST! I'm a rapist.
JENNIFER: Jack.
JACK: I just said it. You know I've never said that before and I just said it. I have trouble dealing with it and so do you. And no little shell ring and no.... no wonderful promises and no island is ever going to change that. Not even the love of a pure chaste virgin. It's never going to change that.
JENNIFER: Well if you really believe that then you're not the person I thought you were. If you believe it Jack. And I don't think so. In your heart I really don't think you do.
JENNIFER IS NOW CRYING. SHE TURNS AND CLIMBS DOWN THE STAIRS. JACK SITS BACK ON THE WINDOW LEDGE AND LOOKS DOWN.
FLASHBACK #16: INT. JACK'S BEDROOM. AFTER THE BELLTOWER AND JACK'S ENDING OF THE RELATIONSHIP, JENNIFER GOES THERE TO WORK IT OUT.
JENNIFER: It hurts too much to be shut out of your life all over again. It was bad enough the first time but now that I know for sure how you feel about me it's even worse. And I don't want to do it anymore. I'm not going to let it happen again. When we made love, you told me that you loved me and I believed that you meant it. Are you denying that now?
JACK: No I'm not denying that. I said that.
JENNIFER: And? Do you mean it? Do you still feel the same way about me? Are you saying that you still love me?
JACK: Yes, Jennifer I love you! I've said it before and I'm saying it again now. I'm not going to just turn it on and turn it off.
JENNIFER: Alright, but Jack then why.... JACK: Yes Jennifer, we made love. And I have felt closer to you than I've ever felt to any other person. I'm not going to be stupid enough to pretend it didn't happen.
JENNIFER: But you are the king of emotional stupidity. You just said that Jack.
JACK: No, no, no. I said the king of emotional.... inconsistency, not stupidity. I didn't say that.
JENNIFER: Jack I would say denying what you feel and pushing the person you supposedly love as far away as you possibly can, stupid. What do you call that?
JACK: I think that's smart. I think that's selfless. I mean when you really care about somebody, you....
JENNIFER: No, when you love somebody.
JACK: That's what I was.... that's what I meant. When you really love somebody, when you love them, you will do anything you can to help them, to keep them out of trouble, to protect them. That's what I'm doing.
JACK SITS ON THE END OF THE BED AND JENNIFER SITS DOWN BESIDE HIM.
JENNIFER: Jack I don't need protection, if that's what you're trying to do, don't. I don't need you to protect me from you.
JACK NODS AS IF HE AGREES WITH SOME OF WHAT SHE HAS JUST SAID.
JENNIFER: You're much too good at already protecting yourself. Now if we work together, if we have problems, we can work them out Jack, we can, together.
JACK: It sounds like somebody's had a trip to Grandma H's. Had a little tea, sympathy and donuts.
JENNIFER: I just had some advice which I already knew. I just needed to hear it from somebody else.
JACK STANDS UP AND STARTS PACING AS HE TALKS.
JACK: Jennifer.... listen. This is 1990 alright. Read the papers, they're right here. Love is not enough. Things are just too big, too complicated and too fast for love just to fix it. You know one little kiss will not fix what ails you. It won't fix what ails me. It won't fix my life.
JENNIFER: Alright, so you're telling me that you would be better off dealing with this alone than with me? Come on Jack, just say it. I mean like Steve said when he was here, just say it, if that's what you feel. Just tell me right now. Look me in the eye and tell me right now that you never want to be this close to me ever again.
JENNIFER STANDS UP AND MOVES IN CLOSE TO JACK.
JENNIFER: That you never want to kiss me again. And you never want to hold me close and feel your arms wrapped around me and listen to me breathe in the middle of the night and wake up to me the next morning.
NOW JENNIFER IS PRESSED UP AGAINST HIM AND HE IS TRYING TO RESIST HER.
JENNIFER: Just say it. It's as easy as that Jack, just say it.
SHE TAKES HIS FACE IN HER HANDS AND PULLS IT TOWARDS HER. SHE KISSES HIM.
JENNIFER: Just tell me that's what you want. Tell me that's what you believe.
JACK: Ah.... this is not about what I want or what I believe. This is about what's....
SHE KISSES HIM AGAIN.
JENNIFER: You know what Jack, why don't you let me worry about what's best for me, okay?
JACK: You know Jennifer, if....
SHE KISSES HIM AGAIN WITH EACH KISS JACK LOSES HIS RESOLVE; HE CANNOT FIGHT HIS FEELINGS FOR HER.
JENNIFER: You know Jack, I'm a really big girl now. (KISS) And I know what I want. (KISS) And I know what I need. (Kiss) And I can take care of myself. (KISS) Do you know what you want Jack? (KISS)
JACK: (SIGHS AND KISSES BACK) Jennifer.... (KISS)
JENNIFER: What? (KISS)
JACK: I know (KISS) I know....
JACK BENDS DOWN AND PICKS HER UP.
JACK: I know my back's going to kill me in the morning but I know what I want. (KISS)
CUT to a short while later. JACK and JENNIFER have just made love and are now in bed basking in the afterglow.
