Episode Sixty-eight:
Jack Is Jealous When Emilio
Becomes Jennifer's Roommate.

---

[Air date late June 1989]

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER'S AD FOR A ROOMMATE IS IN THE PAPER. SCOTT, JULIE'S GRANDSON, IS BACK IN TOWN AND SEES THE AD. HE CALLS THE NUMBER AND MAKES AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE THE LOFT, NOT KNOWING HE IS TALKING TO JENNIFER.

SCENE TWO: JACK ARRIVES AT ROMAN'S HOUSE TO SEE DIANA. ROMAN HAS JUST GOT BACK FROM A LONG TWO DAY SHIFT AND HAS NO IDEA THAT DIANA HAS LEFT TOWN.

 

ROMAN: Yeah.

JACK: (Furious) Alright, where is she? DIANA!

ROMAN: Oh no. I'm not in the mood for twenty questions, okay.

JACK: DIANA!

ROMAN: I just got off a two day stake out.

JACK: I didn't ask where you were. DIANA!

ROMAN: I said I just got off a two day stake out man.

JACK: Look, if she thinks she can get away with this, she can guess again.

ROMAN: What in the hell are you whining about this time Deveraux?

JACK: I'm whining about this.

ROMAN: And what is this?

JACK: Power of Attorney.

ROMAN: Power of Attorney?

JACK: That's right. She just gave Vern Scofield entire control over her half of the paper.

ROMAN: What? Let me see this thing.

JACK: It's right there in black and white. Little Miss I-Want-to-Run-the-Paper-My-Way finally gave good old Vern control over her half of the paper. Must be her idea of a joke, right?

ROMAN: I don't know. I don't know what the hell it is.

JACK: There's only one way to find out. Diana get down here!

ROMAN: I told you she's not here. I don't know where she is. Last time I talked to her was when I went on stake out.

JACK: Well let's just make ourselves comfortable until she gets home.

 

JACK STARTS TO SIT ON THE COUCH BUT ROMAN DRAGS HIM BACK UP.

 

ROMAN: Wrong. Look pal, I'm tired, I've had a bad day and I don't need you hanging around here giving me more of a headache than I've already got. You understand?

JACK: I just want to talk to Diana, that's all.

ROMAN: I told you she's not here.

JACK: She's not....

 

ROMAN SLAMS THE DOOR IN JACK'S FACE.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER IS WORKING AT HER DESK WHEN EMILIO DROPS BY TO SEE HER. HE TELLS HER THAT HE HAS AN INTERVIEW FOR A JOB AND SHE IS HAPPY FOR HIM. HE ASKS FOR A GOOD LUCK KISS AND AS SHE IS KISSING HIM JACK ARRIVES.

 

JACK: (Flustered by what he sees; but not wanting to let on. He acts sarcastic.) By all means, don't let a little work stand between you and your personal life Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: What does this look like? Lover's lane.

EMILIO: Oh no.

JACK: (He is hard strict, because he does not want her to see that he is jealous; in fact he is not able to admit it to himself that he is jealous.) Now Jennifer, when you're working I expect you to act like a reporter not some oversexed teenager. If you can't handle that, maybe you're not the professional I thought you were.

EMILIO: Listen this is none of your business so why don't you just leave her alone, okay?

JACK: Oh I'm afraid you're grossly misinformed. This is my business. The newspaper business. I can't have any of my employees fraternizing on company time.

JENNIFER: (HAH?) Fraternizing, Jack!

EMILIO: (Acting his tough guy, macho self.) Why don't I just fraternize all over your face, okay?

JENNIFER: Stop it. Stop.

EMILIO: You got no right to talk to her like that.

JACK: No right? I can't have my employees making fools of themselves in front of the whole office.

JENNIFER: Will you just stop?

JACK: Well I can't.

EMILIO: Listen why don't I just take him out and smash his brains against the wall?

JENNIFER: Emilio, why don't you leave okay?

EMILIO: I'm not leaving you here with this punk.

JENNIFER: I can handle this situation.

EMILIO: Are you sure?

JENNIFER: Yes I'm sure. Just go.

