Ruby Adventure

by Denise

 

A while back we got the spoiler about Jennifer hearing about the missing ruby and we were all hopeful that it would be something dealing with Jack and Jennifer. Well we know now it was just some setup for the teens to learn about the ruby and go look for it for Alice. But nevertheless, I came up with this little short of something I would have enjoyed seeing had they gone on this adventure.

To set this up Jack, Jennifer, Bo, Hope, Colin and Greta have gone looking for the ruby. They end up in a deserted mansion, the location isn't important. They're all looking through a part of the house and somehow Jack and Jennifer got paired up and then trapped in a closet. And that's where we pick it up.

Part one 

JACK: Great, we're stuck in here in this cramped little space for who knows how long.

JENNIFER: (kicks the door) It's not as if this is something I'm enjoying Jack. I'd like nothing better --

JACK: They're not going to find us. By the time they realize we're missing, we'll have fainted from lack of oxygen and we'll never be able to alert them. (fidgets with his collar) Is it hot in here?

JENNIFER: Well the only reason for a lack of oxygen in this room is because you can't seem to shut up. (determined) Someone will find us.

JACK: Like our very own magical leprechaun or perhaps ... your magical leprechaun.

JENNIFER: What is that supposed to mean Jack? (in his face now)

JACK: It means -- (turns away from her -- upset) It means whatever the hell you want it to mean. (BEAT) I must congratulate you, this is another fine mess you've managed to get us into here.

JENNIFER: Me? I didn't invite you on this trip Jack. You invited yourself. How did it go? "Oh Greta, this will be the perfect little story for the lifestyle section: (waves her hand putting up a headline) 'Horton grandchildren find love and long lost treasure'".

JACK: (scoffs) Please I would never use a headline that generic or cliched and if you would return to a field for which you are well suited rather than this new one as an amateur detective searching for rubies you'd come up with something better --

JENNIFER: ENOUGH! (let's out a frustrated scream) Okay Jack we're stuck here together and if we want to be found alive, you'd better just stop talking to me.

JACK: Stop talking? That's --

JENNIFER gives him a look that means business and he stops

JACK: I think maybe I'm just going to go sit over there and (whispers) stop talking...Shhh ... stopping now, stopping.

JACK goes over and sits down in his corner and JENNIFER finds her own spot.

OUT on JENNIFER smiling in spite of herself

 

Part two

JACK and JENNIFER are locked in a small, dark closet. A sliver of moonlight is coming in from a tiny window above them. They've each removed their trench coats and are now staring at each other in the darkness. Although they're in their respective corners, the room is so small they're still very near each other.

JACK: So now that there's been a cooling down by both of us, can we calmly discuss how we're going to get ourselves out of here (she starts to talk but he cuts her off) and don't tell me we're going to wait for someone to find us because I can't wait that long.

JENNIFER: Yeah, it is a little hot in here.

JACK: Hot, it's steaming (fidgets more with his shirt collar). I can tell that breathing is already becoming difficult, it's only a matter of time --

JENNIFER: (tenderly) Jack.

JACK: What?

JENNIFER scoots over so she is sitting next to him

JENNIFER: You just need to relax okay. I mean, it's a little hot in here, but it's not so bad yet and you're just getting yourself all worked up over nothing. And if you're all panicky, how are we going to figure a way out of here.

JACK: Of course, of course. We just have to focus on finding a way out of here. I mean, we wouldn't want to have wasted all of this time and then disappoint your grandmother. Her ruby is still out there and everything.

JENNIFER: Are you really interested in finding that ruby for her Jack? Or did you come along for another reason?

JACK: Another reason? What other reason could there possibly be?

JENNIFER: Oh I don't know, maybe you wanted a nice romantic trip with your ... uh ... with the princess?

JACK: Well, I hardly think this could be defined as a romantic trip with the princess.

JENNIFER: (happily) Oh.

JACK looks at her closely. They're sitting very close to each other and he is looking down on her lovingly.

JACK: No, it's hardly been the romantic success I was hoping for when I began this trip.

JENNIFER: Oh. (she looks down at her hands)

JACK gently lifts her face up so she is looking directly at him.

JACK: Until today.

JENNIFER: O -- oh.

JACK: (SMILES) O -- oh? Now those first two I could translate, but that last one, I'm just not so sure, could you give me a hint?

JENNIFER looks up at him, focusing intently on his lips. She appears to be thinking as she bites her lip and then finally she give in and reaches up and kisses him. She wraps her arms around his neck and they both begin to give into the feelings they've been denying. He pulls back and then they look at each other.

JENNIFER: Clear enough for you Jack?

JACK: Yeah, I think I got it but perhaps -- well maybe I better try that again.

He leans down and kisses her gently. The kiss grows more passionate and JENNIFER starts to pull herself up closer to him. The motion causes JACK to lose his balance and he falls backward into the wall, pushing through it.

JACK: Oh, Miss Horton, we've gone through --

BO: The wall Jack. You've managed to come through the wall.

JACK is lying on his back with JENNIFER on top of him. BO is standing above them.

