Episode Sixty-one: The Baby
Hannah Story Part III: Jack Writes
a Compassionate Editorial about
Sally and Baby Hannah to Get
Jennifer to Stay at The Spectator.

---

[Air date April 1989]

 

SCENE ONE: LATER THAT DAY, JENNIFER IS ON THE PHONE AT SHENANIGAN'S. JACK IS LISTENING.

 

JENNIFER: Yes I'm still here. My name is Jennifer Horton and I'm a journalism student at Salem University and I was wondering if The Chronicle was looking for any reporters.

 

JACK DISCONNECTS THE CALL.

JENNIFER: What do you think you're doing?

JACK: I need to talk to you.

JENNIFER: You have no right....Jack, in case you've forgotten I quit your, paper. We have nothing to say to each another.

JACK: That's fine, that's fine. Don't say a word. Why don't you listen for a change?

JENNIFER: Look Jack, I am tired of you pushing me around, alright. And I'm tired of working for you and I was going to give you two weeks notice but as of now I quit.

 

JENNIFER RUNS AWAY AND JACK CHASES HER.

 

JACK: Jennifer, wait a minute, you can't quit.

JENNIFER: I already have Jack. You can't stop me.

JACK: I already have. Now why don't you listen to me for a change?

JENNIFER: Look Jack you think you can play god with everyone else's life. You think you can push them around and tell them what to do and even try to take their babies away from them. But you cannot get to me.

JACK: You know something. You know why you can't quit? Because you were never really hired in the first place. Not full time so I hope you don't expect any severance pay.

JENNIFER: I don't. Here.

JACK: What is this?

JENNIFER: My press badge. I don't think I'm going to be needing it anymore.

JACK: Well neither am I!

 

JACK THROWS A COPY OF THE SPECTATOR ON THE BAR AND STORMS OFF. JENNIFER TURNS AROUND AND PICKS UP THE PAPER.

 

JENNIFER: What?

 

SHE SEES THE EDITORIAL TITLED: "CRIME AND PUNISHMENT." SHE BEGINS TO READ IT AND JACK IS WATCHING FROM A SHORT DISTANCE AWAY.

 

JENNIFER: (Reading) "Sally Wales was sent to prison today but does the punishment fit the crime? Did Sally Wales robbery attempt justify that she should be robbed of her child?...." (Beat) Jack.

SCENE TWO: JO ALSO HAS A COPY OF THE PAPER AND IS READING THE ARTICLE JACK WROTE.

 

JO: (Reading) "....Sally Wales has been sentenced to three years in prison for her robbery attempt. It will be a life sentence as far as she and her baby are concerned because Sally will be robbed of the most important part of her baby's life. The baby's first smile, her first words, her first steps is all being stolen from her and it will affect her baby for the rest of her life...." (Beat) Maybe somehow I did get through to you Billy.

ANJELICA: Reading Jack's editorial?

JO: Mrs. Curtis, what can I do for you?

ANJELICA: He did a beautiful job.

JO: Yes he did. I had no idea that he was so fond of Sally and her baby.

ANJELICA: Oh I don't think he was writing about Sally. Mind if I sit down?

JO: I suppose not.

ANJELICA: I think that you had a great deal to do with that editorial.

JO: I'd like to think so. I don't know.

ANJELICA: You know I've been Jack's step-mother for a long time now and I've never seen this side of him. It makes me think that there is something to all this bonding that he's writing about.

JO: I wish that were true but when those bonds have been broken, it's hard for a child to forget.

ANJELICA: Well if they can't forget, do you think they can ever forgive?

JO: When you've really hurt a child, it seems impossible to ever go back.

ANJELICA: Even if what you did is for the best?

JO: What's for the best is not to lie to that child. Not to keep secrets from that child. I know. I learned the hard way. I must be going.

SCENE THREE: JACK DECIDES TO VISIT THE PLACE WHERE SALLY'S BABY IS BEING KEPT.

 

MRS. SIMMS: Well did you have any questions about the rest of our facility?

