Episode Forty-one: Jack Plots
with Victor to Free Harper.

---

[Air date 9-21-88]

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS SITTING WATCHING THE OLD SLIDES OF HIS CHILDHOOD WITH HARPER, AND HIS STEP-MOTHER CAMILLE.

ANJELICA COMES DOWN AND TURNS OFF THE PROJECTOR.

ANJELICA: Do you think it's a little early in the day for that?

JACK: Oh well, a couple of my people canceled on me and gave me the afternoon free.

ANJELICA: That's not what I meant Jack.

JACK: Well you certainly look lovely today. Where are you off too?

ANJELICA: Shopping. It seems every time we mothers-to-be turn around, we need new clothes.

JACK: I think you are certainly handling motherhood and pregnancy very well.

ANJELICA: Thanks Jack, I really don't have much choice.

JACK: I think you do actually. You could share it with your father-to-be?

ANJELICA: Jack I can't.

JACK: Anjelica.

ANJELICA: Nobody is going to know the identity of my baby's father.

JACK: Look Anjelica. I thought better not to say anything before. I didn't want to upset you. But I am worried and you and I think it's time I showed my feelings and shared them with you.

ANJELICA: Well go ahead. Say what you want to say. I'm listening

JACK: I think you're making the biggest mistake of your life.

ANJELICA: I don't think we should go ahead with this conversation after all.

JACK: Why not?

ANJELICA: Because I'm not interested in any suggestions you might have about me not having this baby. And I don't want to discuss it any further.

JACK: I think we have a misunderstanding here. It's not about abortion. Anjelica, I think you having a baby is the best idea I've ever heard.

ANJELICA: You really mean that?

JACK: Yes I do.

ANJELICA: So what's the big mistake that I'm making Jack?

JACK: Trying to have the baby by yourself and not telling the father.

ANJELICA: Jack, I cannot tell the baby's father!

JACK: Look maybe I'm having a little bit of trouble looking at this objectively but then again I've had a little trouble sharing my feelings about the moment that I found out the truth about my father. The moment that I found out that Harper was not really my father after all.

ANJELICA: Jack do me a favor and don't worry about my baby. I understand what you're saying. Really I do. And it doesn't matter how I choose to deal with the truth about my baby's father. I am going to love that baby and protect it.

JACK: Oh I have no doubt that you're going to love that baby, no doubt at all. Funny thing is I'm already feeling jealous about that baby. That's crazy isn't it? The kid's not even out yet and here I am. But I know how much you love that baby and I know how lucky that baby going to be to have you for the mother, the natural mother. (Tears in his eyes.)

 

ANJELICA: Oh god Jack, (Tears) I know I'm not your natural mother. Do you want to know something? I couldn't love you anymore even if I were. And that feeling is never going to change. Not even when I have my own baby. Oh god....Jack.

 

JACK AND ANJELICA HUG EACH OTHER.

SCENE TWO: JACK ARRIVES TO SEE VICTOR BUT HE IS DELAYED AND HIS HOUSE GUEST KRISTINA COMES DOWNSTAIRS IN RIDING GEAR. VICTOR WANTS TO MATCH HER UP WITH JUSTIN.

 

KRISTINA: Hello, you must be Jack Deveraux.

JACK: Yes I am.

KRISTINA: Kristina Andropolis.

JACK: Kristina. You must be staying with Kiriakis's.

KRISTINA: My father and I are Victor's guests.

JACK: Oh I guess you're also riding with the Kiriakis'?

KRISTINA: Yes. Victor has a marvelous stable of horses.

JACK: He certainly does. I've ridden with him on several occasions. If I could suggest, why don't you take the trail marked....Eden. It's a bit of a rough and rocky climb but I think the view....well it's definitely worth it.

KRISTINA: Well thank you, I will. Shall I find Victor and tell him you're here?

JACK: No. No, no. He knows I'm here. (Beat) Have a good ride.

KRISTINA: I plan to. So long.

JACK: Happy trails.

