[Air date late August 1989]

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS OUT OF BED AND ATTEMPTING TO GET DRESSED WITH JENNIFER'S HELP. SHE IS PUTTING ON HIS SHIRT.

 

JENNIFER: Sorry about my cold hands but believe it or not I was a volunteer here once.

JACK: Yeah and you've probably still got your little candy striper outfit just to prove it, uh?

JENNIFER: Yes as a matter of fact I do and if you behave, you can see it when we go back to the loft. I'll show it to you.

JACK: Well, that's very tempting but I'm not going back to the loft.

JENNIFER: What are you talking about? We already decided this.

JACK: You decided it. I'm behind in my work. I'm three days behind in my follow up series.

JENNIFER: What series Jack?

JACK: On the gangs. I'm doing a full blown exposé now.

JENNIFER: Jack are you out of your mind?

EMILIO: Of course not. He's just a thing for pain. Don't you Jackie boy?

 

EMILIO WALKS IN AND JABS JACK IN THE RIBS.

 

JACK: Argh, argh, argh!

EMILIO: You're out of your white bread mind, you know that don't you?

JACK: Thank you for your assessment Mr. Ramirez.

EMILIO: You know you keep that up and you're not going to be able to throw those fancy words around much longer.

JACK: I'm not about to let a couple of illiterate punks stand between me and printing the truth. I've got an obligation here.

EMILIO: Oh, more fancy words. That's great.

JACK: You could stand one or two yourself, you know. But don't strain anything.

JENNIFER: Jack, this is serious.

JACK: So am I.

JENNIFER: Look I understand why you want to do this....

JACK: Correction, I am doing it.

JENNIFER: And what happens when they catch up with you again Jack?

JACK: That's why I've got a bodyguard.

EMILIO: Hey you keep setting yourself up like this, no way in hell I'm going to protect you.

JACK: Oh, of course. You can't stay away from the cheap entertainment, can you?

JENNIFER: Wait a minute, Jack.

JACK: Emilio, who would you root for? My team or the home boy team?

EMILIO: Look, if I wanted the Stingrays to wipe you out, I wouldn't be standing here trying to open your eyes. (To Jennifer) And if he keeps riding them in print, it's only a matter of time, I'm telling you.

JACK: Your concern is touching.

EMILIO: (To Jennifer) Listen to me. Just keep your distance, if you know what's good for you.

JENNIFER: Emilio, how am I supposed to do that? We're together all the time. We work together.

JACK: Nice try.

EMILIO: All I'm saying is that they could be waiting outside right now.

What's wrong with you?

JENNIFER: We both know how stubborn Jack can be.

 

SHE GIVES JACK A LOOK AND HE LOOKS AT HER STRAIGHT BACK.

 

EMILIO: Okay if you've got to go to the office with him, I'll go with you. How's that? At least somebody will be smart around here.

JACK: Well you're my first choice.

EMILIO: Okay come on jabber jaws. That fancy car of yours is double parked.

JACK: Oh. Jennifer?

JENNIFER: Alright Jack listen. I will let you go to the office and work for a little while. Then we are going right to the loft and you're going to get some rest. Do you understand me?

JACK: (He tries to salute) Aye, aye....aye....argh!

JENNIFER: Come on let's get this over with. Give me your jacket.

JACK: I gotta get out of here.

JENNIFER: Here, take it real slow.

JACK: Okay, it hurts. It hurts. Easy, easy.

EMILIO: Easy nothing. Let's go.

JENNIFER: Stop it.

JACK: Help me with this. Thank you, thanks. Do I look okay?

 

JACK IS WEARING PAJAMA PANTS, A BUSINESS SHIRT WITH TIE AND HIS JACKET IS DRAPED OVER ONE SHOULDER.

 

JENNIFER: You look great, you look great. Everything will be fine Jack.

JACK: Thanks.