EMILIO: Okay. I'll see you later.

JENNIFER: Fine.

EMILIO: (In Jack's face.) Tutututu!

JACK: Hmmm.

 

EMILIO LEAVES AND JENNIFER HITS JACK FOR LAUGHING.

 

JENNIFER: How dare you do that to me Jack?

JACK: Do what?

JENNIFER: Embarrass me like that. That was way out of line.

JACK: Oh you were embarrassing yourself Jennifer. Making a scene like that I must say.

JENNIFER: I wasn't making a scene. I gave him a little peck Jack. It was nothing.

JACK: Let's just put the kiabosh on the office hijinks okay.

JENNIFER: No. You are not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on.

JACK: What are you talking about?

JENNIFER: (Realizing why Jack is so upset.) Jack you blew this whole thing way out of proportion. Why? Why are you making such a big deal out of me kissing Emilio?

JACK: Now who's making a big deal out of nothing.

JENNIFER: No Jack, I want to know. Why were you so mad about me kissing Emilio?

JACK: Look, this is about improper office behavior.

JENNIFER: Yeah and I told you I don't buy that.

JACK: You can kiss whoever or whatever you want to, on your own time out of the office.

JENNIFER: Oh good, I'm glad we got that straight Jack.

JACK: So am I, so am I. I'm glad.

JENNIFER: Fine.

JACK: Where are you going now?

JENNIFER: I have an appointment.

JACK: With who?

JENNIFER: None of your business.

JACK: You're on company time. Who?

JENNIFER: (Sarcastic. Teasing Jack.) The Salem University football team Jack.

JACK: All of them?

JENNIFER: Yeah, I have a date with all of them and the whole marching band too. What do you think about that?

JACK: I'm impressed.

 

JENNIFER WALKS OUT AND JACK TURNS AROUND TO SEE THE WHOLE OFFICE WATCHING HIM.

 

JACK: Well what are you looking at? Get back to work. Sheeee.

 

HE WALKS AROUND AND SITS AT JENNIFER'S DESK.

 

JACK: (Impressed.) The whole football team....damn!

SCENE FOUR: JENNIFER GOES BACK TO HER APARTMENT AND MEETS SCOTT WHO HAS COME TO LOOK AT HER APARTMENT. THEY BOTH LAUGH ABOUT THE MIX UP BUT HE SAYS THAT HE DOES NOT WANT TO LIVE WITH HIS COUSIN.

SCENE FIVE: MEANWHILE JACK HAS DOZED OFF WHILE SITTING AT JENNIFER'S DESK....

....HE LOOKS AT HER COMPUTER SCREEN AND READS:

 

JACK: "HI, JACK....Why were you so upset when I kissed Emilio?"

 

HE LOOKS UP TO SEE JENNIFER SITTING AT THE DESK OPPOSITE HIM.

Click to view video [1.9M]

SHE WAVES THEN STANDS UP AND REMOVES HER JACKET AND THROWS IT IN HIS FACE AS SHE WALKS TOWARDS HIM. HE IS PETRIFIED.

 

JENNIFER: You didn't answer my question Jack. Why were you so upset when I kissed Emilio?

HE STANDS AND TRIES TO GET AROUND THE DESK BUT SHE TRAPS HIM BY HOLDING ON TO HIS TIE.

JACK: Ah....um....I told you. It's....ah....because of the impropriety in the....ah....office and the....ah....the Puritanical Work Ethic....

JENNIFER: (Seductively) You're a terrible liar Jack.

JACK: I am?

JENNIFER: Huh, uh.

JACK: I am.

 

JENNIFER MOVES CLOSER AND CLOSER UNTIL SHE IS NIBBLING HIS EAR.

 

JENNIFER: Yes. I know how you really feel. I feel the same way Jack. It's you that I want, not Emilio. You have no reason to be jealous of him. No reason at all. You don't know what to do with me Jack, do you? Jack....Jack....Jack.

 

JENNIFER BEGINS TAPPING ON THE MONITOR AND JACK WAKES UP.

 

JENNIFER: (In his dream.) Jack, Jack. (This time it is really Jennifer.) JACK!

