SCENE ONE: TWO DAYS LATER JACK'S ARTICLE APPEARS IN THE SPECTATOR. TITLED "HE DID IT FOR LOVE,"IT SCARES DIANA BECAUSE SHE STARTS TO RECALL WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AND REMEMBER THAT SHE WAS THE ONE WHO SHOT ROMAN.
SCENE TWO: JENNIFER IS AT THE LOFT GETTING READY FOR WORK. SHE IS WAITING FOR ALICE TO ARRIVE TO MIND HANNAH. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.
JENNIFER: Granma, I love you, I'm so glad you....
SHE OPENS THE DOOR TO SEE JACK LEANING THERE.
JENNIFER: Oh it's you.
JACK: Yes, just me.
JENNIFER: I was expecting somebody else. What are you doing here Jack?
JACK: I'm checking on the transit story. I wanted to see if it was ready.
JENNIFER: It's not. I have one more interview that I have to do.
JACK: You're not going to make the deadline are you?
JENNIFER: No, not if I have to stand here talking to you I won't.
JACK: I'm not the problem Jennifer. The problem is the kid.
JENNIFER: Hannah is not a problem. I love taking care of her.
JACK: Why don't you face the facts? You're not going to be able to be a working mother. You can't work and take care of the baby.
JENNIFER: Look I know this isn't as easy as I thought it was going be but I'll manage. You'll see.
JACK: (Feigning this attitude because he wants to prepare Jennifer, he does not want to see her hurt.) You're fooling yourself. You're screwing up your whole life for the kid.
JENNIFER: I don't care. Hannah's worth....
THE PHONE RINGS AND JENNIFER ANSWERS IT.
JENNIFER: Hello. (Beat) Well I can't possibly be there in....yes I understand.
SHE HANGS UP.
JENNIFER: I can't believe that this is happening.
JACK: What? What's happened?
JENNIFER: If I don't get to City Hall in 20 minutes the whole interview is off. My grandmother's not here. I can't leave Hannah alone. What am I supposed to do Jack?
JACK: Relax. Just relax. I'll rock the cradle till Gram gets here.
JENNIFER: Really? You wouldn't mind?
JACK: I'd mind it a lot more if you miss out on this interview. Go on, get out of here.
JENNIFER: Thank you so much. I won't forget this.
JACK: Don't worry. I won't let you.
JENNIFER LEAVES AND JACK WALKS OVER TO TALK TO HANNAH. HE BENDS OVER THE STROLLER.
JACK: I'm going to give you ten big ones, ten big ones (Flashing ten with his fingers), if you sleep until your foster grandmother gets here. In fact I'll give you twenty big ones (Flashing twenty with his fingers) if you leave me off of diaper detail.
THE PHONE RINGS.
JACK: (Speaking rapidly at first.) Remember that okay. (Beat) Jennifer Horton. Hello she's not here, let me take a message. Well this must be Social Services. You're wondering about the baby right? Oh me? (Speaking in a deep voice) I'm Dr. Mike Horton. I'm Jennifer's sister....I mean brother. (His voice changes, and so does his expression) Ah....What?....When?....Look I mean you're not serious. They don't really have the right to do that do they?
ALICE COMES IN THE DOOR. SHE IS NOT PLEASED TO SEE HIM.
JACK: You're sorry about it. You're not going to be the only one who's sorry about it.
HE HANGS UP.
JACK: (Hurting) This is going to kill Jennifer. (Finally noticing Alice) Mrs. Horton?
ALICE: What are you doing here? And where's Jennifer?
JACK: Actually she's conducting the interview and I was looking after the baby until you got here.
ALICE: And was that her call that you were answering?
JACK: Yes, that was Social Services. They just told me that Sally has reconciled with her parents and they're going to get custody until Sally gets out of prison.
ALICE: Oh Jennifer is going to be heartbroken.
JACK: I know she is. I don't know how I'm going to tell her but....
ALICE: Well you needn't be concerned about that. As a matter of fact I think you better leave right now.
JACK: Excuse me?
ALICE: And you shouldn't have been answering Jennifer's phone.
JACK: Wait a minute, wait a minute. I just want you to know something. Jennifer asked me to stay here. You may not believe this Mrs. Horton but (His voice cracking.) Jennifer and I are friends....Sort of.
ALICE: Well I find that very hard to believe because I remember what you did to Melissa and to Kayla.
