Episode Forty-Seven:
Jack and Melissa's Wedding:
Melissa Dumps Jack at the Alter.

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[Air date 11-4-88]

 

SCENE ONE: JACK AND MELISSA'S WEDDING DAY. MELISSA IS GETTING DRESSED WITH JENNIFER'S HELP.

 

MELISSA: I don't know what I was thinking when I made this a morning wedding. Want to do me a favor?

JENNIFER: Sure.

MELISSA: Call and tell everyone we're changing it to this afternoon.

JENNIFER: Melissa, you look fine.

MELISSA: I'm not supposed to look fine, Jennifer. I'm supposed to look beautiful, ravishing, gorgeous.

JENNIFER: You always look like that.

MELISSA: Yeah right. Do you know if Jack's here yet?

JENNIFER: Yeah, I saw him talking to some reporters outside his car when I got here.

MELISSA: Well, that's my Jack. Have reporters, will travel.

JENNIFER: You have to get used to that. (Beat) Look, um, I'm going to call your hairdresser alright. I'll be right back.

MELISSA: Thanks Jen. Lesson number one when marrying a politician. Always look good for the reporters.

 

JENNIFER LEAVES AND IMMEDIATELY THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

 

MELISSA: Yes who is it?

JACK: (Disguised voice.) Is the....um....bride there?

MELISSA: Yes. Who is it?

JACK: (Disguised voice.) It's the um....groom.

MELISSA: Jack.

JACK: (Carrying a single red rose.) Hi, is the bride alone?

MELISSA: Yes Jack but you're not supposed to be in here. It's bad luck.

JACK: Oh forget about that. Superstition this. This is a very important day. This is the most important day of our lives. (He kisses her.)

MELISSA: You bet it is Jack.

SCENE TWO: JUSTIN FINDS A RECEIPT FOR THE HOTEL ROOM THAT ADRIENNE AND EMILIO SHARED AND HE GOES THERE TO CHECK UP ON THE DETAILS.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE JACK IS ABOUT TO GO INTO HIS ROOM TO GET DRESSED WHEN KRISTINA WALKS BY.

 

KRISTINA: Congratulations on the big day Jack.

JACK: Kristina, wait a minute, wait a minute. What are you doing here?

KRISTINA: (Pushing him away.) You're almost a married man.

JACK: Ah....right, right. Although I can't see how that would make much of a difference.

KRISTINA: Don't you think it's time to stop flirting with me and get dressed for your wedding?

JACK: Right.....You know I just had a....really big idea. I....I need help gettin' changed for the wedding. Maybe you could help me.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE MARCUS HAS JUST VISITED MELISSA AND DECIDES TO SEE IF JACK NEEDS ANY HELP. HE OPENS THE DOOR TO SEE JACK FOLLOWING KRISTINA INTO HIS ROOM.

 

JACK: There's a button in the back here....

 

MARCUS AND MELISSA LOOK AT ONE ANOTHER IN DISGUST.

SCENE FIVE: THE GUESTS ARE ALL ARRIVING AND GREETING EACH OTHER. JACK APPEARS ALL DRESSED AND GIVING A SMALL PRESS CONFERENCE.

 

JACK: I hate it. That's all I can say. If I'd had my vote we would have been married in a week where we could have taken long walks in the country, sat and watch the leaves fall, stayed up all night in front of the fireplace just talking....

REPORTER: So....it wasn't your idea to get married the week before the election?

JACK: No, I'd have to say that's Melissa's responsibility.

REPORTER: Where are you going on your honeymoon?

JACK: Well, I'd like to go to Montana. But, I think Melissa's booked us into.....whe.....Europe!

REPORTER: So you won't be spending your dollars in the US?

JACK: Ah....well....mom? Mother, over here. Look she just got here, my mother. Let me introduce you. I was getting worried about you.

JO: Oh well, I couldn't get my hair to do right.

JACK: Oh your hair's beautiful. You look beautiful.

REPORTER: Mrs. Johnson.

JACK: Now, now. Mrs. Johnson, my mother is a guest at the wedding and she doesn't need to answer any questions.

 

MARCUS CALLS EVERYONE TO THEIR SEATS.

 

JO: Oh son you look absolutely wonderful today.

JACK: Thank you. Thank you.

JO: Wait a minute. Wait a minute here. Now you may not have anything to say to me today young man but I was in the middle of telling you how very proud I am of you and how happy I am for you today. (Hug) And how much I love you.

ANJELICA: Darling, never fear, we're here.

NEIL: It's my fault. I got tied up.

JACK: Hey look it's just my wedding day. Don't worry about it. But I'm glad you came Neil, thank you.

ANJELICA: You are making a very important move here darling.

JACK: Speaking of big moves, I understand I'm not the only one to go on a honeymoon? So congratulations. Neil, when's the big day?

NEIL: Well we haven't set a date. It would have to be soon.

JACK: I....I'll see you later okay.