JENNIFER: We just have to stop fighting each other Jack. We're too smart for that.
JACK: Yeah, too smart.
JENNIFER: You know I almost walked away from it you know today. When I went to talk to my grandma, I got a call from New York....
JACK IS SUDDENLY VERY INTERESTED BUT JENNIFER CANNOT SEE HIS FACE.
JENNIFER: ....about a job that I applied for and I was seriously thinking about taking it. I mean for half a second I was trying to convince myself that this was never going to work out and I'd be better off in New York.... away from you. But I was wrong. I'm going to call them in the morning and I'm going to tell them I'm not interested, Jack. We can't work away from this. Neither of us can. I'm never going to leave you Jack, never. I'm going to be right here.... always.
JACK IS FROWNING AND THINKING DEEPLY ABOUT WHAT SHE IS SAYING. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT JACK IS THINKING THAT BECAUSE OF HIM SHE IS LOSING AN OPPURTUNITY OF A LIFETIME, THAT WITHOUT HIM SHE COULD DO BETTER.
CUT to a short while later.
JENNIFER STIRS IN JACK'S BED. SHE REACHES OUT TO TOUCH HIM BUT HE IS GONE. SHE SLOWLY SITS UP AND NOTICES A NOTE BESIDE THE BED. SHE REACHES ACROSS AND PICKS IT UP. THE NOTE SAYS: "HAVE FUN IN NEW YORK!"
FLASHBACK #17: INT. SPECTATOR. JACK ASKS FOR THE ENGAGEMENT RING BACK.
JENNIFER: No you're wrong. There is a lot that needs to be talked about. Because I don't.... I don't like the way things are between us right now and I want to try.... I want us.... to try to work this out because I know we can. We can go back to the way everything was before all this started.
HE HALF TURNS TOWARDS HER WITH A PUZZLED LOOK ON HIS FACE.
JACK THINKS FOR A FEW SECONDS.
JACK: I don't know if that can really be.
JENNIFER: Yes it can. All we have to do is forget about what I said. We can do that.
JACK LOOKS AT HER KNOWING THAT HE CAN NEVER FORGET WHAT SHE SAID, AND NEITHER CAN SHE.
JACK: Can you forget what you said?
JENNIFER: Yes.
JACK LISTENS TO HER BUT KNOWS IT IS NOT TRUE JUST LIKE HE CANNOT FORGET.
JACK: No you can't! You can't forget what you said and you can't go back. Neither can I. We both know that, right? We both....
JENNIFER: No, you're right. We can't go back so let's go forward. Let's try and put what happened behind us. I know we can do it if we try hard enough, okay.
JACK: No, you don't understand. I don't want to deny who I am anymore. I'm tired of that, alright. Do you understand?
JENNIFER: Yes, I'm not asking....
JACK: I am trying.... I am trying to make a point here, okay. You cannot run away from who you are. You can try. You can try all day long but the truth will out. Who you are, what you are, what you like to do, what you like to be, who do you want to be.
JENNIFER: You're a wonderful caring man who I love and I want to spend the rest of my life with.
JACK: THAT IS A FANTASY.
JENNIFER: No it's not!
JACK: That is a fantasy Jennifer. Your life with me is a fantasy. I'm just glad you woke up long enough and come to your senses before there were children and weddings or anything like that.
JENNIFER: Why are you talking like this? Why are you....
JACK: BECAUSE THIS IS WHO I AM! You're talking to who I am now, alright. I was waiting for you to say the word rapist to me at some point. I was waiting for that. One of these days you were going to say it. And you know something, I am glad that you said it because now I can relax and be who I am.
JENNIFER: Just stop it.
JACK: I can be the real me.
JENNIFER: Would you just stop?
JACK: YOU STOP IT! (BEAT) THIS IS MY OFFICE. I'M TRYING TO MAKE A POINT HERE! (BEAT) Now you stated a fact, you called me a rapist. And I am proud of you. I really am. Because for once, you were able TO BACK UP AND LOOK AT THE SITUATION REALISTICALLY AND OBJECTIVELY, like a real reporter. The way I trained you. It's something to be proud of. You'll go far....
HE PATS HER ARM AND TURNS AWAY FROM HER.
JACK (CONT.): .... from me.
JENNIFER: Don't say that, alright. Please don't say that.
JACK: You don't want to get hurt the way Kayla got hurt.
SHE PULLS HIM ROUND TO FACE HER.
JENNIFER: Why are you talking about that, alright? That was in the past. The problem that we're facing right now has nothing to do with that okay. I told you, it's me. I'm having trouble right now, dealing with something.
JACK: I'M SICK AND TIRED OF YOUR EXCUSES, ALRIGHT. I'M.... YES....
JENNIFER: It's not an excuse. I'm trying to tell you....
JACK: ....JENNIFER, I AM SICK OF YOUR EXCUSES. STOP GROVELING. STOP DOING THIS TO YOURSELF.
JENNIFER: Listen to me....
JACK: YOU DIDN'T.... YOU....
JENNIFER: JUST LISTEN TO ME!
JACK STOPS TALKING.