JACK: (Affected by her words.) I'm not asking you to believe it but I'm telling you that I'm not going to hurt Jennifer.
ALICE: Jennifer's going to be very hurt with this news about Hannah.
JACK: I know. That's why I think I should tell her.
ALICE: Why?
JACK: Well I....I've been with this thing since the beginning. Also I....I knew it was going to happen sooner or later.
ALICE: Well, maybe it is better for Jennifer in the long run.
JACK: I agree with you. And I also think that I should be the one to tell her....please?
ALICE: Alright. But Jack, if you ever hurt Jennifer, I want to warn you, you'll have to answer to me.
JACK NODS.
SCENE THREE: THAT NIGHT JACK IS OUTSIDE THE LOFT DOOR HOLDING A PIZZA AND BANGING THE DOOR WITH A FALSK OF CHIANTI. JENNIFER OPENS THE DOOR. HE IS CASUALLY DRESSED, WEARING A BLUE SILK SHIRT, WITH DARK BLUE STRIPES, AND LEVIS, AND LOOKING EXTREMELY GORGEOUS.JENNIFER: No Jack the article is not done and I will give it to you first thing in the morning. I promise.JACK: Fine. You haven't eaten yet have you?
JENNIFER: No I had to give Hannah a bath and I had to type some notes and then I put her to bed. I'm completely wiped out.
JACK: (With a concerned, sympathetic expression.) I can tell. Please sit down.
HE DROPS THE PIZZA BOX ON THE COUNTER. AND PUTS DOWN THE WINE. HE IS BEING VERY GALLANT. JENNIFER SITS OPPOSITE HIM, ON A BAR STOOL. JACK LEANS OVER PUTTING DOWN TWO WINE GLASSES.
JENNIFER: Let me get some plates and....
JACK: No let me do it. I'll get something. I think you've just been working too hard. I think you should take things a little easier.
JENNIFER: Jack, I can handle it.
JACK: Maybe you shouldn't be handling it. I think if you keep going like this you're going to burn yourself out.
JENNIFER: Jack, don't. Look I know that you're trying to be nice alright, but you don't understand. I love Hannah.
JACK: That's not the thing. Maybe you shouldn't be getting so attached to Hannah.
JENNIFER: It's too late. I don't expect you to understand. I don't think anybody would.
JACK: I might....if you give me a chance.
SCENE FOUR: JACK IS POURING JENNIFER ANOTHER GLASS OF WINE. SHE WALKS OVER TO HER COUCH AND SITS DOWN. JACK FOLLOWS AND SITS NEXT TO HER. THEY BOTH BEGIN TO TALK OPENING TO EACH OTHER ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS, AND FAMILIAL EXPERIENCES. JACK'S GUARD IS DOWN. THEY BOTH SEEM AT EASY WITH EACH OTHER.
JENNIFER: Jack, no, no. Jack I have work I have to do tonight.
JACK: Forget about the work. Beside like they say. There's truth in the wine.
JENNIFER: Why, do you think I've been lying?
JACK: No. No. I think you haven't been telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Jennifer, come on. We all grew up alone and lonely at some point but not all of us ran out being foster parents the minute we got out of college.
JENNIFER: I don't know. I think it's because of my mom. I mean I know she must have loved me but I never felt it. And now it looks like I never will.
JACK: (Feeling for her.) It must hurt a whole helluva lot.
JENNIFER: What is worse is that she'll never know how I feel. I mean I love her and I can't show her that. I can't give her anything at all.
JACK: (Confining in her. Comfortable enough to be honest for a change.) I know.JACK (CONT):I never knew my father. My real father. Of course from what I hear, I'm not missing much, but still....
JENNIFER: There's something missing in your life.
JACK: (A smile of recognition.) Yeah. Yeah. And then there's my mother. Of course you know all about her.
JENNIFER: Don't you ever want to get close to her Jack?
JACK: (Uncertain) I can't....too much history.
JENNIFER: You mean with Steve.
JACK: Yeah.... (Avoiding the question.) look we're talking about you not about me. And you still haven't told me how Hannah fits into all this.
JENNIFER: I don't know Jack. I'm not sure. She needs me and I need to love somebody unconditionally.
JACK: We all need that.
JENNIFER: And it doesn't matter why I feel the way I do about Hannah. I just know that taking care of her is the most important thing in my life. Nothing I've ever done has made me feel happier or more fulfilled.
