SCENE ONE: JENNIFER VISITS SALLY AND HER NEW BABY HANNAH IN HOSPITAL. WHILE JENNIFER IS VISITING, JACK APPEARS AT THE DOOR AND BECKONS JENNIFER TO COME OUTSIDE.

 

JENNIFER: What do you want Jack?

 

HE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HER AS THEY WALK AWAY.

JACK: You and I have got to talk.

 

THEY GO TO THE DOCTOR'S LOUNGE.

 

JENNIFER: Jack when are you going to tell me what's going on?

JACK: When we're alone.

 

JACK SEES A NURSE POURING COFFEE.

 

JACK: Excuse me, were you just leaving?

NURSE: I was just about to.

JACK: Could you speed it up? We need a little privacy. Thank you.

NURSE: This is the staff lounge.

JACK: Yeah. Ah....don't forget the door.

 

THE NURSE LEAVES.

 

JENNIFER: I don't believe you Jack.

JACK: I did it for you. Look I've got some bad news.

JENNIFER: Don't tell me. I'm fired?

JACK: No. This is about Sally.

JENNIFER: What about Sally?

JACK: Well I just talked to the warden at Reinhart. She can't keep that baby.

JENNIFER: They can't do that Jack. This baby means everything to her.

JACK: They didn't care about that. The minute that Sally goes into jail, it's bye bye baby.

JENNIFER: Don't tell me what I can't do Jack.

JACK: You've got to be crazy if you think you're going to help her.

JENNIFER: I'm not going to let them take this baby. It would kill her.

JACK: Well, as far as the state's concerned that's one less felon in the world.

JENNIFER: Oh that's a really nice thing to say.

JACK: What am I supposed to do? Wring my hands and say a few sympathetic words. That will not stop the inevitable.

JENNIFER: The only reason you're saying this is because you don't really care.

JACK: Did I ever say I was Mother Teresa? Look I'm not into picking up strays. If you are then you have to be prepared to right off a few lost causes.

JENNIFER: I have no intention of writing Sally and her baby off.

JACK: You have no choice. Think about it this way. Prison is no place for a baby.

JENNIFER: Prison is no place for Sally. She doesn't belong there. She needs her baby and that baby needs her.

JACK: And the state needs three years from Sally and they're not going to stop until they get it.

JENNIFER: They are not going to take this baby. I won't let them.

JACK: There is no way you can stop them.

JENNIFER: Oh yeah Jack. Watch me!

SCENE TWO: A SHORT TIME LATER JENNIFER IS ON THE PHONE IN THE HOSPITAL WHEN JACK WALKS UP.

 

JENNIFER: Look if you'd just listen to me, I'm sure I could convince...(Beat) Yes I understand. Thank you.

 

SHE HANGS UP.

 

JACK: Talking to the warden huh?

JENNIFER: Yes.

JACK: She blew you off?

JENNIFER: More or less.

JACK: I could've told you it would be a waste of time.

JENNIFER: Well it's my time so I can do whatever I want with it, right?

JACK: I think you're forgetting who you're talking to.

JENNIFER: Look Jack I put in a whole day's work at the paper yesterday.

JACK: Huh, uh. Where were you today?

JENNIFER: This is work, Jack.

JACK: There's no story here.

JENNIFER: I want to write another article about Sally.

JACK: Forget it!

JENNIFER: Alright, we'll make it an editorial. When people find out that they want to take her baby, they'll be up in arms.

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JACK: Then yawn and they'll turn to Sports.

JENNIFER: Everbody's not like that. They're all not like....

JACK: I think you forgot who I am again.

JENNIFER: I want to write this editorial.

JACK: No!

JENNIFER: Jack, if I do a good job we could pressure the warden to let Sally keep Hannah.

JACK: I run the newspaper, not the welfare service.

JENNIFER: I understand. I know that.

JACK: Well you don't show it. You're never going to last long in this business if you keep getting emotionally wrapped up in every sob story that comes along.

JENNIFER: This is not just a story. This is a person.

JACK: And you're not just a social worker, you are a reporter.

JENNIFER: Then let me do my job.

JACK: A reporter has to be objective about every story the reporter writes. You can't get wrapped up in every little thing. Today it's Sally, tomorrow it's some other person with some sad little story. And in the end it all ends up on the bottom of some bird cage.

JENNIFER: That's really what you think isn't it?

JACK: Well, feel free to quote me.

JENNIFER: Please let me write this editorial.

JACK: At the risk of repeating myself, no.

JENNIFER: Why not?

JACK: Well, in the first case, I'm not going to give an opinion piece to a cub reporter.