 

KRISTINA LEAVES AND JACK RAISES HIS EYEBROWS IN ADMIRATION. VICTOR COMES IN NEXT.

 

VICTOR: Well Jack, thank you for stopping by.

JACK: Victor.

VICTOR: Can I get you a drink?

JACK: No, no thank you. Actually I would like to know why you wanted to see me.

VICTOR: Alright, we'll get right to the point then. I've heard a rumor that you're interested in getting Harper moved from the jail that he's in to a minimum security facility. Is that true?

JACK: Where did you get that idea?

VICTOR: Relax Jack. I only asked because I'd like to help see that it happens.

JACK: Oh really. Why would you like to see that?

VICTOR: In fact how would you feel about getting Harper out of jail altogether?

JACK: Victor, why don't you tell me what this is all about.

VICTOR: Well I might be able to arrange to have him conveniently disappear from the country. He could show up in Switzerland, where he could live out the remainder of his life with whatever luxury his savings could afford him. I'm sure he'd prefer that than rotting in prison here with nothing to do but contemplate the events of his recent past. Don't you think?

JACK: A scheme like that would take a tremendous amount of effort not to mention....money.

VICTOR: Well why don't you let me worry about that. I just want to find out if you're interested.

JACK: Victor, I'd like to know what's the....what's in this for you. I mean I'm sure you don't do this out of the goodness of your heart.

VICTOR: Jack, my relationship with Harper goes back a lot of years. Our friendship was profitable for both of us. I'd like to think that if the tables were reversed, Harper would do the same thing for me. So what do you think?

JACK: (Beat) What do you have in mind?

VICTOR: As soon as I come up with a plan, I'll be in touch. I just wanted to see if you were interested.

JACK: Oh I'm definitely interested.

VICTOR: I'll call you then.

JACK: Good. Thank you Victor.

 

JACK LEAVES.

 

VICTOR: No Jack. Thank you!

SCENE THREE: JACK ARRIVES HOME TO FIND ANJELICA LYING ON THE SOFA.

 

JACK: Anjelica.

ANJELICA: Sweetheart.

JACK: Hey.

ANJELICA: Where have you been?

JACK: Ah....out.

ANJELICA: Do you want to talk?

JACK: Yes, yes. As a matter of fact I would love to talk. I think if I don't talk to somebody very soon I'm going to go crazy.

ANJELICA: I'm all ears.

JACK: I know that I should forget about Harper. It's the logical thing to do. It's the best thing to do if I want to move on with my own life but when I....when I think about him....beaten....I just hate the thought of what's happened to him. I don't care what he's done, he doesn't deserve to be shut up in prison and beaten by men that he shouldn't....that he shouldn't even be in the same room with.

ANJELICA: Jack I understand that you're really angry about the way things turned out but you do know that you didn't cause any of this.

JACK: I know that, yes.

ANJELICA: Do you? Do you know that you are just an innocent bystander? That it's not your fault that Harper adopted you? That you didn't cause him a....

JACK: No, no, don't say it. I don't want to hear it. I know he's made mistakes.

ANJELICA: Mistakes? Jack he murdered five women, do you know what that makes him?

JACK: It makes him sick. That's what it makes him. But he's still a human being Anjelica and I think you could still have some feelings for him.

ANJELICA: Jack I know you might think that I'm cruel but somehow I just can't dismiss the fact that I shared my bed with a man who came home to me after mutilating young women. You must face the fact that the man is in prison and that that is where he belongs. Harper Deveraux needs to be locked up where he can't hurt people and that's where he's going to stay.

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER ARRIVES AT THE BRADY FISH MARKET WHERE FRANKIE IS WAITING FOR HER. HE HAS JUST RECEIVED A LETTER ASKING HIM TO GO TO COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN NEW YORK TO HELP THEM START A HELP LINE. HE ASKS HER TO GO WITH HIM.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER ASKS HER GRANDMOTHER FOR PERMISSION TO GO. ALICE AGREES EVEN THOUGH SHE KNOWS THAT SOMETHING MIGHT HAPPEN BETWEEN JENNIFER AND FRANKIE.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER AND FRANKIE HEAD TO NYC.