JACK: I'm sorry to hear you say that.
JENNIFER: Why?
JACK: I think I need a glass of wine.
JACK GOES TO THE KITCHEN TO POUR A GLASS OF WINE. JACK THINKS LONGINGLY OF HER. HE IS TRYING TO FIND AWAY TO TELL HER, BUT IT IS OBVIOUS BY HIS FACIAL EXPRESSIONS THAT CAUSING HER PAIN WOULD KILL HIM.
JACK: Actually Jennifer, it's about Hannah. Um....you don't know everything and I....well I hate to be the one to always say this but I told you so. You got....you got too attached to her and now....and now Sally's parents have reconciled with Sally and you know what that means.
JACK(CONT.):It means that....
HE TURNS AROUND TO SEE JENNIFER ASLEEP ON THE COUCH.
JACK: Jennifer....it means you're not going to hear yet. (Beat) Not yet.
THERE IS A BLANKET HANGING OVER THE BACK OF THE COUCH. HE LOVINGLY PUTS IT OVER JENNIFER. AND BENDING OVER FROM BEHIND THE COUCH, IS LEANING OVER HER, WATCHING HER, HIS HANDS RESTING ON THE BACK OF THE COUCH.
[THOUGH IT WILL TAKE WELL OVER A YEAR FOR HIM TO ADMIT IT TO HIMSELF, IT APPEARS THAT JACK HAS ALREADY FALLEN DEEPLY IN LOVE WITH HER.]
SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS AT THE LOFT WITH HANNAH SHOWING HER THE NEW TOY SHE BOUGHT FOR HER. SHE THEN DECIDES TO TAKE HANNAH TO SEE SALLY AT THE PRISON.
SCENE TWO: MEANWHILE JACK IS IN HIS OFFICE DECIDING HOW TO TELL JENNIFER THAT THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE HANNAH AWAY.
JACK: (To himself) Jennifer, did I happen to tell you that Sally's parents are going to take Hannah? That's right, that's right, just forget all about motherhood. I mean it's really over rated anyway. I don't think she's going to take that. No. Jennifer I'm going to tell you something.It's probably the hardest thing I've ever had to tell anyone. I'm pregnant. I'm losing it. What am I doing? Come on, get a grip, you can do this. Okay.
JACK PICKS UP THE PHONE.
JACK: Hello, get me Jennifer Horton. What do you mean she's not here? Yeah I know that all employees can take three personal days a year. Perhaps you know where she's taking this one? (Beat) Reinhart Prison? Ah, cancel all my appointments. I'll be out for the day. Thank you (Frantic.)
SCENE THREE: JENNIFER IS AT THE PRISON SEEING SALLY. SALLY TELLS HER THAT HER PARENTS HAVE DECIDED TO CARE FOR THE HANNAH FROM NOW ON. JENNIFER IS SHOCKED AND UPSET.
SCENE FOUR: JACK ARRIVES JUST AS JENNIFER IS LEAVING THE PRISON.
JACK: Oh Jennifer. I found you. Look we have to talk. It's about....it's about Hannah.
JENNIFER: (On the verge of tears.) You knew?
JACK: Ah....listen....er....
JENNIFER: How could you Jack? How come you never told me?
JACK: I tried....to tell you.
JENNIFER: Oh really? When? Were you going to tell me after they already took Hannah away from me?
JACK: Look....let me explain....
JENNIFER: No save it Jack.
JACK: Please, if you just.....
JENNIFER: No Jack. I will never forgive you for this. Never.
JACK IS WOUNDED BY HER WORDS. JENNIFER RUNS OUT.
JACK: (Guilty, and grieving for her.) Jennifer, Jennifer. Damn it!
SCENE FIVE: JACK FOLLOWS JENNIFER BACK TO THE LOFT AND UNLOCKS THE DOOR AFTER SHE HAS GONE IN.
JENNIFER: How did you get in here?
JACK: I still have a key remember.
JENNIFER: Give me the key.
JACK: Look Jennifer we....
JENNIFER: I said, give it to me!
JACK RELUCTANTLY HANDS JENNIFER THE KEY.
JACK: Jennifer look....
JENNIFER: Jack, get out, right now!
JACK: We still have to talk, Jennifer.
JENNIFER: I have nothing to say to you.
JACK: Alright! Then just sit do....
JENNIFER WALKS PAST JACK AND HE SHUTS THE DOOR.