 

JACK LEANS ON JENNIFER AS HE WALKS OUT AND SHE FIDDLES WITH HIS JACKET AND PAMPERS HIM.

SCENE TWO: JACK, JENNIFER AND EMILIO ARE AT JACK'S OFFICE AND EMILIO IS HELPING HIM INTO HIS CHAIR.

 

JACK: Take it easy.

EMILIO: Here sit down.

JENNIFER: Jack I really think you should have come straight home with me.

EMILIO: Hey the guy knows what he's doing.

 

JACK GETS HIMSELF SEATED AND EMILIO PUSHES THE CHAIR INTO THE DESK, JAMMING JACK'S RIBS.

 

JACK: Argh!

EMILIO: He can take care of himself.

JENNIFER: Emilio, he can't even put his shirt on by himself.

JACK: I don't want to be a burden.

JENNIFER: Jack, you're not a burden. I want you to stay with me. No arguments.

JACK: I don't think I have the strength to argue. I guess I have to admit that I really do need your help. So well thanks for being so considerate.

JENNIFER: No problem Jack.

JACK: Yeah. I guess I bet....I guess I bet....

 

JACK ATTEMPTS TO REACH FOR THE PEN IN HIS DESK SET BUT CAN'T LIFT HIS ARM. EMILIO HANDS IT TO HIM.

 

JACK: Thanks. I guess I better get to work while I still can. Oh shoot, I need somebody to help me with the research on these gangs.

 

JENNIFER: Whoa, whoa, let me help you. What are you looking for? I can....

 

EMILIO TRIES TO GRAB THE FILES.

 

EMILIO: Wait a second. I don't think you get involved....

JENNIFER: Give me that.

EMILIO: No give me that. Forget it.

JACK: Hey, hey kids. Stop fighting on the playground. For once I think that Emilio is right. I think this assignment could end up getting a little dicey.

EMILIO: Could?

JACK: Well I would feel much better if we had...if we had a male reporter covering this.

JENNIFER: Yeah. Jack that is the most patronizing disgusting thing I've heard out of your mouth....in days! And I'm not going to let you get away with it, okay. I want to be treated like every other reporter, male or female. And if you shut me out of this story because I am a woman I will have my uncle Mickey down here so fast that you....

JACK: Okay, okay. No law suits, please. It's your assignment. Go ahead. Research, muck, dig, rake.

 

JENNIFER: Thank you!

 

JENNIFER GRABS THE FILE FROM EMILIO AND WALKS OUT. EMILIO WALKS OVER AND SITS ON JACK'S DESK RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM.

 

EMILIO: And if anything happens to Jennifer, I'm going to break your broken ribs. (Winks) Remember that.

 

EMILIO THUMPS JACK IN THE RIBS AND WINKS AGAIN.

 

JACK: Eeergh!

SCENE THREE: EMILIO IS PRACTICING DANCE MOVES OUTSIDE JACK'S OFFICE DOOR WHEN MAX, FRANKIE'S LITTLE BROTHER, ARRIVES. HE WANTS TO SEE JENNIFER. EMILIO TELLS HIM THAT JENNIFER IS DOWNSTAIRS. MAX SAYS SHE IS NOT AND HE WANTS TO GO INTO JACK'S OFFICE TO LOOK FOR HER. EMILIO SAYS NO BUT MAX KICKS HIM AND WALKS IN.

 

JACK: Emilio, I can't tell you how safe I feel knowing that you're out there guarding my door. My bodyguard, I think I'll keep him.

EMILIO: Just shut up! He kicked me alright.

JACK: I can see the gleam in his eye. And you know something, they get the smell of blood, nobody can sleep safe at night.

MAX: Where is she? What happened to Jennifer?

EMILIO: Hey I'm going to tell you where Jennifer is, alright.

JACK: Whoa, Emilio, Emilio. I think I can handle it from here.

EMILIO: Like you did the Stingrays, uh? Forgot.