JENNIFER: I'll do a good job.

JACK: That's beside the point. And you also realize that your first piece got no response at all. Oh yeah sure you got a couple of nice little phone calls and two donations to the cause. One from Calliope.

JENNIFER: What's wrong with that?

JACK: Oh come on. That woman weeps over every sad story, every little letter that comes in. It's barely a barometer for public opinion and sympathy.

JENNIFER: I won't let you take this story from me Jack. (Beat) I'm going to write this editorial and I'm going to prove to you that you don't have to be cold hearted and selfish to be a good reporter.

JACK: Not on my time.

JENNIFER: If it's on my time, will you print it?

JACK: Hmm....probably not.

JENNIFER: Oh yes you will cause I'm going to make it so damn good, you don't have any choice.

 

JENNIFER STORMS OUT.

 

JACK: Go for it.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS READING THE HEADLINE OF THE SALEM INTRUDER WHICH READS: MIA RETURNS TO CLAIM BRIDE. HE IS ON THE PHONE WHEN JENNIFER WALKS IN.

 

JACK: Like it? Oh yes I love it. Oh yes, oh exactly what I wanted. Yes. Huh, uh, right, yeah. Ah look I will talk to you later about this. Thank you very much, goodbye.

 

JACK HIDES THE PAPER.

 

JENNIFER: I'm sorry to interrupt you Jack.

JACK: What can I do for you?

JENNIFER: I want you to look at this. But I want you to have an open mind.

JACK: We already discussed this.

JENNIFER: I know but I was up all night working on it.

JACK: Editorials are not your job. I explained that to you.

JENNIFER: You did but I thought if I could write something powerful enough, they would let Sally keep her baby. But you have to approve it. Can't you reconsider?

 

JACK IS READING THE ARTICLE.

 

JENNIFER: What do you think?

JACK: I think you shouldn't be writing editorials.

JENNIFER: I know Jack but I have to do something to help Sally keep her baby. I thought if it was good enough you'd let it go to press.

JACK: It is definitely good enough. It is more than good enough. One of these days you're going to be a very good writer.

JENNIFER: Then you'll print it. I mean if the paper comes out in support of Sally the authorities might let her keep it.

JACK: No. Stop. We are not running it.

JENNIFER: Well why not. You just said it was good Jack.

JACK: It's good but it's not in the keeping of the editorial policy of this paper.

JENNIFER: I thought the editorial page was supposed to be forum.

JACK: A forum for the ideas, the philosophies if you will, of the publisher. At this time it is not our feeling or position that women in prison should keep their infant children.

JENNIFER: Alright then I guess I have to figure out a way to tell her because she wants to go to prison with the baby when she leaves hospital.

JACK: Look, I have people to answer too. Subscribers, advertisers. I cannot just reverse a policy decision.

JENNIFER: Alright. You're right.

JACK: Wa....wait, wait. (Beat) Um....look, now there actually was one of our readers who was very moved by this predicament that Sally's in. And this reader made a donation of $250. So I want you to go down to payroll and get that money and buy some blankets and....I....you know, whatever newborn babies need.

JENNIFER: Well this one needs a good lawyer.

JACK: Right well just go down to payroll and tell them that I authorized it, okay. And get Sally whatever her baby wants.

JENNIFER: Yeah, I'll do that.

 

JENNIFER LEAVES THE OFFICE AND JACK PICKS UP THE PHONE.

 

JACK: Payroll. This is Mr. Deveraux. Yes I would like to make a cash disbursement.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER IS VISITING SALLY IN HOSPITAL.

 

SALLY: Oh look at all this adorable stuff. Jennifer I can't believe everything you're doing for me.

JENNIFER: Oh come on. All I did was go to the store and pick it out. Jack said a reader sent in a donation.

SALLY: And you don't believe that.

JENNIFER: No. I think Jack made the donation.

SALLY: Oh It's a really nice thing for him to do. These outfits are really going to look beautiful on Hannah. You know having her with me is going to make the next three years go by pretty fast.

JENNIFER: Sally, there's something I have to tell you....

SALLY: You know one of the nurses told me she saw one of those talk shows about mothers having their babies with them in prison.

JENNIFER: Hmmm uh.

SALLY: You'll be just fine baby doll. Just fine.

JENNIFER: Well that's....I wanted to talk to you about that. There's something....

SALLY: What? (Beat) Oh just look. My sweet baby. (Beat) I'm sorry, you were going to say something.

JENNIFER: Oh never mind, it can wait.

SCENE ONE: MEANWHILE JACK IS SITTING IN DIANA'S OFFICE WITH HIS FEET ON THE DESK.