JACK: Ah....you could tell me....what happens to all the babies here?

MRS. SIMMS: Well they remain with Social Services until we place them in either foster care or with an adoptive family.

JACK: Hmmm. I take it the families have been properly screened?

MRS. SIMMS: We do the best we can with the limited resources we have.

JACK: (Cynical laughing) Limited resources!....Which one is Sally Wales' baby?

 

MRS. SIMMS POINTS OUT THE BABY LYING IN A NURSERY WITH A FEW OTHERS. SHE IS PAGED AND LEAVES JACK ALONE WATCHING THE BABY THROUGH THE GLASS.

JO WALKS UP BEHIND HIM.

 

JACK: Hannah. We have a lot in common, you and I. I know what it's like to have your mother give you up.

SCENE FOUR: JO AND JACK BOTH THINK BACK ON THE DAY SHE GAVE HIM UP. HE IS CRYING AND SHE IS ASKING THEM TO MAKE SURE HE GOES TO A GOOD HOME. BILLY IS DISTRESSED AND SCREAMS AS HE IS TAKEN AWAY FROM JO.

 

JO: Goodbye....

JACK: What are you doing here?

JO: Looking for you. I called your office and they said you'd be here.

JACK: Huh, uh. What do you want?

JO: I read your article in the paper. It was wonderful!

JACK: I'm just doing what I'm paid for.

JO: No it was much more than that. You wrote from the heart.

JACK: Well I'm a natural born writer. I should have written my own campaign speeches. Well look really, that's all it is. Really, don't read anymore into it than that.

JO: (To nurse) Oh is that Sally Wales' baby?

NURSE: Yes.

JO: May I?

NURSE: Okay, sure

JO: Oh you pretty thing. You know you're pretty don't you? It must have been so hard for Sally to give up this baby. You understood that.

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JACK: She didn't give it up. They took it away from her. She had no choice.

JO: Look I know you don't believe me but I loved you with all of my heart. I had no choice back then either. You were my son and you have no idea how much it hurt me when they took you out of my arms.

 

JO PUTS THE BABY IN JACK'S ARMS.

JACK: Wait a minute, wait a minute.

JO: This is what life is about Jack. This is what it's all about and someday I hope that you can understand how hard it was for me to give you up for what I did.

JACK: I've kissed a lot of babies in my time but I don't think I'm very good at holding them.

 

HE HANDS THE BABY BACK TO JO WHO GIVES IT TO THE NURSE.

 

JO: It doesn't matter. You will be one day when you become a dad.

JACK: I don't think that's ever going to happen.

JO: Well of course it going to happen. You're going to find the right girl and you're going to be happy just like I always knew you would be.

JACK: Look, thank you for coming. I mean thank you for telling me how you felt about the article.

JO: Oh I hope you write more just like that. (Beat) Well I better get back and check in on little Alexander or Mrs. Curtis is going to have my head.

JACK: On a silver platter.

JO: Yes.

JACK: Er....look I don't want to keep you.

JO: Well....goodbye son.

JACK: Goodbye Ma....Mrs. Johnson.

SCENE FIVE: JACK WALKS INTO SHENANIGAN'S TO TALK TO JENNIFER.

 

JACK: Alright this is getting comical. You say you want to talk to me now.

JENNIFER: I read your editorial about Sally and Hannah.

JACK: Hmmm.

JENNIFER: You did a great job. Much better than I would have done.

JACK: You know what I think. I think your trying to get a recommendation for The Chronicle. You can save your breathe.

JENNIFER: Jack that's not why I'm saying this.

JACK: No it's not?

JENNIFER: Oh forget it. Jack just forget it.

 

SHE GETS UP TO LEAVE BUT HE CHASES HER.

 

JACK: Wait a minute, wait a minute. Let's start again, let's start again. (Beat) Hi Jennifer. Hi. Thank you for the compliment. So tell me, how's the job hunting going?