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER AND FRANKIE ARRIVE AT THE HOTEL IN NYC. THERE IS ONE BED AND JENNIFER IS NERVOUS SO FRANKIE OFFERS TO GET A SEPARATE ROOM. HOWEVER, SHE SAYS THAT SHE WANTS THEM TO MAKE LOVE. FRANKIE GOES TO HIS APPOINTMENT.

SCENE TWO: WHEN HE RETURNS HE TELLS HER THAT THEY WANT HIM TO MOVE PERMANENTLY TO NYC TO SET UP THE HOTLINE. HE ASKS HER TO COME WITH HIM.

SCENE THREE: THEY GO OUT TO DINNER AND THEN LATER GO BACK TO THEIR ROOM AND JENNIFER CHANGES INTO HER PAJAMAS AND THEY BEGIN TO KISS. SUDDENLY JENNIFER CHANGES HER MIND. SHE SAYS THAT SHE CANNOT MAKE LOVE TO FRANKIE UNTIL THEY DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR LIVES AND ABOUT MOVING TO NYC.

SCENE ONE: MEANWHILE JACK IS WORKING AT HOME WHEN ANJELICA ARRIVES WITH FLOWERS.

 

JACK: Hello. Who gave you those?

ANJELICA: Nobody. I bought them....for you.

JACK: For me? Well how nice. What did I do to deserve these?

ANJELICA: Not a thing. They are to give to the beautiful young lady you proposed marriage to. Jack, it's time to get an answer from Melissa and do make sure it's a yes. (Beat) Jack you have been extremely patient with Melissa, but enough is enough. I mean the girl is so desperately in love with you that she can't see straight. I'm staggered that she's kept you dangling this long.

JACK: And you don't suppose that my admitting to spousal assault and having my father turn out to be a psychopathic serial killer, tarnished my prospects a bit?

ANJELICA: A bit. Which is why you need to marry Melissa. A few press layouts of you and your blushing bride and what better endorsement from Mickey Horton than his beautiful daughter's hand in marriage. It's so perfect it makes my teeth hurt.

JACK: I just wonder if Melissa is going to think that's why I proposed to her.

ANJELICA: Honey, just give her the flowers. Whisper a few sweet nothings into her ear. She'll drop into your arms like a ripe peach. Look Jack, you are charming and handsome but your public image definitely needs some help. Melissa Anderson is just the help your image needs. You've got to get this girl to say yes to your proposal. That is, if you want a political career.

JACK: I do. You know I do.

ANJELICA: Then what are you waiting for?

 

JACK WALKS OVER AND PICKS UP THE PHONE.

 

JACK: Melissa. Hi it's Jack.

SCENE TWO: A SHORT TIME LATER MELISSA ARRIVES AT JACK'S DOOR.

 

JACK: Hi.

MELISSA: Hi.

JACK: Thank you for showing up on such short notice.

MELISSA: Sure. I wasn't doing anything special.

JACK: For you. (Gives her the flowers.)

MELISSA: Jack, they're beautiful. Thank you.

JACK: Please come in.

MELISSA: It's good to see you especially seeing as we haven't seen each other in quite a while. Kinda made me feel like you were avoiding me.

MELISSA: Maybe I am.

JACK: What's a guy supposed to say to that? I mean, you meet a beautiful girl, propose to her and next thing you know you don't see her again. Melissa you don't have to marry me if you don't want to.

MELISSA: It's not that Jack.

JACK: Do you love me?

MELISSA: You know I do.

JACK: Well if it means getting a chance to see you again, I'll withdraw the proposal.

MELISSA: No, no. I don't want you to do that.

JACK: Then what do you want?

MELISSA: Jack I would marry you in a minute if I could. But....

JACK: But? But you're afraid if you marry me that your family will disown you.

