SCENE ONE: THE ELECTION IS UNDERWAY AND ANJELICA IS ORGANIZING A PARTY AS JACK AND KAYLA WALK IN. ANJELICA IS LOOKING AT A PICTURE OF JACK SURROUNDED BY A SILVER SUNBURST PATTERN.
ANJELICA: Jack is not headlining in Vegas. Get rid of it.
JACK: I kinda like it myself!
ANJELICA: Oh Jack. It's bad enough that Calliope made me wear this hat but I will not have your victory party looking like a high school graduation.
JACK: Anjelica! I haven't won yet!
ANJELICA: Don't be so modest. You know you will. (She walks away laughing)
KAYLA: Yes all the latest polls say that you will win.
JACK: Well we've done everything we can. All we can do now is let the chips fall where they may.
KAYLA: Yeh.
A LARGE CARDBOARD CAKE IS WHEELED INTO THE ROOM.
ANJELICA: Why do I get the sinking feeling that Calliope is going to jump out of this cake wearing nothing but sparkles?
JACK: I better with all the trouble that Anjelica's going to here.
KAYLA: Well I don't think you have anything to worry about Jack.
JACK: Not as long as I have you by my side.
STEVE WALKS IN AND HE AND KAYLA EXCHANGE GLANCES AS JACK TURNS AROUND AND SEES HIM.
JACK: Mr. Johnson. What can I do for you?
STEVE: Hey dude, you don't have to be polite with me, man. I'm one of your biggest supporters, remember me. I'm the guy that gives speeches in the freezing cold on the pier for you. I came here to wish you luck. I want you to win dude. More than you'll ever know.
JACK: After all the support you've given this campaign I really ought to thank you.
STEVE: Well like I said dude, it's no problem. I really want to see you win.
JACK: Well that's something I don't understand. I've always wondered. We've never exactly been good friends.
STEVE: I don't know, I think we both want some of the same things.
JACK: Well both my wife and I really want to thank you for your support on the riverfront district and I'm assuring you if I'm elected, I'm going to make some big changes down there immediately.
STEVE: You better write that down dude. That's going to sound good on your victory speech. You write that down.
ANJELICA: Mr. Johnson! What do you think you're doing here?
STEVE: Baby! I think that is some beautiful lid. You know I've got one like that at home but mine's bigger.
STEVE WALKS AWAY LAUGHING.
ANJELICA: That man is like a human black cloud. Wherever he goes trouble follows and that's the last thing we need on a day like today. Am I right? I'm right!
CANBY ENTERS AND BUMPS INTO STEVE.
STEVE: Hey watch it. You should be more careful. (He leaves.)
CANBY: (To himself) You're the one who should've been more careful.
CANBY OPENS THE FOLDER AND BROWSES THROUGH A VARIETY OF BLACK AND WHITE PICTURES OF STEVE AND KAYLA KISSING AND HOLDING EACH OTHER. HE PUTS THE PICTURES BACK IN THE FOLDER AND WALKS TOWARDS JACK.
ORGANIZER: Alright Jack, the cameras will be set up on the left side of the stage. When you make your speech make sure you look right at them.
CANBY: Excuse me Mr. Deveraux?
JACK: Darrell what's up?
CANBY: Well I've got something here I want to show you.
JACK: Really well....
HARPER ARRIVES TO APPLAUSE AND CHEERING. HE PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND JACK AND KAYLA AND PRAISES HER FOR THE CAMERAS. SHE PROTESTS.
JACK: Come on, none of this would be worth anything without you.
HARPER: Listen I'd love to stay but I better get over to the voting booth before it's too late.
JACK: We better get over there too.
HARPER: Well let's go. We don't want you losing by three votes.
ANJELICA: Make that four!
HARPER: That hat! I've never seen that in your collection before.
ANJELICA: Nor will you ever see it again. Come on, let's go make our son an Assemblyman!
THEY ALL LEAVE AS CANBY WATCHES.
SCENE TWO: JACK, KAYLA, HARPER AND ANJELICA ALL ARRIVE ON THE PIER TO A CHEERING CROWD. STEVE IS ALREADY THERE.
JACK: Thank you for your support. Kayla, honey, come on.
CANBY: (To Steve) Excuse me have you seen Jack Deveraux?
