Episode Forty-two: Jack Uses
Melissa to for his Political Career;
Meanwhile, Victor Has Has Set
the Plan in Motion to Free Harper.

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[Air date 10-7-88]

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS WAITING AT BLONDIE'S WITH ANJELICA. MELISSA ARRIVES.

 

JACK: Hello Melissa. Hi.

MELISSA: Hi.

JACK: Well you did it again.

MELISSA: Did what?

JACK: I don't know, every time I see you I think that's the most beautiful a woman can be. Then I see you again later and you're even more beautiful than you were before.

ANJELICA: Calliope dear, everything looks about average.

CALLIOPE: Oh I'm so happy you feel that way Anjelica.

ANJELICA: I want the press to be in the front tables. I want them to have a clear sight line. Anything they want you put it on my bill.

CALLIOPE: You gonna pay this one?

ANJELICA: Oh Calliope, I want a happy press corps. Please.

MELISSA: Jack I thought this was for family and friends. Why did you invite the press?

JACK: I knew you wouldn't like that.

MELISSA: Then why did you invite them?

JACK: I didn't like it either but it seemed the lesser of two evils.

MELISSA: What are you talking about?

JACK: Look Melissa. There is only one thing worse than inviting the press to an affair like this and that is not inviting them. I mean they'll come anyway. They'll crash the party and turn it into circus. Now I'm used to this sort of thing. It doesn't bother me but I don't want them doing it to you. (Beat) You're mad at me right?

MELISSA: No, I'm not mad at you.

JACK: You still love me?

MELISSA: Of course I love you.

 

ANJELICA WATCHES WITH A GREAT DEAL OF DELIGHT.

SCENE TWO: LATER AT THE PARTY.

 

MAGGIE: Oh, give me a hug. Oh you look so beautiful. Radiant.

MELISSA: I feel like any minute I'm going to take off and fly away. I'm so happy.

MICKEY: Well that's all I want beautiful lady. (Beat) Jack.

MAGGIE: Hello Jack.

JACK: Mrs. Horton, you look lovely tonight.

MAGGIE: Thank you.

JACK: Mickey? Could I see you for a minute....alone?

MICKEY: Alright. Excuse us.

JACK: I need to talk to you.

MICKEY: What's it about Jack?

JACK: Look I know I'm not exactly your number one candidate for a son-in-law but we are going to be in the same family and we both love Melissa. She's going to be able to handle it if we don't get along but she'd be a lot happier if we did.

MICKEY: Can't argue about that.

JACK: So what I'm trying to say is that even if you're not exactly crazy about me, maybe you could....maybe you could just kind of....forget that you're not....crazy about me, for Melissa's sake.

MICKEY: For Melissa's sake. (He shakes hands with Jack.)

 

THE PRESS IMMEDIATELY CLOSES IN AND STARTS SNAPPING PICTURES.

 

JACK: Oh.

SCENE THREE: ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM, TOM ARRIVES AND TELLS ALICE THAT THEY DO NOT NEED TO GET MARRIED AGAIN BECAUSE THEY HAVE LIVED TOGETHER SO LONG THAT THE STATE ACCEPTS THEM AS A COMMON LAW MARRIAGE. ALICE OBJECTS AND SAID SHE IS NOT MOVING HOME UNTIL THEY HAVE A PROPER WEDDING.

SCENE FOUR: JO ARRIVES ON HER OWN WEARING A PINK DRESS WITH WHITE SHELLS, APPLES AND ASSORTED FRUIT ALL OVER IT.

 

JO: Jack.

JACK: Mrs. Johnson. (Looking her up and down.)

JO: Oh Jack, I wish I could tell you how proud I am.

JACK: Well thank you very much.

THE PRESS TAKES A PICTURE.

 

JO: Thank you so much for letting me share your happiness. I know we've had our differences but your inviting me here just lets me know that you are at least trying to accept that I'm your mother.

JACK: God....

ANJELICA: So what do you think of my boy?

JACK: Ah....Anjelica.

JO: I think he's marrying a wonderful girl. I like her a lot.

ANJELICA: Why I just bet she likes you.

JO: You know what I like about her the most? She's from a very prominent Salem family and she is not in the least bit snobbish.

ANJELICA: Oh and wouldn't you be the one to know that.

JACK: Well excuse me ladies. I see someone over there I need to talk to.

ANJELICA: Yes darling, this is your party so please go mingle. (Anjelica adjusts his tie.)

JACK: Yes. Mrs. Johnson. (Jo Brushes his shoulders as he leaves.)

ANJELICA: Well he turned out remarkably well didn't he?

JO: I think so.

ANJELICA: He's so charitable. Not everyone in his position would be so quick to acknowledge his humble roots.

JO: It worked for Abraham Lincoln. You knew him didn't you?

SCENE FIVE: MELISSA GIVES TOM A HUG AND SAID SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT GRANMA. HE SAYS HE IS ABOUT TO FIX THAT PROBLEM. JUSTIN CONGRATULATES MELISSA THEN ADRIENNE SAYS THEY WILL BE SISTERS-IN-LAW NOW. MELISSA ASKS HER TO BE HER MATRON OF HONOR.

