Episode Twenty-four: Jack
Continues his Revenge; He
Uses Emilio Ramirez to Help
Close the Community Center.

SCENE ONE: JACK IS ORGANIZING A PROTEST OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY CENTER. KAYLA AND STEVE COME OUTSIDE TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING.

 

JACK: Close down the center, that's right! Close down the center.

STEVE: What do you think you're doing here?

JACK: What do you think? Exercising my right to free speech!

STEVE: And you have a right to disturb the peace too?

JACK: You don't like it, go call a policeman.

KAYLA: I will.

STEVE: No, no. We don't need to call the police. We can work this out can't we Jack? Let's go on inside and talk.

JACK: Oh no, no, no, no, no. We already know each other's opinions on this. Besides you just want to get me off the street. CLOSE DOWN THE....That's right, keep it up. Hold those signs up. Great!....I'm going to do everything I can to close this place down.

KAYLA: You can't do that.

JACK: Just watch me!....CLOSE DOWN THE CENTER, CLOSE DOWN THE CENTER. Great! Keep it up! It's a detriment to the community. Two people have been shot dead. Who's going to be next? You or you.

KAYLA: Jack's just manipulating the situation. He knows people are afraid and he's playing on their fears.

STEVE: I can see that.

KAYLA: You know if he keeps this up all we're going to have is an expensive empty building. We had high hopes for this place. I thought we were going to make a difference on the riverfront. Now one person is destroying the whole thing.

JACK: JOIN ME NOW. CLOSE DOWN THE CENTER, CLOSE DOWN THE CENTER.

STEVE: I think it's more than one.

JACK: Excuse me for a moment. Let me introduce the Senator and future President of the United States and my father, Harper Deveraux!

 

THE CROWD APPLAUDS.

 

JACK: Senator, would you say a few words for us.

HARPER: Thank you son. Assemblyman Deveraux is right. We've got to stop wasting money on these free loaders and use that money instead to help the law abiding, tax paying citizens of Salem.

ANJELICA: You're doing great. It's going to help your career.

JACK: Thank you Anjelica.

ANJELICA: Sweetheart I have to go. I have an important appointment I don't want to miss.

HARPER: What's this? You didn't say anything about an appointment. Who with, where?

ANJELICA: Oh sweetheart. It's nothing you have to concern yourself with. I'll see you later.

JACK: BOYCOTT THE CENTER, BOYCOTT THE CENTER, BOYCOTT THE CENTER, BOYCOTT THE CENTER....

 

JACK CONTINUES TO CHANT AND CLAP HIS HANDS. STEVE LOOKS ACROSS AND CLAPS BACK.

 

KAYLA: We can't let Jack get away with this. We've got to do something to fight him.

STEVE: There's only one way to fight that baby and that's fire with fire. Ready?

JACK: (Looking across at Steve.) BOYCOTT THE CENTER, BOYCOTT THE CENTER, BOYCOTT THE CENTER, BOYCOTT THE CENTER, BOYCOTT THE CENTER, BOYCOTT THE CENTER.

 

STEVE AND KAYLA GO INSIDE. MELISSA WATCHES THROUGH THE DOOR AS JACK CONTINUES TO CHANT AND STIR UP THE CROWD. SHE WALKS OUTSIDE, LOOKS AT JACK AND THEN WALKS AWAY LEAVING HIM LOOKING WORRIED.

SCENE TWO: STILL OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY CENTER AT THE PROTEST.

 

JACK: Steve Johnson knows this place is no good and he doesn't have the guts to come out here and face up it. That's the problem, if he could face up to it he would....

EMILIO: I'll face you man. I'll shut you up once and for all, punk!

 

EMILIO ATTACKS JACK AND CANBY BEGINS TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS.

 

JACK: Wait a minute. This is one of the punks who hang out around here.

EMILIO: What is it you talking to man?

JACK: (Whispering to Emilio) Wait a minute! Let me open up to them right? (To the crowd) That's exactly what I'm talking about. We can't even meet down here without being hassled or attacked.

EMILIO: You ain't been attacked yet man!

JACK: That's exactly what I'm talking about.

 

EMILIO BEGINS TO ATTACK JACK AGAIN AND STEVE RUNS OUT OF THE CENTER AND PULLS EMILIO OFF JACK.

 

STEVE: Come on, what do you think you're doin'?

EMILIO: This guy's bad rapping you and I'm gonna shut his mouth for him.

STEVE: You're not gonna shut anybody's mouth! You shut yours! You stop right now!

