Episode Eighty-two:
Jack Helps Jennifer Help Emilio,
Believing She Wants Emilio.

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS IN JACK'S OFFICE SNOOPING THROUGH THE FILES ON HIS DESK. SHE FINDS ONE MARKED TOSCANO AND GOES AROUND TO SIT ON HIS CHAIR TO READ IT. SHE DROPS THE FILE AND BENDS DOWN TO PICK IT UP. JACK COMES IN BUT DOES NOT KNOW SHE IS UNDER THE DESK.

 

JACK: Wait a minute. Where is it?

 

JENNIFER POPS UP FROM UNDER THE DESK.

 

JENNIFER: Where's what?

 

JACK SCREAMS IN FRIGHT.

 

JACK: GOD!

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: What are you doing?

JENNIFER: I'm sorry.

JACK: What are you doing in my desk?

JENNIFER: I was looking for the Baldwin file, Jack.

 

JACK GRABS THE TOSCANO FILE FROM HER.

 

JACK: That's not it.

JENNIFER: What's the matter with you?

JACK: Nothing.

JENNIFER: Nothing? Okay nothing. Then I guess you won't mind telling me why Marina Toscano is so important to you, Jack.

JACK: Marina Toscano is not important to me.

JENNIFER: Oh yeah, I can see that Jack.

JACK: I'm working on a story. Marina Toscano is a part of that story, okay.

JENNIFER: You flew all the way to Italy just for a story.

JACK: For research.

JENNIFER: And does any of this research include your brother too?

JACK: As a....this is none of your business.

JENNIFER: Jack, I think this is more personal than business.

JACK: Speaking of personal, what were you doing going through my locked file cabinet?

JENNIFER: I wasn't. I told you I was looking for the Baldwin file.

JACK: The Baldwin research. I know. I know and it's right here on the desk. Not in my locked file cabinet.

JENNIFER: I wasn't in your locked file cabinet. I was looking here on your desk, Jack.

JACK: Look it's right....it's right....it's....er....it's....

JENNIFER: Where?

JACK: Just a minute.

 

JACK GOES OVER TO HIS LOCKED FILE CABINET AND UNLOCKS IT.

 

JENNIFER: Where Jack? (Grinning)

 

JACK FINDS IT IN THE CABINET AND HANDS IT TO HER.

 

JACK: Well it's supposed to right there on the desk. (Beat) Alright, I switched it by accident but it doesn't excuse you for going through my things on my desk.

JENNIFER: Jack I saw how hard you were working on this. I thought you could use some help.

JACK: Don't do me any favors.

JENNIFER: Oh okay. Then I won't show you what I found out either.

JACK: No, no, wait a minute. What do you mean, what you found out?

JENNIFER: Nothing, nothing.

JACK: What do you mean, nothing?

JENNIFER: Nothing.

JACK: Alright, alright, okay. I apologize for accusing you of something, okay.

JENNIFER: And you want my help?

JACK: Don't push your luck. What have you got?

 

JENNIFER GIVES HIM THE FILE.

 

JENNIFER: Well what do you think?

JACK: Nothing to think. I've read it and I know what it's about.

JENNIFER: Jack, it's about the rivalry and who's going to inherit the Toscano vineyards.

JACK: I know that!

JENNIFER: It's all here. Look again.

JACK: I know....look it's about a little....er....this family and....er

JENNIFER: And the children....

JACK: And children and....

JENNIFER: ....children of Ernesto Toscano. He owns the vineyard.

JACK: I know that!

JENNIFER: Right, it seems that everybody wants control and this Marina woman is in some sort of power struggle with her siblings. Her brothers and sisters, Jack.

JACK: I know that! I've been to school. I know.

JENNIFER: Okay read it again. It doesn't say exactly how many brothers and sisters but something is definitely going on Jack. Look, read it again.

JACK: Okay, look. This makes sense if you are writing some little Spaghetti Western. But this has nothing to do with what I'm working on.

JENNIFER: Well maybe if you tell me what this was or what you're hiding, I could help you.

JACK: Cut the bread and starch stuff, okay. I'm not hiding anything.

JENNIFER: Okay, then why did you interrogate me about finding this file? And why are pretending that the information about the fight over the Toscano vineyards doesn't mean anything to you?

JACK: Because it doesn't!

JENNIFER: I know you Jack.

JACK: Well if you know me, then you know how impatient I get when you do your work half baked. And when a reporter doesn't do all her homework, like on the transit story?

JENNIFER: I have to finish it.

JACK: Good.

JENNIFER: Can I have the file first?

JACK: NO!

JENNIFER: The Baldwin file, Jack.

JACK: Oh the Baldwin file. Why didn't you ask?

JENNIFER: Thank you.

JACK: Thank you.

 

JENNIFER WALKS TO THE DOOR BUT STAYS THERE AND DOES NOT LEAVE. JACK TURNS BACK TO LOOK AT HER AND SHE GIVES HIM A HUGE WINK, THEN SHUTS THE DOOR.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER GOES DOWN TO THE PIER TO SEE EMILIO AND OVERHEARS A CONVERSATION HE IS HAVING WITH ABE AND SHE REALIZES THAT HE IS WORKING WITH THE COPS TO CLEAN UP THE GANGS. THEY LEAVE AND SHE RUNS TO THE PHONE TO CALL JACK AND TELL HIM WHAT SHE HEARD.

 

JACK: Jack Deveraux.

JENNIFER: (Trying to hide) Yes Jack, it's me.

JACK: (Being his usual self) Oh, do we need more time on our story?

JENNIFER: (Trying to be be heard or seen.) No Jack, Jack, I need you.

