SCENE ONE: AT THE LOFT. IT IS THE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. JACK IS STILL STAYING THERE AND JENNIFER GOES TO GET THE PAPER. JACK GETS IT FIRST AND HIDES IT IN HIS POCKET. IT CONTAINS AN ARTICLE ON THE TOSCANO FAMILY. JENNIFER WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.

 

JACK: What makes you think anything is going on?

JENNIFER: The article and the way you're acting.

JACK: Well I don't know about you but until I've had my first cup of coffee in the morning, I'm a poor judge of anything.

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: Here!

JENNIFER: You're in trouble again aren't you?

JACK: What makes you think that?

JENNIFER: I'm a reporter Jack.

JACK: You're nosey, that's what you are.

JENNIFER: No, I know when someone is hiding something.

JACK: You know I've been wondering. What have you been trying to hide the last couple of days?

JENNIFER: Me?

JACK: Me? Yeah, you. You know I thought maybe it was something personal. I thought I'd keep my big nose out of it but seeing as all bets are off, what have you been up to?

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

JACK: Well, I don't know what you're talking about.

 

THEY STARE AT EACH OTHER AS THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR. THEY CONTINUE TO STARE UNTIL JENNIFER GIVES IN AND ANSWERS IT.

 

EMILIO: Let's go you folks. We're going to be late. Let's go.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER CONTINUE TO STARE AT EACH OTHER AND NOT TALK.

 

EMILIO: Hello.

JENNIFER: I'll just get my purse.

EMILIO: Well let's hop to it okay.

JACK: And I need to stop by the hospital. I have to see how soon I get out of these wraps.

EMILIO: Well I've got no debate with that. After all it is your car ain't it?

JENNIFER: Ready?

 

JENNIFER MARCHES STRAIGHT PAST JACK, GIVING HIM A LOOK. AS THE THREE OF THEM REACH THE DOOR, THE PHONE RINGS AND JENNIFER GOES BACK TO ANSWER IT. IT IS JULIO CALLING EMILIO FROM THE POLICE STATION. HE WANTS EMILIO TO COME RIGHT DOWN.

 

JENNIFER: What's wrong?

EMILIO: Brady brought my brother down for questioning.

JACK: Stealing milk money again.

EMILIO: I better get down there fast.

JENNIFER: I'll drive the car.

EMILIO: No I want to make sure that you and what's his face get down there safely.

JACK: Oh believe me, what's his face can get to the hospital very well thank you.

EMILIO: I'm not worried about you Deveraux okay. I just want to make sure the lady gets down there. Now without much further delay, let's take it.

 

THE THREE OF THEM MOVE TO THE DOOR AND THEY ALL TRY TO SQUASH THROUGH, AT ONCE AND AS USUAL JACK IS TO BLAME.

 

JENNIFER: Jack have you ever heard of ladies first!

EMILIO: Please Deveraux!

JACK: Emilio.

EMILIO: Shut up!

SCENE TWO: JACK AND JENNIFER ARRIVE AT THE HOSPITAL. THEY ARE LEAVING THE ELEVATOR AND JACK IS TELLING JENNIFER WHAT SHE HAS TO DO. SHE IS HOLDING HER FINGERS IN HER EARS AND SINGING "LALALALA" SO SHE CANNOT HEAR HIM RANT.

 

JACK: I want full research on the gangs. I want names, I want records, I want every article we've ever done. Jennifer!

JENNIFER: Jack, we have been over this a hundred times.

JACK: Then why aren't you doing anything about it? Let me take notes for you okay.

JENNIFER: Jack, Jack! Just listen to me.

JACK: Jennifer, Jennifer.

JENNIFER: The more publicity you give these gangs, the more they'll feel they have to live up to it. Ever since you've been writing these articles all the problems have been getting worse.

JACK: Let me say one word to you. Economics. Economics. Do you know how many letters we've gotten from one article alone? We're going to blow this whole thing world wide. We're going to take this sucker and ride it all the way down.

JENNIFER: Jack what about the Stingrays? You saw what they did to you over one article. How do you think they're going to react with a whole series?