JACK: That's exactly what I'm talking about. These punks only understand violence. Now Mr. Johnson here thinks he's going to control them, treat them like apes, when he says fight, they fight, when he says stop, he hopes they'll stop!

EMILIO: Hey....

 

EMILIO ATTACKS JACK AGAIN AND CANBY GETS MORE PHOTOGRAPHS.

 

JACK: No, no.

STEVE: Stop it right now, stop it right now. Inside I'm talking to you.

 

CANBY GIVES JACK A SIGNAL TO SAY THAT HE GOT PERFECT SHOTS OF THE WHOLE THING.

SCENE THREE: JACK CREEPS INTO MELISSA'S APARTMENT AND GRABS HER AS SHE COMES DOWNSTAIRS. HE TAKES HER IN HIS ARMS AND KISSES HER.

MELISSA: Jack what are you doing here? (More kisses.) What are you doing here?

JACK: What do you think I'm doing here? I came down here to see you. It's alright isn't it? I didn't scare you did I?

MELISSA: Oooh just a little bit.

JACK: Uh, huh!

MELISSA: Of course it's alright. I wasn't expecting you that's all.

JACK: You know how much I need to be with you. I take every chance I can get. (Kiss.)

MELISSA: Well I'm glad you could get away. You looked pretty busy last time I saw you.

JACK: Well you can say that again. It's a big job cut out for me. I'm lucky I've got people like you to help me out with it. Tell me what was going on with the center today. I saw all those people going in and going out. They're having some kind of meeting there right?

MELISSA: Jack, I didn't go there to spy for you. I got a call from my friends for help and I went.

JACK: Melissa, come on. I know how uncomfortable this is for you but it's important you keep me abreast of things.

MELISSA: Jack I know you think you are doing the right thing but after today, I'm not so sure I agree.

JACK: You don't seriously think this place is good for the community do you?

MELISSA: I'm sorry but I do.

JACK: Well that's what makes horse racing right, people's different tastes? Let's just make sure that our political differences don't come between us right?

MELISSA: I don't want it to.

JACK: I don't want it to either. You mean too much to me.

MELISSA: You won't ask me any more questions?

JACK: No....I don't need to. I could already tell what was going on. All the people going in and going out, Steve and Kayla were probably having a drive to save the center with petitions, right?

MELISSA: That shouldn't surprise you. You know how they feel about it.

JACK: Well they're just going to be treading water anyway. They're not going to get what they want . No Community Center, no divorce....

MELISSA: What do you mean, no divorce?....What do you mean no divorce Jack? You promised you would get a divorce from Kayla so we can be together. Don't you want that?

JACK: You know I want that more than anything. If it was up to me I'd be out of that marriage so fast Kayla's head would spin but we have other people to consider here. I mean the Deveraux name has to be protected. That's why I have to contest this divorce, to go on record to show that I'm not to blame.

MELISSA: Well I don't see why you can't finally end the marriage. I know the Deveraux name is important but Jack it doesn't make any sense to drag the divorce proceedings on and on.

JACK: Look if my father weren't running for President of the United States it would be different. But my family is in a extraordinary situation that calls for actions above and beyond what you expect.

MELISSA: But Jack what about us?

JACK: Look if you just stick with me all through this, I promise you it's going to be fine.

MELISSA: Everyone keeps telling me to be careful. Loving a married man can be hard on you.

JACK: Melissa. Believe me when I tell you that it's just as hard on me as it is on you.

MELISSA: Jack I hope you're right that everything works out.

JACK: Trust me on this. I have no choice in the matter. Trust me!

MELISSA: I will if you say so.

 

JACK KISSES HER.

SCENE ONE: MELISSA IS WORKING AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER WITH STEVE AND KAYLA. THE PHONE RINGS AND SHE ANSWERS IT.

 

MELISSA: I'll get it....Hello Emergency Center.

JACK: Melissa, hi it's me.

 

MELISSA: Hi.

JACK: Uh look do you think you could get away for a couple of minutes. I've been thinking a lot about the Community Center and you and I really need to see you.

MELISSA: Well this really isn't a good time.

JACK: I take it that you've got company.

MELISSA: We've got a lot of work to do.

JACK: Ah we'll meet a little later okay.

MELISSA: Thanks for calling, bye....(To Kayla) I'm going next door to deliver some phone messages. You take over for me?

KAYLA: Sure.