JENNIFER (CONT.): Now you have worked so hard. You have come so far. We both have. WHY ARE YOU GOING TO LET SOME STUPID MISUNDERSTANDING COME BETWEEN US?
JACK RECOILS AT HER SUGGESTION THAT IT WAS ONLY A MISUNDERSTANDING TO CALL HIM A RAPIST.
JENNIFER (CONT.): Alright.... I love you Jack. And you love me and no matter what you say you know that we belong together. (Beat) So don't do this. Don't put us through this pain.
JACK: You're right. I'm sorry. No one should have to go through this kind of pain. I'm sorry.
JENNIFER: Okay, let's do something. Let's fix it. Let's work it out.
JACK: Alright, let's fix it. I want you to do something for me.
JENNIFER: Alright.
JACK: I want you to take the engagement ring off.
JENNIFER GASPS.
JENNIFER: Alright, wait. I realize that things are difficult between us right now Jack, alright. But this ring, it's a sign of hope. It's a sign that we can work it out.
JACK: Jennifer, there is nothing that you can do or say that's going to change anything.
JENNIFER: Nothing?
JACK: Nothing.
JENNIFER JUST STANDS THERE WITH TEARS IN HER EYES.
JACK: Now.... you can drop it, lose it, pawn it. I don't care. I just don't want you wearing it around this town giving people like your grandmother the false idea that there's going to be a wedding when there will not be one.
JENNIFER: If you want the ring, you take it. I won't take it off.
JACK SIGHS KNOWING THAT THIS IS THE HARDEST THING THAT HE HAS EVER DONE BECAUSE IT IS TEARING THEM BOTH APART INSIDE.
JACK: Very well.
HE TAKES HER HAND IN HIS AND LOOKS IN HER EYES. SHE ALMOST WILLS HIM NOT TO DO THIS BUT HE STICKS TO HIS RESOLVE AND SLOWLY PULLS THE RING OFF HER FINGER
HE IMMEDIATELY TURNS AWAY FROM HER, GLANCES AT THE RING THEN STARES STRAIGHT AHEAD.
JACK: Goodbye Miss Horton.
SHE SLOWLY LEAVES HIS OFFICE AND WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT, SHE BEGINS TO SOB. INSIDE, JACK CAN HEAR HER AND HIS HEART SINKS.
FLASHBACK #18-INT. HORTON LIVING ROOM-CHRISTMAS
JACK HAS JUST CRASHED THROUGH THE WINDOW INTO THE HORTON LIVINGROOM, THEY THINK HE IS THE CHRISTMAS BANDIT AND SHOUT FOR THE POLICE. JACK HEARS THEM SCREAMING AND PULLS OFF THE SKI MASK
JACK: DON'T.... don't. It's.... it's me!
JENNIFER: What?
JACK: It's Jack!
JENNIFER: Jack! MICKEY: Jack.
JENNIFER: Oh my gosh, Jack.
EVERYONE IS SHOCKED TO SEE HIM. JENNIFER IS OVERJOYED, AND SHE RUNS OVER TO HIM AND PULLS HIM TO HIS FEET.
JENNIFER: Jack is that really you? You're really here.
JACK: It's me.
JENNIFER: I can't believe you're here. Oh I can't believe you're back.
SHE JUMPS UP AND GIVES HIM A HUGE HUG AND THEN THEY KISS LONG AND PASSIONATELY.
THEY BREAK APART AND STAND BACK HOLDING HANDS AND LOOKING IN EACH OTHER'S EYES. THEN SUDDENLY SHE YELLS OUT.
JENNIFER: YOU JERK!
SHE LETS FLY WITH A HARD RIGHT PUNCH TO THE JAW. HE SWINGS AROUND AND SINKS TO THE FLOOR.
JACK: What the hell was that for?
JENNIFER: You know what the hell that was for! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN JACK? Where have you been?
CUT TO SOME TIME LATER. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE BACK IN THERE DINING ROOM AT THE PENTHOUSE.
JACK: Jennifer.... you're setting the table. (BEAT) Well that's very nice. Ah, I didn't tell you before but I'm actually starving. It's kind of difficult to argue on a full stomach.
SHE COMPLETELY IGNORES HIM AND KEEPS STACKING PLATES.
JACK: Look, Jennifer, the truth is you're being very good about this.
SHE PICKS UP A PLATE AND THROWS IT STRAIGHT AT HIM. HE DUCKS BUT IT BREAKS ON HIS HIP.
JACK: OUCH! What are you doing?
JENNIFER: You lied to me. You took our money and you left me. You make me sick!
SHE HURLS ANOTHER PLATE AT HIM BUT THIS TIME IT MISSES.
JACK: Argh.... ah.... that.... your grandmother gave you those plates.
JENNIFER: I know exactly what these plates are.
JACK: Yeah but do you know what those would be worth on today's market?
JENNIFER: I DON'T GIVE A DAMN HOW MUCH. I DON'T CARE ABOUT MONEY. I never did Jack. I'm not like you. You mercenary, you low down deserter.
SHE THROWS ANOTHER PLATE.
JACK: NOOOO! Listen I did not desert you. You wouldn't believe the things that Howie told me.