STEVE: Yes, I think he's in there punching a hole next to his name. What are you doin' dude? You were at Blondie's earlier and now you're down here. What are you doin'? Are you somebody's shadow or something? A reporter. What is it?
CANBY: I gotta talk to Jack Deveraux. I got something to give to him.
STEVE: Well is that it. I'll give it to him.
CANBY: No, no, Thank you. It's important.
JACK EMERGES FROM THE VOTING BOOTH SMILING AND ON TOP OF THE WORLD.
REPORTER: Jack who did you vote for?
JACK: Who do you think?
REPORTER: Let's get a picture of Salem's next Assemblyman.
JACK: Right, right up here. (Jack poses for a picture.) That wasn't too hard was it.
REPORTER: Mrs. Deveraux, do you think you're husband's going to win.
ANJELICA: (To Kayla.) Oh I guess you're the Mrs. Deveraux she's referring to.
KAYLA: Well there's never been any doubt in my mind.
CANBY APPROACHES A SMILING JACK.
CANBY: Mr. Deveraux, could I have a word with you?
JACK: Well....look, I'll answer any of your questions tonight down at Blondie's.
CANBY: No I don't think you're going to want to wait till tonight. This is very important.
JACK: Well, Mr. Canby, what can I do for you?
CANBY HANDS JACK THE FOLDER.
JACK: What's in this?
CANBY: Open it up and see. It speaks for itself.
CANBY WALKS AWAY AND JACK STARTS TO OPEN IT.
HARPER: Jack, what are you doing over here standing by yourself? The polls are closed now. The verdict is in.
JACK PUTS THE FOLDER UNDER HIS ARM.
JACK: I wish I knew what it was!
ANJELICA: Excuse me I'm going to go call headquarters to see if any early returns are trickling in.
REPORTER: Mr. Deveraux, now that your fate is sealed how do you feel?
JACK: (Laughing and smiling) I feel relieved. Of course I'll feel a lot better when I find out I've won. Actually whatever the outcome I'll go with it because that's the will of the people and that's what this process is all about. And I hope all these willful people have voted for me!
EVERYONE CHEERS HIM AND HE DROPS THE FOLDER AS HE SHAKES HANDS WITH VOTERS. KAYLA PICKS UP THE FOLDER.
KAYLA: Jack?
REPORTER: The news just came in. The TV stations have projected you the winner and the other side has THROWN IN THE TOWEL!
EVERYONE CHEERS AND HUGS JACK. STEVE GIVES A VICTORY SIGNAL TO KAYLA. JACK IS JUBILANT. HE HUGS KAYLA.
KAYLA: I knew you could do it.
JACK: I wanted to be sure to thank my biggest supporter.
KAYLA: Well there's nothing stopping you now.
JACK: Not with you by my side.
KAYLA GLANCES OVER AT STEVE. ANJELICA COMES OVER AND HUGS JACK AND TELL HIM HOW PROUD SHE IS. STEVE SIGNALS KAYLA TO COME OVER WITH HIM.
KAYLA: Well Jack, if you don't mind, there's some other people I wanted to thank.
JACK: That's a good idea, a good idea. I'll see you in a bit.
KAYLA: Oh I almost forgot. You dropped these.
SHE HANDS HIM THE FOLDER.
JACK: Oh thanks, I forgot it too.
KAYLA SNEAKS AWAY TO SEE STEVE AND JACK OPENS THE FOLDER AND REMOVES THE PICTURES.
SCENE THREE: ONE BY ONE HE FLIPS THROUGH THEM. HE IS COMPLETELY STUNNED. HIS FACE CHANGES FROM JOY TO ANGER, PAIN AND BETRAYAL.HARPER: Jack, what have you got there?
JACK: Ah....ah....er....nothing. Just something someone was showing to me. (He puts the pictures back in the folder hiding them from Harper.)
HARPER: Elected for five minutes and already they're shoving favors at you?
JACK: Yeh....
HARPER: How does it feel to be an Assemblyman eh?
JACK: It's great....I....guess. (His face is filled with pain.)
HARPER: I know it can seem a little overwhelming but you'll do just fine. You can't miss. You're a Deveraux! Come on let's go talk to your constituents.