SCENE TWO: JACK IS PERUSING CANBY PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE STAGED FIGHT BETWEEN JACK AND EMILIO.

 

JACK: Very good Mr. Canby.

CANBY: What did you expect?

JACK: Well it certainly says it all.

CANBY: Well I hate to use clichés but these pictures really are worth a thousand words or should I say ten thousand dollars.

JACK: I'm surprised you were able to get this one. (Indicating a picture of Emilio holding Jack and threatening him.)

CANBY: Ah right place at the right time. Emilio was shoving you and there's no mistake that it's happening right in front of the Emergency Center.

JACK: Yes. Use this one in the newspaper.

CANBY: You got it. We'll run some sort of caption like: New Community Center provokes neighborhood youths to more violence. Assemblyman Deveraux's life threatened.

JACK: That should put a lot of pressure on Steve and Kayla.

CANBY: No doubt.

JACK: Here it is. You'll find it all there just like we agreed.

CANBY: Well I'm sure it is and you get what you paid for. I guarantee and I'm certain they are going to be worth every penny that they are about to receive.

SCENE THREE: MELISSA IS WALKING IN THE PARK WHEN JACK SEES HER.

 

JACK: Melissa, I'm sorry I'm late. I was held up by business.

MELISSA: I haven't been here long. (She hugs him.)

JACK: Oh what's this all about?

MELISSA: This is about being the most wonderful man in the whole world. That's what its about.

JACK: Well flattery will get you everywhere but....

MELISSA: This isn't flattery Jack. This is the truth.

JACK: Be that as it may. Maybe you can still tell me why you are so happy.

MELISSA: It's supposed to be a secret isn't it?

JACK: Er....well....er yes it is but still maybe you can tell me what this is all about.

MELISSA: Jack I know. I know you are the one that pulled some strings that got the prosecuting attorney's office to consider dropping the attempted murder charges.

JACK: Well wait a minute. They're about to drop the attempted murder charges? That's great!

MELISSA: Jack come on. You don't have to act surprised. I know it was you.

JACK: Er....Look I'm surprised because I never thought they would consider it. I mean I never thought they would actually go for it. You're going to get away scot free, all clear?

MELISSA: Thanks to you.

JACK: Well Melissa, you really give me way too much credit.

MELISSA: No I'm not. Look you can me modest if you want but I know that you're the only person who would help me out like this. And the best part is that we can be together in public like a real couple. We don't have to hide anything Jack. Isn't this great?

 

MELISSA HUGS JACK AND HE HAS A LOOK OF SURPRISE AND SHOCK ON HIS FACE.

 

JACK: Er, yeah, it's....great.

SCENE FOUR: JACK IS PAYING EMILIO FOR HIS HELP WITH THE PROTEST.

 

EMILIO: You know I never thought I'd say this, but this is more than we agreed on.

JACK: That's because there's a bonus in there for you Emilio.

EMILIO: Bonus?

JACK: That's right. After your performance in front of the Community Center the other day it's well worth the extra money.

EMILIO: It was nothin'.

JACK: I think the press would disagree. As a matter of fact one of the photographers took some pretty incriminating photographs of the whole thing.

EMILIO: Oh so pictures is what you really wanted right?

JACK: You could say that. Yes. Thank you very much Emilio.

EMILIO: No problem. Look, pleasure doin' business wid ya.

JACK: Uh, huh! As long as our business keeps them out of business. When that photograph comes out in the newspaper Steve and Kayla's dream center will hopefully become their worst nightmare.

SCENE ONE: JACK AND MELISSA ARE KISSING ON THE PIER.

 

MELISSA: Jack I missed you so much.

JACK: You make it seem we've been apart for days not hours.

MELISSA: I know but the nights just seem so long without you.

JACK: I know, I know. I can't till we can be together and we don't have to worry about anybody or anything.

MELISSA: Oh I want that day to come so badly.

JACK: Me too. But until your court case clears up and I get my divorce, it's really risky to do this.

MELISSA: I know. Jack it's just so hard for me.

JACK: Look I know. (Kiss) Melissa somebody's coming. We better split up.

CANBY: Jack!

JACK: Canby? Canby, hold it down.

CANBY: Hey you can run but you can't hide from me.

JACK: Well I didn't know you could find me down here?

CANBY: Well you asked to see these again.

JACK: Yes. Good, good.

CANBY: Yeah, I got a few different angles of you and Emilio in that shoving match. And there's a few more pictures in there which show the ugly side of this neighborhood.

JACK: Good, good.