 

JACK: Excuse me. Adrienne. Can I....(He leads Melissa away)

MELISSA: I'll see you later.

JACK: I want you to stand right here. Can you just....Don't move a muscle, okay?

 

JACK MOVES TO THE STAGE AND TAKES THE MICROPHONE.

 

JACK: Excuse me everyone. If you'd raise your glasses please. I'd like to make a toast to my bride to be. (Beat) To Melissa, the most beautiful loving bride a man could ever ask for.

THE PARTY CROWD SIGHS.

 

JACK: To you my darling. (Beat) The happiest day of my life was when that beautiful lady over there consented to be my bride. Only to be surpassed by the day that we're married. Melissa I love you.

MELISSA: And I love you.

JACK: To Melissa. My bride to be. I'll always try to make you happy.

 

MELISSA GOES TO THE STAGE AND THEY KISS.

 

MICKEY: I hope he means it.

SCENE SIX: JACK AND MELISSA CONTINUE TO TAKE CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE GUESTS UNTIL VICTOR COMES OVER AND ASKS JACK TO STEP ASIDE AND TALK TO HIM.

 

VICTOR: Everything is in place for the escape.

JACK: Did you find somebody to take the fall for it?

VICTOR: Yes we've got a very suitable candidate. We'll be able to move very soon. Just a few more days and your father will be a free man.

JACK: What a nice engagement present!

SCENE SEVEN: MEANWHILE MELISSA GOES OVER AND ASKS ADRIENNE AGAIN IF SHE WILL BE HER MATRON OF HONOR. ADRIENNE SAYS SHE WILL BE HAPPY TO STAND UP FOR MELISSA. JACK STANDS BEHIND MELISSA AND WATCHES HER.

 

JACK: How about a dance with the bride-to-be eh? Excuse us.

MELISSA: I'll see you later.

SCENE EIGHT: VICTOR DANCES WITH ANJELICA AND CONGRATULATES HER ON THE MARRIAGE. HE SAYS HE HAS ALWAYS HAD A GREAT DEAL OF TIME FOR JACK BUT HE KNOWS THAT THIS MARRIAGE WAS HER BRILLIANT IDEA. HE SUGGESTS THAT SHE CONTINUE THE THEME AND MARRY HIM. SHE JUST LAUGHS.

JACK AND ANJELICA ARE DANCING.

 

ANJELICA: Jack Deveraux. I don't think you could have done better if you were a professional actor.

JACK: Well things did go rather well, didn't they?

ANJELICA: Well? You're going to be all over the evening news and throughout the paper tomorrow.

JACK: Front page.

ANJELICA: Front page.

JO: Excuse me Jack. It's the last dance and I was wondering if I could share it with you.

JACK: Well....(Anjelica signals the photographer.) well, certainly, certainly. I'd love to share the last dance with....with you.

JO: Oh thank you. Oh Jack, dancing with you in honor of your wedding is a dream come true. I'm so glad that we found each other again son and that I'm able to share in your happiness with you.

JACK: Me too.

 

SCENE ONE: EMILIO IS KEEPING A VIGIL AT HIS MOTHER'S BEDSIDE AS SHE LAYS DYING.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER ARRIVES TO MEET CALLIOPE AND TOM. TOM HAS A PLAN TO ARRANGE A SURPRISE SECOND WEDDING FOR ALICE.

SCENE THREE: LATER JENNIFER TALKS TO EMILIO ABOUT HIS MOTHER AND THEN GIVES HIM A COPY OF THE ARTICLE SHE HAS WRITTEN ABOUT HIM.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK OPENS HIS FRONT DOOR TO VICTOR.

 

JACK: Victor.

VICTOR: Well thank you for letting me break into your afternoon. I don't like discussing things like this over the telephone.

JACK: We're alone here. I take it this has something to do with Harper's escape from prison.

VICTOR: It has everything to do with it. By the end of the day everything is going to be in place.

JACK: Good. So when's it going to happen?

 

VICTOR INDICATES HE CANNOT TELL JACK.

 

JACK: Victor, come on. Look this is taking security a little too far. I've been in on this whole thing since the beginning. I need to know every detail now.

VICTOR: As soon as everything is set, I'll fill you in on all of it. I know you don't need this warning but the minute Harper escapes from prison, the first place they're going to look is here. No matter what denial you've made. Now I would hate to see a promising political career go down the drain so quickly and what I would hate to see even more, is my name linked to this whole thing.

JACK: Victor you may have known me when I was a little boy but I'm not one any longer. I know exactly what the consequences are and no one is going to find out from me what we're up to.

ANJELICA: What will no one find out from you?

JACK: Anjelica, I....I didn't know that you were home.

ANJELICA: Well I woke up feeling a little tired this morning so I didn't go into work. It's one of the perks of being pregnant and also being the boss. Now what was it you were saying about no one finding something out from you?

