SCENE ONE: JENNIFER GOES TO THE HOSPITAL TO WISH HER GRANDFATHER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. SHE ASKS THEM FOR DINNER. ALICE SAYS SHE WILL BRING DESSERT AND JENNIFER ASKS HER TO MAKE ENOUGH FOR FOUR BECAUSE SHE IS ASKING JACK. THEY ARE VERY UPSET, BUT JENNIFER SAYS THAT JACK HAS ANOTHER SIDE THAT IS KIND AND CARING. SHE SAYS SHE WANTS TO HELP JACK PROVE TO PEOPLE THAT HE IS REALLY A NICE GUY.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER THEN GOES TO THE SPECTATOR TO SEE JACK.

 

JENNIFER: Jack I was wondering....

 

HE IS NOT IN HIS OFFICE BUT SHE GOES IN AND SEES HIS AWARD. SHE LOOKS FOR A PLACE TO HANG IT. SHE IS OBVIOUSLY VERY PROUD AND HAPPY FOR JACK.

AS SHE IS SEARCHING FOR AN APPROPRIATE PLACE TO HANG THE AWARD, JACK WALKS IN.

 

JACK: (Surpised to see her.) Jennifer, what are you doing?

JENNIFER: Oh, I was going to try and find the perfect place to hang this for you Jack.

JACK: (Feigning indifference) Got it covered.

 

HE TAKES IT FROM HER AND DROPS IT IN THE WASTE BIN. SHE LOOKS DISAPPOINTED IN HIM. UNCOMFORTABLE WITH JENNIFER'S PRAISE AND THEIR CLOSENESS, HE RESORTS TO PUTTING UP HIS DEFENSES, AND BEING ANTAGONISTIC.

 

JACK: Have you got a problem?

JENNIFER: (Jennifer is not buying his act.) No I don't. I just can't believe you.

JACK: Jennifer, it's a little piece of wood with a little piece of metal glued to it.

JENNIFER: I'm talking about what it stands for. This award is for recognition of your work.

JACK: I wrote a few articles, two of which happened to be the tear jerking variety that wins awards. So what?

JENNIFER: Jack the publishers aren't that stupid. They liked what you did or they would never have voted for you.

JACK: (The gentleman doeth protest too much.) Jennifer, don't be naive. Everybody's the same. They all hate each other all year long then one night a year everybody gets together for a banquet. The "Gee What a Great Business This Is" banquet. Then they invite me who hasn't been around long enough to make any enemies. So I'm the flavor of the month. This month.

JENNIFER: (Nailing Jack) Jack you just won't take a compliment will you?

JACK: And you won't take a hint. Subject is closed.

JENNIFER: Well I don't care what you say. I know that this award meant something to you because I saw your face when you gave your acceptance speech.

JACK: I'm a well trained politician. I had to look grateful.

JENNIFER: Jack why can't you just admit an honest emotion? Is doing good so embarrassing for you?

JACK: What day is it?

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: What day is it? It's Thursday. Funny. Yes it is Thursday. You know for a second I thought it was your day off and here you are wasting my time and you are wearing a little outfit that should be worn at the beach.

JENNIFER: Jack it's 95 degrees outside.

JACK: Is it really?

JENNIFER: Yes it is and in case you haven't noticed, the air conditioning still hasn't been fixed. You're the only one that comes here buttoned up and in a suit all year long.

JACK: What can I say? It's inbred. "Never let'em see you sweat."

JENNIFER: No, maybe you're just not human.

JACK: Jennifer, is there really a point to your being here other than wasting my time? Is that your new mission in life?

JENNIFER: (Frustrated) No, no Jack. I think we're both wasting our time.

JACK: Oh well maybe we are.

 

JENNIFER WALKS OUT AND SLAMS THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Maybe we are.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER BUMPS INTO EMILIO IN THE PARK. HE TELLS HER TO STOP THINKING ABOUT JACK BUT SHE SAYS SHE CANNOT DO THAT. SHE ASKS EMILIO TO COME TO DINNER WITH HER GRANDPARENTS.

SCENE FOUR: BACK AT THE OFFICE, JACK REMOVES THE AWARD FROM THE TRASHCAN AND DUSTS IT OFF. AS HE IS DOING IT, JO DROPS BY TO TALK TO HIM AND HE DROPS THE AWARD BACK IN THE TRASH.

 

JO: Jack, Jack.

JACK: Ah Mrs. Johnson, yes.

JO: Are you busy? Your secretary said it would be alright if I just came on in.

JACK: Actually I am rather busy, yes.

JO: Well I'll just stay a minute. I wanted to tell you how proud I am.

JACK: Really. Proud of what?

JO: Of you! I got so excited I went out and I bought six extra copies of this paper.

JACK: What are you talking about?

JO: Oh this. Read this.

JACK: (Not as upset as he pretends he is.) "Spectator Publisher Receives Award." Dammit! I told Vern not to put this on page one.