 

JACK LEAVES AND JO IS LEFT WITH ANJELICA AND NEIL. SHE IS UPSET OVER THEIR WEDDING PLANS AND SHE BEGINS TO CRY. SHE SAYS THAT IT IS A MOTHER'S TEARS BECAUSE JACK IS SO BEAUTIFUL WHEN HE IS DRESSED UP.

SCENE SIX: THE GUESTS ALL TAKE THEIR SEATS INCLUDING KRISTINA. JACK ENTERS THE CHURCH AND WINKS AT KRISTINA. MARCUS JOINS HIM. JENNIFER WALKS DOWN THE AISLE.

SHE IS FOLLOWED BY ADRIENNE. MELISSA BEGINS WALKING DOWN WITH MICKEY.

SCENE SEVEN: THE CEREMONY BEGINS. AS THE MINISTER BEGINS READING MELISSA GAZES ACROSS AT JACK. THEN THE VOWS BEGIN.

 

MINISTER: Jack, will you take this woman to be your wife, to live together after god's holy ordinance? Will you love her, honor her, comfort her and support her, foresaking all others as long as you both shall live?

JACK: I will.

MINISTER: Melissa, will you take this man to be your husband, to live together after god's holy ordinance? Will you love him, honor him, comfort him and support him, foresaking all others as long as you both shall live?

 

SCENE ONE: THE WEDDING OF JACK AND MELISSA IS UNDERWAY.

 

MINISTER: Melissa will you take this man Jack to be your husband? To live together after god's holy ordinance? Will you love him, honor him, comfort him, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?

 

MELISSA IS SILENT.

 

JACK: (Whisper) Sweetheart, it's okay if you just say, I will.

MELISSA: Could you please repeat the question?

MINISTER: Of course. Will you take this man, Jack Deveraux, to be your husband? Will you love him....

MELISSA: No.

 

THE GUESTS ALL GASP. JACK IS STUNNED.

MELISSA: No I won't.

JACK: Melissa, are you alright?

MELISSA: I am now Jack.

 

MELISSA GOES TO WALK AWAY.

 

JACK: Wai....Are you crazy? What are you doing?

MELISSA: Yes Jack, I was crazy. I believed you. All those times you said you loved me, I believed you.

JACK: Melissa, I think maybe we could....

MELISSA: Yes I think crazy is the best word for what I was. I was crazy in love with you. I couldn't see straight and you knew it Jack and you took advantage of it.

JACK: Melissa I think maybe we could talk about this in private if you know what I mean. PRIVATE!

MELISSA: Why? It's just family and friends here isn't it? Just the people who are nearest and dearest to us Jack. Well they all want to hear the truth. What's wrong with telling the truth Jack? I'm sorry. Have you forgotten how?

JACK: (Quietly) Why are you doing this to me?

MELISSA: You know that's what I keep asking myself Jack. What did I ever do to make you treat me like I was nothing? All I ever did to you was love you.

JACK: Okay, I get the point....

MELISSA: I loved you and you used me Jack. I cared about you. I believed all of your phoney excuses. I forgave you for everything. And all you wanted was to win an election against my father.

JACK: That's not true.

MELISSA: I was your ticket. Yeah, good old Melissa was pretty convenient wasn't she? I don't know if you ever loved me....

JACK: I....that is not true....I....

MELISSA: Look I don't want to hear what you have to say about it Jack because I wouldn't believe you anyway. As far as I'm concerned you are a consummate liar.

JACK: That's enough Melissa.

MELISSA: You're a manipulator....

JACK: I said that is enough, Melissa.

MELISSA: ....and it would be fine with me if I NEVER see your face again.

 

MELISSA THROWS HER BOUQUET AT JACK AND WALKS BACK DOWN THE AISLE. JACK THROWS THE FLOWERS TO THE GROUND AS MICKEY AND THE HORTON FAMILY CHEER. HE THEN FOLLOWS MELISSA OUT OF THE CHURCH.

 

JACK: Melissa, wait a minute. What happened in there? What are you doing?

MELISSA: I'm waking up Jack. Maybe I'm growing up.

JACK: Maybe you don't understand what happened.

MELISSA: Oh you bet I do. I decided to look out for myself for a change. I decided that I'm worth something and I deserve to be happy and I definitely deserve someone better than you Jack. Now Marcus said these are our honeymoon tickets. (She removes two airline tickets from Jack's pocket.)

JACK: Ah....ye....yes.

MELISSA: Oh good, I've always wanted to go to Europe. Thank you Jack. This one's yours?

JACK: Yes.

MELISSA: Get a refund. (She rips his ticket into pieces.)

 

THE PRESS COME RUNNING OUT OF THE CHURCH ALONG WITH MOST OF THE GUESTS.

 

MICKEY: Melissa are you alright?

MELISSA: I've never been better dad.

REPORTER: Mr. Deveraux.

REPORTER: Jack.

JACK: I can't....please....I can't....I can't talk right now, please.

 

MELISSA TELLS THE PRESS THAT SHE IS READY TO GIVE A STATEMENT. SHE PROCEEDS TO TELL THEM THAT SHE FEELS HER FATHER IS THE PERSON THAT THE PEOPLE SHOULD VOTE FOR.