CANBY: I'm glad you like them.

JACK: Look, do you think you could catch them doing something illegal?

CANBY: Well I'll see what I can do.

JACK: I mean this is good. It's very good but I need more.

CANBY: Then more you'll get. I'll catch you later.

JACK: Alright.

 

CANBY LEAVES.

 

JACK: Melissa what is it?

MELISSA: I can't believe what I just heard.

JACK: What do you mean?

MELISSA: You've hired your own photographer to spy on the Community Center?

JACK: It's not spying. The people have a right to know what's going on under their very noses. What's wrong with that?

MELISSA: What's wrong? I'm beginning to think you're not doing this for the good of the community. You're digging up dirt for yourself.

JACK: I'm not digging up dirt for myself.

MELISSA: That's sure what it sounds like to me.

JACK: This is ridiculous. You know first hand what I'm trying to do here. There's a lot more risk here than my personal problems with Steve and Kayla.

MELISSA: But hiring a photographer? That sounds like you're going after them personally.

JACK: I can't believe you're saying this. I'm trying to make positive long term changes not some cheapy quicko tactics that are sending this whole neighborhood down the tubes faster than it's already going.

MELISSA: Steve and Kayla are trying to make positive changes and they're trying to get on with their lives Jack.

JACK: They don't know what they're doing. They think they're helping Salem but they're fooling themselves.

MELISSA: Jack I've been there. I've been working there. I've seen first hand what they're doing. And you are trying to destroy everything they're working for.

JACK: Melissa.

MELISSA: It's true. Now I've seen what your pride can do to you. You just can't stand to be beaten by anybody can you?

JACK: Look I admit I've got a problem with ego. Maybe that's got something to do with this.

MELISSA: Are you sure it's not the only thing motivating you?

JACK: There is nothing wrong with being competitive. That's part of me. I'm born that way. It's part of being a Deveraux. There's nothing wrong with that.

MELISSA: Jack you can't treat people like this.

JACK: Yes I can. My family didn't get as far as it did without being competitive. I was born that way. It was built into me. I'm a Deveraux and that's the way I am.

MELISSA: You're not as much a Deveraux as you think you are.

JACK: What do you mean by that?

MELISSA: Just what I said.

JACK: You just said I'm not as much of a Deveraux as I thought I was. What does that mean?

MELISSA: It's just that....it's just that....

JACK: Go ahead.

MELISSA: Jack you're such an individual. Yes you're a Deveraux but you're so much more than the family name. I mean you're a maverick.

JACK: A maverick?

MELISSA: Ask anyone.

JACK: Well I thank you for the insight into my character but this individual is not going to let up on the Community Center. Do you have that?

MELISSA: Why are you so driven to lash out at Steve and Kayla?

JACK: Look I admit that it will not bother me if this press is bad for Steve and Kayla. But, at the same time the Community Center is bad for the community and bad for my constituents.

MELISSA: Can I ask you a question?

JACK: Yes, go ahead, shoot.

MELISSA: Do you still have feelings for Kayla?

JACK: Melissa.

MELISSA: Jack just answer me. Do you still love her?

JACK: Melissa, I care more about you than I do about the Community Center or Steve or Kayla.

MELISSA: I hope you do.

JACK: I'll show you how serious I am. I'm going to let you off the hook. I don't want you to tell me another thing about what's happening down at the Community Center.

MELISSA: Jack are you serious?

JACK: Yes I'm serious.

MELISSA: Oh, do you know what that means to me?

JACK: Well I hope that it proves to you that I'm putting you first.

MELISSA: Yes it proves it to me. It proves how much you care about me. If you care enough to put me first it means everything Jack. (She kisses him.)

JACK: Ah, Melissa as much as I love doing this, we have to remember to be careful.

MELISSA: Okay I guess I better go.

JACK: Yeah I guess so.

MELISSA: When will I see you again?

JACK: Soon, soon. I'll call you.

MELISSA: Well....ah don't take too long. I go crazy when I'm not around you Jack.

JACK: I know, I promise you I'll call you soon. (She kisses him.)

MELISSA: Okay.

JACK: Okay.

MELISSA: Take care of yourself.

JACK: I will.

 

MELISSA LEAVES AND EMILIO COMES DOWN THE STEPS.

 

JACK: Oh small world. What's been happening with you?

EMILIO: Same old thing

JACK: Maybe things are going to start looking up for you.

EMILIO: Oh yeah.

JACK: Yeah. Actually I just wanted to thank you again for a job well done.

