Episode Fifty-five:
Jack, Steve, and Jo Try to
Have a Family Dinner Together.
SCENE: KAYLA AND MIKE ARE HAVING A CUP OF COFFEE AT THE CAFE. JACK SEES THEM AND CALLS STEVE, HOPING TO CAUSE TROUBLE BETWEEN PATCH AND KAYLA.
STEVE: Patch's Pasta Kitchen.
JACK: Hi....Hi it's me. It's Jack. Look I really need to see you. Um...look....I'm down at the café. Could you meet me here right away?
STEVE: Oh no man I'm busy.
JACK: Steve, please. I'm really trying here. I'm....er....I really need to see you. Could you meet me right away?
STEVE: Alright.
JACK: So you'll be here soon?
STEVE: Yeah, soon.
JACK HANGS UP THE PHONE.
JACK: Not soon enough.
SCENE TWO: A SHORT TIME LATER STEVE COMES DOWN THE STEPS OF THE CAFÉ. HE STOPS AND SAYS HELLO TO STEVE AND KAYLA AND TELLS THEM THAT HE IS HERE TO SEE JACK.
JACK: Hey, pull up a chair.
STEVE: What did I rush over here for Jackson? (Beat) Come on, what did you want to talk about?
JACK: I want to talk about Jo. Look I care about her welfare whether you believe it or not.
STEVE: Okay so you woke up this morning and you decided it was a good thing after all that you found your mother.
JACK: No, no. We're not discussing my timing. The fact remains that she's living in a dump and I'm the only one who's concerned about getting her a new place.
STEVE: Old news. She doesn't want to move. She doesn't want your charity. Now you got that. Now you got something else on your mind?
JACK: Well you're certainly not making this easy now are you?
JACK LOOKS ACROSS AT MIKE AND KAYLA.
JACK: Er....Mike and your wife must be very good friends, eh?
STEVE: Yeah, they are. So?
JACK: So.....I don't know. To each his own.
STEVE: Look, if you've got something to say. Say it.
JACK JUST SMILES AND STEVE GETS UP TO LEAVE.
JACK: No Steve. I do....I do have something to say. (Beat) Ah....er....I....er....you were saying they were....they were close....they used to be close. They used to be very good friends once.
STEVE: Once yeah. Once. Once upon a time. (Beat) You better quit while you're behind baby brother.
JACK: I don't know what you're talking about. I....I tried....I'm going to go.
STEVE: Oh no you stay right here. I'm on to you. (Beat) You just don't give up do you? I tell you to stop messing around in our lives. I tell you to leave us alone but you can't do that can you?
JACK: Look I made an observation about Kayla and that's....
STEVE: Will you shut up about Kayla. I'm sick of hearing it.
JACK: I don't have to stand around here and listen to....
STEVE: You do. You have to stand here until I'm finished with you now.
JACK: What do you mean? I'm finished with you.
STEVE: No, no. See that's the problem. You're not finished. That's why you dragged me down here today. That's why you do half the crap that you do.
JACK: You're right. My mistake. I'm sorry. I'll see you around Johnson.
STEVE: Yeah, Johnson.
JACK LOOKS BACK AT STEVE.
SCENE ONE: DIANA IS IN HER OFFICE WHEN SHE HEARS JACK ARRIVE.
JACK: No, don't worry I just want to talk to her. Just let me in. Just
stop it, stop it. Thank you.....(He bursts in her office.)
DIANA: Jack whatever you do, don't bother knocking.
JACK: Well we're being rather formal aren't we? We're not keeping any little secrets are we?
DIANA: No but a little civility wouldn't hurt would it?
JACK: Alright, let's cut right to the chase. I just got a phone call from a friend. A very high ranking friend in the Department of Defense.
DIANA: So? What's that got to do with me?
JACK: Apparently it has a lot to do with you. He said you've been doing everything in your power to get a hold of some very classified information. Now why would you want to do that? (Beat) Well?
DIANA: Well what?
JACK: Why are you collecting information....classified information....from the Department of Defense?
DIANA: I'm working on a story.
JACK: Oh really! What's the story about?
DIANA: Um, I can't discuss it yet.
JACK: Hmmm. Okay I'll bite. Why not?
DIANA: I don't have enough facts.
JACK: Well maybe I could help you.
DIANA: Journalism isn't a team sport Jack. It's every man for himself until the paper hits the newstand.
JACK: And what is that supposed to mean?
DIANA: It means that I am not discussing it with you.
JACK: Has it ever occurred to you that I have sources. I have my own connections at DOD. If you're on to something I can help you with your sources.
DIANA: Well thank you and I appreciate the offer but I don't think I'm going to need your help. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of work to do.
JACK: Diana, don't make me do something I don't want to do. (Beat) Throw my weight around.
DIANA: Jack you may have controlling interest in this newspaper but you don't have controlling interest in me. Now I can investigate any story I please and that's exactly what I intend to do.
JACK CLAPS LIKE A SEAL AND MAKES SEAL NOISES.