JENNIFER: You're the one who didn't call. You're the one who didn't write. You're the one who left. Don't try to blame this on anybody else, alright. Don't try to tell me this is about the FBI or the SEC because I know what this was about.
JACK: What was this about?
JENNIFER: You married me Jack. Nobody twisted your arm, nobody forced you into it, alright. If you wanted out of this marriage so badly, all you had to do was say so.
SHE PICKS UP THE LAST FEW PLATES AND DROPS THEM ON THE FLOOR.
JACK: Ah, DON'T.
SHE WALKS STRAIGHT TO THE LIVING ROOM. JACK GETS A BROOM AND DUSTPAN AND TRIES TO CLEAN UP THE MESS.
FLASHBACK #19: NEVER BEFORE AIRED EPILOGUE
IN on JENNIFER coming down the stairs in her robe. She is wondering where JACK is.
JENNIFER: Jack? (WORRYING, SHE OPENS THE KITCHEN DOOR TO LOOK IN) Jack? (TO HERSELF) Jack, where are you? I had the strangest dream last night. You came in and told me and Abby good-
SHE STOPS, SPOTTING A TAPE ON THE COFFEE TABLE NEXT TO THEIR JADE PLANT. ON IT, THERE IS A SMALL NOTE SIMPLY READING "MISS HORTON". SHE PAUSES AND HER KNEES FEEL WEAK. SHE KNOWS WHAT IT IS. SLOWLY SHE PICKS UP THE TAPE AND FINGERS IT FOR A MOMENT AND THEN PUTS IT IN THE VCR AND SITS BACK ON THE COUCH. SHE IS AFRAID OF WHAT IT IS AND AS SOON AS SHE SEES JACK ONSCREEN, SHE KNOWS WHAT IT IS. HER EYES FILL UP WITH TEARS.
ON THE T.V.:
Jennifer.... 'Miss Horton' - you know I remember the first time I saw you in The Spectator office - filing - I don't know, something to get you college credit.... an aspiring 'cub' reporter and me, an aspiring 'cub' publisher. You stole my heart. From the moment I say your face, you stole my heart. It's been quite an adventure hasn't it?
CUT TO JENNIFER'S WEAK SMILE AT THIS MENTION
I set out to teach you, and yet you taught me - you taught me so much more that I could ever hope to learn; about being human, caring, feelings - and yet with those feelings there comes a price - feeling the fear of losing you - of losing our child.... our Abigail. You know I could never say her name out loud for fear of getting too close and losing her . . .like.... and now I'm losing her anyway, I am - and you too. "The sins of the Father are visited upon the son or daughter" - I don't know, that keeps running through my head. Four years ago, before I met you, I owned many companies. In one of them I knowingly allowed toxic waste to be dumped into an area that affected a school full of children, I remember shrugging it off saying, "Kids get hot flashes and break out with red dots on their face, it's called adolescence."
CUT TO JENNIFER, CLOSING HER EYES BRIEFLY AND LETTING THE INFORMATION SINK IN
Still, I was caught. I cleaned it up and did my "mea culpa,", the children recovered and I went on with my life - as if it were that simple. In meeting you I began to believe that it was that simple - I could put this Harper/Duke madness behind me - "my two dad" - they were the sick ones who did horrible things, not me . I really came to think that I was above it - above them. I was blinded by my ego and pride - and by you.... by seeing only you. (Pauses, regains his train of thought). Actually I have Victor to thank for showing me the light today. I'm sure he'll be glad to fill you in later on the details - but suffice it to say that Tract 5 was my responsibility. It belonged to me through one of Harper's companies which he let me head up while I was in college. I didn't know what I was signing, and more importantly I didn't really care to know - but I am the one who authorized the dumping. I am the one who's ultimately responsible for my own child's illness. I think now that subconsciously I was afraid to go out and help you look - I could research from home or the office, but looking out for sites.... I think that deep down I might have known I was connected - still I was blind and I didn't connect, till it all came tumbling down. I want you to be happy Jennifer, (somehow, after all of this - hah!) I suppose if this was three, four years ago I could push you away to and Emilio or a Francoise - but that was before I came to truly know you.... hold you.... love you. I can't find it in myself to push you to anyone now - still I cannot have you myself. I feel that if Duke would have left earlier - Steve Adrienne and myself.... we might have been a family. If Harper had left early on, I might have been totally different - maybe I could've really taught you something. That's why I'm leaving.... to see - to give you and Abigail that chance - we'll see together. - Perhaps someday I'll come back.... someday. - This is the most painful thing I've ever had to do. Just know that I'll be watching you.... feeling you. I'll see you and Abigail in everything - everything. I love you.... love.... no one will ever love you the way I love you.... "
THE VIDEO ENDS AND THE TV GOES SNOWY, BUT JENNIFER MAKES NO EFFORT TO GET UP. SHE SITS THERE STARING AT THE SNOW FOR A FEW MOMENTS IN COMPLETE SILENCE. SHE THEN TAKES HER HAND AND KNOCKS THE JADE PLANT OFF THE TABLE AND SCREAMS IN ANGER, IN FRUSTRATION, AND IN PAIN. SHE DOESN'T MAKE AN EFFORT TO PICK IT UP OR EVEN LOOK AT IT. SHE JUST BALLS UP IN THE FETAL POSITION AND CRIES. UPSTAIRS, ABBY BEGINS TO CRY AND JENNIFER CLOSES HER EYES AND CRIES EVEN HARDER.