JACK: We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

JENNIFER: We're at the bridge.

JACK: Jennifer!

JENNIFER: You're going to end up being killed.

JACK: Listen to me.

JENNIFER: No! You listen to me.

JACK: Jennifer, work! The Great and Powerful Oz has spoken.

JENNIFER: How are you supposed to get to the office?

JACK: In my balloon! No, I'll take a cab. Don't worry about me. But you have that work done, ready. You understand. Capisce!

JENNIFER: I understand. I understand.

MIKE: Hi squirt.

JENNIFER: Hi Mike.

JACK: Ready for me Mike?

MIKE: In a minute.

JENNIFER: Mike can you make sure he gets a cab to get to work? Can you do me that favor?

MIKE: I'm sure that Jack's a big boy and can get a cab all by himself, even with a couple of cracked ribs.

JACK: You heard the doctor.

MIKE: Since when have you been his mommy?

JENNIFER: (Embarrassed) I'm n....I wa....nothing. Forget it.

MIKE: Look I have a patient to see. I'll see you in my office.

JACK: Good. Good.

MIKE: And I'll talk to you later.

JENNIFER: I'll call you. Don't call me.

 

MIKE LEAVES AND JACK HAS THIS SATISFIED GRIN ON HIS FACE.

 

JACK: Jennifer?

JENNIFER: What Jack?

JACK: Remember. The research, the gangs.

JENNIFER: I'm going.

JACK: Job, job.

JENNIFER: Goodbye Jack.

JACK: Good.

 

JENNIFER GETS IN THE ELEVATOR AND JACK PREPARES TO SEE MIKE. AS HE TURNS AROUND HE DROPS HIS DIARY AND PEN AND BENDS DOWN TO PICK IT UP. AS HE LOOKS UP, MARINA TOSCANO WALKS PAST AND HE LOOKS AT HER LEGS.

 

JACK: Pardon my pen.

SHE ADMIRES JACK AS WELL.

 

MARINA: Quite alright.

 

SHE WALKS INTO THE STAFF LOUNGE AND JACK IS LEFT VERY DISTRACTED AT THE NURSES' STATION. A NURSE COMES OUT AND TELLS HIM THAT MIKE IS READY TO SEE HIM.

 

JACK: Huh? Hamanahamanahamana. Whoa!

SCENE THREE: HE WALKS OFF TO MIKE'S OFFICE. AFTER HE HAS LEFT STEVE AND KAYLA ARRIVE AND KAYLA TALKS TO MARINA IN THE LOUNGE WHILE STEVE IS OFF DOING BUSINESS. AS MARINA COMES OUT OF THE LOUNGE, JACK SEES HER AGAIN AND SHE GIVES HIM A FLIRTING GLANCE AND WALKS TO THE ELEVATOR.

 

NURSE: Doctor Horton has an opening on Wednesday at nine.

JACK: Perfect.

 

JACK TURNS TO FACE THE ELEVATOR AS SHE ENTERS.

 

JACK: Perfect.

 

AS HE IS WATCHING HE SEES STEVE COME TOWARDS THE ELEVATOR AND SEE MARINA ALSO. HOWEVER STEVE HIDES SO MARINA CANNOT SEE HIM. JACK OBSERVES IT ALL. HE TURNS BACK AWAY FROM STEVE.

 

JACK: (To himself) Well!

SCENE FOUR: JUST BEFORE THE ELEVATOR ARRIVES, KAYLA COMES OUT TO SPEAK TO MARINA AGAIN. STEVE CONTINUES TO HIDE UNTIL MARINA HAS LEFT THEN HE COMES OUT TO SPEAK TO KAYLA AS IF HE HAD JUST ARRIVED. JACK LISTENS TO THE WHOLE CONVERSATION. AS STEVE IS LEAVING HE CALLS OUT TO JACK.

 

STEVE: Hey Billy Jack, don't lollygag and miss your appointment now!

 

JACK TAKES THE NEWSPAPER ARTICLE OUT OF HIS POCKET AND READS IT AGAIN, THINKING THAT THERE IS DEFINITELY SOME CONNECTION.