JACK: Sit down and listen. Look, this wasn't easy for me either you know.
JENNIFER: Oh Jack, my heart bleeds for you.
JACK: A couple of days ago when you were out, Social Services called and told me about Sally's parents.
JENNIFER: Haven't you heard Jack? They've invented these new clever things called a pen and a piece of paper. You could have left me a message.
JACK: Yeah I could have left you a message. What would I have written? Jennifer, your brother called, your laundrey's due, it's all ready and by the way, they're going to take the baby on Monday. I wanted to tell you in person Jennifer.
JENNIFER: Why didn't you?
JACK: I tri....I....I tried.
JENNIFER: Oh I know. At the last minute you thought it would be more fun if I found out as they were taking Hannah out of my arms.
JACK: No, th....that is not true Jennifer.
JENNIFER: How could you do this to me Jack? You know how much Hannah means to me.
JACK: Yes I know what she means to you and maybe that's why I didn't want to be the one who was going to hurt you like this.
JENNIFER: I guess none of this really matters anymore.
JACK: I guess not.
JENNIFER: I just wish that I'd known sooner, you know. Maybe I could've talked to someone. Maybe I could've talked to Mrs. Simms, to Sally's parents.
JACK: It wouldn't have done any good Jennifer.
JENNIFER: Jack it's just not fair. Where were they when Hannah was born? Did they even go to see her at the hospital? Did they even call to see if they were alright? They never cared about this baby. Why should I think it will be any different now?
JACK: It doesn't matter what you think anymore Jennifer. What's important is what....is what Sally wants. Sally's the mother.
JENNIFER: I know. It doesn't make it hurt any less though. (Beat) When are the Wales coming to pick up Hannah?
JACK: Today.
SCENE SIX: A SHORT TIME LATER JACK AND JENNIFER ARE WAITING AT THE LOFT FOR SALLY'S PARENTS TO ARRIVE. JENNIFER IS SAYING HER GOODBYES TO HANNAH. JACK IS COMING DOWN THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE THAT LEADS UP TO JENNIFER'S ROOM. HE STOPS UPON HEARING JENNIFER. HE LEANS AGAINST THE BRICK WALL. AND HIS HEART IS BREAKING FOR HER. JACK SEEMS DEVASTATED THAT HE DID THE ONE THING HE DID NOT WANT TO DO, HURT JENNIFER.
JENNIFER: I love you Hannah. I love you with all my heart. I know that you'll never remember me but I just wish....I just hope that somehow when your older you'll know that someone else loved you. I guess it's all I can hope for, uh? That and maybe you can smile for me? Maybe you can just smile for me before you go, uh? Give me a little smile here, come on.
THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. JACK IS DRAWN BACK TO THE PRESENT AND GOES TO ANSWER THE DOOR.
JACK: I'll....I'll get it.
MR. WALES: Hello, we're looking for Jennifer Horton.
JACK: Hi. Yes you must be the Wales. Yes. Ah....look come on in please. Ah....Jennifer, this is the Wales.
JENNIFER: Yes I heard. Hi.
MR. WALES: This is my wife Margaret.
MRS. WALES: And that adorable creature must be Hannah.
JENNIFER: Yes, this is Hannah.
MR. WALES: Well I guess we should be going.
JACK: Yes, Jennifer.
JENNIFER: Jack, um, did you pack all the diapers that I bought?
JACK: Yes.
JENNIFER: What about all of her new toys?
JACK: All of them, right here.
JENNIFER: Are you sure? Are you sure you have everything?
JACK: Everything....is right here....Jennifer, they have to go.
JENNIFER: Okay. You be good for your granma and granpa okay honey. Don't keep them up all night like you do me, okay?
JENNIFER HANDS THE BABY TO MRS. WALES.
JENNIFER: Sometimes at night, if she can't sleep, if you just hold her hand and sing to her, it helps.
MRS. WALES: Thank you.
JENNIFER: Please spend a lot of time with her. I think that's what Sally might have needed you know.
MRS. WALES: We know.
JACK HANDS THE BAG TO MR. WALES.
JACK: Mr. Wales, here.
JENNIFER: Wait, wait.
JENNIFER PICKS UP THE TOY RATTLE SHE JUST BOUGHT FOR HANNAH AND GIVES IT TO MRS. WALES.
JENNIFER: I love you Hannah. I love you.
