Episode Sixty-three: The Baby
[Air date May 1989]
SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS READY TO BE DISCHARGED. SHE HAS A BAND AID ON HER FOREHEAD AND IS WAITING AT THE NURSE'S STATION.
JENNIFER: Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up. Let me out of here.
JACK GETS OUT OF THE ELEVATOR. AND IS IN MANIC, HAPPY JACK MODE. HE SPOTS HER AND RUSHES OVER TO HER PUTTING HIS ARM AROUND HER.
JACK: I'm so glad you're still here. Excuse us.
JENNIFER: Excuse me.
JACK: This way.
JACK GUIDES, PRACTICALLY PUSHING, JENNIFER INTO THE STAFF LOUNGE. JENNIFER IS SOMEWHAT RELUCTANT. THE NURSE TO WHOM JENNIFER WAS SPEAKING SMILES AND LAUGHS.
INSIDE THE LOUNGE.
JENNIFER: Jack, tell me what's going on here.
JACK: I just figured out a way to stop Hannah from going to absolute strangers.
JENNIFER: Well that's great but tell me.....
JACK: No, no, no. There's no time to explain. I'll handle everything. You just have to do one small thing.
JENNIFER: What?
JACK: Lie your head off.
JENNIFER: Jack I don't care what you say, there is no way I'm going along with this unless you tell me....
JACK: Do you want the kid or not?
JENNIFER: Of course I do.
JACK: Okay. Don't argue just smile, okay.
JENNIFER: No. I want to know what's going on. I want to know the full story Jack. I want to....
JACK RUNS TO THE DOOR AND LOOKS OUT. HE SEEMS TO SEE WHAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR. HE TURNS TO JENNIFER.
JACK: Huh, oh!
JENNIFER: What?
JACK: She's coming.
JENNIFER: Who's coming?
JACK RUNS BACK TO JENNIFER AND STANDS NEXT TO HER WITH HIS ARM AROUND HER.
JENNIFER: What are you doing?
JACK: I'm acting like your husband.JENNIFER: My what?
JACK: Your husband. I told her we were married. Here. Put this on. Just like that. Good.
JACK PUTS A WEDDING RING ON JENNIFER'S FINGER. JENNIFER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO THINK AND JACK IS NOW IN *FULL* HAPPY JACK MODE.
JENNIFER: What are you doing Jack?
JACK: Just be glad it fits.
MRS. SIMMS, THE SOCIAL WORK HANDLING SALLY AND BABY HANNAH'S CASE, WALKS INTO THE LOUNGE.
JACK IS OOZING THE CHARM AND IS REALLY PLAYING THE WHOLE THING UP — AND DOES SO THROUGHOUT THE INTERVIEW. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS THAT IT IS NOT ALL PLAY ACTING, THAT JACK REALLY SEEMS TO ENJOY IT ALL, AND THE PROSPECT OF HIM AND JENNIFER AS A COUPLE.
JENNIFER: What?
MRS. SIMMS: Hello.
JACK: Mrs. Simms. It's so nice to see you again? Jennifer, you remember Mrs. Simms?
JENNIFER: Yeah. Hi. It's nice to see you again.
MRS. SIMMS: We were so sorry to hear that you were ill but we're so glad that you're feeling better Mrs. Deveraux.
JENNIFER: Yes I'm feeling much better, thank you.
JACK: Oh yes. It was a miraculous recovery and we are so....(Jennifer digs him with her elbow.) thankful you're here today and came all the way down to see us.
MRS. SIMMS: Oh I don't mind making an exception when there are special circumstances involved.
JACK: Well we certainly do appreciate it. Well shall we get on with the interroga....with the interview?
MRS. SIMMS: Oh by all means. It shouldn't take long. Just a few questions and then we'll get moving on your application.
JACK: Ask away. Our life's an open book. Isn't it....darling?
JACK PUTS HIS ARM AROUND JENNIFER. JENNIFER GLARES AT JACK.
MRS. SIMMS: Oh by the way, congratulations on your marriage.
JACK: Thank you.
JACK POURS A CUP OF COFFEE FOR MRS. SIMMS AND IS BLOWING IT TO COOL IT DOWN. JENNIFER LEANS OVER AND BLOWS IT TOO.
MRS. SIMMS IS AT A TABLE AND IS GOING OVER SOME PAPERS. JACK BRINGS HER THE COFFEE AND HOVERS BEHIND HER. JENNIFER STILL IS UNCERTAIN AS TO *WHAT* IS GOING ON.