MELISSA: No. Of course they wouldn't do that. Look Jack I wish you would try to understand. My family loves me and I love them. I just don't want to do anything that would make them unhappy.

JACK: Uh huh. And what about your happiness, uh? Doesn't that count for something?

MELISSA: Yes. And they'd be the first to say so. That's why I'm so torn Jack. And that's why I've been staying away from you. I've been trying to find a way out of this.

JACK: Look. I proposed to you because I wanted to share our lives together and that means our problems too. I don't want you ever to have a problem and not come to me again.

MELISSA: Jack.

JACK: Come on. You're not alone in this. You got me now. (Hug) So. So we've got a problem together. Right let's look at it. So the only thing that's keeping you from accepting my proposal is your fear that your parents won't give you their blessing. Otherwise you'd marry me in a minute, right?

MELISSA: Yes. You know I would.

JACK: Good. Let's go.

MELISSA: Where to?

JACK: Before you came over I promised myself I would find out the one thing that was keeping us apart and I would resolve it. That's what I'm doing.

MELISSA: Jack where are we going?

JACK: To resolve it. Come on.

SCENE THREE: MICKEY AND MAGGIE ARE HAVING DINNER AT BLONDIE'S WHEN JACK AND MELISSA ARRIVE.

 

JACK: Well I was just....

MELISSA: Jack, my mom and dad are here.

JACK: I know, I know. That's why I brought you here.

MELISSA: Jack you're not going to do it here.

JACK: I'm just going to talk to them.

MELISSA: Look I don't think....

JACK: Do you trust me?

MELISSA: Yes I trust you.

JACK: Does anything I have said made any sense to you in the past?

MELISSA: Look I just don't think this is a very good idea, alright?

JACK: Just follow my lead alright? Alright. Come on. Come on. Good evening.

MICKEY: Hello Jack, sweetheart.

MELISSA: Mom, dad.

JACK: Well I'm sorry to interrupt your dinner like this but I've....I've got something very important to say to you. Something....very important to say.

MICKEY: I don't think you and I have anything to talk about Jack.

MAGGIE: Mickey.

MICKEY: Alright. I'm listening.

JACK: Thank you, thank you. I'm sure I'm the last person that you want to hear from right now but....but I have to talk to you because....because something....because Melissa is so important....because, er, Mr. Horton, Mrs. Horton, I happen to love your daughter very much. And I'm very lucky to be able to say that she loves me.

MICKEY: Jack.

JACK: Please, please. Let me continue. I er....my whole future depends on this. (Beat) I know I've made a lot of mistakes in the past. Nobody needs to tell me that. I know it myself. But I'm young. I don't mean to say that as an excuse but I know that I'm changing. I know I'm changing because of Melissa. Because of the love that she shows me and the love that I show for her. I really want to make myself worthy of her. I want to give her the best of everything and that's why I'm asking for her hand in marriage. She'll never want for anything financially, emotionally. And if you could give us your blessing we would both be very happy.

MICKEY: Is this true Melissa? You want to marry Jack?

MELISSA: Yes, I do. (Beat) Jack would you give us some time alone with our daughter please?

JACK: Certainly, certainly. Melissa, I'll be back in a little while. I don't know what else to say except that this means everything to me.

 

JACK LEAVES.

 

MICKEY: Melissa, all your mother and I want is your happiness. Are you sure this is what you want to do? That you want to be married to Jack Deveraux for the rest of your life?

MELISSA: Mom you've always told me how wonderful it is to make the man you love happy.

MAGGIE: Yes but it helps to pick the right man to love.

MELISSA: Jack is the right man for me.

MICKEY: Melissa, have you given this some serious hard thought or is that just emotion speaking?

MELISSA: Yes dad I have thought about it a lot. Constantly as a matter of fact. I've gone over in my mind what your objections are and they don't change my mind. I love you guys so much but you have always taught me that people have to take responsibility for their own happiness. I have been very confused lately. But I'm not confused anymore. I realized tonight that Jack means so much to me. I couldn't give him up even if you asked me to. I'm sorry if that upsets you. You've taught me to be strong and have confidence in what I want. Well this is my chance to get it and I don't want to lose it.

