Episode Eighty: Because of Marina
Kayla Moves into the Loft; Jack Is
Now More Determined to Help Kayla.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS BACK FROM ITALY. HE IS TRYING TO OPEN THE LOFT DOOR WHILE HOLDING HIS BAG AND A LARGE BUNCH OF FLOWERS FOR JENNIFER. EMILIO ARRIVES.

 

JACK: (Singing to the tune of "Largo al factotum" from Rossini's Barber of Seville) Can't wait till morning. Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer.

EMILIO: She ain't here man.

JACK: Huh?

EMILIO: What, are you deaf? She ain't here.

JACK: Gone? What do you mean gone?

EMILIO: She's splitzed.

JACK: She's spli....splitzed? When?

EMILIO: Yeah man, last week.

JACK: Wh...where did she go?

EMILIO: Who knows.

JACK: Oh I can't believe this. She's so irresponsible to leave town and not tell somebody where she went. She told somebody.

EMILIO: (Mumbling) I....I guess she told the neighbors, I don't know.

JACK: Speak English, Emilio.

EMILIO: NEIGHBORS, alright!

JACK: She....she told the neighbors and she didn't tell you?

EMILIO: No, Jennifer and I, we haven't been getting along so well lately, you know.

JACK: Oh after all our work, I'm sorry to hear that. I thought things were going so well.

EMILIO: Yeah, well don't worry because it's nothing that can't be straightened out.

JACK: Oh good, good. Just a little fight, right?

EMILIO: Hey look man, that's none of your business.

JACK: Well I guess it's your fault that I'm coming home to an empty nest, huh?

EMILIO: Yeah, well I kind of figured it was your fault.

JACK: Well, figure away, I need to go inside.

 

EMILIO DELIBERATELY STEPS ON JACK'S LUGGAGE AND THE FLOWERS

 

EMILIO: You know, I've been doing some thinkin myself. Now that you've got your bags packed, it's good time to move on out.

JACK: Meaning?

EMILIO: Meaning, if you're well enough to go on vacation, you're well enough to move out.

JACK: Well, since when did you join the medical profession?

EMILIO: Look I just know that the Rays are after you okay? And that just spells one thing, danger for Jennifer and that's it.

JACK: Oh Emilio, don't worry about the Stingrays. I'm a newspaper man. I look for danger.

 

JACK PICKS UP HIS CRUSHED LUGGAGE AND FLOWERS.

 

EMILIO: You're asking for trouble man.

JACK: I'd be asking you to help me get in here but I don't have change for a tip. Oh, here's your tip.

 

JACK HANDS EMILIO THE FLOWERS AND QUICKLY SHUTS THE DOOR. EMILIO LOOKS AT THE FLOWERS AND THEN THROWS THEM AGAINST THE DOOR.

 

EMILIO: Tip this man!

SCENE TWO: MEANWHILE STEVE AND KAYLA HAVE BEEN FIGHTING OVER MARINA AND THE FACT THAT STEVE HAS HAD A PAST RELATIONSHIP WITH HER. KAYLA IS UPSET THAT STEVE CANNOT SEEM TO IGNORE MARINA SO SHE LEAVES HIM AND HAS COME TO THE LOFT.

SCENE THREE: A SHORT TIME AFTER JACK ARRIVES BACK, HE GOES UP ON THE ROOF AND FINDS KAYLA THERE.

 

JACK: Kayla? What are you doing here? Kayla? I heard some noise downstairs so I came on up. Are you alright?

KAYLA: I really don't want to talk right now Jack. I just want to be alone.

JACK: Well I was just leaving.

KAYLA: No I'll go.

JACK: No, no, I'll go. You got here first. You look kinda lost. Are you?

KAYLA: Jack, I just don't want to talk about it.

JACK: Look if you want to stay here, that's no problem. Jennifer won't mind and I am moving out.

 

KAYLA TURNS AROUND TO FACE HIM, LOOKING LIKE SHE WAS NOT AWARE HE WAS LIVING THERE. JACK IS NERVOUS.

 

JACK: I'm already packed.

KAYLA: Thanks for going.