JACK: (Awaking from his daydream.) Huh? Jennifer!

JENNIFER: (Amused) It must have been some daydream you were having.

JACK: (Confused, and hoping that what happened is not obvious to her.) Why?

JENNIFER: Cause you're drooling Jack.

JACK: (Looking and checking to see if he really is. And he is.) Oh. I am. Oh.

JENNIFER: Excuse me, I'm sorry to interrupt you but could you just move back. I need to get something in here.

 

SHE PUSHES HIS CHAIR BACK AND BENDS OVER IN FRONT OF HIM.

JACK: (Thinking out loud.) So do I.

JENNIFER: (Amused at Jack's discomfort.) What?

JACK: (Trying to pass it off as nothing.) Oh nothing, rea.....nothing.

JENNIFER: I forgot my keys.

JACK: (Still confused.) You did?

JENNIFER: Yes, why else would I want to come back here?

JACK: I....don't know.

JENNIFER: Goodbye Jack.

JACK: Jennifer were you just....nah....nah!

 

JACK IS UNSURE IF IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED. AND IS HE RIGHT WAS IT MORE THAN JUST A DREAM?

 

SCENE ONE: JACK AND JENNIFER ARE WALKING ALONG THE PIER GOING OVER WORK. THEY ARE ARGUING BACK AND FORTH ABOUT THE STYLE OF AN ARTICLE.

 

JACK: No you can't lead with that. That's rehash.

JENNIFER: No Jack, it's clarification.

JACK: It's boring. It's about school referendum. That's boring.

JENNIFER: No it's not, not when I write it.

JACK: I'm writing it.

JENNIFER: No we're both writing it but if you're going to give me a hard time, we'll just forget the whole thing Jack.

JACK: Don't stop now, it was just starting to get lively. What are you looking at?

JENNIFER: Look.

JACK: Well it's a bum reading a paper. At least it's one of our papers.

JENNIFER: (Concerned.) Jack would you just stop? We can't just walk by him.

JACK: (Not wanting to get involved.) You're right. Let's jog. Come on.

JENNIFER: Just stop. I want to see if he's alright, Maybe he needs help or some money or something.

JACK: Don't, don't do that. Don't Jennifer, that will encourage him.

JENNIFER: Excuse me, excuse me.

JACK: Jennifer don't please. Don't.

JENNIFER: Excuse me.

 

SHE REMOVES THE PAPER FROM THE GUY'S FACE.

 

JENNIFER: (Shocked) Emilio! Emilio what are you doing?

EMILIO: What does it look like I'm doing?

JENNIFER: Did you sleep out here all night?

EMILIO: Maybe.

JENNIFER: I don't believe this. Emilio.

JACK: (Not at all happy. So resorting to being snide.) I do.

EMILIO: Nobody asked you.

JENNIFER: What happened? How come you didn't stay at April's?

EMILIO: None of your business.

JENNIFER: Did she kick you out?

JACK: (Snarkily) Maybe there'll be hope for her yet.

EMILIO: (Not at all amused by Jack's sense of humor.) Look why don't you shut up man before I slap one of your hands and break your manicured nails.

JACK: Well maybe you'd prefer to be sleeping in jail than on the streets.

EMILIO: No but I'll see you later when it's one on one. How does that grab you?

JACK: I don't believe this.

EMILIO: Get out of my face okay you punk.

JENNIFER: Will you stop this? Jack I'll meet you at work okay.

JACK: Jennifer, we have work to do.

JENNIFER: I know that. This won't take long.

EMILIO: Only five seconds because I got nothing to say.

JENNIFER: Emilio, where are you going?

EMILIO: None of your business man. What do you care?

JENNIFER: You need help.

EMILIO: I don't need nothing from you besides your boyfriends might not like it.

JACK AND JENNIFER: (Together) What boyfriends?

EMILIO: You mean those button down woosies you've been hanging out with? (Looking at Jack.) Huh, huh!

JENNIFER: Emilio, I don't know what you're talking about.

EMILIO: Look why don't you just get out of here. You got a gig right. Get out of here and leave me alone.

JACK: You heard the man Jennifer. I think we have work to do. Our gig!