JACK: Bravo, bravissimo. Except when you raise your voice it just doesn't get to me. You see you have to remember that I'm a politician raised by politicians and I know when something is smells fishy.
DIANA: Alright. Now what can I do to convince you that I'm not hiding anything from you?
JACK: Show me what you got? (Beat) You can't do that can you? That's alright, one of these days you'll realize you can't hide things from me because I always find out. And I'll find out about this too.
SCENE TWO: MEANWHILE ANJELICA HAS GIVEN BIRTH TO A BABY BOY, ALEXANDER.
SCENE THREE: JO ASKS STEVE AND KAYLA ABOUT ORGANIZING A DINNER FOR JACK. SHE THINKS THAT NOW ANJELICA HAS HER OWN BABY, THAT JACK IS FEELING ALONE. AFTER MUCH CONVINCING THEY AGREE TO COME TO HER DINNER.
SCENE FOUR: JACK FINDS ROMAN IN DIANA'S OFFICE.
JACK: Roman. Look I'm glad I ran into you. There's something I wanted to talk to you about in private. If that's okay?
ROMAN: Oh.
JACK: It's about Diana.
ROMAN: Well no offense here Jack but I really don't want to talk about Diana with you.
JACK: Oh but I'm concerned about her. I was wondering if she was acting as strange at home as she is here.
ROMAN: Quiet down Jack. I said I don't want to talk about Diana.
JACK: She's involved in this mysterious story that's involving government documents of all things. I tried to talk to her about it and she bit my head off.
ROMAN: Is that a fact?
JACK: That's right. I thought that now with the wedding coming up she'd be all wrapped up in that she wouldn't jump into a major project like this. I even thought she was going to take time off until after the honeymoon. I wanted to suggest it but you know how she is.
ROMAN: This may come as a shock to you but you see I don't make a habit of talking behind people's backs, especially ones I plan to marry.
JACK: Well that's right, you're her fiancé. That's why I thought you'd be interested. If I were you I be concerned.
ROMAN: But you're not, are you Jack.
JACK: You're right, I'm not. Well I just thought I'd help out. Have a good day.
JACKS WALKS OUT QUITE SATISFIED THAT HE'D LEFT ROMAN SUSPICIOUS.
SCENE FIVE: A SHORT TIME LATER JACK ARRIVES AT JO'S APARTMENT.
JO: Thanks for coming by.
JACK: I can only stay for a minute.
JO: I appreciate your taking the time. Let me take your coat.
JACK: Oh let me keep it on if you don't mind.
JO: Oh sure. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate you wanting to help me get a new apartment.
JACK: Oh you mean you've reconsidered. That's what this is all about.
JO: No. Not exactly but I have a counter offer. I'd like you to have dinner with me tonight.
JACK: Wh....you mean here?
JO: Yes. I'll cook....I know it's not what you're used to but it'll be good and it'll give us a chance to have a nice conversation.
JACK: Mrs. Johnson, look I'm sorry but I've got a lot of things I've really mean to.....
JO: Oh you know. I forgot, I forgot to tell you. Steve and Kayla will be here.
JACK: They will?
JO: Yes. You'll come, please?
JACK: Well, sure, of course. Count me in.
JO: Oh that's terrific because I've got a brand new recipe that I'm going to try out. Oh where's my cookbook?
SCENE SIX: LATER THAT EVENING, JACK SNEAKS INTO DIANA'S OFFICE AND SEARCHES HER DESK.
JACK: What have you got here?
THE PHONE RINGS AND JACK ANSWERS IT.
JACK: Hello Spectator. We're watching you!
KAYLA: Jack?
JACK: Yes, this is Jack. Who's this?
KAYLA: This is Kayla. Why are you answering Diana's line?
JACK: Well Kayla, I own this place. When nobody else is here, I answer the phones too.
KAYLA: Well do you know where she is?
JACK: Well, um, actually I'm not sure. Can I take a message?
KAYLA: Yes, I suppose. You can just tell her I called to tell her how my mother's doing and that she's alright.
JACK: She already got that message. Roman was here earlier and as a matter of fact they are probably down at the hospital right now, seeing your mom. Um....Kayla....I'm really glad that your mom's feeling better.
KAYLA: Thank you.
JACK: When we get together tonight we can talk more about it.....
KAYLA: I'm not going to be there Jack.
JACK: I thought that we were going to get together and have dinner tonight.
KAYLA: I have to work. I have to go. I'll talk to you later.
JACK: Kayla, wait a minute. Kayla I thought that we.....
KAYLA HANGS UP IN HIS EAR.
JACK: Oh shoot....
HE PICKS UP THE PHONE AGAIN AND DIALS JO'S NUMBER.
JO: Hello.
JACK: Ah....Mrs. Johnson. This is Jack.
JO: Hi Jack.
JACK: Look something came up. I've got to work tonight and....er....I'm not going to be able to make it. I'm going to cancel out. I'm sorry to inconvenience you like this.
JO: Oh Jack. I planned....
JACK: Look I'm sorry but I have to go right now. Bye.
JO: Bye....
STEVE: What happened?