CUT TO PRESENT DAY
JENNIFER IS STILL STANDING BY THE WINDOW WITH TEARS IN HER EYES. COLIN LEANS DOWN AND UTTERS HIS QUESTION AGAIN.
COLIN: Can you, Jennifer Rose? Can you take that again? Can you take all of that rejection again?
JENNIFER turns and looks at him with tears welled in her eyes. OUT on JENNIFER'S confusion about how to answer.
SCENE 8: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
HARPER and DUKE have just shown JACK where he went wrong with JENNIFER. IN on JACK who is looking down at the stream, where a picture of JENNIFER on the couch crying after he left her and Abby remains. The picture breaks up and JACK is visibly shaken by what he saw.
JACK: That's it? (EMPHATICALLY) I came back! I came back and we left and we...we were happy.
HARPER: Were you really?
JACK: What do you mean "were you really?" Of course we were. Jennifer and Abigail and I...we were on cloud nine in Africa.
DUKE: When you were home.
JACK: (REPEATING WHAT HE SAID) When I was home. When I was home? Look, I couldn't help that...Bill, Jennifer's father was...
HARPER: Son, son, son, when are you ever going to learn?
JACK: Learn what? Jennifer would've been crushed if she found out that her father...
DUKE: Father Schmather. What about you, Billy boy? What about how crushed she was about you being gone?
JACK: (GETTING HEATED. LOUDLY) It was business. (REALIZING HOW LOUDLY HE WAS SPEAKING, LOWERING HIS VOICE) It was business and then Bill...(SULLEN) I thought she'd be there when I got back and then...then we'd fix it. We'd come home. (DEJECTEDLY) We'd fix it.
HARPER: Son, do you see the point of this? What we're trying to say? Do you see what all this says? (HE MOTIONS TO THE STREAM)
JACK: That I'm a horrible, horrible person? That Jennifer and I don't deserve each other? That she deserves some good heroic doctor? That when she looks back over our relationship, all she'll se is the pain I caused her?
HARPER: (WAVING HIM OFF) No, no...I mean, I still don't think that you and Jennifer deserve each other...
DUKE stands next to HARPER and nods in agreement.
HARPER (CONT.): And no one else really does either.
JACK: (SARCASTICALLY) Don't make me feel any better there, will ya?
HARPER: Jack, the point is, it-
DUKE: It doesn't matter what everybody else thinks or what we, your dear old dads think, it matters what you think...
JACK: I think...(PAINFULLY) I think that...that Miss, Hor-Jennifer-is better off without me in her life.
DUKE: Do you really now?
HARPER: Do you think that she wants some mundane Rhett Butler hero, son? She wants you-her-
JACK: (DRYLY) Her Jerry Lewis. (BEAT) How? How can she want to be with me? Look what I did-look what I did to her! (HE WAVES ANGRILY TO THE STREAM)
HARPER: And she took you back each and every time...even now. Jack, what do you plan on doing about this, the here and now?
JACK: Does setting up shop in the farthest town from Salem sound like an option?
DUKE: No. No. (TO HARPER) He doesn't get it. (TO JACK) We're not going to say it's going to be easy, because it's not...You've got a chance to make it right. Use that little gold nugget you have there-you musta got IT from your mother. Be truthful, be honest, face your problems.
JACK: (NERVOUS SMILE) Then what? Watch as Jennifer realizes herself that Jack Deveraux, ex-editor-in-chief is no good for her? That he'll only cause her great pain and heartache. He'll have her crumpled up on the couch in the fetal position all the time. No sir. I'd much rather save me-and her-that grief, thank you very much.
HARPER: You know it took a lot out of Jennifer to forgive you when you left, Jack. You know that. And instead of sticking around you were off gallivanting on business or with her father. When you look at your track record...
JACK: (HEATED) I know, I know...track record...I don't come with a warranty. I've told her this. I told her this.
DUKE: So what are you going to do now, boy?
HARPER: Run away from the woman you love, run away from your little girl who adores you?
DUKE: (PUTTING UP HIS FISTS IN BOXING STANCE) Or are you going to fight?
HARPER: Are you going to do something you can be accused of not doing 9 out of 10 times-are you going to stay and fight for your and Jennifer's relationship?
DUKE: Are you going to work for the two of you?
HARPER: Are you going to regain that trust that you never fully regained all those years ago? Tell us son...tell us.
OUT on JACK, whose head is spinning from all of the questions. He is mulling it over.
SCENE 9: INT. HOTEL ROOM
IN on JENNIFER who is about to tell COLIN whether or not she thinks she can handle the rejection from JACK if she tells him what happened.
COLIN: Are you going to tell him the truth, Jennifer Rose? Are you willing to risk it all just to clear your conscience?