MRS. SIMMS: Let's see. You've never been treated for any substance abuse, alcohol, drugs, anything of that nature?
JACK KEEPS LOOKING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN MRS. SIMMS AND JENNIFER, WITH A BIG GRIN ON HIS FACE.
JENNIFER: No, no. Never.
MRS. SIMMS: Not that you would be automatically disqualified but it could slow down the evaluation process considerably.
JACK: Oh we wouldn't want that would we?
JENNIFER: Is there anything else that I can tell you.
MRS. SIMMS: No, you told me everything I need to know.
JENNIFER: Really. So you've already made up your mind?
MRS. SIMMS: Well not quite. I still have to speak to the people you gave as references but that shouldn't take but a few days.
JENNIFER: Then we can have Hannah?
JENNIFER IS OVERJOYED, AND JACK IS STANDING BY THE DOOR EXCITED HIMSELF. HE SEEMS HAPPY TO BE HELPING HANNAH, AND ESPECIALLY THRILLED FOR JENNIFER. JACK IS ALMOST BEAMING.
MRS. SIMMS: Well that's just the idea. I must say that you....I've never seen two people more eager for a child in my life.
JACK: Well we're planning to have five or six ourselves someday and this way we can get out feet wet so to speak and help out our friend Sally at the same time.
JENNIFER LOOKS AT JACK AS IF HE IS LAYING IT A LITTLE TOO THICK — WHICH HE IS. BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN A *LONG* TIME THAT JACK SEEMS HAPPY, AND COMFORTABLE WITH THINGS AND HIMSELF.
MRS. SIMMS: Well I'm glad to see that's important to you and that you are friend's of Hannah's mother. Well that's a real plus in my book.
JENNIFER: Oh I'm so glad because I thought it might be the other way round.
MRS. SIMMS: Oh no. We're not looking for neutrality. We're looking for people who genuinely care about a child's welfare and happiness.
JENNIFER: I promise you Mrs. Simms. I really do care about Hannah....(Jack looks as Jennifer, and raises his eyebrows as a cue.) Ah, we both do, very much. (Jack smiles.)
MRS. SIMMS: Well I want to get started on this as soon as possible. It was so nice seeing you Mrs. Deveraux.
JENNIFER IS DISTRACTED LOOKING AT THE WEDDING RING ON HER FINGER. JACK PROMPTS HER, BY ELBOWING HER.
JACK: Thank you.
JENNIFER: Thank you. It was good to see you again.
MRS. SIMMS: Okay. We'll be in touch.
JENNIFER: Bye bye. Thank you.
JACK: Bye, bye. Take care.
MRS. SIMMS: Oh I almost forgot. I need to see your home.
JACK AND JENNIFER ARE THROWN BY HER REMARK. THEY STAND MOMENTARILY IN SHOCK. THEN EACH LOOKS AT THE OTHER.
JACK AND JENNIFER (TOGETHER): Our home?
MRS. SIMMS: Yes. Just to make sure you provide a warm and loving atmosphere for the baby.
JACK: Oh sure.
JENNIFER: Oh sure, great, great.
MRS. SIMMS: It's standard procedure.I'll call you in a day or two okay?
JACK: (To Mrs. Simms, as she is leaving the lounge.)Yeah sure. Don't call us, we'll....I mean call us, call us. (Beat) She's gone. Okay. Now before you say anything I know what you're thinking.
AFTER SHE HAS LEFT.
JENNIFER: No you don't Jack. I'm going to strangle you for putting me through this. It's all for nothing.
JACK: What are you talking about? Come on she loved us. She thought we were the best thing since Fred and Ginger.
JENNIFER: Yeah, well I think she'll change her mind when she finds out we have separate addresses.
JACK: Just leave that up to me, alright?
JENNIFER: No! Forget it Jack.
SHE TAKES OFF THE RING AND PUTS IT IN HIS HAND.
JENNIFER: As of now we are officially divorced.
SHE RUSHES FROM THE ROOM. JACK IS LEFT ALONE, HOLDING THE RING, HIS MOUTH HANGING OPEN.
SCENE TWO: JENNIFER RUNS OUT AND JACK CHASES HER ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE PIER.
JACK: Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer wait.
JENNIFER: Jack. We've nothing else to say to each other alright?
JACK: Why are you being so unreasonable?
JENNIFER: Unreasonable? You want me to walk around and pretend that I'm your wife.
JACK: Look it's for a very good reason. You want to help the baby don't you?
JENNIFER: Of course I do.
JACK: Then prove it.
JENNIFER: By going along with this whole scheme of yours?
JACK: Yes.
