Episode Fifty-two: Jack Continues
to Use His Control at the Paper
to Stop Diana from Writing about
his Shadey Political Dealings.

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER AND EMILIO TAKE SOME KIDS ON A SLEIGH RIDE. THEY ARE GETTING VERY CLOSE AND JENNIFER IS BEGINNING TO CARE A LOT ABOUT EMILIO.

SCENE TWO: THEY RUN INTO VICTOR WHO MENTIONS THAT THE HORSE EMILIO IS TRAINING WILL BE RACING THIS SPRING. THE NAME OF THE HORSE IS JENNIFER'S BEAUTY. THE HORSE BELONGS TO NEIL BUT VICTOR HAS CONNED EMILIO INTO TRAINING IT IN SECRET "TO HELP NEIL OUT". ACTUALLY VICTOR WANTS NEIL TO GET INVOLVED IN BETTING AND GAMBLING SO HE LOSES HIS MONEY AND ANJELICA IS FORCED TO RELY ON VICTOR FOR SUPPORT FOR HER BABY.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER IS DELIGHTED THAT EMILIO NAMED THE HORSE AFTER HER. EMILIO IS SHY ABOUT THE WHOLE THING EVEN THOUGH HE CARES ABOUT HER.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE STEVE IS WORKING AT SAXTON'S WHEN JACK DECIDES TO DO A LITTLE SHOPPING.

 

JACK: Excuse me.

STORE MANAGER: Mr. Deveraux, how good to see you again.

JACK: Likewise.

STORE MANAGER: What can I do for you today?

JACK: Oh I don't want to take up any of your valuable time. Why don't you have....why don't you have him wait on me?

STORE MANAGER: Oh he's busy right now with another customer.

JACK: Oh I don't mind waiting.

STORE MANAGER: Well he'll be right with you. (Beat) Mr. Johnson, I'll finish up with this lady (Kayla in disguise.). You're to go help Mr. Deveraux.

STEVE: Sorry I can't do that.

STORE MANAGER: What do you mean? You won't wait on Mr. Deveraux?

STEVE: I'm not finished waiting on this lady yet.

STORE MANAGER: I told you I'd take care of her.

KAYLA: But I want this salesman to handle me thank you.

STORE MANAGER: He's one of our best customers and he's asked for you personally. So don't keep him waiting.

STEVE: I don't care if he waits until hell freezes over. I'm not giving him two seconds of my time.

STORE MANAGER: You will if you want to keep your job.

JACK: Excuse me. Is somebody going to help me out here?

STORE MANAGER: What's it going to be Mr. Johnson?

JACK: Is there a problem here?

STEVE: No. There's not a problem here. Step right this way Mr. Deveraux. Let's see what we can do for you.

SCENE FIVE: A BIT LATER STEVE SHOWS JACK A JACKET.

 

STEVE: Alright. How about that?

JACK: Come off it. Anybody with one eye for fashion would see that's not my style at all.

STEVE: Maybe what you ought to do is take a look all by yourself through our selection. That way you're sure to get exactly what you want.

JACK: What is this...Suits R Us? I thought this store had good service. Now maybe I'm mistaken. If this is the example of that, maybe I should take my business elsewhere.

STEVE: No, no, no. Just wait a minute, wait a minute. You're right, you're right. Good service is our specialty. If you can't find a suit you want in this store, we'll make it for you.

JACK: You'll what?

STEVE: That's right. You didn't know about our custom tailoring did you? We'll put together a suit exactly the way you want it right down to the very last stitch. Now how does that sound?

JACK: Er....well I....I really don't think I'll have time for anything like that.

STEVE: Oh no?

STORE MANAGER: We'll be more than happy to set up a time at your convenience Mr. Deveraux.

JACK: Well....well good. Why don't you call my office and my assistant will set up an appointment.

STEVE: Very good.

STORE MANAGER: Nice to see you again, Mr. Deveraux.

STEVE: Right this way. Let me help you with your coat.

JACK: Please do.

STEVE: I'll see you later.

JACK: You certainly will.

STEVE: Bundle up. It's cold out here. Come back real soon now will you?

 

JACK LEAVES AND THE STORE MANAGER CONGRATULATES STEVE ON HOW WELL HE HANDLED MR. DEVERAUX.

SCENE SIX: LATER JACK IS WALKING THROUGH THE PARK WHEN HE COMES ACROSS STEVE AND KAYLA.

 

JACK: Hey! Suits R Us! That was a real salesman's job this morning. I can hardly wait until I get my fitting.

STEVE: Jack, you're nasty, you know that. And don't you have anything better to do with your time?