 

EMILIO WAITS OUTSIDE.

 

JACK: Sit down kid, what can I do for you?

MAX: I want to see Jennifer. She can help me.

JACK: Oh yeah. Let me tell you something. I'm the big cheese around here. If there's anything you want with this paper you come to me. I'm the man, alright. So you tell me what's on your mind. Cup of coffee?

MAX: No thanks.

JACK: Okay.

MAX: I want a grandpa.

JACK: (Chuckling) You do eh? I tell you what, I sold my last one yesterday morning. Hahahaha.

 

JACK'S LAUGHING TURNS TO PAIN.

 

JACK: Ooooh. Go easy on the morning vitamins, kid. It's a joke. Okay, take it back to the top. You're looking for a grandpa, right.

MAX: Right. Pop's too busy at the fish market all the time and mom's been sick so she can't play with me like she used to either. So now I need a grandpa.

JACK: So you thought you'd come here to get one, right?

MAX: I want to advertise. That's how people get things they want, right?

JACK: Oh that's a real concept you've got there. I have to tell you something. Advertising costs a lot of money.

MAX: I got tons of money.

JACK: Oh yeah.

 

MAX EMPTIES HIS POCKETS ONTO JACK'S DESK.

 

MAX: See.

JACK: Huh, uh. I tell you what, I'm going to have to count it for you.

MAX: This is enough, isn't it?

JACK: I'm sure it is. Let's see.

MAX: And you better not cheat. Cause I'm going to be watching you, you know.

JACK: Wha....do I look like the kind of guy who would cheat?

MAX: Yeah.

JACK: Must be losing my touch.

SCENE FOUR: SOME TIME LATER. JACK IS COUNTING MAX'S MONEY.

 

JACK: Sixty, sixty five, sixty six. Well that should do it.

MAX: Alright.

JACK: Depending....on how long your ad is.

MAX: I might need some help writing it.

JACK: Hmmm. Well we're always willing to help our advertisers. Let's see, what are we looking for in a Grandpa?

MAX: Well he's got to fish.

JACK: Hmmm. "Fishing experience required." And?

MAX: And baseball.

JACK: Well this is America. Of course, that's the natch. And?

MAX: Checkers. But he's not supposed to be real good at it. Cause I'm supposed to win sometimes too.

JACK: Right. "Mediocre"....no scratch that. "Vague checker playing ability." There we go. Let's count that up. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine,....huh, oh.

MAX: What's the matter?

JACK: Too many words.

MAX: What's that mean?

JACK: Too many words and not enough money so we're going to have to cut some. What I suggest we cut is this little bit about the checkers.

MAX: Forget it. How much more money do I need if I want to leave the whole thing like it is?

JACK: Okay, the whole thing like it is. As is, let's see, one, two, three....another dollar.

MAX: A dollar!

JACK: A dollar! And that's my final offer, take it or leave it.

MAX: Wait a minute. What do you give me for this?

JACK: This?

 

JACK HOLDS UP A LARGE MARBLE.

 

JACK: That's scratched.

MAX: Where?

JACK: Right there.

 

MAX TAKES IT BACK AND SPITS ON IT THEN RUBS IT ON HIS SHIRT AND HANDS IT BACK TO JACK.

 

MAX: Oh that's nothing. It came right off, see.

JACK: Oooh. You drive a hard bargain, partner, but fifty cents, that's it.

MAX: That's an official "Mounties of the Cosmos Superized Swirler." How many do you think there are in the whole world?

JACK: I tremble to think. But it's still my final offer.

MAX: Okay, okay.

 

MAX LOOKS IN HIS BAG AND RELUCTANTLY HANDS JACK A BASEBALL CARD.

 

MAX: You can have this too.

JACK: Well, that's a horse of a different color. I tell you what, I'll just hold on to all these things here and you keep the story. Okay. I want you to take it home and work on it like a good reporter does. Then you come back to me, the publisher, and we'll do lunch. Your treat. How about that?