JENNIFER: Jack there is no way we could convince Mrs. Simms that we're living together.
JACK: You leave that up to me.
JENNIFER: I can't believe that I'm actually considering this.
JACK: If you want to help the baby, this is the only way.
JENNIFER: You understand that this would just be pretend.
JACK: I wouldn't have it any other way.
JENNIFER: Alright Jack, I'll do it.
JACK: Good.
JENNIFER: If you try one funny move this whole deal is off and I will figure out another way to help Hannah.
JACK: Well you don't have to be so gracious about it?
JENNIFER: You're not the easiest person in the world to trust.
JACK: (Beat) Well I guess you pegged me on that one.
JENNIFER: I gotta go. My grandparents are expecting me....Ah Jack?
JACK: Yeah.
JENNIFER: Thank you.
JACK: You're welcome.
JACK WATCHES HER WALK AWAY WITH LOVE IN HIS EYES.
SCENE ONE: SHANE AND KIMBERLY ARE HAVING A PARTY FOR COLONEL JERICHO AND ALL THE BEST PEOPLE IN SALEM ARE INVITED. JENNIFER ARRIVES ON HER OWN AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER, IN WALKS JACK. HE IS LOOKING EXTREMELY HANDSOME IN HIS TUX.
BUTLER: Let me help you with that Miss Horton?
JENNIFER: Thank you very much.
JACK: Well, well, well, well, well.JENNIFER: Hi Jack.
BOTH JACK AND JENNIFER GIVE EACH OTHER A QUICK GLANCE UP AND DOWN. THEY SEEM TO LIKE WHAT THE SEE.
JACK: Good evening to you. Kinda makes one believe in Kismet.
JACK KISSES HER HAND.JENNIFER PULLS IT AWAY, EMBARRASSED.
JENNIFER: Jack, what are you talking about?
JACK: Well now we can go in together, make an entrance, make an impression. I mean really play it up.
JENNIFER: Don't you think you're carrying this whole thing a little bit too far?JACK: Well it's up to you Jennifer. But If you think that social worker is going to hand Hannah over to us on our word alone, you've got another guess coming. Come on. I know she's going to want to talk to some of your friends and family members and that includes your grandparents, Kimberly Donovan, any number of them. Just go along with me....
JENNIFER: Okay, okay. I'll just go along with it. Don't get carried away.
JACK: Of course I won't.
HE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HER AND THEY WALK IN TOGETHER. TOM AND ALICE SEE THEM TOGETHER AND ARE COMPLETELY PUZZLED. AGAIN JACK SEEMS TO BE ENJOYING THIS LITTLE CHARADE. IT SEEMS AS THIS MEANS MORE TO HIM THAN HE LETS ON, OR THAN HE WANTS TO ADMIT TO HIMSELF.
JENNIFER: Hi Granma.
ALICE: Hi.
JACK: Hello Dr. Horton, Mrs. Horton.
TOM: Hello Jack.
JACK: I bet you're pretty surprised to see us together?
ALICE: Yes. Well I....I mean yes.
JACK: Well, I guess the cat's out of the bag now, eh, sweetheart?
TOM: Sweetheart?
SCENE TWO: SHANE INTERRUPTS AND INTRODUCES COLONEL JERICHO TO THE GUESTS. WHILE SHANE IS TALKING JACK TRIES TO PUT THE RING BACK ON JENNIFER'S FINGER. SHE REFUSES AND HE KEEPS IT. THEY BICKER. JACK MOUTHS "OKAY."JACK AND JENNIFER MINGLE WITH THE GUESTS AND JACK MAKES SURE THAT EVERYONE THINKS THEY ARE A COUPLE. JUSTIN AND ADRIENNE ARRIVE. THROUGHOUT JACK IS PLAYING IT UP, AND JENNIFER IS TRYING TONE HIM DOWN. THEY BANTER SOME. JACK SEEMS TO BE ENJOY HIMSELF.
ADRIENNE: What is Jack doing with Jennifer Horton?
JUSTIN: Don't ask me.
JACK: Justin, Adrienne.
ADRIENNE: Oh hi.
JACK: Hi.
JENNIFER: Hi.
JUSTIN: I'm going to get myself a drink. (To Adrienne) Can I get you one?
ADRIENNE: Oh mineral water would be fine for me thanks.
JUSTIN WALKS AWAY.
JACK: We don't want anything....it's fine. Right sweetheart?
JENNIFER: Right.
THERE IS AWKWARD LAUGHTER.
JACK: Well Adrienne, we haven't talked in a long time. How are you doing?