JACK: Oh I have lots of things to do with my time.

STEVE: Then don't waste it bothering me at my job.

JACK: I don't think you have to worry about that Steve. You're not going to be able to hold onto this job for very long anyway.

STEVE: Little brother, you are really pathetic, you know that? I do feel sorry for you.

JACK: Huh, uh.

 

JACK WALKS AWAY.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK DECIDES TO GO SHOPPING AGAIN AT SAXTON'S

 

STEVE: There's a customer. I can't keep a customer waiting. Can I....help you?

JACK: Well as a matter of fact, yes. I'm looking for a whole new wardrobe so I thought I'd come in nice and early.

STEVE: So you want a whole new wardrobe, uh?

JACK: Huh, uh.

STEVE: Well that's just fine Mr. Deveraux, where would you like to start? Suits, jackets, ties, underwear? You name it.

JACK: Well....why don't we start with...suits?

 

JACK HANDS STEVE HIS COAT WHICH STEVE THROWS ON A CHAIR.

 

STEVE: Fine.

JACK: Huh, uh. Let's see. Tell me, what do you have in the way of....tropical worsted?

STEVE: Tropical what?

JACK: Worsted....Worsted. Tropical worsted. You don't know what I'm talking about, do you? Well that's perfect. You've got a fine men's store where the salesmen don't know what a tropical worsted suit is. I think maybe I should be taking my business somewhere else.

STORE MANAGER: Mr. Johnson why don't you show Mr. Deveraux our fine selection of tropical weight suits right over here? We have an excellent selection in a wide range of fabrics. If you need me, I'll be in the back.

JACK: Okay.

STEVE: Right, right. So check them out over there. Just look through our selection of tropical weight suits and if you see something that you like I'll be happy to show it to you. (Beat) But I'm warning you, don't push it!

JACK: Shoes! Some fine ones too. This likes something that would go very well with a....tropical worsted suit. Hmmm, let's see.

 

JACK SITS DOWN AND TOSSES STEVE THE SHOE. HE THEN LIFTS HIS RIGHT FOOT UP IN STEVE'S FACE. STEVE REMOVES JACK'S SHOE AND IS ABOUT TO PUT ON THE SHOE.

JACK: Wrong one!

 

JACK TOSSES STEVE A RIGHT SHOE AND STICKS HIS FOOT BACK UP. STEVE PUTS THE SHOE ON.

 

JACK: It's nice.

STEVE: Good fit, nice fit.

JACK: What do we have here? (Beat) I don't think I've ever seen this kind of shoe polish before. Here (Tosses Steve the polish.) why don't you buff it up there and we'll see what it looks like?

STEVE: You want me to shine your shoes?

JACK: Well how else am I going to be able to know if I like it?

STEVE: Well, maybe I could try it out on your face? How would you like that?

JACK: Now wait. That's not a very nice salesman-like attitude.

STEVE: Oh no. No, no. You don't like that. Well how about this? Get up. (Beat) You get the hell out of here.

JACK: Wait a minute. I....I'm not going to get out of here that easily.

STEVE: I'm warning you Jackson. You get out of here now before I do something we both regret.

JACK: I'm not going anywhere.

STEVE: I'm warning you Jackson. You better get out of here while you can still walk out.

JACK: You know I'm not afraid of you Steve, come on.

STEVE: Last chance.

JACK: I told you, I'm not going anywhere. I'm not.

 

STEVE GRABS JACK AND MANHANDLES HIM OUT THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Hey wait a minute. What are you doing? I'm a customer in this store. I can't believe this kind of trea....

 

STEVE THROWS JACK'S COAT IN HIS FACE.

 

STORE MANAGER: What's going on here?

 

JACK: I'll tell you what's going on here, I'm taking my business elsewhere and I'll tell you something else my fine friend. You're going to hear from my attorneys.

STEVE: Oh threats!

 

STEVE THROWS JACK'S SHOE AT HIM.

 

JACK: Oh....

STEVE: More threats.

 

JACK LEAVES AND THE STORE MANAGER GIVES STEVE TEN MINUTES TO GET OUT OF THE STORE. HE IS FIRED.

SCENE TWO: JACK WALKS INTO DIANA'S OFFICE WHERE SHE AND VERN ARE WAITING FOR HIM.

 

JACK: So?

DIANA: Oh don't worry we won't keep you long. We just wanted to run today's front page past you for your approval as you requested.

JACK: Okay. (Beat) Huh, uh. Good....good. Looks like we're finally learning how to run things around here?

DIANA: We are trying.