JO: Jack, he's proud of you. Everybody's proud of you. Listen, listen to this. (Reading) "Mr. Deveraux is only the fourth publisher in Salem history to be cited for his contributions to a newspaper's editorial achievements." Jack, you must be so thrilled. (Beat) What's the matter?

JACK: (Distract, thinking of the other night and Jennifer.) Huh?

JO: Penny for your thoughts.

JACK: Are you always like this?

 

AS WITH JENNIFER HE IS EMBARRASSED WITH JO'S PRAISE, SO HE RESORTS TO BEING ANTAGONISTIC.

 

JO: Like what?

JACK: Like this in the morning. Bright and chipper and cheerful and full of little country witticisms. It's making me sick!

JO: (Hurt) I'm sorry....I'm sorry.

 

ABOUT TO LEAVE.

 

JACK: (Getting up, truly sorry) Dammit, no I'm sorry. Mrs. Johnson, I'm the one who's sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I had a falling out with one of my employees.

JO: Oh....who?

JACK: (Under his breath, talking more to himself.) Who do you think?

JO: Jennifer?

JACK: (Surprised that it is that obvious.) Ah....well yes actually it was Jennifer. (Unconvincing) Not that it makes any difference.

JO: If you treated her the way you just treated me, I can see why she might be a little angry.

JACK: Oh, she was not a little angry. She was very angry.

JO: What happened?

JACK: Nothing, nothing happened. (Beat) Ah....actually I did snap at her.

JO: Why?

JACK: I don't know why. I just did....it just happened.

JO: I know why. Because the Senator and Mrs. Deveraux didn't teach you about people's feelings.

JACK: (Sad, realizing that what she is saying is the truth.) No, they....that really wasn't their thing.

JO: (Sad and guilty that by giving him up he had that type of upbringing.) Jack, you've missed out on so much.

JACK: (Accepting but sad) Don't worry about it.

JO: Well I do, I do worry about it because I don't want you to end up like them. I don't think you do either. Do you want to end up like them?

JACK: People really don't change.

JO: People can change.

JACK: (Wanting to believe it is truly, but not able to dare hope it.) Even if people can change, it's not going to make any difference.

JO: If you're talking about Jennifer, I think you're wrong (Knowing very well that is of whom he is thinking).

JACK: (Not wanting to admit that she is right.) No, I'm not talking about Jennifer, but even if I was talking about Jennifer, I mean look at the girl. I mean she respects people who just.... like.... people who wear their heart on their sleeve, people who let their emotions just drop, like the drop of a hat. Like.... er.... like Emilio Ramirez. I don't want to be like that. That's not me.

JO: No. Why don't you just be you? Be the real you. Stop hiding behind a person that you think everybody wants to see. Just, think about it Jack!

JACK: Mrs. Johnson, not that it would work, but thanks for trying. Thanks.

JO: (Pleased) You're welcome.

 

JO LEAVES AND JACK GETS AN IDEA. HE PICKS UP THE PHONE.

 

JACK: Hello, this is me. Mr. Deveraux. I want you to get in here right now with a tape measure....yes a tape measure. Please find one and come in here and bring the Yellow Pages. We have a lot of work to do. (Beat) A lot of work.

SCENE FIVE: EMILIO AGREES TO COME TO DINNER BUT HE IS WORRIED ABOUT HIS IMAGE. JENNIFER DECIDES TO TAKE HIM SHOPPING FOR A NEW WARDROBE. SHE TAKES HIM TO SAXTON'S AND OUTFITS HIM IN NEW PANTS, SHIRT, TIE AND JACKET VERY LIKE WHAT JACK WEARS. EMILIO FEELS UNCOMFORTABLE BUT GOES ALONG WITH IT FOR HER SAKE.

SCENE SIX: MEANWHILE JACK IS BACK IN HIS OFFICE.

 

MAN: Delivery.

JACK: Oh yes, come right in.

MAN: Where do you want this stuff?

JACK: Oh you can put it on the floor or on the....

 

THE GUY DUMPS THE STUFF ON TOP OF JACK'S FILES.

 

JACK: ....wherever you want.

MAN: We'll be back with round two.

JACK: Just keep it kinda quiet out there too and....

 

JACK TRIES TO LIFT THE BOXES AND CANNOT.

 

JACK: Oh my gosh, this stuff is heavy.

MAN: Where would you like this?

JACK: Oh, er, put that right here.

MAN: Okay.

JACK: Good, good.

MAN: How's that?

JACK: Good, here you go gentlemen. Don't spend it all in one place.

MAN: Whew!

JACK: And don't let anyone see you leave, okay. Thanks.

 

JACK PEEPS THROUGH THE BLINDS ON HIS DOOR TO MAKE SURE NOBODY IS LOOKING THEN PICKS UP THE PHONE.