SCENE FIVE: BACK AT THE OFFICE, JULIO ASKS JENNIFER TO GET EMILIO TO STAY AWAY FROM JACK BUT SHE SAYS THAT EMILIO IS THE ONLY ONE KEEPING JACK ALIVE. JULIO LEAVES AND EMILIO ARRIVES. JUST AS THEY BEGIN TO TALK JACK MARCHES IN.

 

JACK: Jennifer, Jennifer, get Vern in my office right now!

JENNIFER: Jack. Jack what about the research?

JACK: Now, now! Not later. I can't. Now, I can't wait.

SCENE SIX: A FEW MINUTES LATER JENNIFER AND VERN COME INTO JACK'S OFFICE.

 

JENNIFER: Okay Jack, we're here.

JACK: We?

VERN: Yeah, what's the story?

JACK: Thank you Jennifer.

JENNIFER: What are you talking about?

JACK: I'm talking about thank you for bringing Vern in here. Now run along.

JENNIFER: What do you mean? I'm always in on the meetings.

 

JACK GUIDES JENNIFER OUT THE DOOR AND SHUTS IT.

 

JACK: Not now. Not on this issue.

VERN: Okay it sounds important.

JACK: It is important. That's why you have to handle this personally.

VERN: Okay.

JACK: Go to the library. Get all the information we have on the Toscano family vineyards. You know what I'm talking about?

VERN: I've heard that. Where did I hear that before?

JACK: Vern, you're no Lou Grant.

VERN: Oh wait a minute. That's from the article and microfilm you had me copy. The one that Steve Johnson was reading.

JACK: Brilliant Vern, brilliant. Now that you've gotten over your shock and found out what it is, go and get it.

VERN: What's the angle?

JACK: No angle. It's all secret. Just for me.

VERN: Oh come on Jack.

JACK: Executive privilege Vern. Executive privilege.

 

JACK OPENS THE DOOR AND JENNIFER FALLS INTO THE OFFICE. SHE WAS LISTENING OUTSIDE. JACK BENDS DOWN TO TALK TO HER.

 

JACK: Who are we today? Inspector Clousseau?

JENNIFER: Are you going to tell me what's going on Jack?

JACK: No!

 

HE SLAMS THE DOOR IN HER FACE.

 

JENNIFER: JACK! ERGH!

SCENE SEVEN: EMILIO COMES IN AND ASKS HER WHY SHE BOTHERS WITH JACK. SHE DOES NOT ANSWER AND TELLS EMILIO TO LEAVE HER AND JACK ALONE BECAUSE THEY CAN TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. EMILIO CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE MEANS BUT SHE SAYS THAT HE IS BEING PARANOID. SHE CONTINUES TO TRY AND PUSH HIM AWAY SO THAT THE STINGRAYS WILL NOT THREATEN JULIO BUT EMILIO REFUSES.

SCENE EIGHT: A SHORT TIME LATER VERN COMES BACK TO JACK WITH SOME INFORMATION.

 

VERN: Here's the file you wanted Jack. All I could find on the Toscano family.

JACK: Good.

VERN: Ah, it's not much.

JACK: Photos?

VERN: They're in the back there. Listen what's the hook on this thing?

 

JACK FLICKS TO THE BACK OF THE FILE AND SEES A PICTURE OF MARINA TOSCANO.

 

JACK: Holey moley!

VERN: What?

JACK: Marina Toscano.

VERN: Yeah, what about her?

JACK: Well that's her.

VERN: Who?

JACK: The woman I saw in the hospital. That's why he was so upset.

VERN: Who's he? Who?

JACK: What?

VERN: Jack what in the hell are you talking about?

JACK: Ah, nothing Vern.

VERN: What is so important about this woman?

JACK: What woman?

VERN: Wha? Ah....

JACK: Vern, Vern, who was talking about a woman?

VERN: You were.

JACK: You're imagining things.

VERN: Oh give me a break.

JACK: Vern, you're imagining things. You're working too hard. You need a vacation and I'm just the guy to give it to you.

VERN: Okay, okay. I'm imagining things.

JACK: Okay, it'll be our little secret, okay?

VERN: Yeah.