 

JACK AND JENNIFER LEAVE.

SCENE TWO: A SHORT TIME LATER, JENNIFER COMES BACK TO THE PIER. SHE ASKS EMILIO TO MOVE IN WITH HER UNTIL HE GETS A JOB. HE ASKS HER WHAT THE "CREEP" WILL THINK ABOUT IT AND SHE TELLS HIM THAT JACK IS HER BOSS AND THAT IS ALL. EMILIO SAYS THAT JACK DOES NOT ACT LIKE IT.

SCENE THREE: A BIT LATER EMILIO ARRIVES AT THE LOFT AND SAYS THAT HE HAS DECIDED TO MOVE IN. SHE SETS OUT A FEW HOUSE RULES FOR HIM INCLUDING THE ONE THAT HER ROOM IS OFF LIMITS. SHE SHOWS EMILIO TO HIS ROOM AND THERE'S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: Come on in.

JACK: I've got those materials you were looking for.

JENNIFER: Jack great. You've got the statistics and flow charts and everything. That's great.

JACK: Come right in here gents.

 

TWO WAITERS COME IN PULLING A TABLE SET UP FOR DINNER WITH CANDLES AND FLOWERS. VERY ROMANTIC.

 

WAITER: Yes sir.

JENNIFER: What are you talking....what's going on here?

JACK: It's dinner.

JENNIFER: Wha....I thought we were supposed to be working Jack.

JACK: This is how I like to work.

JENNIFER: I don't believe you. Jack!

JACK: I, for one, am tired of pizza on paper plates.

JENNIFER: I like pizza, Jack.

JACK: Here, why don't you try this? It's caviar. Of course you can have it on a paper plate but it sure "tastes a lot better when it sits on a Ritz."

 

EMILIO COMES RUNNING INTO THE ROOM, SWINGING A SHIRT.

 

EMILIO: Jennifer! Where's the laundry?

JACK: (Frustrated at seeing him.) What's he doing here?

JENNIFER: He's living here.

JACK: I don't believe this.

JENNIFER: Well it's true. Emilio's going to be staying with me for a little while.

JACK: No I mean this is too much Jennifer, even for you.

JENNIFER: It's none of your business Jack.

EMILIO: But you can make it your business.

JENNIFER: (To Jack) Look if you came here to work okay but I'm not going to let you stand here and insult my friends, okay?

JACK: Alright, alright, have it your way. Alright gents I think we're all set up here. Good. Here's a....do you have change? No, go ahead, here.

WAITER: Gee thanks.

JACK: Sure.

 

JACK SITS DOWN AT THE DINNER TABLE.

 

JENNIFER: Jack I thought you wanted to work? So what do you want to do?

JACK: I do want to work but this is getting cold so let's eat. (To Emilio) Look I'd invite you but there's only enough here for two.

EMILIO: Oh come on you gotta be kidding. There's plenty here for all of us. Here sit down Jen. Here sit down. I'll get a chair here, pull it up. This is going to be fun.

JACK: Make that two and a half!

SCENE FOUR: DINNER IS ALMOST OVER. JACK IS UPSET BECAUSE EMILIO HAS RUINED HIS PLANS. JACK WAS TRYING TO SHOW OFF HOW SOPHISTICATED HE WAS AND THUS MAKE EMILIO LOOK BAD. HE IS HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME DEALING WITH EMILIO'S CRUDE MANNERS.

 

JENNIFER: I'm going to start the coffee.

EMILIO: (To Jack) Are you going to finish that?

JACK: (Not a happy camper.) No, I guess not.

EMILIO: Good. There you go.

JACK: Hungry, huh?

EMILIO: Second wind, you know what I mean.

JACK: Yeah. Oh while you're at it. I think you missed a few of these during your first pass.

EMILIO: I'm not crazy about liverwurst, you know.

JACK: Oh, no, no, that's paté. Paté.

EMILIO: Well I'm not crazy about that either. But I am crazy about desserts. So what did you bring us?

JACK: You're really enjoying yourself aren't you?

EMILIO: Come on. Good food, good wine, a nice lady. What's not to enjoy?