JENNIFER: It's fine. I made a few calls you know. It's not going to be anything like working at The Spectator.

JACK: That could be good or bad.

ANJELICA: Well if it isn't the future Pulitzer Prize winning writer. Hello Jack, hello Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Hi. I better get going. I have a few more calls I have to make. Goodbye Mrs. Deveraux....Curtis

ANJELICA: Curtis.

JACK: Good luck.

JENNIFER: Thanks.

ANJELICA: Well the whole town is buzzing about the editorial in the paper today.

JACK: Anjelica, as usual you are blowing my accomplishments way out of proportion.

ANJELICA: I am doing no such thing. I can't help it if I have the perfect stepson.

JACK: I think there's a lot of people who would not agree with you.

ANJELICA: I think your mommie dearest might.

JACK: Don't call her that.

ANJELICA: Oh my Jack, are we getting a little touchy?

JACK: No. No. I just...I don't know. I think maybe she might have thought she was doing the right thing when she gave me away. And maybe she thought she was helping me.

ANJELICA: Jack are you telling me that you have forgiven her?

JACK: No. And I don't know but I think Steve has but I don't know if I ever could.

ANJELICA: Let me ask you something. Would it have made any difference if Harper had told you that you were adopted?

JACK: Wait a minute. Why are you bringing this up?

ANJELICA: Because I'm worried about Alexander and I wonder sometimes if I should tell....if I should tell his father about him. What do you think?

JACK: I think you should. I think every parent has a right to know their child, if they want. Alexander is going to want to know his father.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS WORKING IN HIS OFFICE.

 

JACK: "Recycling Makes a Comeback." (Beat) Not on my front page it doesn't. Nor on anybody else's.

 

CAL WALKS IN.

 

JACK: Lieutenant.

CAL: Deveraux. I'm looking for Diana.

JACK: Oh I think she's out collecting returning soda bottles.

CAL: What?

JACK: Ah, private joke. Actually I have no idea where Miss Colville is.

CAL: Any idea when she might be getting back?

JACK: Well I really couldn't tell you but you are free to wait.

CAL: Well thank you but I've got some things I've got to take care of.

JACK: Oh really? Anything I can help you with.

CAL: Well actually there might be. I'm going to be looking for a place to live and I'm not sure where to start.

JACK: Wait a minute. You're planning on living here in town?

CAL: Yes, I'll be released from the VA hospital soon and I plan on staying in Salem.

 

DIANA WALKS IN.

 

DIANA: What? Why are you planning to stay here in Salem?

CAL: I think you know.

DIANA: Ah Jack?

JACK: Huh?

DIANA: Would you leave us alone please?

JACK: Oh yes. Of course. I'm very sorry. Just let me get my things that are right here.

DIANA: There you go.

JACK: Oh than you. Lieutenant, we'll get together. We'll have that drink. Diana are you alright. You seem a little tense.

 

SHE SLAMS THE DOOR.

 

JACK: I'm just trying to help. I really am.

SCENE TWO: DIANA TALKS TO ONE OF CAL'S DOCTOR IN HER OFFICE AT THE SPECTATOR AND JACK SPIES ON THE MEETING.

SCENE THREE: A SHORT TIME LATER JACK MEETS WITH DR. BURKE IN DIANA'S OFFICE AT THE SPECTATOR.

 

JACK: Frank, come on in. The water's fine.

BURKE: Why aren't we meeting in your office?

JACK: Oh I'm having the walls redone.

BURKE: Can't stand the smell of paint eh?

JACK: Who's talking about paint? Mirrors, floor to ceiling.

BURKE: Really!

JACK: No, not really Frank. Sit down. Where's your sense of humor today?

BURKE: Oh I'm just wondering what you want with me here.

JACK: I suppose you thought this would be another meeting leading up to another glowing article on Frank Burke savior of the Salem VA?

BURKE: You implied that on the phone.

JACK: Did I? Well I might be in another wish granting frame of mind today.

BURKE: What do you want Jack?