JACK: Anything else for you?

VERN: Well except for my galloping senility, I think we're covered.

JACK: Good. Thanks for dropping by.

VERN: I guess there's a little more to this....to this regular story, eh Jack.

JACK: Huh?

 

JACK LOOKS UP BUT VERN HAS LEFT.

JACK: Ah.... no, this is not just a story. This is Steve's story. This is family.

 

SCENE ONE: MARINA TOSCANO IS IN HER HOTEL ROOM FINISHING HER MAKEUP. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. SHE CHECKS HERSELF IN THE MIRROR THEN OPENS THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Good morning!

MARINA: I think you have the wrong room.

JACK: I don't think so.

MARINA: I don't know you.

JACK: Oh but you will.

MARINA: Are you sure that this is the right number?

JACK: 603. You are Donna d'Angelo aren't you?

 

MARINA HAS BEEN POSING AS DONNA SINCE SHE CAME TO SALEM.

 

MARINA: Are you with the hotel?

JACK: Oh no, no, no. I don't do housework.

MARINA: How did you know my name?

JACK: Oh I know a lot about you Miss d'Angelo.

 

JACK HAS A CLEVER GRIN ON HIS FACE AS HE SKIPS RIGHT PAST HER INTO THE ROOM

 

JACK: Nice digs.

MARINA: (Reluctant to shut the door, and very suspicious of Jack.) You say you know a lot about me.

JACK: Sounds like a bad line eh?

MARINA: Very!

JACK: (Enjoying every minute of it.)I'm good at bad lines.

MARINA: Do you try this with all the women when you first meet them?

JACK: (Still enjoying being in the powerful position.) Huh, uh.

MARINA: I'm going to have to ask you to leave before I call someone.

JACK: Without finding out how I know who you are?

MARINA: The suspense is killing me.

JACK: Oh, beautiful lady killed by suspense. Film at eleven. We can't have that happen can we?

MARINA: I'm waiting, please.

JACK: Alright, I don't know you.

MARINA: Have a nice day. (She tires to shut the door.)

JACK: But I do know someone who does. Steve Johnson is my brother.

 

MARINA STOPS AND IS VERY INTRIGUED.

 

JACK: Steve Johnson, blonde, blue eyed. Well one's blue, one's green. Actually one's glass.

MARINA: Kayla's husband.

JACK: Kayla's husband, yes!

MARINA: If you here concerning the car accident, I filed a report with the police, Mr Johnson.

JACK: Deveraux. Jack Deveraux.

 

MARINA IS PUZZLED BY THE DIFFERENT NAME.

 

JACK: Well actually it's kind of a long story. See when I was born I was very young and....ah....

MARINA: Actually I have nothing more to say.

JACK: But I do. Actually I want to meet you. I mean I've wanted to meet you.

 

JACK EXTENDS HIS HAND AND SOMEWHAT RELUCTANTLY SHE SHAKES IT.

 

JACK: I've heard a lot about you.

MARINA: Miss d'Angelo has become famous?

JACK: In a way. And I'm glad I got a chance to meet her.

MARINA: I'm glad you're glad. Goodbye.

 

SHE PATS HIS HAND AND SHUTS THE DOOR.

 

JACK: (Outside her door, talking to himself) Till we meet again. Both of you. Till we meet both of you again.

SCENE TWO: LATER JACK IS WALKING ON THE PIER WHEN HE SEES STEVE THROW A COPY OF FINE WINES OF THE WORLD INTO THE RIVER IN ANGER.

 

JACK: They're going to take away your library card.

 

IN USUAL FASHION, STEVE GRABS JACK BY HIS COAT COLLAR.

 

STEVE: What do you know about her?

JACK: Enough to know that I can help you.

STEVE: So you want to help me baby brother?

JACK: I just offered didn't I?

STEVE: You can't help me.

JACK: Donna d'Angelo is Marina Toscano. I know that for starters. I know that she's got something on you.

STEVE: Yeah you're not in your business again, are you? You're in my business. I know you got into that microfilm and I saw the gleam in your beady little eyes yesterday at the hospital.

