Fourteen: Jack's Swearing
in Ceremony for Assemblyman.
Jack Continues to Force Kayla
to Play his Loyal Wife.

SCENE ONE: KALYA COMES DOWNSTAIRS AT THE LOFT AND REALIZES THE DOOR IS NOT LOCKED.

 

KAYLA: I don't believe it.

 

KAYLA OPENS THE DOOR AND A MAN WALKS UP TO HER.

 

KAYLA: Who are you?

BODYGUARD: You're husband made arrangements for round-the-clock protection for you.

KAYLA: I don't need protection.

BODYGUARD: My orders are to accompany you wherever you go.

KAYLA: Well I'm changing those orders, excuse me.

BODYGUARD: I'm afraid not now. We only take our orders from Mr. Deveraux.

KAYLA: I see.

BODYGUARD: You know your husband is really very worried about you and he doesn't want you to take any chances with anything that might happen.

KAYLA: Great. I feel much better knowing that. Thank you.

 

KAYLA SLAMS THE DOOR SHUT AS JACK COMES DOWNSTAIRS CARRYING THE PHONE.

 

JACK: Kayla do you like this tie? I mean do you like it with this suit?

KAYLA: What's the idea Jack, having armed guards outside my door?

JACK: Ah, I think you're exaggerating. There's only one, at a time, and they're not guards, they're bodyguards.

KAYLA: I don't care what you call them. You said that I could leave this place at any time, that I wasn't a prisoner here.

JACK: And you're not, after today!

KAYLA: What's today?

JACK: I knew you forgot!

KAYLA: Forgot what?

JACK: Now Mrs. Deveraux, today is a very special day!

SCENE TWO: THE LOFT.

 

JACK: You really don't remember do you? I mean you really have no idea.

KAYLA: I don't want to play games with you Jack. Do you want to tell me or not?

JACK: I thought you might have least written it down in your calendar.

KAYLA: Fine, don't tell me.

JACK: Alright for your information Mrs. Deveraux, today your's truly is going to be sworn in as Salem's new Assemblyman.

KAYLA: Well congratulations. Have a great time.

JACK: Oh I will have a great time and so will my lovely smiling wife at my side. At least she'll look like she's having a good time.

KAYLA: Forget it. I am not going with you.

JACK: Do you have a short memory or what? How many times have I had to go over this with you? You come with me, play the part of the lovely smiling wife and your extra marital lover gets to live. I think that's very fair.

KAYLA: Well what are we waiting for?

JACK: I'm right behind you sweetheart.

KAYLA: But just remember, you might have Steve locked up somewhere and you probably do since he's not here right now but you can't keep him locked up forever. He'll get out and when he does....I wouldn't want to be in your shoes!

JACK: You're really pretty sure he's going to show up aren't you?

KAYLA: Yes I am.

JACK: Well I'm not!

SCENE THREE: JACK AND KAYLA ARRIVE ON THE PIER FOR THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY. ABE IS THERE TO MEET THEM.

 

JACK: Abe.

ABE: Well....

JACK: How do you do Lieutenant?

ABE: Well hello. Kayla! Well this is the big day....hmmm....quite a turnout, Assemblyman.

JACK: Everything under control?

ABE: Well it is now.

 

HARPER AND ANJELICA WALK UP.

 

HARPER: Deveraux weather. Sunny and clear.

ANJELICA: And cold. Kayla, Jack, Lieutenant?

ABE: Well, Mrs. Deveraux and congratulations to you all.

HARPER: Thank you

ANJELICA: Jack are you ready for your big day?

HARPER: The first of many.

JACK: Oh dad, come on, one at a time.

HARPER: Ah, the Assembly is just the beginning. After I win my run for the Presidency, this state is going to be short one Senator. I don't see why it shouldn't be you, right Kayla?

KAYLA: Right.

HARPER: And after I've served my two terms well....

JACK: Dad....

HARPER: I'm just going to say that they'll amend the Constitution so I can run for a third term, that's all.

JACK: Ah, ha.

HARPER: We better take our places.

JACK: Alright.

 

JACK AND EVERYONE MOVE TO THEIR PLACES AND MELISSA WATCHES WITH MRS. HORTON.

 

HARPER: ....to fulfill my duties under the laws of this state....

JACK: To fulfill my duties under the laws of this state

HARPER: ....and the constitution of the United States of America.

JACK: ....and the constitution of the United States of America.

HARPER: ....so help me God.

JACK: So help me God!