JACK: Ah....er....have you seen Kayla?
KAYLA COMES DOWN THE PIER STEPS AND JACK SEE HER. HIS FACE IS FULL OF ANGER AND DISBELIEF THAT SHE COULD BETRAY HIM LIKE THIS.
KAYLA: Hi.
JACK: (Calm and angry.) Where have you been? I've been looking for you.
KAYLA: I was just around. Here and there.
A REPORTER SUGGESTS A SHOT OF THE NEW ASSEMBLYMAN AND HIS WIFE. JACK'S EYES NEVER LEAVE KAYLA. STEVE WATCHES FROM THE STEPS. CANBY GLOATS FROM THE SIDE AS JACK POSES WITH THE FOLDER UNDER HIS ARM.
JACK: That's enough! That's enough pictures!
REPORTER: Mrs. Deveraux, what are your plans now as an Assemblyman's wife?
JACK IS STUNNED AS HE STANDS SURROUNDED BY PEOPLE BUT ALONE.
KAYLA: I'm not really sure. I've only been an Assemblyman's wife for ten minutes.
JACK CONTINUES TO STARE INTO SPACE.
REPORTER: Jack, what's going to be your first order of business?
JACK: I'm going to finish the riverfront housing project. (Everyone applauds including Steve.) Actually that's the reason I started and ran for the Assemblyship. It's been going on too long. I think you know it, I know it. We all know it. It's about time we finished it and that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to fix it.
REPORTER: How about you Mrs. Deveraux? What are you going to be doing?
KAYLA: I'm not really sure yet.
REPORTER: Well you used to work at the Emergency Center.
JACK: She opened the Emergency Center.
REPORTER: Well do you have any plans to work with the new one? Has anyone asked you about the design?
JACK SEES CANBY OVER BEHIND THE CROWD.
JACK: Excuse me.
FULL OF ANGER, HE WALKS PAST STEVE AND OVER TO CANBY AND TAKES HIM ASIDE TO TALK.
JACK: Okay, what's your game?
CANBY: I'm just trying to help you out.
JACK: How do I know these pictures aren't doctored?
CANBY: They're not. You know that. Look I'm sure there are more delicate ways of finding out your wife is having an affair.
JACK: Shut up!
CANBY: Just trying to help.
JACK: Look maybe you already know this but my wife had a relationship with this man before we were married.
CANBY: And I think it's pretty obvious that relationship did not end when you got married.
JACK: (Sigh) Maybe they're old pictures!
CANBY: (Trying to grab the folder) What did your wife wear on New Ye.... (Jack stops him taking it.) What did your wife wear on New Year's Eve, mm? Now I thought it was a new dress but maybe I'm wrong. Maybe she wore that last year.
JACK: Look if you're planning....(Angry) if you're planning to get money from myself or any of my family....
CANBY: Oh no, no, no, no. Hey, hey, hey. I'm just doing you a favor and I'm sure that sometime in the future you're going to be more than happy to do the same for me.
JACK GRABS CANBY'S ARM AS HE STARTS TO WALK AWAY.
JACK: I want those negatives!
CANBY: I'll be in touch.
JACK WALKS OVER AND STANDS BEHIND STEVE AND WATCHES KAYLA AS SHE TALKS TO VOTERS.
SCENE FOUR: THE PIER.
KAYLA: Everything okay?
JACK: Yeh. I think it's time we headed over to Blondie's.
KAYLA: Well do you think it will be warmer than here?
JACK: Yeh.
JACK WALKS OVER TO STEVE WHO IS PLAYING HIS HARMONICA.
JACK: Hello Steve.
STEVE: Hey junior, yeah! (He smiles.)
JACK: So, we did it
STEVE: We did it! We did it! I always knew you could buy anything with the right amount of money, dude! (He laughs with excitement.) I'm just kidding with you.
JACK: (Stiff and expressionless) Congratulations. We're having a little celebration over at Blondie's and, ah, I....we both want you to come.
STEVE: Ah no, I don't think so.
JACK: Oh come on....(Grinning)....come on tell him to come Kayla.
KAYLA: No I think I'd rather stay out of this one.
JACK: Steve, you could keep the party rolling, everyone up and we could go home (aside to Kayla but so Steve can hear) and celebrate on our own. (To Steve) Come on, I won't take no for an answer. Yes, we'll see you there right?