JACK: Does that mean yes.

 

KAYLA NODS.

 

JACK: I'll just get my things.

 

JACK STARTS TO HEAD DOWNSTAIRS BUT STOPS FIRST AND LOOKS BACK. HE IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT KAYLA.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE EMILIO HAS DECIDED TO WORK UNDERCOVER FOR ROMAN. HE JOINS THE STINGRAYS AND REPORTS BACK TO ROMAN ON WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

SCENE FIVE: JACK COMES BACK UP TO SAY GOODBYE TO KAYLA.

 

JACK: Well, I'm all packed up and ready to go. There's food in the fridge and....er....it'll be good to get back to my own place, eh?

 

JACK IS NERVOUS TALKING TO KAYLA.

 

KAYLA: Yeah, home sweet home.

JACK: Kayla, does this have anything to do with that woman in the car accident?

 

KAYLA DOES NOT ANSWER AND LOOKS UNCOMFORTABLE.

 

JACK: Look you can stay here as long as you want. Jennifer's not going to mind. She's going to be out of town till....er....and you know about the neighbors. Um....um....here's the key.

 

JACK REACHES OUT TO HAND IT TO HER TRYING NOT TO TOUCH HER. HE IS WORRIED AND SAD FOR HER.

 

KAYLA: Thank you.

JACK: Sure.

 

JACK GOES DOWNSTAIRS AND PICKS UP HIS BAG. A SONG BEGINS TO PLAY AS HE WALKS OUT OF THE LOFT AND AWAY FROM KAYLA.

Talk about a fine line between love and hate
We've lost more than the direction we take
Talk about a fine line between lovers and friends
We've never been lovers, now we're not even friends.

In this invisible war.
Seems we're waging an invisible war.
Every day I seem to lose you more
In this invisible war.

You're wounded deeply and the scar is here to stay
Opening up with the little things I do or say
You always want things to be as before
So I make you angry and you bleed a little more.

In this invisible war.
Seems we're waging an invisible war.
Every day I seem to lose you more
In this invisible war.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS SITTING AT A TABLE AT WINGS. THERE IS A SMALL CANDLE BURNING WHICH HE BLOWS OUT. HE SEES MARINA WALK IN. SHE IS STILL POSING AS DONNA D'ANGELO.

 

JACK: Miss d'Angelo, Miss d'Angelo, over here.

MARINA: Hi.

JACK: Hi.

MARINA: I was a little surprised at your invitation.

JACK: Well we really didn't have time to get to know each other and I thought this would be a better chance to get acquainted.

MARINA: As I recall, you said you already knew so much about me. Why don't you fill me in so I don't bore you with old news.

JACK: Oh, I don't know. I don't think I could ever be bored by your old news. Hahahaha.

MARINA: Have you ordered anything yet?

JACK: No. As a matter of fact I was....I was waiting for you.

 

JACK MAKES A SHOW OF TAKING OUT A MATCHBOOK AND LIGHTING THE CANDLE THAT HE HAD BLOWN OUT.

 

MARINA: What are the specials? Did they tell you?

JACK: No.

MARINA: (Noticing the candle) I like to dine by candlelight.

JACK: Oh really! So do I. As a matter of fact I did a little traveling recently. Went on vacation. Got a chance to dine by myself quite a bit.

MARINA: Really? Where did you go?

JACK: Italy.

 

MARINA JUST CONTINUES TO STARE AT HIM.

 

JACK: Naples, Italy. That's your home town isn't it?

MARINA: You did your homework.

JACK: I had to. It pays to study when you're abroad. Especially the places to eat.

MARINA: Well if I had known you were going I could have recommended a few places for you.

JACK: Oh don't worry, I did fine on my own. As a matter of fact I found this really great little hole in the wall restaurant. What was the name? It was call....maybe you know the name of it. (He picks up the matchbook) The Astrella....strella taver....

MARINA: Astrella

JACK: Taverna. (Beat) Now maybe we can order our dinner and you can tell me about your connection with my brother Steve.