JACK: Well I heard somewhere that Cal Winters was asking to be released.

BURKE: Yes that's true but both Dr. Shaffer and I feel it's much too soon.

JACK: Hmmm. Two against one. I'm sure there's something we can do about that.

BURKE: What are you saying Jack?

JACK: Well I want you to release him.

BURKE: That's impossible.

JACK: Why?

BURKE: In the first place it wouldn't be ethical for me to release a patient before he's ready. In the second pla.....

JACK: I'd make it worth your while.

BURKE: There's nothing you can do to change my mind about that.

JACK: Oh, Frank. Don't try to look determined. You don't have the chin for it. Now I'll give you one more chance. One more.

BURKE: I'm sorry.

JACK: Going....going....gone.

BURKE: I'm sorry Jack.

JACK: So am I. I don't want to do this but you forced my hand.

 

JACK PICKS UP THE PHONE.

 

BURKE: What are you doing?

JACK: I'm calling your boss and I'm going to tell him that you leaked some very confidential information about Cal Winters to me. Now that....that....was a bad move. Hello I'd like to speak to Mr. Joe Crenna please.

BURKE: Hang up the phone. Please.

JACK: (Beat) I can call again.

BURKE: No there's no need. I'll....I'll see that Winters is released.

JACK: Make it fast Frank. I want Cal Winters out, walking the streets, a free man. The sooner the better.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS PACING IN HIS OFFICE WITH HIS BACK TO THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Alright the last apprentice has left this job suddenly so you'll have to start right away. Give me you recommendations.

JENNIFER: I believe you already have them Mr. Deveraux.

JACK: I think you just walked by the cashier's office. It's down the other way. You are looking for your last pay check aren't you?

JENNIFER: No I'm not Jack.

JACK: Well I'm busy interviewing people. NEXT! So please get to the point.

 

IT IS OBVIOUS THAT JACK IS THRILLED TO HAVE HER BACK.

 

JENNIFER: The point is. I want my job back.

JACK: HOLD IT! I thought you were by-line bound for The Chronicle.

JENNIFER: I changed my mind. You've changed my mind Jack.

JACK: Me? "Cold heartless cruel" me?

JENNIFER: Look you know how I feel about the editorial you wrote about Sally. It moved me and that's the kind of article this newspaper should be printing. It made me want to work here again.

JACK: Well maybe I don't want you working here anymore. I mean I have a lot of very impressive résumés here. NEXT!

JENNIFER: Do I sense a bit of male pride stuck in your throat Jack?

JACK: HOLD IT! No, you hear amazement at what you must have eaten for breakfast this morning. It was crow wasn't it?

JENNIFER: Alright Jack. What do you want from me?

JACK: I want you to take one assignment, one, without an argument.

JENNIFER: Alright, that's fine. That's fine. Under one condition.

JACK: Oh here we go. Working together five seconds and you're already arguing with me. NEXT!

JENNIFER: I want to do my own story.

JACK: Fine, on your own time.

JENNIFER: On my own time. HOLD IT!

JACK: Well I didn't really have time to look to all these people anyway.

JENNIFER: Great. So what's my first assignment?

JACK: Oh aren't we the eager little beaver. I've got an assignment for you, a nice one. The housing situation is Salem. You know density studies and that sort of thing.

JENNIFER: (Beat) That's fine, I'll get to work on it right away.

JACK: Good, good. I want you to....(The phone rings and he picks it up.)....I want you to stick to the facts and stay away from any bleeding heart exposés, alright?

JENNIFER: You got it Jack.

JACK: Jennifer. (Beat) It's for you.

JENNIFER: Thank you. (Beat) Hello.

SALLY: Jennifer, this is Sally. Can I see you right away. It's very important.

JENNIFER: Ah, I'm not really sure if I can get away.

SALLY: It's about Hannah.

JENNIFER: Okay yeah, I'll see what I can do.

 

SHE HANGS UP THE PHONE.

 

JENNIFER: Those Avon ladies are real persistent, don't you think Jack?