 

JACK: I am going to redecorate this place first thing. Big windows, skylights, the works. Power red! Diana I've just got to thank you so much for running away. It was touch and go for a minute but I am sure when you come back, all embarrassed and blue, I will be able to talk you into letting me take over....

 

ROMAN BARGES IN THE OFFICE HOLDING A COPY OF THE SALEM INTRUDER.

 

ROMAN: You planned this didn't you?

JACK: Roman, Roman. No I didn't. What are you talking about?

 

ROMAN GRABS JACK AND PUSHES HIM UP AGAINST THE WALL.

 

ROMAN: Don't you give me that man. I'm going to jam this rag right down your throat.

JACK: No I promise you. I didn't do anything. I wouldn't wipe my....my feet on The Intruder.

ROMAN: Well you tell me something Jack. Where did they get this information eh? Where did they get this photo, eh?

JACK: I don't know. All I know is that I didn't do it.

ROMAN: Damn it with you Deveraux. I don't believe a thing that comes out of your mouth. You know why? Cause you set this up.

JACK: I'm telling you. I feel as bad about what happened to Diana as you do.

ROMAN: How do you feel about this?

 

ROMAN PUNCHES JACK.

 

ROMAN: Now you listen to me. You so much as hurt Diana, you so much as make her a little bit uncomfortable, you and me are really going to dance Jack. You got that? You got that man?

JACK: Yes, yes. I got it.

ROMAN: I mean it. You stay out of our lives man.

 

ROMAN LEAVES.

 

JACK: Okay. Okay Roman. You'll have to pay for doing that now. You'll have to pay. You owe me.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER IS STILL WITH SALLY WHEN JACK ARRIVES TO TALK TO HER.

 

GUARD: Where do you think you're going?

JACK: Oh I'm a member of the family. I'm just visiting.

GUARD: No you're going to have to be cleared.

 

JENNIFER HEARS JACK AT THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Well I'm on the board. I clear myself.

GUARD: Can I see ID?

JENNIFER: Sally I'll be right back. Just rest okay?

JACK: You really want my ID don't you? You know who I am? I'm Ja.....

JENNIFER: Jack what are you doing here?

GUARD: That's what I'd like to know. I told him he had to be cleared before he could go in.

JACK: I was here for a board meeting. And I was! And I thought it wouldn't hurt me to go by and check out....well how is the baby and the mother?

JENNIFER: Sally's ecstatic and the baby's doing great. What happened to your face Jack?

JACK: Oh this. Oh nothing. You should have seen the other guy. No, no. Don't change the subject on me. I'm serious. What happened? You didn't tell her did you?

JENNIFER: Jack I tried. How do you tell a brand new mother that her baby is going to be ripped out of her arms when this baby is the world to her? It's so unfair.

JACK: Look life is unfair. But rules are rules.

JENNIFER: It's that simple to you isn't it?

JACK: It's not....it's not that it's simple. I mean I'm sorry but I wish there was something I could do to help.

JENNIFER: Do you? If you really want to help Jack, forget about buying the baby new baby clothes and use your money and influence to help keep Sally and Hannah together. That's the only thing you can do to help.

 

SCENE ONE: A FEW DAYS LATER JENNIFER IS WAITING OUTSIDE SALLY'S ROOM WHEN JACK ARRIVES.

 

JACK: Well I guess this is the place to be huh? (Beat) Sorry.....I'm sorry. How is she?

JENNIFER: I don't know. I haven't gone in yet.

JACK: Why not?

JENNIFER: You know. I mean I want to be the one to tell her this. That she can't keep this baby but I don't know how.

JACK: It's easy. You just tell her.

JENNIFER: It's not that easy Jack.

JACK: Okay, you don't tell. So which is worse? Being surprised or knowing about it before it happens.

JENNIFER: They're both bad.

JACK: Welcome to the world, Jennifer.

JENNIFER: She put everything on the line for her baby. It's the only hope that she has left and I don't want to be the one to tell her this but she has to know. It's not right.

JACK: Ah....look did I tell you about your story about Kimberly's radio show? It's going to be in the Sunday paper. Cover story.

JENNIFER: Thanks. That's great.

JACK: We all liked it. We all thought it was very good. (Beat) Well don't get all cheerful on me. I mean this is only your career we're talking about here.

JENNIFER: I'm sorry. I am.

JACK: Well don't be sorry either. Look, actually I need to make some cuts in it but I'd like your input if you've got the time. Maybe we could take a walk and talk about it and you can....er....well you could think of something to say to you know who.

JENNIFER: Maybe I will. I mean I'm not doing any good standing around here.