MAGGIE: Sweetie, look if this is how you feel, we don't want you to lose it.

MELISSA: You know I didn't tell Jack that he had to come here tonight and talk to you. It was his idea. He wanted to do it. He knows how you feel about him, that there was a chance that you might refuse to talk to him, embarrass him. But he took that risk, for me. Because he knows how much you mean to me. Doesn't that tell you something about Jack, about how he feels about me, about how much he wants to make me happy?

MAGGIE: Well it tells me something.

MICKEY: Well it's one decent gesture in a lifetime that has not exactly been filled with decent gestures. Melissa I have to say to you that you are making a big mistake but you've heard that before, more than once. And I'm smart enough to know when I can't get somebody to change their mind.

MELISSA: You won't change my mind dad.

MICKEY: Melissa, I love you very much. Too much to let this, anything for that matter, come between us. Now I cannot pretend that I am happy about this marriage but I'm not going to let it take you away from me. So if this is the only way and you will marry Jack then I will not oppose the marriage.

MELISSA: Dad, thank you.

MICKEY: Oh honey, you just have to prove me wrong.

MELISSA: Thank you mom.

MAGGIE: We know how much you love us and we'd never let that love stand in the way of your happiness. I just hope you're right. I hope Jack makes you the best husband a girl ever had.

MELISSA: He will. Mom, I know he will.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE JACK ARRIVES AT VICTOR'S

 

BUTLER: Mr Kiriakis will be with you shortly.

JACK: Thank you. Thank you very much.

 

KRISTINA WALKS IN THE ROOM.

 

KRISTINA: Victor?....Oh I'm sorry.

JACK: I'm not sorry.

KRISTINA: Are you waiting for Victor?

JACK: Yes. We have business.

KRISTINA: I hate waiting, don't you?

JACK: Oh I abhor waiting....unless I have a beautiful woman to wait with and then....then the minutes just seem to fly by.

 

KRISTINA RUNS HER HANDS THROUGH HER HAIR AND THEN STOPS.

 

JACK: Are you alright?

KRISTINA: I think I've gotten tangled up here.

JACK: Here, let me, please. Just er....

KRISTINA: Can you get that?

JACK: Yes....I can.

 

JACK TAKES HER HANDS AND MOVES IN VERY CLOSE AS VICTOR COMES IN.

 

VICTOR: Excuse me?

JACK: Oh.

KRISTINA: Oh hi Victor. I had a little problem and Jack just helped me out.

VICTOR: Did you need to see me?

KRISTINA: Yes....but now I can't remember why. It seems to have just slipped my mind.

VICTOR: Well in that case maybe you'll let me and Jack get to our business.

KRISTINA: Oh yes, of course, of course. Goodbye Jack.

JACK: Goodbye.

 

KRISTINA LEAVES.

 

JACK: Well Victor, she's quite a piece of work.

VICTOR: I asked you to discuss getting Harper out of jail. I assume you're still interested in that.

JACK: Yes. I very interested in that.

VICTOR: Good. I've started to formulate a plan but it's not going to happen overnight. There is one thing though I want to caution you about. Getting Harper Deveraux out of jail is not a very popular idea. We can't have any evidence pointing to us. However this is accomplished it's got to seem as if it's without our interference.

JACK: I understand.

VICTOR: I don't care what people say. I don't care what they think. As long as they can't prove anything.

JACK: Victor, let's make one thing straight. I know how to cover my tracks. No one will be able to connect us in anyway to Harper's....good fortunes.

VICTOR: Good. I'm glad to hear that.

JACK: Now, I've got a bit of news for you.

VICTOR: Oh.

JACK: Congratulations are in order. I'm about to be married.

VICTOR: Well congratulations! Whose the lucky girl?

JACK: Actually I'm the lucky one. Melissa Anderson is going to be my bride.

VICTOR: The District Attorney's daughter. That's a very smart if not a brilliant move on your part.