BO: (cont.) How exactly do you two manage to make the most boring activity an adventure?

OUT on JACK and JENNIFER exchanging sheepish grins.

 

Part three

JACK and JENNIFER have just fallen through the wall. BO is standing over them grinning. GRETA and HOPE are neaby snickering while COLIN is fuming.

BO: (teasing) Well do you two have anything to say for yourselves?

JENNIFER smiles.

JACK: That the old adage that they don't make things the way they used to is a myth?

JENNIFER stifles a giggle.

COLIN: (walking over) Funny Jack, very funny. (holds out a hand to JENNIFER) Jen?

JENNIFER: (busy making a face at JACK) Huh? (looks up and notices COLIN's hand) Oh, sorry.

COLIN helps JENNIFER to her feet and she instinctively turns around and helps JACK.

JACK: Ohhhhhh (rubs his back as he stands) I'm getting too old for this sort of thing.

JENNIFER: I don't think so Jack.

JACK and JENNIFER exchange one of their signature looks. COLIN is not happy.

HOPE: (sensing the tension) So how did you end up coming through that wall?

JACK: Oh well you know, we were looking for a way out of there because we were trapped and I lost my balance and the next thing you know --

JENNIFER: -- we're tumbling in here. (BEAT) How did all of you end up in this part of the house?

GRETA: It turns out that this is some sort of central room.

HOPE: All roads lead here.

JACK: (thinking) Or perhaps all roads lead out.

COLIN: What does that mean?

JACK: It seems fairly obvious. Whoever owned this house wanted a myriad of places to run and hide at a moment's notice.

COLIN: That's ridiculous. Why would anyone need such a thing, Jack?

JACK: (Unconvinced by COLIN's "Mr. Innocent" act) Why indeed?

COLIN seems to sense JACK's intent but says nothing.

BO: Well, it doesn't much matter since that would have little bearing on us finding Mrs. H's ruby.

JACK: Au contraire, mon ami. If we're --

JENNIFER: If we're going to figure out where the ruby is, we should start by having a better understanding of the former occupant of this house. After all, this is the best lead we've had so far on it.

JACK: Precisely my dear Watson.

JACK and JENNIFER grin at each other again. They can't seem to help themselves.

GRETA: How do we know the person who built all these secret tunnels is the person who has the ruby?

JACK: Well I guess we don't, but we know that at some point theyw ere here.

BO: So what can we do tonight?

JENNIFER: (looking at JACK) Nothing really.

JACK: (focusing his attention on JENNIFER) Right. We probably should go back to our hotel and then you know --

JENNIFER: Sleep?

JACK: Right, sleep. (growing aware of everyone watching them he looks away and continues) And then tomorrow we should do research in the town. Blueprints for the house to try and figure out if the tunnels were additions or original. We should question people about the family who built this place and any subsequent families who might have owned it.

BO: Sounds like a plan.

HOPE: (looking over at COLIN) Yeah, it does. Jack, it's getting late and I don't like to drive at night in unfamiliar territory. Would you mind driving me back to the hotel?

JACK: (watching JENNIFER) Huh? Oh well wouldn't you rather -- (points at BO)

HOPE: No, I think I'd rather have you drive me back.

JACK: Uh -- (looks at COLIN and then realizes what HOPE is doing) Oh! You know I'd love it, I really would. In fact, we spend so little time together Hope and I miss that, don't you?

HOPE: (smiling and truthful) I do Jack. I really do.

JACK: Well it's a capital idea if ever I've heard one. Jennifer, our coats. Everyone?

COLIN, BO and GRETA grab their jackets from around the room. JENNIFER goes back through the wall to retrieve hers and Jack's trench coats which they had removed in the closet.

HOPE: (whispering) A little slow on the uptake tonight, Deveraux?

JACK: Hehehe (whispering) I was slightly distracted. Thank you.

HOPE: (whispering) Well you're welcome. It buys you some time, but watch out for him. He's mad and I don't trust him much. In fact, if I were you, I'd find somewhere else to sleep tonight.

JACK: (whispering) Oh come on, he's more civilized than that Hope. You don't think -- I mean --

HOPE: (puts a hand on his arm) Jack, we'd all have to be a great deal slower than you were tonight to not be able to figure out just what was going on before you two burst through the wall.

JACK: (looks at HOPE -- shocked) What? (protests loudly) We were trapped!

HOPE: (nodding) Right Jack. (walks out)

JACK: We were -- (to himself) We were.

JENNIFER walks by and smiles. She hands him his coat, but doesn't say anything. COLIN also walks by silent and sullen. BO follows behind them.

JACK: (to BO) Didn't you have a leather jacket like that one once?

BO: You know man, I did. But I misplaced it around the same time I misplaced my bike.

BO walks out the door.

JACK: (puzzled -- to GRETA) How does one go about misplacing a motorcycle?

GRETA: (taking JACK's arm and leading him out the door) I'm sure I have no idea.

JACK: Tell me princess, do you and Miss Horton have any rooom in your bathtub tonight?

OUT on the door closing

To Be Continued...

 

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