ADRIENNE: Terrific. Everything's just fine. How are things with you....two?
JACK: Fabulous, fabulous. Couldn't be better, right?
JENNIFER: Right.
ADRIENNE IS CALLED AWAY AND JENNIFER GETS ANNOYED WITH JACK FOR CONTINUALLY PUTTING HIS ARMS AROUND HER. JENNIFER PULLS HIS HAND AWAY.
JENNIFER: Stop it, Jack. Stop it!
JACK: Well....I was just....
SHE WALKS AWAY AND HE SMILES.
SCENE THREE: STEVE AND KAYLA ARRIVE AND ASK KIMBERLY IF THEY HAVE MISSED ANYTHING. SHE SAYS NOT MUCH, JUST A COUPLE OF LITTLE SURPRISES AND POINTS OUT JACK AND JENNIFER WITH INTERLOCKED ARMS SIPPING CHAMPAGNE. STEVE IS DISTURBED BY THE THOUGHT OF THEM TOGETHER.
SCENE FOUR: JACK TRIES TO FEED JENNIFER AN OLIVE ON A TOOTHPICK BUT SHE GRABS IT FROM HIM. SHE THEN GOES OVER TO EXPLAIN TO ALICE AND TOM.
JENNIFER: I know what you're going to say. But I know what I'm doing. I promise.
ALICE: You do? Well your grandfather and I would like to know what you're doing someday.
TOM: Well?
JENNIFER: Well, Jack is my boss.
TOM: And?
JENNIFER: And we're here on business, that's all.
ALICE: Oh. Are you sure that's all?
JENNIFER: Granma I'm positive. What else could it be? Don't worry. I can handle Jack. I'm a big girl.
TOM: Not that big.
JENNIFER: I'll be fine Grandpa.
THEY DO NOT SEEM TO THAT THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON BETWEEN JACK AND HER. THEY ARE CONCERNED THAT SHE IS GETTING INVOLVED WITH JACK AFTER ALL HE HAS DONE.
JACK CLICKS SOME GLASSES TOGETHER ACROSS THE ROOM TO ATTRACT HER ATTENTION.
JACK: Jennifer?
JENNIFER: I'll be okay I promise. I know what I'm doing.
SHE WALKS BACK OVER TO JACK. SOMEWHAT FRUSTRATED WITH HIM.
SCENE FIVE: STEVE AND KAYLA ARE DANCING WHEN JACK APPROACHES THEM.
JACK: (He does not seem able to not torment Kayla and Steve.) Hey kids. Great party, huh?
STEVE: (Not trusting Jack.) Well I guess that depends on who you mingle with.
JACK: Too bad we didn't get a chance to mingle, talk.
STEVE: Yeah. It's too bad.
JACK: Okay. Look. Let's have a truce tonight. Truce? (Beat) Do you want to take a bite out of my arm (This time Jack actually seems sincere)....
STEVE: What do you want Jack?
JACK: I overheard that Jo's having a big birthday and...um....I thought maybe I could...you know...have a little celebration for her. You know nothing big. You know just a small thing with family, friends. Well what do you think about the Crystal Room at the Continental Hotel?STEVE: Jo doesn't need your help on her birthday.
KAYLA: Steve.
STEVE: Besides, we've got it covered. We're going to have a little something at our place for her.
JACK: Oh really. When?
STEVE: You're not invited.
JACK: Oh. (More hurt than he shows.) Well that's kind of strange because I was going to invite you to my party.
STEVE: (Sarcastic) Well you see this party is for people who care about Jo. (Each word seems to wound Jack, but he tries not to show it.) And tell me if I'm wrong. That doesn't include you baby brother.
JACK: That has nothing to do with Jo. What's the real reason?
STEVE: We don't owe you any explanation. Come on baby.
JACK: (Looking over towards Kayla. His voice cracks.) Kayla, I'm sorry that you can't let this go. I really ne....
KAYLA IGNORES HIM. REMEMBERING WHAT HE DID TO HER. STEVE GRABS JACK.
STEVE: Hey no. She can't let it go. I don't want you to ever mention it to her again. Do you hear me?
JACK JUST LOOKS AT STEVE WITH CONTEMPT. STEVE AND KAYLA LEAVE AND JENNIFER WATCHES JACK'S PAIN FROM ACROSS THE ROOM. SHE SEEMS TO BE TRYING TO FIGURE HIM OUT, AND REALIZING THAT JACK IS A PAINED INDIVIDUAL; HER EXPRESSION SEEMS TO INDICATE THAT SHE HURTS FOR HIM.