JACK: Like I said before. I'm the lucky one.

SCENE FIVE: JACK ARRIVES BACK AT BLONDIE'S. HE SEES MELISSA, STOPS AND TAKES A DEEP BREATH. THEN HE WALKS UP AND KISSES HER NECK.

 

MELISSA: Hi.

JACK: Hi. So tell me, how did it go with your parents?

MELISSA: Well they're not exactly happy about us getting married but they won't stand in our way.

JACK: Meaning?

MELISSA: Meaning....we can get married.

JACK: Uh....I....I don't know what to say. I don't know what to say.

MELISSA: I know. Me neither.

JACK: So, er, what do we do know? Do we go out and do it? Do we set the date? Or....

MELISSA: Ah wait. Please don't be angry with me.

JACK: Angry? I love you.

MELISSA: Well you're probably not going to like this. Can we keep our engagement kind of quiet for a while?

JACK: Quiet? Means secret, right?

MELISSA: Well I don't want to announce it just yet. I want to give my family some time to get used to the idea.

JACK: Sure, we don't want to upset your family anymore than we already have, okay?

MELISSA: I can't believe how understanding you are.

JACK: Oh Dave, Dave?

DAVE: Yes.

JACK: Can we have a bottle of Veuve Cliquot....81?

DAVE: Okay. I'll bring it for you.

JACK: Right. Oh we're going to be the greatest couple. I can just....we're going to have a big house right up on the lake and....and I can just see you sitting across from me at a big elegant dining....at a big party that you're going to throw. You're going to be the perfect wife. My career.... (Beat) I'm going to try to make you happy every day.

MELISSA: Jack, all that matters is that we love each other.

JACK: That's right. That's all that matters.

 

JACK AND MELISSA KISS AS ANJELICA WALKS UP.

 

ANJELICA: My, my, my. Isn't this the picture of romantic bliss. Anything I should know about?

JACK: I don't know. Should we tell her

MELISSA: Of course.

JACK: Melissa and I are getting married.

ANJELICA: Oh Jack. What a delicious bride? You're such a fortunate man.

JACK: Yes I know that. I know that. And Anjelica, we are keeping this quiet for the time being. We're only letting the immediate family know for now.

ANJELICA: Oh please, you can trust me not to breath a word until you say so.

MELISSA: Thank you. I'd appreciate that. Would you excuse me for a minute? I'll be right back.

ANJELICA: Oh you hurry back.

MELISSA: I will.

ANJELICA: Well it's about time.

JACK: Yes. Better late than....you know what!

ANJELICA: Dave, could I have a phone please?

JACK: I suppose you're about to call the press.

ANJELICA: Oh you bet I am. They're going to be so pleased to hear the news. Thank you. Jack Deveraux about to marry his opponent's daughter. They'll be thrilled.

JACK: Yes. I'm sure they won't mind hearing the news....twice!

 

SCENE ONE: THE NEXT DAY JACK ARRIVES AT THE HOSPITAL WHERE A REPORTER IS HOLDING THE CHRONICLE WITH THE HEADLINES ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT. AS HE IS TALKING MARCUS ARRIVES.

 

JACK: What in the hell do you think you're doing coming in here and paging me like this?

REPORTER: I thought you'd want to see it.

JACK: I saw the paper the paper this morning.

REPORTER: I thought you'd be pleased. Your engagement hit the front page. You know I had no trouble at all convincing my editor that's where it belonged. As soon as he found out you were marrying Mickey Horton's daughter.

JACK: Look I appreciate you putting this in. But you made a big mistake coming here. You understand that. Nobody can know that this story was put up by me. (Beat) If anybody finds out where this story came from....

REPORTER: Don't worry it, Jack.

 

MARCUS SLAMS THE DOOR SO THAT THEY KNOW HE IS THERE.

 

MARCUS: Hello Jack.