MAX: Alright.

JACK: Good.

MAX: But I'll be back.

JACK: Good. I can hardly wait.

 

MAX LEAVES AND JACK LIMPS BACK TO THE DESK AND PICKS UP THE BASEBALL CARD.

 

JACK: I should be able to add that to my little collection.

 

JENNIFER COMES IN.

 

JENNIFER: Max!

JACK: You just missed him.

JENNIFER: Well?

JACK: Well what?

JENNIFER: Well what was he doing here?

JACK: Oh it's nothing. No need to concern yourself.

 

JACK SECRETLY PUTS THE BASEBALL CARD IN HIS SHIRT POCKET.

 

JACK: Just business.

 

JACK IS READING A FILE AND JENNIFER GRABS IT FROM HIM.

 

JACK: Hmmm.

JENNIFER: That's it. No more work today.

JACK: Look I just got started.

JENNIFER: Don't get stupid about this. You just got out of the hospital. Now whatever you were doing bring it back to the loft. You can do it there. Now let's go.

JACK: Jennifer, I have to do this work.

JENNIFER: Jack no argument.

JACK: I....alright I give in. Let's go....Oooh god. I better just camp out here.

JENNIFER: See, see, what did I tell you? I should never have let you come here. Let's go Jack.

 

SHE PUTS HER ARM AROUND HIM FOR SUPPORT.

 

JACK: (In pain) Jeeeenifer!

EMILIO: What do you think you're doing? You can't carry him around all day?

JENNIFER: What am I supposed to do? Leave him here. How am I supposed to get him to my car and into my place Emilio?

JACK: Any volunteers?

EMILIO: Hey wait. Don't look at me.

JENNIFER: Emilio, you have to. You have to do it. It's the only way. You're the only way we can do this. You have to help me.

JACK: For the Gipper.

EMILIO: (Very reluctantly) Alright. But you're going to owe me Horton.

JENNIFER: Alright. Fine, here.

 

EMILIO WALKS OVER TO JACK.

 

EMILIO: Here.

JENNIFER: Don't hurt him.

 

EMILIO PULLS JACK TO HIS FEET.

 

JACK: Argh, ooh, argh.

EMILIO: Put your arm around me.

JACK: I'm not going to do that.

EMILIO: Put your arm around me.

JACK: Aaaargh, aaargh.

JENNIFER: Take it easy with him. Don't rough him up.

 

 

EMILIO BENDS DOWN AND PUTS HIS ARMS UNDER JACK AND LIFTS HIM UP. JACK SAGS IN THE MIDDLE AND THEN STRAIGHTENS HIMSELF OUT LIKE A BOARD.

JACK: Oooh my hero. Smooth as silk.

JENNIFER: Jack, bend your knees Jack. Emilio's going to drop you.

EMILIO: Shut up! Before I drop you by accident.

JENNIFER: Don't you dare.

JACK: You know I've always heard that manual labor can be very good for the....OOOOOH!

 

EMILIO BASHES JACK'S HEAD AGAINST THE DOOR AS THEY LEAVE.

 

JENNIFER: Oooh. Jack are you alright?

EMILIO: (Smiling) Sorry.

JENNIFER: Oh Jack, your slippers.

 

EMILIO WALKS THROUGH THE MAIN OFFICE OF THE SPECTATOR CARRYING JACK.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS IN HIS BEDROOM AT THE LOFT ATTEMPTING TO GET DRESSED. HE IS WEARING BOXER SHORTS AND HIS RIBS ARE BANDAGED. HE HIS TRYING TO PUT HIS SHIRT ON. JENNIFER KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, Emilio's here to take you to work. Are you ready?

JACK: Just a minute, er....aaaah, aaaah, aaaah!

 

JENNIFER OPENS THE DOOR AND COMES IN.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, what is it? What's wrong.