 

EVERYONE APPLAUDS AND HARPER HUGS JACK.

 

HARPER: Assemblyman Deveraux.

KAYLA: Congratulations Jack.

JACK: Thank you.

ANJELICA: Sweetheart, I'm so proud of you. (She gives him a big hug.)

 

AT THE SIDE OF THE PIER MRS. HORTON IS TALKING TO MELISSA.

 

ALICE: I think we better go know.

MELISSA: No not yet Granma, I still have to see Jack, I can't go yet.

ALICE: Alright then I'll stay with you.

MELISSA: No you go on, I'll be fine.

ALICE: No I'm not leaving you. But I am going to go over there and see Abe and ask him about his mother. She's had a terrible bout with the flu.

MELISSA: Okay you go on. I'll be fine.

ALICE: Okay.

JACK: (To crowd) Thank you, Thank you very much. This is a happy day for the Deveraux and I hope a happy day for Salem. But really I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for your help and the help of my family, my father, Thank you Anjelica and thanks most of all to my wife Kayla. But thank you all, thank you all. Let's do it together.

 

MELISSA LOOKS SAD THAT JACK DID NOT THANK HER. JO WALKS UP TO SEE JACK.

 

JACK: Mrs. Johnson. I should have known you'd be here.

JO: Oh, I wouldn't miss it.

JACK: Well do I get a congratulatory kiss?

JO: Yes.

 

JACK KISSES JO ON THE CHEEK THEN IS DISTRACTED BY THE CROWD.

 

JACK: Oh, Thank you very much....

JO: (To Kayla) Kayla what are you doing here. You're supposed to be with Steve.

 

JACK HEARS THAT COMMENT AND TURNS AROUND.

 

JACK: We worked things out. Isn't that right sweetheart?

KAYLA: Right Jack.

JO: I see.

JACK: Thank you so much for coming Mrs. Johnson. Kayla the limo's waiting. (To Jo) You know we have a late lunch with my family and some heavy campaign contributors, you know how it is.

JO: Oh, sure, please don't let me keep you. Congratulations again.

KAYLA: How's Steve, Jo?

JO: I don't know.

KAYLA: Well I haven't seen him since he got back.

JO: I didn't know he was back. I didn't know either of you were back.

JACK: Well Steve must be keeping himself busy.

JO: Yes I guess so.

JACK: Kayla?

KAYLA: Mrs. Johnson, if you see Steve tell him you ran into me down here won't you?

JO: Oh of course, sure.

 

JACK SEES MELISSA WAITING OVER THE SIDE.

 

JACK: Kayla I'm going to leave you with my folks for just a minute if that's alright? Dad could you keep an eye on Kayla for me for a minute?

HARPER: Oh no problem, she'll be in good hands.

JACK: I'll be right back!

 

JACK WALKS OVER TO MELISSA.

 

JACK: I suppose if I was to ask you what you are doing here you'd say it was a public ceremony?

MELISSA: I'm sorry if my being here bothers you.

JACK: It doesn't!

MELISSA: I'm a constituent. I came to see you sworn in.

JACK: You're more than a constituent.

MELISSA: What am I?....Never mind, don't answer that. Just pretend I didn't say that.

JACK: I've been thinking a lot about what happened the other day.

MELISSA: Really, what have you been thinking about it?

JACK: After everything that's happened, I'm surprised that you'd want to see me, let alone talk to me.

MELISSA: Jack that's not how I feel.

JACK: You still do care, about me?

MELISSA: Yes Jack. (She glances at Kayla) I think I care more than your wife does. You know if I'd been the one standing next to you today, it would have been one of the happiest days of my life.

JACK: Well Kayla....isn't....you.

MELISSA: I don't know why the two of you stay together. I mean it's obvious you don't love each other. Is it all politics? Are you willing to spend the rest of your life with a woman you don't love for the sake of your career?

JACK: That's not it.

MELISSA: Then what is it Jack because I would really like to understand!

JACK: You know when you're a little kid and they try to teach you how to be a good loser, well I never learned that. I never learned to be a good loser. In fact I'm not a good loser.

MELISSA: But Jack, it's not losing to admit your marriage was a mistake.

JACK: I will not let go of anything until I'm ready to let go of it. (pause) Blame it on my dad, he's the same way. That's what it's like to be a Deveraux.

MELISSA: What if you weren't a Deveraux? Would things be any different?

JACK: Oh but I am a Deveraux!....Look this place is swarming with reporters. We shouldn't be talking like this. It's good to see you again.