JACK: Look, you've got a lot of nerve. You should have the common decency to come to me before you printed this thing. But let me tell you buddy, it's a two way street. You don't play fair with me. I don't play fair with you. You got that. Interview's over. (Beat) These guys don't have the common decency to stay out from my private life. You know what I mean.

MARCUS: Oh Jack, you are something else aren't you? I thought I'd seen everything but you're a new act entirely. Let tell you.

JACK: Wait a minute. That guy deserved everything he had coming to him. Don't tell me he's doing his job. I'm trying to protect Melissa and he....

MARCUS: Knock it off Jack! I heard everything. You don't have an honest bone in your body do you? You actually think you're going to beat Mickey Horton in the election by marrying his daughter? Is that what you think?

JACK: What are you talking about?

MARCUS: I told you man. I heard. You planted that story in the paper about your engagement to Melissa to embarrass her father didn't you? Didn't you?

JACK: Look I don't know what you think you heard in here but....

MARCUS: Look I know what I heard. Thought you loved Melissa, Jack, eh?

JACK: I do love Melissa. Yes I do.

MARCUS: Yeah right.

JACK: Look what I don't appreciate is what you're implying here. Here's something you can believe. I don't let people spread lies about me. I have to protect Melissa. This kind of stuff would....would crush her.

MARCUS: You don't give a damn about Melissa. You just want to use her.

JACK: I don't have to stay here and listen to this garbage.

MARCUS: Steve was right wasn't he? It's all politics with you isn't it? The hell with people's lives and feelings as long as you get the vote, right, right?

JACK: Let me give you a little bit of advice here....

MARCUS: Save it!

JACK: I don't care what you think you heard. It's what you're going to do about it.

 

MELISSA COMES IN.

 

MELISSA: Jack I heard you get paged....What's going on? Well?

JACK: Well it was just a....there was nothing really, Melissa. It was just a....you know the reporter I had to kick out of here. It was guy who was responsible for putting our engagement on the front page this morning. I mean Marcus is just as mad about it as I am. He thinks I was too easy on the guy.

MELISSA: Well, when I walked in it looked like you guys were fighting.

JACK: Really? What would Marcus and I have to fight about?

MELISSA: Listen Marcus, I appreciate your concern. My mom and dad were pretty devastated that our plans were made public before the election but it helps to know people care about our feelings at a time like this.

MARCUS: Yeah. I guess you could use all the friends you could get right now?

MELISSA: I just can't figure out how the press got a hold of it so soon.

JACK: Actually that was my fault Melissa.

MELISSA: Your fault?

JACK: Yes. You see when I....when I went to the jeweler, I was so happy I just blurted it out to him. I told him....I made him promise not to tell me....not to tell anyone but the moment I went out I'm sure he just called the press, anybody. You know how people are when they know something. They gotta tell somebody.

MELISSA: But Jack that was weeks ago. Why would the press wait till this morning to print it?

JACK: Er....my fault again! Last night when I proposed to you in front of your folks, I....I just got carried away. I should have been discreet. You know the press are following me everywhere. I just got swept away by my feelings.

MELISSA: Well it seems so simple when you explain it. Here I was looking for some deep dark villain.

JACK: Yeah.

 

JACK AND MELISSA HUG AS JACK LOOKS AT MARCUS.

 

MARCUS: Excuse me.

 

MARCUS LEAVES.

 

JACK: So. A couple of weeks ago, I had something I was trying to make you accept. Maybe it's about time you accepted it.

MELISSA: Jack.

JACK: Melissa. It's a token of our love. Why don't you wear it?

MELISSA: I would be proud to wear it.

 

JACK PUTS THE RING ON MELISSA'S FINGER.

 

MELISSA: It's beautiful. Jack I love you so much.

JACK: I love you too.

 

JACK AND MELISSA KISS.

SCENE TWO: LATER THAT NIGHT MELISSA AND JACK ARE AT BLONDIE'S. MELISSA IS TALKING TO ALICE WHEN JACK WALKS UP.

 

ALICE: Darling I hope you'll be happy. But I must say I was surprised. The announcement of your engagement on the front page of the paper this morning.