EMILIO: Don't worry about. You wanted me to rough you up in front of the press, that's what I did. That's what I do best.

JACK: Oh you can say that again. You're a natural. I was thinking about what you did. It got me thinking.

EMILIO: About what?

JACK: You did such a good job, I'd like to give you another job. Kind of put you on to salary. How would you like to have a steady salary?

EMILIO: Oh come on man who wouldn't? But what I gotta do?

JACK: Nothing, nothing, er....do what you usually do.

EMILIO: Hang out at the Community Center?

JACK: That's right, that's right. Hang out and get paid for it.

EMILIO: And that's it?

JACK: That and....er, reporting back to me.

EMILIO: Yeah well I don't know.

JACK: What do you mean you don't know?

EMILIO: Because I don't know if I should to that alright?

JACK: How much money would make you know? Name your price.

 

MONTY, EMILIO'S FATHER COMES OVER THE EMILIO.

 

MONTY: Emilio, what do you think you're doing?

EMILIO: Get out of here okay.

MONTY: What are you talking with this guy? He's trouble for you. You have no business talking with him.

EMILIO: Look you got no business telling me who to talk to. Now come on get out of here.

MONTY: Jack Deveraux is trouble I tell you.

JACK: Excuse me. I'll let the two of you discuss your problems together. Emilio we'll finish our business later.

MONTY: He won't finish business with you Deveraux because he's not doing business with you.

EMILIO: Shut up.

SCENE TWO: EMILIO TELLS STEVE THAT JACK ASKED HIM TO SPY ON THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

SCENE THREE:JACK IS HAVING LUNCH AT SHENANIGAN'S WHEN STEVE WALKS IN AND GRABS HIM BY HIS TIE.

STEVE: You want to get me Jack, you come after me. You hear what I'm sayin, you, you come after me.

JACK: You're really hell on my wardrobe, you know that Johnson.

STEVE: Don't you mess with me today you little twerp! I'm at the end of my rope. I'll take you down right here and now.

JACK: Something upsetting you?

 

MELISSA WALKS IN.

 

STEVE: You take an innocent kid, a mixed up kid from the Riverfront and you use him to do your dirty work. It's because you're too much of a coward to go out in public and show people who you really are.

JACK: You know something. I'm here in a public restaurant, about to have my lunch. Now if you don't mind I'd like to go ahead and do that without you spitting all over it. Is that alright?

STEVE: (Grabbing his fork.) You can eat when I'm finished with you. Now you listen to me. If you've got a score to settle with me, you settle it with me, come on, one on one. Don't use people who can't defend themselves.

JACK: Is that what you think I'm trying to do?

STEVE: I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to close down the Community Center just to get back at me and Kayla. That's really lame Jack.

JACK: It's an interesting analysis of a very complicated civic issue. I'll take it....I'll take it under advisement at the next council meeting.

STEVE: You know that you are really, really sick. You don't care how many people get hurt just as long as you get your stupid revenge.

JACK: Are you finished yet?

STEVE: Back off, now.

JACK: Not that sounds like a threat.

STEVE: Just back off.

 

STEVE TOSSES JACK'S FORK ON THE TABLE AND WALKS OUT OF THE RESTAURANT.

 

MELISSA: He's right.

JACK: Melissa. Not you too.

MELISSA: Your need for revenge is getting the best of you Jack. This family pride issue is an obsession. It's going to get somebody hurt. It could get a lot of people hurt including you.

JACK: I have already been hurt Melissa. Steve never should not have messed with me or my family. Now the wheels have already been set in motion and there's nothing anybody can do about it.

MELISSA: Maybe there is.

JACK: What?

MELISSA: Maybe there is Jack.

JACK: What did you say?

MELISSA: I've been wrestling with this long enough and it's time that I do it.

JACK: Do what?

MELISSA: Well Jack I want you to know but I can't explain it to you. I have to show you.

JACK: Fine, go ahead and show me.

MELISSA: No I can't show you here. It has to be in private.

JACK: Er....explain to me what you want to show.

MELISSA: Jack trust me. You wont believe me unless you see it for yourself. Will you come to my house tonight?

JACK: Tonight? Look I don't know if I get away tonight.

MELISSA: It has to be tonight. Say you'll be there, please.

JACK: Uh....sure well I'll make the time. Er, I'll check....JUST EXPLAIN TO ME!

MELISSA: I can't Jack. I do know one thing though. Once your eyes are open, you will never see things the same way again.