A few moments of silence ensues.
JENNIFER: Yes.
COLIN: (SHOCKED AT HER ANSWER) Yes?
JENNIFER: (SMILING THROUGH HER TEARS) You heard me, Colin. Yes.
COLIN: Yes? You know how he's going to react, Jennifer Rose. You think you can handle it?
JENNIFER: I know I can. Can and will. Somebody told me that once (THINKING OF JACK, THE "SOMEBODY"). And you know what? I told someone something once, too. Something I still owe them, something I still feel (SHE TURNS BACK TO THE WINDOW AND NARROWS HER EYES, SEEING JACK IN THE GARDEN TALKING ALOUD TO NO ONE. SMILING TO HERSELF, BECAUSE SHE KNOWS IT'S HARPER AND DUKE, SHE GOES TO LEAVE).
COLIN: Jennifer-where are you going?
JENNIFER: (SMILING) To find Jack. (SHE GRABS HER KEY AND GOES TO OPEN THE DOOR).
COLIN: (NOT KNOWING WHAT TO SAY) But what-what was that something you owe someone? The something you feel? (THINKING SHE MEANT HIM)
JENNIFER: (SMILING WIDELY) Belief, Colin. Belief. (BEAT) I told someone I believed in them once and I forgot about it or at least thought I had. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to go find Jack and tell him that I still...that I still believe in him...and us. (SHE EXITS).
COLIN: (SHAKING HIS HEAD IN SHOCK. TO HIMSELF). Believe what you want, Jennifer Rose, but there is no way-no way-you're getting away from me...not until I get what I need. (HE TAKES OUT HIS CELL PHONE AND DIALS SOMEONE) Hello Uncle? (BEAT) It's me. We have a problem.
EPISODE 30
SCENE 1: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
HARPER and DUKE have just asked JACK what he plans on doing about the situation with JENNIFER.
IN on HARPER and DUKE who are looking at JACK with anticipation. While they speak, JACK'S head moves to look at each of them.
HARPER: Say, son, what's it gonna be?
DUKE: Come on, Billy boy, make up your mind. Are you gonna stay and fight (PUTTING HIS FISTS UP TO INDICATE FIGHTING) or are you gonna run like a wittle girl? (HE PRETENDS TO GRAB THE EDGES OF HIS PRETEND "SKIRT" AND RUNS VERY FEMININELY IN PLACE)
HARPER: (TO DUKE) You'd make a very ugly girl.
DUKE: I should hope so. Imagine my mug on a girly body.
HARPER: I'd rather not.
THEY collapse in laughter. Noticing JACK'S unamused face they stop.
HARPER: Fight or flight? It's your choice, son.
DUKE: We're counting on you to make the right decision. (HE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HARPER AND SMILES) Just like your dear old dads.
HARPER and DUKE decide to chant together.
HARPER and DUKE: Fight or flight?! Fight or flight?! Fight or flight?! Fight or-
JACK: (SCREAMING IN FRUSTRATION) AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH! (HE COVERS HIS EARS AND GRIMACES. IT IS TOO MUCH FOR HIM.)
Unbeknownst to him, JENNIFER has walked up behind him and is smiling oddly at him. She knows what he has been doing. She jumps back a little when he screams.
JENNIFER: Geez, Jack, they can't be that bad.
OUT on JACK, who is in shock over hearing her voice. He slowly turns around and smiles nervously at her.
SCENE 2: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
IN PROGRESS
JACK: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) Hehehehe. Jennifer...I...I didn't hear you come up.
JENNIFER: (SMILING) I'd say. (BEAT. NONCHALANTLY.) So, how are they? (SHE WALKS OVER TO A BUSH AND STARTS PLAYING WITH THE LEAVES)
JACK: (PLAYING DUMB) How are who?
JENNIFER: (FLASHING A SLY SMILE AT HIM) Whom, Jack. Whom being Harper and Duke. That's whom you were talking to, right?
JACK: (LOOKING DOWN AT HIS FEET AND SHUFFLING THEM NERVOUSLY)Uh...well...what makes you think that?
JENNIFER: (WALKING OVER TO HIM AND PLACING HER HAND ON HIS ELBOW) I've known about them for a long time, remember? (BEAT. WANTING HIM TO LOOK AT HER) I also know that they like to show up when you are having problems with me. That's what this is about, isn't it, Jack? (REACHING UP AND GRABBING HIS CHIN GENTLY TO MAKE HIM LOOK AT HER) It's about me. Isn't it, Jack?
OUT on JACK looking at JENNIFER with deep love in his eyes. He is afraid of getting too close to her, of hurting her.
SCENE 3: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
IN PROGRESS
JENNIFER: (HOLDING JACK'S CHIN TO MAKE HIM LOOK AT HER) They came because of me, didn't they, Jack? (BEAT) Harper and Duke came because you and I, we, are having a problem.
JACK: (GENTLY PUSHING HER HAND AWAY FROM HIS FACE AND TURNING AWAY TO AVERT HER GAZE) Jennifer, I-
JENNIFER: (HURT THAT HE PULLED AWAY) Jack, please. (THICK WITH EMOTION) We have to talk. You have to listen to me.