JACK: Sorry I'm late honey. I had to park the car.

MELISSA: Oh hi.

JACK: Mrs. Horton, hi.

ALICE: Hello Jack. Congratulations on your engagement. I hope you'll be very happy.

JACK: Oh I know we will be. Look would you like to join us for dinner?

MELISSA: Yes please.

ALICE: Thank you. I'm having dinner with Tom. He brought be here and now....he's disappeared.

JACK: Well maybe next time. Have a good dinner.

ALICE: Thank you.

MELISSA: Thanks Granma.

SCENE THREE: LATER AT DINNER.

 

MELISSA: Jack, I can't campaign against my father. I'm sorry but I just can't.

JACK: Look I don't want to do anything to make you feel unhappy or uncomfortable.

MELISSA: Jack I love you. Please try to understand okay?

JACK: Right. I....I just thought after we got engaged, things would be different. (Beat) Well it's a long time until the election.

MELISSA: It's not that long Jack and I'm not going to change my mind. You'll just have to accept that I'm going to remain neutral through this campaign but I'll be there for you for all the rest. I promise.

JACK: Right. (Beat) Well let's move on to a more pleasurable subject. Have you thought about a wedding date?

MELISSA: Of course I have.

JACK: Well?

MELISSA: I want to get married as soon as possible. (Beat) As long as it's after November 8th!

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER HAS DECIDED THAT SHE IS NOT READY TO LEAVE SALEM AND REFUSES TO GO WITH FRANKIE. FRANKIE TRIES TO CONVINCE HER THAT THEY COULD MAKE A HOME IN NEW YORK BUT HE INSISTS THAT SHE STAY AND NOT LEAVE HER BROTHER MIKE AND HER GRANDPARENTS.

SCENE TWO: THEY GO TO THE FISHING SHACK AND RELIVE THEIR LIVES TOGETHER. FROM THEIR FIRST MEETING, TO GRADUATION, THE PROM AND FINALLY THEIR ENGAGEMENT.THEY AGREE TO NEVER FORGET EACH OTHER.

 

SCENE ONE: ALICE HAS DISCOVERED THAT BECAUSE OF A LEGAL TECHNICALITY, SHE AND TOM WERE NEVER MARRIED. SHE WANTS TO BE MARRIED AGAIN BUT TOM SAYS THAT'S SILLY AND REFUSES SO ALICE MOVES IN WITH CALLIOPE.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER HEARS A RADIO REPORT ABOUT THE TROUBLE ON THE RIVERFRONT AND DECIDES IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO GET AN INTERVIEW WITH EMILIO SO SHE COULD WRITE AN HONEST IN DEPTH STORY ON GANG LIFE. JENNIFER PLEADS WITH MIKE TO ASK EMILIO TO CO-OPERATE WITH HER SO THAT SHE GETS THE TRUE STORY. JENNIFER AGREES NOT TO USE HIS NAME AND HE RELUCTANTLY AGREES EVEN THOUGH HE THINKS SHE IS A STUCK UP SNOB.

SCENE THREE: EMILIO ARRIVES TO SEE JENNIFER BUT THE INTERVIEW GOES WRONG AND HE WALKS OUT ON HER.

SCENE FOUR: SHE TELLS ALICE THAT USUALLY WHEN SHE HAS TROUBLE WITH AN INTERVIEW SHE TALKS TO FRANKIE BUT NOW THAT HE IS LEAVING SHE HAS NO ONE TO TALK TO ABOUT HER LIFE AND CAREER.

 

SCENE ONE: THE BRADY'S HAVE A SURPRISE FAREWELL PARTY FOR FRANKIE. EVERYONE SAYS THEIR GOODBYES AND FRANKIE GIVES JENNIFER A CHAIN WITH HALF A BROKEN HEART ON IT. HE KEEPS THE OTHER HALF. JENNIFER TAKES HIM TO THE AIRPORT AND HE FLIES OFF TO COLUMBIA AND NEW YORK.