JACK: Look, if you want, I can help you find out more about her.

STEVE: I don't want your help. You better quit while you're behind.

JACK: What about Kayla?

STEVE: Now Kayla's none of your damn business.

JACK: What's going to happen to Kayla?

STEVE: You shut up about Kayla!

JACK: I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU SIT AROUND ON YOUR BUTT WHILE THIS WOMAN RUINS KAYLA'S LIFE.

STEVE: I SAID SHUT UP! Shut up I tell you. I don't need you telling me anything about my wife.

JACK: I'm all you've got.

STEVE: I don't think so. Life doesn't get that pathetic.

JACK: It just did! Now I'm offering to help you.

STEVE: How can you help me? You're a walking disaster yourself.

 

JACK IS DEEPLY HURT BY STEVE'S COMMENT AND FOR A SECOND THINKS OF BACKING AWAY BUT INSTEAD PERSISTS.

 

JACK: Look, we both know I've made mistakes.

STEVE: You call what you did, making mistakes?

JACK: You haven't made mistakes?

 

STEVE STOPS AND REALIZES THAT JACK UNDERSTANDS HIM AND THAT HE IS RIGHT.

 

JACK: You know, you and Jo and Adrienne, you all talk about family sticking together. But you know something, it's a bunch of empty words. What you want is me on the outside. That's what you've got. That's not going to help your situation any.

STEVE: Alright, you want to be my brother, you want to help me and help yourself? You'll stay out of this one.

 

STEVE BEGINS TO WALK AWAY BUT STOPS.

 

STEVE: I'm serious, Billy.

 

STEVE LEAVES JACK ALONE AND WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHETHER HE SHOULD GET INVOLVED.

SCENE THREE: A SHORT TIME LATER, JACK IS STILL ON THE PIER WHEN VERN ARRIVES.

 

VERN: I got here as fast as I could Jack.

JACK: Vern, are you sure nobody saw you? Nobody knows you are here?

VERN: Nobody saw me. Now what's up? You made it seem so top secret on the phone.

JACK: It is top secret. Nobody can know that you're here. Look I'm relying on you. I need your help.

VERN: You've got it. Anything you want.

JACK: I'm going to Europe.

VERN: Oh no, what about the paper?

JACK: Just for a couple of days.

VERN: Well why don't you make it a little longer? I hear Europe is lovely this time of year.

JACK: Vern, this is serious. I'm serious. Nobody can know where I'm going.

VERN: You want me to cover for you?

JACK: That's the idea! That's why it's secret.

VERN: Yeah well, at the risk of my already dented sanity Jack, what is this trip all about?

JACK: It's....er....personal.

VERN: Something to do with that research you're doing on the family?

JACK: A little something, yeah.

VERN: Well for this little something, you're sure looking worried boss.

JACK: There's something strange going on and I just need to see if I should....get involved.

 

SCENE ONE: THE NEXT DAY JENNIFER COMES INTO THE OFFICE UNAWARE JACK HAS GONE TO EUROPE. SHE IS RESEARCHING INFORMATION ON GANGS. JULIO AND CARRIE COME TO SEE HER AND ASK FOR HER HELP BECAUSE EMILIO IS BEING PRESSURED BY THE GANG. SHE IS ABOUT TO ASK JACK FOR HELP WHEN VERN TELLS HER THAT JACK WILL NOT BE IN THE OFFICE TODAY AND HE IS NOT SURE WHEN HE WILL BE BACK. JENNIFER DECIDES TO SEE SANTOS ON HER OWN AND GOES TO THE PIER.

SCENE TWO: WHILE SHE IS TALKING TO SANTOS, EMILIO ARRIVES AND SANTOS RUNS OFF. EMILIO IS ANGRY WITH JENNIFER FOR PUTTING HERSELF IN DANGER AND INTERFERING IN HIS LIFE. HE TELLS HER THAT HE DID NOT TRUST HER AND THAT HE IS FED UP.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER IS FED UP HERSELF WITH BOTH MEN AND DECIDES TO TAKE A WEEK'S VACATION. SHE PACKS UP HER THINGS AND STORMS OUT OF THE OFFICE.