JACK SHOWS THE WALES TO THE DOOR WHILE JENNIFER STARTS TO CRY.
JACK: Take care.
UNABLE TO WATCH, OR ALLOW HERSELF TO BE SEEN JENNIFER'S BACK IS TURNED FROM THEM. SHE NO LONGER CAN HOLD BACK HER PAIN AND BEGINS TO SOB. JACK WALKS TOWARDS HER. SHE FALLS SOBBING INTO HIS ARMS.
HE WANTS TO PUT HIS HAND ON HER SHOULDER TO COMFORT HER. HE HESITATES FOR AN INSTANT, BUT SEEING HER PAIN, HE GENTLY PLACES HIS HAND ON HER SHOULDER, BARELY TOUCHING HER.
SCENE SEVEN: A SHORT TIME LATER STILL AT THE LOFT. SHE IS PUTTING THINGS AWAY. JACK IS HOVERING BY HER. THE LOOK ON HIS FACE INDICATES THAT HE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO SAY. FINALLY HE DOES.
JACK: Jennifer, I know you must be feeling pretty rotten right now.
JENNIFER: Oh really Jack? How do you know how I feel? How could you possible know what I'm going through?
JACK: (Stung by her words.) I lived it.
JENNIFER: (Realizing what she said. Her expression is apologetic and sympathetic.) I'm sorry.
JACK: My mother, Jo, has been trying to tell me for a long time how hard it was for her to give me away and I never really knew what she meant. Until now.
JENNIFER: I don't know how she ever got through it.
JACK: (His voice cracking.) She got through it with strength, just like you will.JACK:By thinking about how much that she loved....and...um, how much she cared. Not how little time they spent together.
JENNIFER: Is that how you feel? Does it matter that you only had a short time with your mother?
JACK: No, it really wasn't the same thing.
JENNIFER: Jack, I need to know.
JACK: (Turning his head, looking away.) Honestly?....No.
THOUGH IS IT REALLY THE CASE? IT SEEMS BY HIS EXPRESSION THAT HE WANTS TO, BUT IS SCARED THAT IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN.
SCENE ONE: A FEW DAYS LATER AND DIANA HAS REALIZED THAT SHE WAS THE ONE WHO SHOT ROMAN AND IS ARRESTED.
SCENE TWO: JACK HAS ARRIVED AT THE OFFICE AND ASKS HIS SECRETARY IF SHE HAS HEARD FROM JENNIFER. BECAUSE OF HIS CONCERN FOR JENNIFER HE IS GIVING HIS SECRETARY A HARD TIME. [HE ALSO HAS A COLD]
JACK: Have you got word from Jennifer Horton yet?
SECRETARY: Oh no, Mr. Deveraux and this is the second message I've left her on her answering machine. She's got the cutest message....
JACK: Did you try her grandparents?
SECRETARY: I've contacted everyone you asked me to.
JACK: Try them again.
SECRETARY: Yes sir.
JACK: Look just cancel any calls I have for the day and let me know as soon as she gets in.
AS SHE LEAVES. CAL BURSTS INTO THE OFFICE. JACK RETURNS TO HIS SARCASTIC, SOMEWHAT SLIMEY SELF WITH CAL.
CAL: I want to talk to you.
JACK: Well Lieutenant, welcome back to work.
CAL: Just what are you trying to do to Diana?
JACK: I don't know what you're talking about.
CAL: I'm talking about this.
CAL THROWS A NEWSPAPER ON JACK'S DESK.
JACK: A little angry aren't we for having just got out of prison and having a whole new future?
CAL: Yeah, I'm talking about the trash you wrote about Diana and me.
JACK: I thought it was something I said.
CAL: I can't believe you would write such twisted lies.
JACK: Lieutenant, I wrote what I wrote, with your best interests at heart.
CAL: The hell with my best interests. Man I confessed to you that I shot Roman and then you turn that whole story around and you point the finger at Diana and you make it look as if she forced me to shoot Roman.
JACK: Well?
CAL: Well I told you I was guilty.
JACK: Lieutenant, I write the truth as I see it and unfortunately we didn't see things eye to eye.
CAL: Yeah well you are nothing but scum Deveraux.
JACK: (Affected by his words. A little ashamed.)The truth hurts, right? Well the truth is in today's paper. The headlines: "Diana Confesses." So I guess this scum was right all along. What really amazes me is that she actually fired that gun.