 

JACK: (Secretively) This is Mr. Deveraux again. The shipment has arrived. Yes, yes. So if anyone calls for me, say that I'm in conference and cannot be disturbed. That includes you, alright. Thank you very much.

 

JACK BEGINS TO OPEN THE BOXES. HE LOOKS INSIDE THE BIG ONE.

 

JACK: (Very pleased) Yes, yes!

 

JACK REMOVES A BLACK LEATHER JACKET WITH CHAINS FROM THE BOX AND HOLDS IT UP AGAINST HIMSELF AS HE LOOKS IN THE MIRROR.

 

JACK: Oh no! Not in a million years.

SCENE SEVEN: MONTAGE: AS WE SEE JENNIFER DRESSING EMILIO IN A SUIT AND JACK DRESSING HIMSELF IN BLACK LEATHER. MEANWHILE JACK PULLS ON BLACK LEATHER MOTORCYCLE BOOTS AND THEN VERY TIGHT BLACK PANTS WITH A BIG SILVER BUCKLE. HE TRIES TO FLEX HIS MUSCLES IN THE MIRROR.

HE PUTS GEL ON HIS HAIR AND PUTS ON THE JACKET.

THE MONTAGE JUMPS BACK AND FORTH AS THE FOLLOWING SONG PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND, WHOSE MAKING LOVE TO YOUR OLD LADY.

SCENE EIGHT: BACK AT THE LOFT, JENNIFER IS GETTING READY FOR THE DINNER WITH HER GRANDPARENTS. EMILIO IS ALL DRESSED UP IN A PALE GRAY SUIT AND RED TIE. HIS HAIR IS TIED BACK. TOM AND ALICE ARRIVE AND ARE SURPRISED TO SEE EMILIO INSTEAD OF JACK. AS THEY ARE BEING SEATED THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: I wonder who that could be? I'll be right back.

 

SHE OPENS THE DOOR AND HER EYES OPEN UP IN SURPRISE.

 

JENNIFER: (Totally shocked) Jack?

 

 

JACK IS DRESSED IN FULL BLACK LEATHER WITH SHADES AND A BUNCH OF ROSES. HE IS TRYING TO ACT REALLY COOL, A LA MARLON BRANDO.

JACK: (Playing it cool.) Well I was in the neighborhood, passing through and I....

JENNIFER: (Still in shock) What are you wearing?

 

JACK NOTICES THE HORTONS AND EMILIO, AND IS CRESTFALLEN. HE DOES NOT WANT TO LET ON THAT HE IS DISAPPOINTED. JACK STAMMERS NOT WANTING TO LET ON WHY HE REALLY IS THERE.

JACK: Ah....well obviously you're busy and I can't stay and....I'm....I'm.....I'm going on a date.

JENNIFER: (Somewhat teasingly) Dressed like that?

JACK: (Trying to think up a lie.) Yes, we're going to a party, you know one of those....er....one of those costume things.

JENNIFER: What are you supposed to be?

JACK: I'm a....(Looking down at the bouquet, tring to figure out how to explain them.) I'm a florist who's into leather....And actually I came by to tell you how sorry I am about the way I acted this morning.

JENNIFER: Oh, um, well thanks. Do you want to come in for a second and say hi?

JACK: No, no really I have to go. (Embarrassed, speaking to the Hortons and Emilio) Hi.

JENNIFER: Okay, well have a good time.

JACK: (Forgetting his lie about his date.) What?

JENNIFER: At your costume party.

JACK: (Trying to cover himself.) Oh, at the costume party. Yes, yes. You have a good time at your party. Party down. Goodbye.

 

JACK LEAVES. EMILIO COMES UP NEXT TO JENNIFER.

 

EMILIO: What was that all about?

JENNIFER: (Perplexed) I have no idea.

EMILIO: (Anxious) Are you coming to the table?

JENNIFER: Yeah, I'll be right there.

 

SHE LEANS ON THE DOOR THINKING OF JACK.

SCENE NINE: JACK IS IN THE PARK, LONELY. HE IS ABOUT TO THROW AWAY THE ROSES WHEN HE SEES A LITTLE OLD LADY.

 

JACK: Excuse me ma'am.

LOL: (Scared, thinking he is some street punk.) What do you want?

JACK: (Trying to hand her the bouquet.) Here.

LOL: (Thinking he is trying to rob her.) I don't have any money.

JACK: No, no, no, no. This is a gift from me to you out of the goodness of my heart. Here please take them.

LOL: (Terrified) No, no.

JACK: No please just take them.

LOL: Go.

JACK: No, please just take them.

LOL: Go.

JACK: Please just take....

LOL: I don't want them.

JACK: (Angry) TAKE THE FLOWERS!

LOL: (Reluctantly) Alright.

JACK: You're welcome.

LOL: It's been a long time since anybody gave me anything so pretty. You're a real nice guy Mister.

JACK: (Talking to himself.) Yeah right! You know what they say about nice guys.