JACK: Nothing I just pulled something. I'll be alright.

JENNIFER: Are you in pain?

JACK: Ah, not bad. Give me a couple of minutes and I'll even be in pants.

JENNIFER: (She looks down) Oh I'm sorry.

JACK: Would you mind?

SHE TURNS HER BACK TO HIM.

 

JENNIFER: Oh yes of course. I'm sorry.

 

JACK BEGINS TO PULL UP HIS PANTS.

 

JENNIFER: Can I help you with that?

JACK: Excuse me!

JENNIFER: Can I help you with your pants? Do you need me to help you pull them on?

JACK: (Figuring, why not) Sure. You won't look?

 

JENNIFER GENTLY HITS HIM IN DISGUST THEN BENDS DOWN TO PULL UP HIS PANTS. HE BEGINS TO GIGGLE.

 

JENNIFER: Stop it.

JACK: (Giggling) Don't.

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: Don't pull on it. Don't pull.

JENNIFER: I'm trying to pull your pants up.

JACK: Don't pull....

 

AS SHE STRUGGLES UP WITH HIS PANTS, THEY BOTH LOSE THEIR BALANC AND FALL BACK ONTO THE BED, ENDING UP WITH JENNIFER LYING ON TOP OF JACK.

 

JACK: OOOH!

JENNIFER: Jack!

 

EMILIO HEARS THE SCREAMING AND BURSTS INTO THE ROOM.

EMILIO: Hey, what in the hell's going on?

JENNIFER: Oh Jack.

EMILIO: Hey what's going on?

 

JENNIFER ROLLS OFF JACK.

 

JENNIFER: I was helping Jack get dressed.

EMILIO: Does he always get dressed laying down?

JENNIFER: He tripped. We both did.

EMILIO: Oh that's a new one.

JACK: (Embarrassed, and knowing ful-well what Emilio is thinking.) Let me tell you something, you were hired to guard bodies not interrogate them.

 

JACK LIMPS AWAY FROM THE BED.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, you're going to hurt yourself.

JACK: I can handle it. Next time, knock.

EMILIO: I thought somebody was hurt, okay.

JACK: I know what you thought!

 

JACK AND JENNIFER EXCHANGE GLANCES.

 

JACK: Now you look. I'm going to be ready in ten minutes. I want that car downstairs and waiting. You hear me.

EMILIO: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

 

JACK HITCHES UP HIS PANTS AND LEAVES THE ROOM.

 

EMILIO: (To Jennifer) I'm waiting.

JENNIFER: For what?

EMILIO: For you to tell me what was going on in here.

JENNIFER: Look Emilio, I don't know what you're thinking.

EMILIO: It doesn't matter what I think. You know the guy's a creep when it comes to ladies. You know that.

JENNIFER: You're talking about his past.

EMILIO: You're damn straight I am.

JENNIFER: Well you don't have to be concerned, alright. I know Jack. He would never hurt me.

EMILIO: Jennifer, you don't know that.

JENNIFER: Yes I do know that.

 

JACK IS STANDING AT THE DOOR LISTENING AND HE IS HAPPY THAT SHE THINKS THAT.

 

JENNIFER: And I know something else too. You're jealous.

EMILIO: Not I'm not.

JENNIFER: Yes you are, yes you are. You're blushing. But you don't have to worry because there is nothing between Jack and me.

EMILIO: You really mean that? Is that what you really want?

JENNIFER: Huh, uh. It's exactly what I want.

 

JACK IS HURT AND DISAPPOINTED.

SCENE TWO: JACK IS WORKING IN HIS OFFICE WHEN VERN COMES IN.

 

VERN: It's about that time.

JACK: Huh?

VERN: The concert. You told me you were going to throw me out of here if I let you forget it.

JACK: Congratulations Vern. You just saved your job.

VERN: You're not going?

JACK: Brilliant Vern, brilliant!