CAL: Oh yeah I just bet it does. What are doing? Just waiting around here to pick up Diana's share of the paper. Is that it? You're nothing but a vulture Deveraux. You destroy them and then you sit around to pick up the garbage. I don't know how you look at yourself in the mirror man.
JACK: Just a brave soul I guess.
CAL: Yeah, just a brave soul. I can't stay around here. It's starting to smell. It's making me sick. And by the way, if you think that you can get to Diana and hurt her anymore by going through me you can forget it. You can take your lousy paper and your so called honesty and you can stuff it. I quit.
CAL WALKS OUT THE DOOR AS JENNIFER COMES IN. JACK TRIES TO ACT SOMEWHAT ALOOF, BUT HE IS VERY GLAD TO SEE HER.
JENNIFER: Excuse me. (Beat) Was that Cal Winters?
JACK: Jennifer. Ah....yes, the same man.
JENNIFER: What was he so mad about?
JACK: Someone canceled his subscription.
JENNIFER: Jack, what did you say to Lieutenant Winters?
JACK: I have no idea what you're talking about.
JENNIFER: The man's obviously upset and in your office. It's not too hard to figure out.
JACK: Cal Winters cannot handle the truth.
JENNIFER: He must really love Diana if he's willing to risk jail in order to protect her. I mean having someone so in love with you that they'd give up their life for you has to be incredible.
JACK: Well I guess we'll find out the real story when we go to the arraignment. You are going to the arraignment with me, you know that. So I hope you brought a change of clothes. (Beat) Ah Jennifer are you alright?
JENNIFER PICKS UP ONE OF HANNAH'S TOYS FROM JACK'S DESK.
JENNIFER: (Trying not to cry.) Um yes. I found this toy of Hannah's under the bed this morning. It just makes me feel like a part of me was taken away. The first night was the worst. I mean I'd wake up in the middle of the night thinking that I heard her crying and when I'd go to the room to check on her, she wasn't there. There was no Hannah.
JACK: (Hurting for Jennifer.) Um....yes but you're going to be okay now, right?
JENNIFER: Look Jack what do you want me to do with loft? I mean there's no reason for me to be there without Hannah.
JACK: Well I wouldn't worry about that. Just stay there. I mean payroll's going to pick up the rent.
JENNIFER: I can't do that Jack.
JACK: Look, you were hired for this job, for this assignment and it's not that you're....I mean it's not your fault that the whole thing fell through.
JENNIFER: But it's not a problem. I can handle it.
JACK: How?
JENNIFER: I don't know. I'll move in with my granma and granpa again or Mike, if I have to.
JACK: You really want that?
JENNIFER: No, I mean I like being on my own. I like having my own schedule.
JACK: So you need....another resident paying rent.
JENNIFER: Jack you're right. That's it. I'll get a room mate and then I can afford it and I won't have to move back home. That's a great idea.
JACK: Where do you think you're going?
JENNIFER: To find a roommate.
JENNIFER RUSHES TO THE DOOR.
JACK: How about me?
SHE TURNS AROUND IN SHOCK.JENNIFER: You? (Beat) Are you serious about us living together Jack?
JACK: Ah....er....well who said I was being serious? I'm....er....joking.
JACK SAYS HE IS JOKING, BUT HIS FACIAL EXPRESSION SEEMS TO REVEAL THAT DEEP DOWN HE WOULD NOT MIND IF IT WERE SO. BUT THAT WOULD BE TOO MUCH TO HOPE FOR. SO HE PRETENDS TO BE JOKING TO HIDE HOW HE REALLY FEELS, WHAT HE REALLY WANTS.
JENNIFER: Okay well let's see. How does this sound? "Roommate wanted. Male or female to share loft apartment by riverfront. I work part time and go to Salem and need roommate to help share responsibilities of this great home. I don't smoke, do drugs or own any pets."
AGAIN TRYING TO BE NONCHALANT, HOPING SHE MIGHT AGREE, BUT WHEN SHE DOES HE PRETENDS THAT IT WAS A JOKE, NOT WANTING TO REVEAL HIS TRUE FEELINGS, AND THE FACT THAT HE IS DISAPPOINTED SHE DID NOT TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY. THOUGH THERE ALSO IS A HINT THAT JACK IS TESTING HER AS HE ALWAYS DOES TO HER.
JACK: It sounds like a Personals ad. Besides, I thought I already volunteered my services.