JACK: (TURNING BACK AROUND TO FACE HER) I can't...I'm...I'm scared.
JENNIFER: (EYES WELLING UP WITH TEARS. CONFUSED.) You're scared?
JACK: (TAKING A DEEP BREATH. HE'S TRYING TO BE OPEN AND HONEST WITH HER AND IT'S KILLING HIM. WITH EACH WORD, HE BREATHES HARDER AS IF HE HAS TO GET IT OUT BEFORE HE CHANGES HIS MIND) Scared of...hell, I might as well say it...Scared that this whole relationship-this whole you and me, everything, scared that it was just a great dream...that I made it up. Scared that whatever you say will wake me up from it. I'm scared of waking up from this, Jennifer. I believed-
JENNIFER: (SMILING WITH DETERMINATION AT HIM) Jack, I believe in you.
JACK: (STOPPING TO PONDER WHAT SHE JUST SAID) What? That makes no sense. Jennifer-
JENNIFER: (SMILING AT HIM AGAIN WITH DETERMINATION) I said I believed in you, Jack.
JACK: (STOPPING AGAIN. LOOKING AT HER CURIOUSLY) There you go again. What does that have to do with anything?
JENNIFER: Jack, it has to do with everything. I believe that you can handle what I'm going to say. That you, that we, can work through this.
JACK: (WITH DISBELIEF OVER HER FAITH IN HIM) How can you be so sure? How do you know that? Statistics say that...
JENNIFER: (GENTLY GRABBING HIS HAND AND CARESSING IT. LOOKING DEEP INTO HIS EYES) I don't care wht the statistics say, Jack. I know. I just know. Jack, listen to me. Please.
OUT on JACK'S face. He wants to believe her but isn't sure if he can handle it.
SCENE 4: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
IN PROGRESS
JENNIFER: (CARESSING JACK'S HAND WITH HERS) Please listen to me. That's all you have to do.
JACK: (LOOKING PENSIVELY AT THEIR HANDS ENTWINED) That's all?
JENNIFER: (NODDING. TEARS WELLING UP IN HER EYES) That's all.
JACK swallows hard. He knows that listening to her might kill him and wants so badly to believe that they can work through this. He goes to move his hand away from hers. JENNIFER looks saddened at this gesture. At the last moment, he decides to keep it there. JENNIFER sees this sign as hopeful and smiles weakly at him. He smiles weakly back at her.
JENNIFER: (MOVED THAT HE IS GOING TO LISTEN) Okay. (BEAT) Jack, when we were in Africa-
JACK: (ON EDGE) Should I sit?
JENNIFER: What?
JACK: I said, should I sit?
JENNIFER nods weakly and watches as he sits down on a log. She gently lets go of his hand and begins to pace. She is nervous and hopeful that JACK will be able to deal what she is about to tell him. Still, her eyes are brimming with tears. Seeing that he is settled in, she starts to talk.
JENNIFER: (WITH EACH WORD, SHE GETS MORE SAD) Jack, when we were in Africa, I thought it was perfect and it was for awhile. I thought we finally could get past all that happened to us-you leaving, Abby's being sick. I really thought it would be different. I thought that we had finally done it, that we had finally beat the odds. (SHE LOOKS OVER AT JACK, WHO IS WATCHING HER CURIOUSLY AND WITH GREAT CARE)
JENNIFER: (CONT) Then you started going away with my father (JACK STARTS TO SPEAK BUT SHE THROWS HIM A LOOK THAT STOPS HIM) and I know now that it was nothing, but then...Jack, I felt alone. My whole life people had been leaving me-my mother mentally, my father, and then...then you.
JACK looks hurt by this remark. He never meant to hurt her and was finally realizing that he had.
JENNIFER: (CONT.) I thought that you didn't want me anymore, that you found someone else who challenged and delighted you more than I could. It was wrong, I know, but Jack, I wasn't myself. Something deep within me took over. You know that. You remember, don't you? You remember how I'd be, right? Those last few months in Africa?
JACK: (SOFTLY. REMEMBERING HER ODD BEHAVIOR) I remember.
JENNIFER: I wasn't myself. I'm still not myself. And Abby asking where you were only made me...made me hate you even more...for leaving me, for leaving us when all I needed was you there.
Each fact stabs JACK like a knife. He knows he should have been there and is in pain that he couldn't be.
JENNIFER: (CONT.) I needed a friend. That's when I turned to Colin.
OUT on JACK'S face imagining the worst. He is beginning to think that COLIN may be exactly what Jennifer needs-someone who can support and love her the way he can't.
SCENE 5: EXT. HOTEL GARDEN
IN PROGRESS
JACK: (SARCASTICALLY TO COVER HIS PAIN) And I suppose the good doctor had the cure for what ailed ye?
JENNIFER throws him a saddened look. She knows that he is starting to close up.
JACK: (CONT.) That is it, isn't it, Jennifer? What you're getting at? He was there when I wasn't? He gave you what I couldn't? (CHOKING ON THE WORDS) What I still can't.