JACK: So? Anything else?

DIANA: Oh no. I think we can handle it from here.

JACK: Good.

VERN: Mr. Deveraux.

JACK: Vern.

 

JACK WALKS OUT WHISTLING PETER AND THE WOLF AND DIANA SCREWS UP THE FRONT PAGE AND TAKES A BRAND NEW ONE OUT OF HER DRAWER. THE HEADLINE READS: CONTAMINATED WELL CAUSES OUTBREAK AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN.

 

DIANA: Yes siree. I think we have finally learned how to run things around here.

 

SHE AND VERN LAUGH.

SCENE THREE: LATER JACK WALKS INTO DIANA'S OFFICE AND SLAMS THE DOOR.

 

JACK: You think you're damn cute, don't you?

DIANA: What are you talking about?

JACK: You know exactly what I'm talking about. This is not the front page that I approved!

DIANA: Well I'm sorry Jack but we had to redo it at the last minute because we had a scoop and we didn't have time to get your approval again.

JACK: You're lying to me!

DIANA: Read it! You said we couldn't print anything without having proof. We have proof.

JACK: I don't think you heard what I said.

DIANA: I hear you loud and clear. What I don't understand is why you are so against this story. It's perfectly legitimate news Jack. Now why do you keep fighting me on it?

JACK: Look it's not the story at all. It's the principle behind the story.

DIANA: What principle?

JACK: I am not going to have any of my employees sneaking around behind my back.

DIANA: I'm not your employee. I'm your partner and when you start treating me like one and dealing with me honestly, I'll do the same with you.

SCENE ONE: ALICE AND KAYLA BREAK INTO THE AREA NEXT TO THE SCHOOL AND GET SOME SOIL SAMPLES. THEY ARE CAUGHT BY THE GUARD AND ARRESTED. HOWEVER, KAYLA MANAGES TO HIDE THE SAMPLES.

SCENE TWO: AND STEVE HAS THEM TESTED, PROVING THAT BARRELS OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE ARE BEING DUMPED ON THE SITE. THE BRADYS RECEIVE A THREATENING NOTE ABOUT KAYLA.

SCENE THREE: STEVE WORKS WITH DIANA TO TRY AND FIND THE OWNER OF THE SITE AND AFTER SEARCHING THROUGH FILES THEY FIND OUT THAT JACK'S COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTAMINATING THE WATER.

SCENE FOUR: EVERYBODY WANTS REVENGE ON JACK FOR THE WATER AND THE NOTE. DIANA PREPARES AN ARTICLE EXPOSING JACK.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS AT THE SPECTATOR TALKING TO RUSTY.

 

JACK: Rusty, thank you for meeting me here.

RUSTY: What did you want to see me about?

JACK: Well, it seems Diana is up to something and I need to find out what.

RUSTY: How do you know that Diana's up to anything?

JACK: Been talking to Vern, trying to find out what today's headline is and he won't tell me. He just says they're trying to decide on what it will be.

RUSTY: Well I don't know what I can do about it.

JACK: Just talk to him. You know just pump him a little bit. See what he knows.

RUSTY: Forget it. Vern's my friend. Besides which he wouldn't tell me anything anyway.

JACK: Okay, I'll forget the whole thing. Of course I'm ready to forget our deal about your little tryst and affair with that little campaign worker. I won't tell your wife about it.

RUSTY: The deal was that I wouldn't blow the whistle on your illegal campaign contributions. Now I held up my end so just lay off.

JACK: Sorry Rusty. This is too important to me.

RUSTY: Oh fine, fine. You go ahead and tell my wife and I'll blow the whistle on you so fast you won't know what hit you.

JACK: Rusty, you had your chance. You didn't do anything. Nobody's going to believe you know, right? Of course if you don't mind me telling your wife, I will. What's her name? Janet, Judy?

RUSTY: Stop it! No! I'll talk to Vern but this is the last thing I'm going to do for you.

JACK: Thank you Rusty. I knew I could count on you.

SCENE TWO: RUSTY APOLOGIZES TO VERN FOR PULLING OUT ON THE LAST STORY BUT VERN SAYS THAT IT'S OKAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A BETTER STORY TO GET JACK.

SCENE THREE: JACK AND RUSTY.

 

JACK: Well?

RUSTY: Well I didn't find out very much.

JACK: Well, what did you find out?

RUSTY: Well he said something about you were going to meet your Waterloo and that our kids would be safe from you from know on.

JACK: Yeah? That's it. That's all he said?

RUSTY: I told you I didn't find out very much.

JACK: Okay then. Thank you for trying.