JENNIFER: Um....I'm....um....going to finish this and I'm going to put it on the office bulletin board, okay.
JACK: Bad move. Instead, let's put it in the newspaper since that's where we work and millions of people will see it every day. Besides I won't charge you.
JENNIFER: Oh thanks. You know Jack, you're okay sometimes.
JACK: I know that.
JENNIFER: No. I really mean it. You know I never got a chance to thank you for all your help with Hannah.
JACK: No you didn't.
JENNIFER: I really wanted to take Hannah, Jack. And I'm not sorry for one second that I did, even though it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. But I would never have made it without you.
JACK: (Not wanting to see her upset, and not wanting to show that he misses Hannah too he tries to change the subject.) Look we....we've got a lot of work to do.
JENNIFER: I miss her.
JACK: I know you do.
JENNIFER: Look, I know this is going to sound really dumb but having Hannah with me reminded me of a dream that I've had since I was a little girl.
JACK HAS DISPENSED WITH HIS JOKING, AND LISTENS INTENTLY TO WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY.
JACK: Oh really. What's that?
JENNIFER: Well, I never had a real family. You know like a home with a picket fence and a dog and all that. But I always imagined that's what I would have when I grew up. I mean I really thought I was destined to devote my life to being a wife and a mother. And when I met Frankie, I thought this is it. I'm going to marry him and we're going to have that family. But that never happened.
Then I actually thought that it might happen with Emilio. Boy I guess I can be really stupid sometimes, huh?
JACK WOULD NOT ADMIT IT, BUT HIS EXPRESSIONS REVEAL THAT DEEP DOWN HE DREAMS OF THE SAME THINGS. BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE, HE CAN NEVER HOPE TO SEE HIS DREAMS FULFILLED.
JACK: There's nothing stupid about wanting to have the right person in your life.
JENNIFER: Where do you find them?
JACK: Well I....I don't think you really find them. I think the important thing is to find yourself and then....er....once you've become the right person, the right person will find you.
JACK IS PENSIVE. AND DROPPING HIS DEFENSES HE IS ABLE TO GIVE JENNIFER SOME GOOD ADVICE.
[ADVICE WHICH EVENTUALLY WILL BE PROPHETIC SINCE HE AND SHE WILL GROW AND DISCOVER THEMSELVES, AND WILL THEN DISCOVER THEIR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.]
JENNIFER: (Smiling at Jack. She definitely realizes that there is more to him than he lets people think.) Jack Deveraux, if you keep this up, you're going to spoil your image.
JACK: (Smiling back at her.) Oh, we wouldn't want that to happen.
JENNIFER: (Smiling in return) No we wouldn't, would we?
SHE SEEMS TO BE MORE AND MORE TAKEN BY HIM. SHE IS ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO SEE THROUGH JACK'S DEFENSES AND BEYOND HIS PAST. AND SHE KNOWS WHY HE ACTS THE WAY HE DOES.
SCENE THREE: LATER JACK AND JENNIFER ARE AT DIANA'S ARRAIGNMENT.
CAL: What are you doing here?
JACK: Me? I'm an observer.
CAL: What are you going to do? Write another sleazy article Jack?
JACK: Maybe I will, with your help. I mean you've worked for the newspaper Cal. You know we only print the truth.
CAL: Yeah I know that you deserve to rot.
JACK: Now wait a minute. There's no place for aggression here. I don't think you want to complicate things with an assault charge. There's plenty of policeman around.
CAL: No, no, no, no, you don't understand Deveraux. I would gladly risk an assault charge to give you what you deserve.
JENNIFER TRIES TO PUSH CAL AWAY.
JENNIFER: Please stop it. Please.
JACK: Oh really!
POLICEMAN: Have we got a problem here? If so I am asking you both to leave.
JACK: No I don't think there's any problem here. Cal?
CAL: No. No problem.
JACK: Diana! She never looked like this.
JENNIFER: You could do something about it Jack. In the press.
JACK: I think we should both sit down.
DIANA COMES IN THE COURTROOM LOOKING DAZED. JACK SEEMS SHOCKED BY HOW BAD DIANA LOOKS. HE SEEMS TO FINALLY REALIZES WHAT HIS ACTIONS HAVE DONE, AND THAT HE HAS HURT YET *ANOTHER* PERSON. HE IS ASHAMED AND GUILTY.
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