JACK: Hmmm.

JENNIFER: Well I'm going to get started on my story right away.

JACK: Good.

 

JENNIFER LEAVES THE OFFICE AND JACK THROWS A STACK OF PAPERS IN THE AIR.

JACK: (Releaved) WEEEEEE!

SCENE TWO: JACK IS STILL IN HIS OFFICE SINGING.

 

JACK: Frére Jacques, Frére Jacques.....Entré, s'il vous plait.

ANJELICA: Merci beaucoup. I'm so glad that we didn't waste money sending you to prep school.

JACK: Anjelica. Hello. Oh I've got a present for you. Actually for little Alexander. What do you think? Think he'll be ready for Little League?

ANJELICA: Well I think maybe next week. Now what about you? Are you ready for lunch?

JACK: Well actually I....er... I thought you were going to be late. You're usually reliably late.

ANJELICA: Alright, well Jack if this is a problem I can come back another time because I really don't feel like sitting around and watching you work.

JACK: Just let me get this. I just have to get these here.

ANJELICA: Alright, well hurry up please.

JACK: It's a little late for post partum depression isn't it?

ANJELICA: Jack relax. I said I'd wait so just finish your business please.

JACK: Did you have a fight with Neil or something?

ANJELICA: Or something....yes.

JACK: A little over spending on the credit cards maybe?

ANJELICA: Oh please, can you be serious for one minute.

JACK: Okay. I'll be serious. Look. (Jack passes his hand down his face changing it from a smile to serious.)

ANJELICA: Thank you but I still can't discuss it with anybody.

JACK: Well I'm not anybody. We've been through everything together Anjelica. I mean if you could share it with anybody you could share it with me.

ANJELICA: Alright Jack. I'm afraid.

JACK: You? Afr....

ANJELICA: Listen I know what the man is capable of and I thought everything was going to be fine if I just had a little more time because now he doesn't have Justin so I know he's going to come after the baby.

JACK: Whoa, wait a minute, wait a minute. Back up. Go back to the beginning. Who is going after the baby?

ANJELICA: Victor.

JACK: Victor Kiriakis. Why would he want your son?

ANJELICA: Because Justin Kiriakis is Alexander's father.

JACK: (Stunned) Justin is Alexander's father?

ANJELICA: It's not like we planned it or anything Jack.

JACK: Well how did it happen? I mean....I....I know how it happened but why....what happened?

ANJELICA: Adrienne had left Justin. Justin was alone and we got drunk. And I was in love with him.

JACK: And nine months later you're bouncing his baby on your lap.

ANJELICA: That's how it happened.

JACK: And what does Justin think about all this?

ANJELICA: Justin doesn't know.

JACK: Wai....wait a minute. You never told him you were pregnant with his baby?

ANJELICA: Jack I never quite found the time or the right words.

JACK: So you made him a godfather instead.

ANJELICA: I'm sorry about that but it seemed the least I could do.

JACK: Well I think maybe you could do more. Like tell him the truth.

ANJELICA: It's not that simple Jack.

JACK: No. No it's not. You have gone through a lot I'm sure. Carrying this around by yourself.

ANJELICA: I have felt....alone.

JACK: Well you're not alone anymore. (Hug) You have me.

ANJELICA: Thank you.

JACK: Okay, go ahead and tell me about Victor.

ANJELICA: Victor found out that Justin is his father and now he's trying to get the child away from me.

JACK: The plot thickens eh?

ANJELICA: It does. And I married Neil so Alexander could have a father.

JACK: So far not so good.

ANJELICA: But I had the trump card because as long as Victor had Justin he wouldn't make a big deal out of Alexander being a Kiriakis but now he doesn't have Justin anymore....

JACK: Wait a minute, what hap....

ANJELICA: I don't know what happened but Justin and Victor had a huge fight and Justin doesn't want anything to do with his uncle anymore.

JACK: Well then that's easy. You just tell Justin and since as he hates Victor anyway let him fight for him.