JACK: Hmmm. How long to you plan to be staying here?

EMILIO: Till I get a job.

JACK: Then you'll leave?

EMILIO: Gee you're quick.

JACK: I hope so. How soon do you think it's going to be before you find a job?

EMILIO: I don't know. It depends.

JACK: Depends on what? Do you have any prospects?

EMILIO: Well, I'm waiting on some calls if that's what you're talking about.

JACK: Hmmm. Well maybe I could help you find something.

EMILIO: What, are you crazy?

JACK: No, I've got a lot of friends. Maybe they could find something suitable for you.

EMILIO: Right, forget it okay.

JACK: I'm just trying to help you.

EMILIO: Look I don't need your help. Especially your help. I can get a gig on my own.

JACK: The question is when.

EMILIO: Now you wouldn't want me to rush into anything now would you?

JACK: No I wouldn't want that! No.

SCENE ONE: THE NEXT DAY JENNIFER IS DOING SOME EXERCISE AT THE LOFT AND SHE GETS A CRAMP IN HER LEG. EMILIO OFFERS TO MASSAGE IT. JACK COMES IN.

 

JACK: (Hiding his jealousy.) Jennifer if you leave your front door open like this you're going to have all kinds of street people coming in bothering you....well maybe I spoke out of turn.

JENNIFER: My leg cramped up and Emilio was just fixing it for me.

JACK: Really.

JENNIFER: Yes.

EMILIO: It should feel a little better. Does it?

JENNIFER: It does. It feels a lot better. Thanks.

JACK: I didn't know you were trained in sports medicine.

EMILIO: Well you live and learn don't you?

JENNIFER: Jack what are you doing here?

JACK: Well, actually something happened and I'm....we have to talk.

JENNIFER: It's my day off.

JACK: Well I know but it's very important.

JENNIFER: But Jack you always say that. This is my home, this is not an extension of the office alright. (Pointing to her phone) And this is a telephone. All you have to do is pick it up and dial my number.

JACK: But you see it really is very important.

JENNIFER: I like my privacy. If you want to keep coming over here, call first.

JACK: Okay. Sure. Well when we have some time I'll tell you what Dr. Green said.

JENNIFER: Wait! Wait a minute. Jack, do you mean Dr. Green the chairman of the Journalism Department?

JACK: Yes, that same Dr. Green. He wants to extend your internship at the paper into next year. For credit of course.

JENNIFER: (Here curiosity is peeked.) What? What else did he say?

JACK: Well I mean in addition to what I just told you, there is a sizable grant involved. I thought you'd probably still be interested.

JENNIFER: (Ecstatic.) Jack are you kidding. I'm so excited. I'm....I'm sorry I didn't mean to jump all over you like that.

JACK: (Pretending it is nothing.) Oh no problem please. Oh one more thing. Doc Green said he needs to see a couple of samples of your work still. I mean he's not going to give you the thing until he....well until he's sure that you can still write.

JENNIFER: Are you kidding? My whole career is riding on two stories. I'm going to go crazy figuring out what I'm supposed to pick.

JACK: Well I'll help you.

JENNIFER: Well it's going to take me hours to get it all together and go through them and....

JACK: Okay, okay. I'll come back later. I'll call this time.

JENNIFER: Alright. Alright. Thanks. Thanks Jack.

JACK: Sure.

EMILIO: The door's over there Bro.

JACK: I know. (Beat) I thought you were going to be out looking for a job?

EMILIO: I've been looking for a job.

JACK: In your shorts?

EMILIO: Hey look man, I know what I'm doing okay?

JACK: Hmmm, uh.

EMILIO: Who knows? If I stick around long enough I may never leave. Ha Ha!

JACK: Who knows.

SCENE TWO: JACK DECIDES TO VISIT NICK AT WINGS. JACK HAS A PLAN. HE IS DETERMINED TO GET EMILIO OUT OF JENNIFER'S LOFT.

 

JACK: Excuse me.

NICK: What do you want?

JACK: (Trying to con Nick.) Well actually I would like to talk to you if you're through with your important business?

APRIL: Yeah, I got work to do.