JACK: Alright, walk this way.

SCENE TWO: JACK AND JENNIFER RETURN.

JENNIFER: Jack you didn't have to walk me all the way back.

JACK: Oh that's alright. I'm not such a bad guy on Wednesdays. It's my day off. But that's a secret. Don't spread that around the newsroom.

JENNIFER: I guess if I'm going to do this....

JACK: Well, when....you know I wish I had some words of wisdom for you. But Jennifer, I'm all out.

JENNIFER: Thanks Jack.

JACK: Wait a minute, wait a minute, I got something. Wait right here. This always works. I want you to take a deep breath.

JENNIFER: Oh Jack.

JACK: No, no. It really works, okay. Ready? Huuuuuuuu aaaaaaaaaaah, huuuuuuuuuu, aaaaaaaaah. Huh? (Beat) Hmmm, strike two for me eh?

JENNIFER: Here goes.

JACK: Jennifer....ah....good luck.

 

JENNIFER GIVES HIM A MYSTIFIED LOOK AS SHE GOES INTO SALLY'S ROOM.

SCENE THREE: SALLY IS HOLDING THE BABY WHEN JENNIFER GOES IN AND SHE GIVES HER TO JENNIFER FOR A MINUTE. JENNIFER HANDS BACK THE BABY AND THEN TELLS SALLY THAT SOCIAL SERVICES ARE GOING TO TAKE THE BABY AWAY. JACK WATCHES THROUGH THE DOOR. SALLY STARTS TO CRY AND HOLD THE BABY TIGHT. JENNIFER VOWS TO BE THERE FOR SALLY AND THAT SHE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO KEEP THEM TOGETHER. JENNIFER LEAVES.

 

SCENE ONE: THE NEXT DAY JENNIFER IS WITH SALLY AS THEY WAIT FOR THE AUTHORITIES TO TAKE THE BABY. JENNIFER GETS TEARS IN HER EYES AS SALLY SAYS GOODBYE TO THE BABY.

 

GUARD: Sally it's time.

SALLY: No not yet.

JENNIFER: Wait a minute. I'll be right back. (To guard) Can't you give her a minute please. At least until the people come to take her away. Please. Please just have a heart. Can't you stall them until then?

 

JACK WATCHES JENNIFER'S EFFORTS WITH SADNESS.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER GETS SALLY THE EXTRA TIME. SALLY IS UPSET BECAUSE SHE WILL MISS HER FIRST STEPS AND FIRST WORDS. SHE ASKS JENNIFER TO WATCH OUT FOR HANNAH AND WRITE HER ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

 

MRS. SIMMS: I'm Mrs. Simms from the Social Services Department. Is the baby ready to go?

SALLY: Her name is Hannah.

MRS. SIMMS: May I please have her?

 

JACK WATCHES FROM THE DOORWAY.

 

SALLY: Okay. When I put her in your arms can you just get her out of here real fast okay?

MRS. SIMMS: Alright.

JENNIFER: Wait a second, wait a second.

 

JENNIFER PICKS UP A SMALL BLUE BUNNY AND GIVES IT TO SALLY.

 

JENNIFER: Here take this.

SALLY: Bye Hannah. Careful with her head.

 

JENNIFER AND JACK STARE AT EACH OTHER AS SALLY HANDS OVER THE BABY AND THEN IS HANDCUFFED AND TAKEN AWAY.

 

JENNIFER: Are you happy now Jack?

JACK: Don't be ridiculous.

JENNIFER: Oh come on. Isn't that what The Spectator stands for?

JACK: The Spectator stands for impartial reporting on the system. Such as....

JENNIFER: Separating a mother and her child. That's some system Jack.

JACK: Look, this is a very bad situation and I feel very sorry for the girl but I'm not here to argue with you.

JENNIFER: What are you here for?

JACK: I....I am reporting....on the shoot up that took place in the operating room yesterday. I just happened to be walking by and I saw....Sally.

JENNIFER: Jack did you get a good look? Did you see her face when she had to put her baby in the arms of a stranger?

JACK: Look, I said I am sorry. But a law is a law. And I still say that a state pen is no place for a newborn baby.

JENNIFER: God, Jack how could you be so naive?

JACK: Well that's refreshing. Nobody's accused me of that in a long time.

JENNIFER: Do you have any idea what happens to babies in state run institutions? Do you have any idea what they're like? They're over crowded and understaffed....

JACK: I guess you'll have to work a little bit harder to find the baby a new home then.

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JENNIFER: She still won't won't be where she needs to be most. With her mother. Can you imagine what Sally must be going through? I mean I can't think of anything worse than a mother being separated from her child.