ANJELICA: Justin....Jack I don't know what I'm going to do but he is not going to get my baby.

JACK: Well you still have me. And I think Neil is your best defense.

ANJELICA: Neil. I think you have something Jack. Darling if you'll excuse me I'm going to take a rain check on lunch because I'm going to have to move very fast before Victor does.

JACK: Sure, sure.

ANJELICA: I will see you later Jack.

JACK: Anjelica. Good luck.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE JENNIFER GOES TO SEE SALLY IN JAIL. SALLY TELLS HER THAT HANNAH HAS BEEN PUT INTO A PROFESSIONAL FOSTER HOME. SALLY ASKS JENNIFER WHAT THAT MEANS; SHE GETS UPSET WHEN JENNIFER TELLS HER THEY GET MONEY FOR KEEPING THE CHILDREN. SHE BEGS JENNIFER TO HELP HANNAH.

SCENE FOUR: JENNIFER RETURNS TO THE OFFICE TO MEET A WOMAN.

 

JENNIFER: Thank you very much for coming.

MRS. SIMMS: I hope this won't talk long dear because I really have to get back.

JENNIFER: Ah....I just have a few things I have to clarify.

 

JACK WALKS OUT OF HIS OFFICE AND LISTENS.

 

MRS. SIMMS: Is this article about the Social Services Department?

JENNIFER: Kind of. It's about how your department works in relation to a particular case.

MRS. SIMMS: What case is that?

JENNIFER: Sally Wales. I was the one who wrote the article on Sally and her baby and this is sort of a follow up and I was wondering what exactly is going on with Hannah?

MRS. SIMMS: Well she's been placed in a foster home.

JENNIFER: Great. Well let's start there. What are her new foster parents like?

MRS. SIMMS: They are nice enough people. They have five other foster children....

JENNIFER: Five?

MRS. SIMMS: ....as well as four of their own.

JENNIFER: How is Hannah supposed to get the attention that she needs?

MRS. SIMMS: Oh I'm sure she's going to be just fine. She's only going to be there six months and then she's going to be placed with another family.

JENNIFER: Why don't they keep her in one place until Sally gets out? I mean that would give her some kind of stability don't you think?

MRS. SIMMS: Yes but wouldn't that make the people awfully attached to her after several years?

JENNIFER: Maybe Mrs. Simms but don't you think that Hannah needs love too.

MRS. SIMMS: You seem to be taking a very personal interest in this case. I know I must appear very indifferent but it's only because of all the children we have to contend with. It's just the best we can do. I'm sorry.

JENNIFER: I understand.

MRS. SIMMS: I've got to go now Miss Horton. I'm very sorry.

JENNIFER: Thank you.

JACK: That didn't look like Mr. Parsons from the Housing Committee to me.

JENNIFER: Jack?

JACK: Remember, the housing story in Salem? Remember that?

JENNIFER: Right, right. I'm researching it Jack.

JACK: Hmmm. I heard your research from my office.

JENNIFER: Well if you were listening you would see that this is a much better story.

JACK: Story? I didn't hear a story.

JENNIFER: It's about Sally's baby Jack.

JACK: I assigned you to another assignment and I expect you to be working on it.

JENNIFER: I know but this is important. I thought after that editorial you wrote you'd understand.

JACK: Jennifer, this is a newspaper. We report news not the daily trials and tribulations of one little infant who's not even news anymore.

JENNIFER: I understand that Jack but if you just give me a chance....

JACK: You have been assigned to one story without argument. The housing story. Now you stick with that story or I'm going to put you on the Obituary page. You get the message?

JENNIFER: Yes. Loud and clear.

JACK: Good.

 

JACK WALKS BACK TOWARDS HIS OFFICE WHILE JENNIFER GLARES AT HIM. HE STOPS AND GLARES BACK THEN GOES IN HIS OFFICE AND SHUTS THE DOOR. HE THEN PEEPS THROUGH THE BLINDS AT HER.