NICK: (Nick is not fooled by Jack.) Okay, start talking. You got thirty seconds. 29, 28....

JACK: I'd like you to hire someone as a bouncer.

NICK: Forget it. 27, 26....

JACK: I'm not going to take no for an answer.

NICK: What, do I look like the unemployment office? 25, 24....

JACK: It's for Emilio.

NICK: Ramirez?

JACK: (Devious.) Yes. As in April Ramirez. Look. They're as tight as melted cheese and refried beans. Give the dead beat brother a job and you're in.

NICK: And what's in it for you Jackie boy?

JACK: Oh that's my business.

NICK: No, wait a minute, wait a minute. April told me Emilio is staying with Jennifer Horton until he gets on his feet right?

JACK: So?

NICK: So maybe you want him on his feet?

JACK: So who wouldn't? He's a dead beat.

NICK: Look if I hire Emilio, it's going to be for April, alright? Not for you.

JACK: Just do it.

SCENE THREE: LATER THAT DAY, JACK IS WORKING WITH JENNIFER AT THE LOFT.

 

JENNIFER: Okay Jack, take a look at these. No those are bad. Put those down.Take a look at these.

JACK: Alright, I'll look at these and you look over those again.

JENNIFER: Thanks a lot. You're really making this easier for me.

JACK: Don't thank me. Thank Mr. Ramirez.

JENNIFER: Emilio? For what?

JACK: For bugging out when he did. You know you couldn't get any work done with him hanging around like that. I'm surprised. I bet he's always trying to get in the way of your work.

JENNIFER: No, he's really no trouble at all.

JACK: Oh come on. You've got to admit you can't wait till the guy gets out of here.

JENNIFER: Look Jack, until he finds a job, he has to stay here and that looks like it's going to take a while.

JACK: You don't sound too upset. What happened to "I value my privacy"?

JENNIFER: I do.

JACK: Hmmm. Well to each his own but I think most people have a pretty low threshold for moochers. And Emilio is a pretty expensive one. Believe me, I've seen him eat.

JENNIFER: He's going to pay me back.

JACK: Huh, uh. When and if he gets a job. Until then, su casa es mi casa.

JENNIFER: Look, it's not going to be forever, alright.

JACK: You do want him to leave don't you?

JENNIFER: Yes of course I do but what's the point on dwelling on it Jack. He's going to be here for a while and that's all there is to it.

 

EMILIO ARRIVES.

 

EMILIO: Hey.

JENNIFER: Emilio, hi.

JACK: (Sarcastic) Emilio.

EMILIO: Don't worry I didn't knock off any corner stores. This is all paid for, in cash.

JENNIFER: Well I thought you didn't have any money.

EMILIO: Well I don't but I spent my advance.

JENNIFER: Your advance?

EMILIO: Yeah, from my new job.

JENNIFER: Emilio, that's great. You're going to be a bouncer at Wings?

EMILIO: That's right. I get to throw people out and everything.

JACK: You must be very proud.

JENNIFER: You should be. Congratulations. I'm really happy for you.

EMILIO: Thanks, thanks. Listen, I'm going to put this stuff away here.

JENNIFER: Here, let me help you.

EMILIO: I know where everything is.

JENNIFER: Yeah, probably better than I do.

EMILIO: That's because you don't eat. You know I put a pretty big dent in that refrigerator so....

JACK: No, really?

JENNIFER: I don't mind.

JACK: I guess you'll be putting a dent in your own refrigerator now. You did say when you got a job you'd be moving into your own place, right?

EMILIO: Right, that's what I said but right now I'm not worrying about that. I'm celebrating. I'm making dinner. Some of mama's favorites. You'll love it.

JENNIFER: That's great.

EMILIO: Yeah. You're going to think you died and went to Mexico.

JENNIFER: Oh Jack, you know you're welcome to stay for dinner if you want to.

JACK: Well....thank you. But I don't think my internal organs could take the trip South of the Border. Thanks.

AS JENNIFER AND EMILIO DISCUSS HIS NEW JOB. JACK WALKS OUT, SMUG THAT HIS PLAN IS WORKING.