SCENE TWO: MEANWHILE JENNIFER HAS ARRIVED HOME FROM HER WEEK'S VACATION. SHE SHUTS THE DOOR OF THE LOFT, DROPS HER BAGS AND THEN NOTICES A WOMAN'S BLOUSE AND DRESS LYING ON THE SOFA. SHE WALKS OVER AND PICKS IT UP AND THEN HEARS A SOUND FROM THE BEDROOM.

 

JENNIFER: (Sounding upset but trying to hide it.) Jack will you come down here for a minute, please?

 

KALYA WALKS DOWNSTAIRS.

 

KAYLA: Jennifer, hi.

JENNIFER: (Still upset and staring at the blouse.) Kalya hi. Where's Jack?

KAYLA: Ah, he moved out. I've been staying here for a few days. I hope you don't mind. I just needed a place to stay.

JENNIFER: Oh where's Steve? (Beat) Ah Kayla, I didn't mean it like that.

KAYLA: It's alright.

 

JENNIFER ASKS KAYLA IF SHE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT BUT KAYLA SAYS THERE IS REALLY NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT. SHE AND STEVE NEED A BREAK AND SO SHE MOVED OUT. HE DOES NOT KNOW WHERE SHE IS AND SHE WOULD PREFER IT THAT WAY FOR NOW. JENNIFER ASKS IF JACK GAVE UP HIS ROOM SO SHE COULD STAY HERE. KAYLA SAID IT IS AMAZING. JENNIFER IMMEDIATELY GETS SUSPICIOUS AND WONDERS WHAT JACK DOING.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE BACK AT WINGS.

 

MARINA: So what are you going to have?

JACK: I think I'll start with a little filet of truth.

MARINA: Mr. Deveraux....

JACK: Jack, Jack. What do you go by these days? Miss Toscano?

MARINA: Jack!

JACK: Marie, no Marina, Marina.

MARINA: I don't know what little game you're playing here but I don't want any part of it.

JACK: No, no, no. It isn't my game. I'm just a referee.

MARINA: Well you obviously are wasting your time.

JACK: I don't think so. You see I got these really nifty little article. Right here. Does that ring any bells?

 

JACK HANDS HER A CUT OUT FROM THE NEWSPAPER ABOUT A WINE BARON'S DAUGHTER BEING MISSING.

 

MARINA: What about it?

JACK: Oh come on, don't be naive. It says wine baron's daughter's missing mysteriously and there's this American merchant marine involved.

MARINA: If you already know so much then we don't need to be wasting our time now, do we?

JACK: No, no. We're not wasting our time. We're just filling in the blanks. See, face it, I've heard all about this. I've heard all about the bad blood between the family and this girl after this little drowning incident. Now don't you think that was a little harsh?

MARINA: You know how volatile Italian families can be.

JACK: Oh come on. But to disinherit this poor girl from millions of dollars. That's not bad blood, that's cold blood.

MARINA: Yes, it is horrible when family members are pitted against each other. It's very painful. I don't suppose you'd know about that though would you?

JACK: Huh?

MARINA: I guess you and your brother Steve have a different type of relationship.

JACK: No Steve has nothing to do....um, I mean, Steven....Steve and I have nothing to do with this.

MARINA: Hmmm. I didn't mean to offend you. I thought we were talking about families in general.

JACK: No, no. Actually we were talking about families in specific. Your family and you and my brother Steve.

MARINA: Well that's odd because I can't imagine you being interested in anything but yourself!

JACK: Hahahaha. You know, I don't know the kind of people you're used to dealing with but when it comes to me, I'm really used to getting what I want. I really am.

 

STEVE COMES INTO WINGS JUST AS MARINA IS TRYING TO LEAVE.

 

MARINA: Now if this little game of yours is over, you'll have to excuse me Mr. Deveraux.

JACK: No, no, no. It's not over. Maybe you just need to powder your nose and we'll just call it a draw for now, okay?

MARINA: You certainly have a strange way about you. And we'll finish the game but there is really no need for me to go to the powder room.

 

SHE TAKES OUT A MIRROR TO POWDER HER NOSE AND SEES STEVE IN THE REFLECTION.

 

MARINA: Honesty is so much more efficient. Frankly I don't want to see your brother either.