VERN: What are you going to do with the tickets?

JACK: They're your's Vern.

 

JACK HANDS VERN TWO TICKETS.

 

VERN: Oh come on Jack, I can't make this. I'm going to be busy later on.

JACK: I'm busy now. In fact I'm too busy to argue. In fact I don't have time for anyone or anything. You understand that?

MAX: Not even me?

JACK: Kid, what are you doing in here?

MAX: I got my ad ready.

JACK: (Feeling awkward in front of Vern.) Your ad? Oh, your ad, of course. Well why don't you show it to me? (To Vern) Could you excuse us?

VERN: Oh sure.

JACK: Guess you managed to figure all the words out, uh?

MAX: I tried.

JACK: Yeah. Well let's see how hard you tried.

 

JACK READS THE AD THAT MAX HANDS HIM.

 

JACK: (Reading) "Grandpa Wanted. I like to play checkers and catch and go fishing. If you do to maybe this is a good job for you. Not bad. If you write to the newspaper, I will write back."

MAX: That's too many words, huh?

JACK: Yeah but....what day's today? Thursday?

MAX: Yeah.

JACK: You know something. We have a special on ads on Thursday.

MAX: Really?

JACK: Really. Yeah, yeah. You can get this ad printed up for the low low price of five dollars.

MAX: But I only have four dollars, a marble and a baseball card.

JACK: Correction. You had four dollars, a marble and a baseball card. Now I have it. But I'm going to give you fifty cents credit for the baseball card and for the "Cosmos Swirler." How about that?

MAX: Then I have enough.

JACK: Yeah!

MAX: Wait until I tell Jennifer.

JACK: Yeah!

 

JENNIFER HAS QUIETLY ENTERED THE OFFICE, AND IS GRINNING AT JACK'S ACTIONS.

JENNIFER: Wait until you tell me what?

 

JACK'S MOUTH FALLS OPEN AS HE SEES JENNIFER AT THE DOOR. HE IS EMBARRASSED THAT SHE CAUGHT HIM, YET SEEMINGLY GLAD TO SEE HER.

 

JENNIFER (CONT.): Max, this is great.

MAX: Jack showed me how to write it.

JACK: Mr. Jack.

MAX: And told me all about the sale.

JENNIFER: What sale?

MAX: You know. All ads cost five dollars today.

JENNIFER: (Looking pleased with Jack. She goes along with it.) Oh! Yeah, yeah, the Thursday sale. Right, right.

JACK: (Embarrassed) Look, I really need to be getting back to work so....

 

JACK WAVES JENNIFER OUT THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: Oh okay. Max, come on. I'll buy you a soda.

MAX: Great.

 

JENNIFER HANDS JACK THE AD AS SHE WALKS PAST.

 

MAX: Thanks for everything Mr. Jack.

JACK: Sure.

JENNIFER: Yeah. Thanks for everything Mr. Jack. (Big grin)

JACK: (Smiling sheepishly) Get out of here!

 

JENNIFER WALKS OUT PAST EMILIO AND VERN WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT THE TICKETS

SCENE THREE: THAT JACK GAVE VERN. IT IS FOR A PHILHARMONIC CONCERT IN THE PARK AND VERN CONVINCES EMILIO THAT GIRLS LOVE THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. WHEN JENNIFER COMES BACK INTO THE OFFICE, EMILIO ASKS JENNIFER TO GO WITH HIM. SHE IS RELUCTANT TO GO BECAUSE SHE SAYS THAT JACK NEEDS HER BUT EMILIO TALKS HER INTO IT.

SCENE FOUR: A SHORT TIME LATER SHE GOES INTO JACK'S OFFICE.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, I've done with my nursing home piece.

JACK: That's fine, just leave it.

JENNIFER: Do you think that you could read it at home?

 

JACK LOOKS UP AT HER WONDERING WHY.

 

JENNIFER: I was just hoping that we could get home early tonight.