RUSTY: Well, you're not gonna....

JACK: No, no, I'm not going to do anything. You tried, you did your best now get out of here. Go on, get out of here.

 

SCENE ONE: DIANA ASKS STEVE IF HE REALLY WANTS TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE THEM PUBLISH THE ARTICLE EXPOSING JACK. STEVE THINKS ABOUT IT AND DECIDES TO TALK TO JACK FIRST.

SCENE TWO: HE ARRIVES AT THE SPECTATOR WITH DIANA. JACK IS SITTING IN DIANA'S OFFICE.

 

DIANA: I tell you what Jack. Why don't I just move into your office?

JACK: Oh I'm sorry Diana, I just can't have enough of my....my partner and my brother. I am touched.

STEVE: I'll get right to the point so I don't have to look at you for too long. We know all about your company, the one that's responsible for the contamination of the water near that school. Yeah we know you own it. Don't try to deny it. We have proof that you've been behind this whole thing. And you're behind that threat that Kayla got.

JACK: Well what are you planning to do? A citizen's arrest?

STEVE: I want to slap you right upside your head. But I'm going to give you a chance to redeem yourself.

JACK: Look at this Diana. Tried and convicted without even having my own say.

STEVE: Okay, let's hear it. What have you go to say?

 

SUDDENLY A GROUP OF REPORTERS BURST INTO THE OFFICE.

 

DIANA: What's this all about?

JACK: I'll tell you what this is about. This is time for a press conference. The time has come for Jack Deveraux to come clean and tell the truth. (Beat) Ladies and gentlemen of the press. The reason that we are having this conference is because of some shocking news that I just learned about. Due to a major outbreak of rashes at the Salem High School, I decided to look into it myself. As we all know, the well water there has been contaminated because of some ground run-off coming from some chemical dumping nearby. I just found out that my....well I own the company that's been making the dumping.

REPORTER: Why didn't you stop the dumping? You must have known about it.

JACK: That's just the point. I didn't know. I didn't even know that I owned the company until this morning. Apparently my father owned the company. He signed it over to me when he divested himself of all his holdings. If I'd known anything I would have done something about it immediately but I'm telling you right now that I'm going to do something about it. I'm going to clean up that dump site. I'm going to make some major contributions to research to make sure that toxic dumping is taken care of in this country.

REPORTER: How did you find out about all this?

JACK: Well, when I found out that Alice Horton and my w.....and Kayla Johnson were in jail I decided that I had to take care of the whole thing myself.

REPORTER: What about that threatening letter sent to Kalya Johnson? Do you know who was responsible for it?

JACK: No I don't. But when we find out we are going to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. People have to know they can't rely on those bullying tactics, not here in my town. (Beat) Well if you no other questions, maybe you'd like to get to your deadlines. I know how important that is, now that I'm a newsman myself.

REPORTER: Excellent story Mr. Deveraux. It takes a big man to do this and not a lot of people would have done it.

JACK: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

 

THE REPORTERS LEAVE.

 

JACK: Well do you have any questions?

DIANA: Yeah. How do you sleep at night?

JACK: Oh Diana, don't be jealous. It's very unbecoming.

DIANA: Oh you think I'm jealous?

JACK: Yeah. I just broke the biggest story of the year and you missed out on it.

DIANA: The year is still young and I have a feeling this story isn't over yet.

JACK: The story's been told Diana. Vern, I think we finally have our headline for the day, "JACK DEVERAUX SAVES SALEM," or something like that.

DIANA: The only thing you saved is your own butt. But one of these days you're going to fall on it instead.

 

DIANA AND VERN LEAVE WHILE STEVE STAYS.

 

JACK: Well aren't you going to congratulate me? I thought maybe you'd be proud of me for what I did.

STEVE: Oh yeah, I'm real proud of you. You make a bunch of innocent kids sick and then you turn it around to make yourself look good.

JACK: Look Steve, you know that I never did anything like that.

STEVE: Shut up and just listen to me. My wife and Mrs. Horton put a lot on the line for this thing and you just throw it away and think you can take the credit like that. Now we both know what really happened but you're the one who's going to have to live with it.

JACK: Look, nobody was hurt. Sure they got some rashes but that is it. The important thing is that it's been taken care of. It's been controlled. Now you tell me, is it more important to you that you see me raked over the coals? (Beat) Why don't you think on that for a little while, Bro?

 

JACK LEAVES THE OFFICE.

SCENE THREE: CAROLINE BRADY HAS A HEART ATTACK WHILE HELPING DIANA CHOOSE A WEDDING GOWN.