VICTOR: We were talking about Jack's campaign for Harper's Senate seat.

ANJELICA: And?

VICTOR: And I've decided to give him my support.

ANJELICA: Well that's no surprise. Mickey Horton in that seat isn't going to do you any good. He doesn't understand about you scratch my back and I'll scratch your's.

VICTOR: Yes well I made a little contribution to Jack's campaign chest. A little more generous than the law allows strictly speaking.

ANJELICA: Hmm, strictly speaking. You know you gentlemen did not have to hide that from me. I want Jack to win this election and I want him to get all the help he can get even if it's from you Victor.

JACK: (Clearing his throat) Actually Victor made a donation that was well over the legal limit but of course this it's between us.

ANJELICA: Oh my lips are sealed. Now that we've all gotten this off our chest, I'm off. I have an appointment. Ciao. Victor, always a pleasure.

JACK: Anjelica. (Beat) Look, I didn't know that she was home. It was close wasn't it?

VICTOR: It was entirely too close. Anjelica is the last person that can find out what we're up to with Harper.

SCENE TWO: LATER JO COMES TO SEE JACK.

 

JO: Hi Melissa.

MELISSA: Mrs. Johnson, hi.

JO: Is Jack here?

MELISSA: Yeah come in.

JO: Thank you.

MELISSA: Jack your....Mrs. Johnson's here.

JACK: Ah Mrs. Johnson. What can I do for you?

JO: I was wondering if I could talk to you Jack.

JACK: Well talk away.

JO: Actually I was hoping we could have lunch. Melissa too.

JACK: Oh I'm sorry I....I can't do that. I've got too much work today.

JO: Jack, I really need to talk to you. It's important.

JACK: Well I....I don't think I'm going to be able to squeeze lunch in at all. I'm sorry.

MELISSA: Jack. Mrs. Johnson wait a minute. (Beat) Jack you don't have that much on your schedule today. Can't we have lunch with her?

JACK: Look I have other things to do Melissa.

MELISSA: She says it's important Jack.

JACK: Every time the weather changes, she thinks it's important.

MELISSA: Look Jack, I really think you should do this. I mean after all Jack, she is your mother.

JACK: When you look at me like that, I'm glad you don't ask me for something like the Taj Mahal or I'd have to give it to you. (Beat) Mrs. Johnson, why don't we go out to Blondie's? My treat.

JO: Oh.

SCENE THREE: JACK, MELISSA AND JO ARRIVE AT BLONDIE'S.

 

JO: I really, really appreciate you taking the time to have lunch with me.

JACK: Sure. Thank you Dave. So why don't you tell us what was so important that you had to talk about.

JO: Yes. Why....why don't we have lunch first. You know I'm starving. Oh, there are so many things on this menu, I don't know what to have.

MELISSA: Yes I'm starving too. How about you honey?

JACK: I know what I want. I'm having cassoulet.

JO: What's cassoulet?

 

JACK LOOKS ACROSS AT JO.

 

MELISSA: It's....a stew. A French stew.

JO: Oh. It sounds good.

JACK: I hear that Steve's in jail. It's a shame.

JO: That's what I wanted to talk to you about. I was going to wait until after we had our lunch but since you brought it up....

 

ANJELICA AND NEIL ARRIVE ARM IN ARM.

 

ANJELICA: Oh hi.

JACK: Anjelica.

ANJELICA: Hello sweetheart and Melissa, you look gorgeous as usual. And Mrs. Johnsoooooon!

JACK: Come on Anjelica. What are you up to?

ANJELICA: Baby shopping.

JACK: Ooooh.

MELISSA: Can we see?

ANJELICA: There you go. First, if it's a leeetle boy, da, daaaa. And if it's a leeetle girl, da, daaaa. Isn't that pretty? I wouldn't mind having a little boy. You know little boys are pretty swell but then again, little boys grow up now don't they?

JACK: I was just offering Mrs. Johnson my condolences. I do feel sorry for her of course but if anybody deserved to be in prison, it would be her son Steve.

 

LATER AS LUNCH IS FINISHING.

 

JACK: Dave, check please.

MELISSA: Jack, Mrs. Johnson had something she wanted to talk to you about.

JACK: Oh, yes please go ahead. Talk, now or never.

JO: Well, you're probably not going to go for this but I may as well give it a try.

JACK: Huh?

JO: Would excuse me please, I need to go to the Ladies Room.

MELISSA: Are you alright?

JO: Yes, I'll be right back.

JACK: Well I took her to lunch. I tried to get her to talk.

MELISSA: I know, I know.

JACK: I mean you can't say I didn't try.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE ANJELICA AND NEIL ARE HAVING LUNCH WHEN NEIL DECIDES TO CALL THE HOSPITAL. VICTOR COMES OVER TO TALK TO ANJELICA AND TELLS HER THAT HE KNOWS ALL HER MEDICAL DETAILS AND THAT SHE CANNOT HIDE ANYTHING FROM HIM. ANJELICA TELLS HIM HE KNOWS THAT THE FATHER IS JUSTIN.