STEVE: Oh I don't know.
JACK: Good. (He pats Steve on the arm.) I'll see you there.
STEVE: Maybe, maybe.
JACK WALKS AWAY AND KAYLA FOLLOWS HIM.
KAYLA: Jack I was just thinking that I left my car over at Shenanigan's this morning.
JACK: Oh you did, well maybe I should drop you off.
KAYLA: No, you know it's probably less than a half a block away. I'll think I'll just walk over and I'll meet you at Blondie's later, right. Great!
KAYLA WALKS AWAY.
JACK: Okay, I'll see you.
VOTER: Congratulations Jack. It's been quite a day for you.
JACK: Yes sir. (He smiles snidely at Steve.)Yes sir, it certainly is!....Excuse me.
SCENE FIVE: STEVE AND KAYLA ARE ON THE PIER ALONE.
KAYLA: So what are you going to tell Jack?
STEVE: (Laughing) Me? I thought you were going to tell him?
KAYLA: (Grinning) No I'm not going to tell him.
STEVE: Well he's your husband.
KAYLA: But he's your....(Steve begins to kiss her neck and she giggles.) Don't do that it tickles. Stop it, stop it....
STEVE: And I know you love it.
KAYLA: I do love it. I do.
THEY CONTINUE TO KISS AS WE DRAW BACK AND SEE JACK WATCHING THEM, HIS FACE FILLED WITH BETRAYAL AND HURT.
SCENE SIX: JACK IS BACK AT BLONDIES READY FOR THE VICTORY PARTY. STILL CLUTCHING THE FOLDER OF PICTURES UNDER HIS ARM, HE SEE JO AND STOPS. HE TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND WALKS IN TO APPLAUSE.
JACK: Hello!
CANBY IS GRINNING FROM THE BAR.
HARPER: Hello son, congratulations. This day is going to go down in the history books.
JACK: Oh come on dad.
HARPER: No I mean it. When they start talking about the beginning of Jack Deveraux's political career this is the day they'll be talking about. (Harper gives Jack a big hug.) I'm proud of you Son.
JACK: Thanks Dad.
ANJELICA: I'm proud of you too. (She gives Jack a hug.)
HARPER: Where's Kayla?
JACK: (Upset) She's....she's on her way....she's just bringing her car.
HARPER: Oh.
ANJELICA: She should have left her car and come with you sweetheart.
JACK: Yeh....
STEVE ARRIVES AND WALKS UP TO JO AND ASKS WHY SHE IS HERE. SHE SAYS THAT JACK INVITED HER BECAUSE HE LIKES HER. MARCUS ARRIVES AND SAID HE HAS CONTRIBUTED TO JACK'S CAMPAIGN BECAUSE HE HAS HEARD GOOD THINGS ABOUT HIM. KAYLA ARRIVES.
KAYLA: Jack, hi. Sorry it took me so long. (She gives him a quick kiss on the cheek.) The engine was cold, I couldn't really get it started easily.
JACK: I was getting worried about you.
ANJELICA: Kayla darling, people have been asking for you.
KAYLA: Really, I'm sorry. I had a little car trouble. Aren't these things ever quiet?
ANJELICA: Quiet!....No!
CANBY RAISES HIS GLASS IN A TOAST TO JACK.
KAYLA: Are you alright?
JACK: Actually I'm exhausted. I'd like to get out of here as soon as possible.
KAYLA: Alright.
HARPER: Ladies and gentlemen, please gather round. I could make a long speech but it's the same thing I've been saying ever since I brought him home. I'm so proud of this guy. Your new Assemblyman Jack Deveraux and his beautiful wife Kayla! Come up here.
JACK AND KAYLA WALK UP ON STAGE.
HARPER: Now I hope he doesn't mind my saying this, but if you like me then you're really going to like this guy. Ever since he was about this high he was my best adviser.
HARPER CONTINUES TO TALK ABOUT JACK TO THE CROWD. MEANWHILE JO TELLS STEVE THAT SHE THINKS JACK COULD BECOME PRESIDENT. HE SAYS THAT JACK WINNING THIS ELECTION IS ENOUGH FOR HIM. STEVE AND KAYLA EXCHANGE GLANCES ACROSS THE ROOM OBSERVED BY CANBY. JACK NOTICES AND RESUMES A STEELY LOOK OF ANGER AND PAIN.