 

JO IS WALKING BY AND HEARS THIS.

 

JENNIFER: Just imagine what your mother must have gone through when she lost you?

JACK: Now wait a minute. That is not the same thing. My mother did not feel the same way as Sally did. She didn't have to give me up. She did that voluntarily.

JENNIFER: I still think it's wrong for mothers to be separated from their children.

JACK: Yes. Well maybe it's wrong but that's life and life goes on. Anyway it didn't make a damn bit of difference for me.

JENNIFER: I don't believe you.

JACK: Well I guess that's your problem isn't it?

 

JACK WALKS AWAY AND JO IS VERY HURT.

SCENE THREE: LATER JACK IS IN HIS OFFICE TYPING ON HIS COMPUTER. HE CANNOT CONCENTRATE AND THINKS BACK OVER THE SCENE OF SALLY GIVING UP HANNAH. JO KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.

 

JO: Jack. You busy?

JACK: Mrs. Johnson, what are you doing here?

JO: I was worried about you.

JACK: Worried about me? What for? I'm perfectly alright.

JO: I heard you and Jennifer Horton arguing at the hospital. What's going on?

JACK: Well, not that it's any concern of yours but we were having a professional disagreement.

JO: That's not what it sounded like to me.

JACK: Well, you really don't need to concern yourself about that. Just a little discussion between a publisher and an over eager cub reporter. That's all. No, that's no....

JO: I heard you talking about that young girl Sally having to give up her baby.

JACK: Yes. (Beat) But I'm sure the baby is going to be going to the best place possible and....ah....

JO: Jack, please don't be blinded by the truth because of what I did so many years ago.

JACK: You know I really don't dwell on that part of my life nearly as much as you think I do Mrs. Johnson.

JO: Well then I failed you. (Beat) I think I would be failing you now if I didn't tell you what it was really like when I had to give you up.

JACK: If you insist.

JO: I do. I do insist. Jack....Jack. (She snatches a piece of paper from his hand.) This is something you have got to hear. Giving you and your brother up was the hardest thing I ever had to do.

JACK: But you did it.

JO: I know you don't believe me....Could you look at me please?

JACK: I said that I would listen to you. I should think that that would be enough.

JO: It'll have to do, I guess. You see....you see back then I didn't know anything about shelters for battered women. I had no skills and I had very little education, I'm ashamed to admit. You see if I had taken you kids and left, I had no way of making a living. And Duke said....said that if I did leave....if I took you.....that he would find us, that he would hunt us down and he would kill us all. And I believed him. So I stayed. I stayed. But things got worse. The beatings got worse. I just couldn't let my kids grow up in a life like that. Son I did what I thought was best.

JACK: Well I guess at the time it seemed like the best thing but it didn't work out to be the best thing in the end....did it?

 

JACK LOOKS AWAY. AFFECTED BY WHAT SHE IS SAYING.

 

JO: No, not for me it didn't. Putting you in that place gave me more pain than I've ever had in my life son. Look I did it....I did it because I loved you. I can't take back the past. Oh how I wish I could.

JACK: Would you please get to the point?

JO: The point is....a child should be with it's mother. That's more important than just about anything.

 

JACK IS SILENT AND IN PAIN AS JO WALKS TO THE DOOR.

 

JO: I said what I came to say. Please think about it.

SCENE FOUR: LATER JACK IS STILL IN HIS OFFICE LOOKING AT THE PICTURE JO GAVE HIM OF HIM SITTING ON HER KNEE. JENNIFER BURSTS IN.

 

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: (Hiding the picture.) You know, usually people wait for a come in before they come in to their boss's office.

JENNIFER: I need to talk to you about something.

JACK: Please go ahead. Bark away.

JENNIFER: I've decided to look for another job.

JACK: What?

JENNIFER: I'm quitting.

JACK: (Looking upset) What do you mean....wha....what is the problem now?

JENNIFER: The problem is you and your whole philosophy Jack. It's a philosophy that I can't live with and one that I certainly don't want to be a part of.

JACK: Well aren't we getting lofty talking about philosophy and all that sort of thing.

JENNIFER: Jack if you can be so cold and hardened to what a helpless, homeless girl like Sally is going through then I don't want to work for you. I don't even want to be in the same room as you Jack.

 

JENNIFER WALKS OUT. JACK SIGHS THEN PICKS UP THE PHONE.

 

JACK: Vern....yeah....Jack. Look have we gone to press yet? I have some pages for you. (Beat) Well I don't care if it's folding and on it's way out. I want you to pull the editorial page. I've got something very special for you....yeah.

 

JACK STARTS BUSILY TYPING.