JO: He had to cancel. Business I guess. (Beat) Well hey, it looks like it's going to be you and me tonight, eh?
STEVE: No it won't.
JO: Where are you going?
STEVE: Set three places on the table.
JO: Wait a minute, wait a minute. Steve?
STEVE: Listen to me. Jack is coming to dinner tonight. You can count on that.
STEVE STORMS OUT.
SCENE SEVEN: JACK IS IN HIS OFFICE WHEN STEVE BURSTS IN.
STEVE: Why'd you do it huh? Why did you cop out on dinner with Jo?
JACK: Something came up Steve.
STEVE: What came up? WHAT?
JACK: Look it's none of your business Steve when.....
STEVE: It's my business when you treat my mother like that. Now I'm sick and tired of watching you play her like a yo-yo. One minute you give her hope and make her think everything is going to be alright between you two and the next minute you just drop her flat. Now I'm getting....
JACK: I gotta go, I gotta go.
STEVE GRABS JACK.STEVE: No don't tell me you gotta go. I'm talking to you. And you listen to me. I want to know how you do it man? I want to know how you think you can play people like that? You pretend that you're their best friend when you want something out of them but when you're finished you just leave them out in the cold. Now why is that eh? Why do you have to be like that? Did you ever take a good look at yourself? You ever think that maybe that's why you don't have any friends and family, eh?
JACK: I gotta go.
STEVE: No you're not goin' anywhere. You listen to me. What is it Jack? Is it all the fancy schools or all the money you have, the expensive clothes, the limos, your father, eh? I feel bad for you about it, about your stepfather. I really do. But that give you the right to treat Jo the way you do. Now I don't give a damn what you do with the rest of your life but you're going to keep your promise tonight. You're going to go have dinner with your mother.
JACK: WHY? YOU TELL ME, WHY, IF I'M SUCH A HORRIBLE AWFUL PERSON, WHY DO YOU WANT ME TO BE THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE, EH?STEVE: BECAUSE I'M YOUR BROTHER!
JACK: Huh?
STEVE: Jo...is your mother. She's the only person who still gives a damn about you. She's the only who's holding on man. And you're going to stand there and tell me that you're going to give up the only love you've got?
JACK: Oooh! I'll go. Please let's not make a big deal out of this, alright. It truly doesn't make a difference to me one way or the other.
SCENE SEVEN: JACK AND STEVE ARE SITTING AT JO'S SMALL TABLE AS SHE CLEARS UP THE PLATES.
STEVE: Oooh, mama, that was tasty. Kayla doesn't know what she missed.
JO: Well thank you son. Did you like it Jack?
JACK: Huh?
JO: I remember when I use to work....I remember that one of your favorite recipes was standing rib roast so just took a chance.
JACK: Well it's fine, it's really fine, fine.
JO: Thank you for taking the time to come over. I realize how busy you are.
JACK: Ah, it really....it was nothing. Ah, I'm glad it was able to work out. The meeting wasn't a....wasn't a big business meeting after all.(Beat) May I....may I get up now?
JO: Absolutely. As a matter of fact, come over here. We'll have coffee in the sitting room.
JACK: Oh way over here eh?
JO: Yes.
JACK: Look, I tell you, I wish you'd reconsider about this place. It's a lot tinier than I even remembered.
JO: I guess I'm kinda used to it.
JACK: Well, to each his own.
JO: Sit down, sit down. Sit please.
STEVE: I'm sittin'.
JO: I know that this place isn't what you're used to and I'm sure that that apartment you were going to put me in was much bigger but this is home. It's home and home is where your family is and where love is. Don't you agree?
JACK: Well....sure if you want this to be your home then that's fine. It's just fine.
JO: That's exactly....I want you to consider this your home too because....oh I don't mean to live....but I mean to come by and visit. (Beat) Steven, Adrienne and me, we're your family. We care about you.
STEVE: Let me get that coffee alright?
JO: No, don't you dare. Don't you move a muscle. I'll do it.
STEVE: No you don't have to do it. You've done enough. You cooked that dinner there so just relax.
JO: You just sit right there, it's my job.
STEVE: What do you mean your job? You got no job here. This is your home. Look at you, you're all dressed up. You don't look like a cook. What's the matter with you? Don't she look great Jackson? Huh? And look at that pin? Isn't that pretty? Where'd you get that? I've never seen that before.
JO: Well....this is the first time I've had a chance to wear it actually.
STEVE: Hmmm. Where'd you get it?
JO: I'm not quite sure. I went to the children's party at Christmas at the hospital and Santa Claus gave it to me. It's very special.
JACK: (Uncomfortable about Jo's answer.) Ah....excuse me. I have to get back to the paper. I have a lot of work to do tonight, if you'll excuse me? I've really got to go.
JO: I'll walk you out.
JACK: I've really got to go.
JO: Jack, Jack....Jack wait a minute. I want to thank you. I want to thank you for coming by.JACK: Yeah.
JO KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK AND CLOSES THE DOOR.
JACK: Oh goodnight mama.
[Transcribed by Carol Vaughan.]