 

SHE GETS UP AND GOES TO THE POWDER ROOM. WHILE SHE IS GONE JACK OVERHEARS STEVE ASK DAVE IF HE HAS SEEN KAYLA.

 

JACK: Steve.

STEVE: What the hell do you want?

JACK: Ah, Kayla is at the loft.

STEVE: What? She's staying with you?

JACK: No, no, don't worry. I'm not there. I moved out.

STEVE: What do you mean you moved out? What did you do that for?

JACK: Well I don't know. I was just trying to help any way that I could.

STEVE: Oh?

JACK: Look you didn't know where she was. I told you where she was. In my book that's helping out.

STEVE: Look I don't need your help. Your help and fifty cents can buy me a cup of coffee. I don't want it. I want you to stay the hell out of our lives. I'm not going to tell you again.

 

STEVE LEAVES AND JACK FEELS HURT.

SCENE FOUR: JENNIFER IS WALKING ON THE PIER WHEN SHE SEES EMILIO PUT ON THE RED BANDANA THAT SIGNIFIES HE IS A MEMBER OF THE STINGRAYS AGAIN. SHE TELLS EMILIO THAT HIS ACTIONS HURT HER BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT HE'D CHANGED. HE TELLS HER TO MIND HER OWN BUSINESS AND LEAVE HIM ALONE. SHE RUNS AWAY.

SCENE FIVE: MEANWHILE JACK COMES OVER TO THE LOFT.

 

KAYLA: Who is it?

JACK: Kayla, it's me. It's Jack.

JACK: Hi.

KAYLA: Hi.

JACK: I was looking for Jennifer. Actually, I thought you'd be gone by now.

KAYLA: Gone?

JACK: Yeah, I thought Steve would have....ah....forget it.

KAYLA: Steve what?

JACK: Nothing.

KAYLA: What do you mean nothing? Steve was here and you told him I was here, didn't you?

JACK: I thought the two of you nee....

KAYLA: You thought. Jack you know you had no right to tell him I was here.

JACK: You're right. I don't know what's going on between the two of you.

KAYLA: That's right, you don't know.

JACK: Well things have obviously fallen apart and I know that you need to talk to him.

KAYLA: Jack you don't know anything about me.

 

AS THEY ARE TALKING JENNIFER COMES HOME AND LISTENS AT THE DOOR.

 

JACK: I was just trying to help you that's all.

KAYLA: You don't even know the meaning of the word help. Unless it has something to do with....what have you got in this?

JACK: Nothing.

KAYLA: You know I must have been crazy to think that you had changed. You haven't and I want you to stay the hell out of my life.

JACK: Kayla, look I'm just trying to....

KAYLA: Jack don't touch me.

JACK: Where are you going?

KAYLA: I'm going out.

JACK: You can't just go out. Listen I'm telling you....I was just try....Kayla!

 

SHE HURRIES OUT THE DOOR AND JACK STOPS. AS HE IS STANDING THERE JENNIFER WALKS UP TO HIM.

 

JENNIFER: I'm home.

 

JACK SIGHS AS HE REALIZES THAT JENNIFER HAS HEARD THE WHOLE CONVERSATION WITH KAYLA AND WILL GET THE WRONG IDEA. SHE WALKS INSIDE AND HE FOLLOWS.

 

JENNIFER: I didn't mean to interrupt since you and Kayla were so engrossed in your conversation.

JACK: It's kinda like conversing with Attila the Hun.

JENNIFER: Was she right Jack? Are you involved in this whole thing for your own reasons?

JACK: Well, what do you think?

JENNIFER: I would like to believe that you care. That underneath that slick exterior of yours, there's a pretty good guy with a pretty good heart. And that up until now you were just afraid to show that side of yourself.

JACK: I don't know. I think that's kind of a long shot.

JENNIFER: I really need to know that Jack, because I may have already lost one friend because he couldn't stand up to his convictions. I really don't want to lose you too.

 

JACK LOOKS AT HER WARILY NOT SURE WHETHER HE WANTS HER TO KNOW JUST HOW MUCH HE REALLY DOES CARE.