JENNIFER: (HOPEFUL THAT HE DOESN'T TAKE WHAT SHE IS SAYING THE WRONG WAY) Yes.
JACK gets up angrily and turns away from her, shaking his head.
JENNIFER: (UPSET. STARTING TO SHOUT) Don't do this, Jack! You have to listen! You said you would!
JACK: (WANTING TO LISTEN BUT KNOWING HE CAN'T) I...(TURNING SLOWLY TOWARDS HER. CALMLY) I think I heard enough.
JENNIFER: (SHOCKED OVER HIS WORDS) So that's it? You won't even let me finish, will you?! Jack, I believe in you! I know you will understand! Just let me tell you!
JACK: (NOT WANTING TO HEAR HER. MATCHNG HER YELL) No!
JENNIFER: No? Jack, this is not only about you, you know! It's about me, too...it's about our future!
JACK: (LAUGHING AT HER SUGGESTION TO HIDE HIS PAIN) Future? You think we can have one of those? Sooner or later you're going to realize that you are going to need more than me in your life, Jennifer. You're going to realize that you need someone who can give you those things. Someone like (CHOKING ON THE NAME) Colin.
JENNIFER: No. The only person I need is you, Jack-
JACK: How can you say that? You just...you just said that I couldn't give you the things you need. Look what I've done. Look what I've done to you.
JENNIFER: (CONFUSED AND HURT) What are you talking about?
JACK: (GESTURING TO HER) Look at you...beating yourself up over something that was inevitable, thinking it's your fault. You didn't do anything, Jennifer. I did! Can't you see? I couldn't see the forest for the trees. When dealing with Jack Deveraux, there are two things you can count on-the finest wine and the worst possible heartache.
JENNIFER: Jack, you didn't do anything. I did.
JACK: You didn't. You're perfect, Jennifer. Perfect!
JENNIFER: (ANGRY. PRACTICALLY SCREAMING) I am not perfect! I am not! (LOWERING HER VOICE A LITTLE) And you are not (PUTTING UP HER FINGERS TO INDICATE QUOTES) "bad", I am not "good". We are who we are, Jack and that is two people who love and believe in each other, despite our faults. It's just that simple, Jack. Can't you see?
JACK: (BEATING HIMSELF UP OVER MAKING HER FEEL SO GUILTY) So simple? I'll tell you what I do see (NOTICING COLIN, WHO HAS WALKED UP BEHIND JENNIFER). I see two people who made a mistake years ago. Who tried to turn that mistake into something more and only made more mistakes along the way.
JENNIFER: Is that what you see, Jack? Is that what you see with your head (POINTING TO HER HEAD) or with your heart (TOUCHING HER CHEST TO INDICATE HER HEART)?
JACK: (TAKEN BACK BY HER QUESTION. PAUSING BRIEFLY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ANSWER.) With my head. (BEAT. STEPPING PAST HER) I'll tell you what I see with my heart, though-your future.
JENNIFER is confused by this statement.
JENNIFER: What are you talking about, Jack? (SHE TURNS TO WATCH HIM)
JACK walks over to COLIN and shakes his hand. JENNIFER watches this interlude with shock.
JACK: (IT IS KILLING HIM TO DO THIS) Colin (HE SHAKES HIS HAND. COLIN TAKES IT BUT LOOKS AT JACK STRANGELY). You got yourself a real...a real fire...firecracker there. (HE LOOKS PAINFULLY AT JENNIFER) Your future, Jennifer (HE GESTURES TO COLIN).
JENNIFER cannot believe what he's doing. JACK waits for her reaction, but when he gets none, speaks painfully.
JACK: I only want the best for...for you and Abigail. I'm sure my good man, Colin, will see to it, won't you? (HE PATS COLIN ON THE BACK) (PAINFULLY. WITH GREAT LOVE IN HIS EYES) I really do want the best.
JENNIFER: (ABOUT TO CRY. IN DISBELIEF OVER WHAT HE IS DOING) Jack, you are the bes-
JACK: (WAVING HER OFF AND SMILING TO COVER HIS PAIN) Shhh. You know that's not so. It can't be. (BEAT) Now if you'll excuse me. (HE GOES TO WALK OFF)
JENNIFER: Jack, listen to me!
JACK: (TURNING SADLY BACK TO HER) I think I heard enough, Jennifer. (QUIETLY) I heard enough. (BEAT. SMILING THROUGH HIS PAIN) Three's a crowd, you know. (HE TURNS AND WALKS AWAY SADLY)
JENNIFER begins to cry. COLIN walks over and hugs her. JACK turns around and sees her in his arms and it knocks the wind out of him. He and JENNIFER share a long look of love before he walks away. OUT on JENNIFER'S pained expression. She knows what JACK is doing all too well.
Chapters 1 - 5 *** Chapters 6 - 10 *** Chapters 11 - 15 *** Chapters 16 - 20 *** Chapters 21 - 25 Chapters 26 - 30 *** Chapters 31 - 35 *** Chapters 36 - 40*** Chapters 41 - 45 *** Chapters 46 - 50 Chapters 51 - 55 *** Chapters 56 - 60 *** Chapters 61 - 64