JACK: Sure, we can order us some pizza, we can get a video, I'll finish reading that stuff and we can call it a night.

JENNIFER: Sure we can stop at the video shop on the way home but I'm going out tonight.

JACK: You're going out?

JENNIFER: Yeah, I have a date.

 

EMILIO APPEARS AT THE DOOR.

 

EMILIO: All set?

 

JENNIFER: Oh yeah. Oh Emilio when you drop us off I'm going to need a little time to change.

 

JACK LISTENS AS THEY TALK AND SHAKES HIS HEAD AS IF HE WAS FOOLISH TO THINK THAT HE HAD ANY CHANCE WITH JENNIFER.

 

EMILIO: Change?

JENNIFER: Well yeah. We can't go dressed like this.

 

JACK CONTINUES TO LISTEN AND WONDER WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO ASK HER OUT ON A DATE, BUT ALL THE TIME THINKING HE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR HER.

 

EMILIO: Yeah, right.

JENNIFER: You know I have my ticket, so why don't I just meet you there.

EMILIO: Sure, whatever you want.

JENNIFER: Okay. Oh Jack, I hope you like the story.

JACK: I'm sure I will.

JENNIFER: Okay well I'll see you at home later.

JACK: Good.

 

JENNIFER LEAVES BUT EMILIO STAYS.

 

JACK: Is there any particular reason you're standing there?

EMILIO: Huh?

JACK: They really should put that on your tombstone. It says it all.

EMILIO: Listen Deveraux. Have you ever heard of the Philharmonic?

JACK: You mean as in the orchestra?

EMILIO: Yeah. You know like if you would go there to see one of their concerts, you would get all laid out, put a nice rack on and everything.

JACK: Well, that of course....that depends on the music.

EMILIO: Well on the tickets it says somethin' about Beethoven.

JACK: Hmmm.

EMILIO: And he's some big deal whose dead now.

JACK: How well you put it.

EMILIO: Well like if I would go and listen to some of his stuff, would I get all decked out?

 

JACK DELIGHTS IN HIS OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE EMILIO LOOK UNCULTURED IN FRONT OF JENNIFER.

 

JACK: Well....er....I mean you can't go casual. Of course it's up to you but if it were me....I'd go formal. Real formal, you know. Tux, studs, tie.

EMILIO: Hey man, thanks for the help.

JACK: Don't mention it.

 

JACK HAS A DELICIOUSLY WICKED GRIN ON HIS FACE. EMILIO LEAVES LOOKING REALLY PLEASED. AFTER HE IS GONE JACK GLOATS.

 

JACK: Yeah. Real formal!

SCENE FIVE: LATER THAT NIGHT. JACK IS ALONE IN JENNIFER'S LOFT, LOOKING FORLORNLY. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR AND IT IS JO.

 

JO: Yes, I do, I know how busy you are.

JACK: You know how it is.

JO: Yes, I'm not going to stay. I just wanted to bring you by this casserole.

JACK: Oh that's what that is, eh?

 

JACK TAKES THE CASSEROLE FROM JO AND PUTS IT ON THE TABLE.

 

JO: Yes. It's for you and Jennifer. Where is she, by the way?

JACK: Oh she's out on a date....with Emilio.

JO: Oh! I didn't know they were involved.

JACK: Yeah well I didn't really think she'd be the type to go dating outside her own species.

JO: I take it you don't approve.

JACK: Well....I think she could...she could do better, yeah.

JO: (Wisely know just who that someone is.) You have somebody else in mind?

JACK: (Getting a annoyed)Actually I don't!

JO: Jack, if you want Jennifer, you're going to have to start opening up.

JACK: Who said anything about wanting Jennifer?

JO: Well it's obvious that you care. Tell her! I mean you just have to tell her otherwise she's never going to know what a wonderful man you are deep down.

JACK: (Getting angry because Jo sees right through him.) How do you know what a wonderful man I am deep down. You don't even know me.