 

JACK: No comment.

SCENE TWO: THE HORTON FAMILY GATHER AROUND MELISSA AND GLOAT WHILE JACK STANDS ALONE COMPLETELY DEVASTATED. MELISSA SAYS THAT THE RECEPTION IS OFF BUT SHE INVITES EVERYONE BACK TO HAVE A BIG PARTY.

SCENE THREE: JO GOES OUT TO SPEAK TO JACK WHO IS COMPLETELY ALONE AND CRYING.

 

JO: Jack?

JACK: What do you want?

JO: I'm so sorry.

JACK: Look, could you just leave me alone please?

JO: Jack, could you let me just maybe....

JACK: Please, just leave me alone!

ANJELICA JOINS THEM.

 

ANJELICA: I think that's your cue Josephine.

NEIL: Anjelica.

JO: I wasn't speaking to you.

ANJELICA: Read my lips Mrs. Johnson. TAKE A HIKE! This is a family matter and you don't belong here.

NEIL: Okay.

 

JO WALKS AWAY.

 

ANJELICA: Are you alright?

JACK: (Cynical laugh) What kind of a question is that? Of course I'm not alright!

 

JACK STARTS TO LEAVE BUT COMES FACE TO FACE WITH MELISSA.

 

ANJELICA: Coming Jack?

JACK: Alright, I've just got to get out of here.

 

HE HURRIES PAST MELISSA AND OUT OF THE CHURCH.

SCENE THREE: MELISSA AND SOME OF THE GUESTS GO TO BLONDIE'S FOR A FAREWELL PARTY FOR MELISSA. JENNIFER TELLS MELISSA THAT SHE HAS GUTS TO DO WHAT SHE DID.

SCENE FOUR: BACK AT THE DEVERAUX MANSION JACK IS LOOKING AT THE WEDDING RING.

ANJELICA AND NEIL JOIN HIM, TRYING TO COMFORT HIM.

ANJELICA: Jack, please just tell me you're alright?

JACK: I'm alright Anjelica. You know how I thrive on public humiliation and political suicide? Hell, person rejection is mother's milk to me.

ANJELICA: Neil?

NEIL: Jack, I know there's nothing anyone can say to you right now....

JACK: But you are going to say something anyway. Just give it a shot.

ANJELICA: Jack.

NEIL: Jack, if you need anything let me know. Anjelica, I'll see you.

JACK: Just take two and call me in the morning, Doc. Don't you realize the patient is dead? Just pull up the sheet and cart him away.

ANJELICA: Please stop it.

JACK: Oh Anjelica, what's the matter? A little self pity make you feel queasy?

ANJELICA: Well you know you're better off without Melissa.

JACK: Oh cut the crap Anjelica! We were friends, that's all. But you had this brilliant idea we should get married and it would clinch the election!

ANJELICA: Well how was supposed to know the little prima donna was going to pull a scene like that? She's scared to cross the street on a green light!

JACK: What's that supposed to be? An apology for a bad political advice? Or maybe just something to ease a broken heart.

ANJELICA: I'm sorry Jack, I'm sorry. It seemed like a good idea at the time. It backfired.

JACK: Well you could put it that way, yes....yes.

ANJELICA: Jack I don't know what else to say. Look maybe it won't have any effect. It's so close to the election, maybe people won't notice.

JACK: Huh, uh.

SCENE FIVE: A SHORT TIME LATER JACK IS POURING HIMSELF A DRINK WHEN JO ARRIVES.

 

BUTLER: Mrs. Johnson, Sir.

 

JACK BEGINS TO LAUGH.

 

JO: Jack.

JACK: Go ahead, just give it your best shot. This must be national Get It Off Your Chest Day.

JO: Please, please.

JACK: So please just go....go ahead.

JO: Don't try to pretend with me because I know exactly what you're going through. I was there. I saw how you were when Kayla left and then Harper, he turned his back on you with all of those lies and now Melissa....

JACK: Is there a point to this?

JO: And me? I know you think I betrayed you when I put you up for adoption but....

JACK: Oh no, no, please. I feel bad enough without having to dredge up all that ancient history.

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JO: You think that nobody loves you. (Beat) Well I know how to deal with that. I understand that because I know what it's like. I know what it's like to be alone with these commitments that I have made and bad decisions. Some that I didn't have anything to do with. I understand that. But son, you brought this on yourself. Now my heart goes out to you but you brought this on yourself.

JACK: (Drunk) You.... you think that.... wait a minute.... this is all.... this is all for my good is that right? Let me get this straight, you're just tryin' to raise your Billy Boy right, is that it?.... Right?

JO: Don't talk to me like that.

JACK: Oh well if you don't like the heat, get out the damn kitchen! (Laughs then goes quiet.) Just get out and leave me alone!

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JO: Alright, I'll go but sooner or later, Jack, you are going to have to deal with your behavior and sooner or later you are going to have to deal with the fact that I am your mother, faults and all. And you're going to have to deal with the fact that I love you.... faults and all. And I hope that you can find out what is important in life before it's too late and you end up old, and alone.