SCENE SEVEN: JACK AND KAYLA COME IN THE DOOR OF THE LOFT. SILENTLY HE HANGS UP HIS COAT AND TURNS ON THE LIGHT. KAYLA IS UNEASY. JACK PUTS HIS KEYS ON THE KITCHEN COUNTER TOP AND SUDDENLY GRABS KAYLA AND PICKS HER UP.
JACK: We did it! We did it! (Forcing a laugh.)
KAYLA: (Worried) Jack, Jack, I thought you were tired.
JACK: (Snidely) Well....I'm not!
KAYLA: Jack you know I'm really so proud of you. You're going to make a great Assemblyman. (She walks away but he grabs her arm.)
JACK: No, no, no. Don't go away. I want to make love to you.
JACK KISSES HER GENTLY AND SHE FLINCHES. HE WITHDRAWS THEN GRABS HER AND KISSES HER MUCH HARDER ON THE LIPS. SHE SQUIRMS OUT OF HIS ARMS.
KAYLA: Jack, what are you doing?
JACK: What do you think I'm doing? I'm kissing you.
KAYLA: Well I don't like being kissed that way.
JACK: Oh?....(He turns around and removes the pictures from his briefcase. When he turns back his expression has changed to one of revenge and hate.) Well tell me, do you like it like this? ( He shows her the first picture.) Or maybe like this? (He shows her the next picture and the next, each one showing her and Steve kissing.) Is this how you like it? Is it?
KAYLA: Where did you get these?
JACK: From a photographer. You know it's really funny, the thing....the thing that really....really blows my mind is the first time I saw those....the first thing I thought....the first thing that came into my head was ah....was that I thought they had to be fake. I thought these....these aren't real, they're doctored, they're old. I thought this slime ball reporter is blackmailing me with these old photos from your old....from your old days...with Johnson....Isn't tha.... (Almost crying) isn't that about the funniest thing you ever heard, isn't it?....ISN'T IT?
HE SWIPES A ROW OF BOOKS OFF THE TABLE.
KAYLA: Jack! Calm down.
JACK: (angry and almost crying) Did you sleep with Johnson after we were married? ANSWER ME!
KAYLA: Jack if we could just sit down and talk about this.
JACK: Did you sleep with Johnson? Simple question, simple answer. Yes or no?
KAYLA: Well I don't think it's just a yes or a no kind of answer.
JACK: Then I'll take that as a yes.
KAYLA: Jack, we....we were going to tell you.
JACK: Oh that's okay, that's okay. (Cynically) I mean a reporter told me. Do you have any idea what those photos are going to do to my father's campaign? What they're going to do to my next campaign?KAYLA: Well that's why we waited.
JACK: You....YOU WAITED? YOU WAITED EH? (He grabs the pictures.) Is this waiting? Is that what you call waiting? How about that? Did you wait there? Is that waiting? Did you wait....oh no, no, this is New Year's Eve. This is New Year's Eve. Did you wait on New Year's Eve. I know. I waited on New Year's Eve. I waited all night. (Almost in tears) I've waited for months. (Angry) I'm the only one who waited.
JACK THROWS THE PICTURES ACROSS THE ROOM.
KAYLA: Jack ah....I think that Steve should be here for this....(She grabs the phone.) he'd want to talk....(He grabs the phone out of her hand.)
JACK: (Cold and angry) NO! I'm your husband now!
KAYLA: (Backing away from him) Jack. If you'd just let me explain....I think maybe you'd understand and we can straighten this whole thing out.
JACK: You've been telling me for months that you wanted me but you just weren't ready. But tell me will you ever be ready?
THE BETTE MIDLER SONG THE ROSE BEGINS.
"Some say love, it is a river that drowns the tender seed....."
JACK: NO! Kayla, I'm ready. I'm your husband and I'm ready....
KAYLA: Jack! JACK!
JACK: ....I'm going to make love to you tonight. I'm going to make love to you....(He grabs her and forces her onto the sofa.) I love you Kayla and I'm going to make love to you....I love you.