JO: That's not true. I most certainly do know you.

JACK: (Pointing to the casserole.) What's in this, uh? What's in this?

JO: What?

JACK: Tuna fish? Is that what it is?

JO: As a matter of fact, it is.

JACK: (Shouting) I HATE TUNA FISH!

JO: (Hurt) Sorry, I didn't know.

JACK: You didn't know. That's right. There's a whole lot of things you didn't know about me. I could make a whole list of things you don't know about me. But let's just suffice to say that you don't know me.

JO: Well that maybe true, but whose fault is that?

JACK: I didn't give you up!

 

JO IS HURT.

 

JO: Jack I can't change the past. I can only live for now. I have tried to get to know you. I really have tried. (Beginning to cry.) Obviously you don't want to get to know me.

 

SHE BEGINS TO LEAVE.

 

JACK: Wait a minute. Wait.

JO: No, no. You're busy. But for the record, there are a lot of things about you that I know that you don't. You see I used to hold you in my arms. I used to sing to you. And I knew more about you than anybody else in the whole world. I loved you. (She walks over and puts her hand on his shoulder.) I'll always love you son. (She kisses his cheek.)

JO LEAVES AND JACK IS FEELING SAD ABOUT HIS LIFE. HE WALKS TO THE WINDOW AND HEARS THE PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA PLAYING AT THE CONCERT WHERE JENNIFER AND EMILIO ARE. HE SITS ON IN THE WINDOW, CLOSES HIS EYES AND SIGHS.

SCENE SIX: MEANWHILE JENNIFER IS WAITING IN THE PARK FOR EMILIO. HE TURNS UP IN A FULL DINNER SUIT. HE ASKS HER IF JACK WOULD KNOW WHAT TO WEAR TO A CONCERT LIKE THIS AND SHE SAYS YES AND HE SAYS HE IS GOING TO KILL JACK FOR TELLING HIM THE WRONG THING TO WEAR. A FEW PEOPLE AT THE CONCERT TEASE HIM. WHEN IT ENDS JENNIFER AND EMILIO SPEND SOME TIME TALKING AND THEN THEY KISS. SHE SHIVERS AND HE PUTS HIS COAT AROUND HER SHOULDERS. HE WANTS TO KISS HER AGAIN BUT SHE SAYS IT IS GETTING LATE AND THEY SHOULD GO.

SCENE SEVEN: JACK IS SITTING IN HIS ROOM AT THE LOFT WAITING FOR JENNIFER TO COME HOME. HE HEARS HER COME IN THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Jennifer.

 

HE GETS UP AND GOES TO THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Jennifer, is that you?

JENNIFER: Yeah Jack, I'm home.

JACK: Well why don't you come on up and tell me all about your little date, uh?

 

SHE WALKS IN STILL WEARING EMILIO'S JACKET.

 

JENNIFER: What do you want to know?

JACK: Well, first and foremost, what was it....nice jacket.

JENNIFER: Something wrong?

JACK: Ah no. I just realized that I've got a heap of work to do.

JENNIFER: What do you mean? I thought you wanted to hear all about my date.

JACK: Ah well, I don't want to pry.

JENNIFER: No, no. Let me tell you. It was wonderful. Emilio has a great feeling for music. Among other things.

JACK: (With a cynical look on his face, and trying to hide his true feelings.) I'm so happy for you.

JENNIFER: You're lying.

JACK: I beg your pardon.

JENNIFER: You tried to show Emilio up. You tried to show everybody that you're much smarter than him. Well you did. So I hope that you enjoy your victory Jack. But just tell me one thing. What did you win?

 

JENNIFER WALKS OUT AND JACK, FEELING REMORSEFUL, TRIES TO STOP HER.

 

JACK: Jennif....

 

SHE HAS LEFT AND JACK IS ALONE FEELING ASHAMED.