JACK: I can't hear you. Speak up.

JENNIFER: Jack, please just come here quickly!

JACK: (Jack picks up on her distress, and getting the wrong idea because frantic, he is obviously very worried about her.) Jennifer, where are you? Jennifer....Jennifer! Jennifer are you there?

JENNIFER: Jack, I need you.

JACK: Jennifer, where are you? What's going on?

JENNIFER: Jack I'm on the old east pier but I can't talk.

JACK: You're on a deserted pier? Are you crazy? It's dangerous.

JENNIFER: Jack I need you. I....

 

SHE HANGS UP THE PHONE AND HIDES.

 

JACK: Jennif....She hung up. She's in trouble. Ah....we can handle this. No problem. It's cool. Cool.

 

JACK'S PANIC LEVEL SLOWLY RISES UNTIL HE IS RUNNING OUT THE DOOR.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER STAYS HIDDEN UNDER THE STEPS WHEN EMILIO COMES DOWN AND HEARS HER. HE SCREAMS OUT FOR THE PERSON WHO IS HIDING TO COME OUT.

 

JENNIFER: Hi.

EMILIO: What are you doing here alone after dark?

JENNIFER: I'm not alone and neither were you. I saw you with Abe Carver.

EMILIO: So what?

JENNIFER: Emilio.

 

AS SHE IS TALKING A FRANTIC JACK COMES STUMBLING DOWN THE STEPS COMPLETELY OUT OF BREATH. JACK IS SWEATING, AND DISHEVELED, COMPLETELY OUT OF CHARACTER.

 

JACK: (Frantic) Jennifer, okay....okay what's wrong?

JENNIFER: (Jennifer noticing Jack's condition) Jack, what's wrong with you, you're out of breath. Jack you're sweating. What....you never sweat.

 

SHE USES HER SLEEVE TO WIPE HIS FOREHEAD.

JACK: Never let'em see you sweat. I'm alright. What's wrong with you?

JENNIFER: What's wrong with you?

 

EMILIO THUMPS JACK IN THE BACK.

 

EMILIO: Hi Devy.

JACK: Wait a minute. I thought you said that there was something wrong, that you were in trouble.

EMILIO: Oh there ain't no trouble around here.

JACK: On the phone. You said there was trouble.

JENNIFER: Yes there is trouble. There's a lot of trouble. I'm having trouble with the transit article. That's why I called you. I'm having a lot of trouble with it. I'll explain it in the car.

JACK: What?

 

JENNIFER DRAGS JACK UP THE STEPS AWAY FROM EMILIO.

 

JENNIFER: I'll tell you all about it in the car. Come on.

SCENE FOUR: A SHORT TIME LATER JACK AND JENNIFER ARE AT THE BAR AT WINGS. JACK IS TOSSING DOWN MARTINIS.

JENNIFER: Jack why are you doing this?

JACK: I'm having a bad day.

JENNIFER: Did it have anything to do with me calling you?

JACK: (Slightly drunk, but mostly still recovering from his terror that Jennifer might have been in danger.) Oh, no, no. I'm just in my office, minding my own business and I get a call from you saying you're having a little bit of trouble down at the Docks of Death, so I go through several intersections, red lights mind you, break several traffic laws, and then get there to find out you're safe and sound with my former bodyguard.

JENNIFER: Jack, there is something going on. I saw Emilio talking to Abe Carver.

JACK: Jennifer, he has a long and loving relationship with the police. Don't dwell on it.

JENNIFER: It's more than that. I think it has something to do with the Stingrays. I know it. But I can't do it by myself that's why I called you. I need your help. I know that you don't like Emilio that much and I have to admit that there's a personal stake in this for me but all I need is a little bit of your help. Let's not forget all of the times I helped you. Or, the fact that you were the one that wrote these articles about the Stingrays in the first place. If you hadn't written these art....

 

JACK PLACES HIS HAND OVER HER MOUTH.

 

JACK: Okay, okay, okay, I said I'd do it.

JENNIFER: (Muffled) You did?

JACK: Huh, uh.

JENNIFER: Oh.

 

DAVE WALKS BY, AND JACK STOPS HIM.

 

JACK: Dave, get this thing wet again will you?

JENNIFER: Jack?

JACK: Huh? Yeah, yeah

JENNIFER: (Slightly pleased at the prospect.) Jack, were you worried about me? On the pier, I mean.

JACK: Me? (Not wanting to admit out loud the truth.) No!

JENNIFER: Oh is that why you broke the land speed record to get to me?

JACK: (Coming up with another one of his lame excuses to hide the fact that he does care.) Okay, let's explain. I'm your boss, you're a reporter, if you got hurt down there, it would be hell to pay for insurance. Do you know what the workman's comp is like these days....

 

JENNIFER PLACES HER HAND OVER JACK'S MOUTH.

 

JENNIFER: I didn't ask if you were worried about one of your reporters. I asked if you were worried about me.

JACK: (Muffled) Oh.

 

DAVE RETURNS WITH THE FRESH MARTINI.

 

DAVE: Here you go. You are driving, aren't you Jennifer?

JENNIFER: Yes I am.

JACK: Designated driver. Thank you Dave.

JENNIFER: Were you worried about me Jack?

JACK: I told you. No, I'm not. Wasn't worried at all.

JENNIFER: (Disappointed) Right. Okay. Well, I'll be back, Jack. I have a phone call to make.

JACK: (To himself, with a look of self-realization.) I wasn't worried. (Beat) I was scared!

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS ON THE PIER QUESTIONING ROMAN ABOUT EMILIO'S INVOLVEMENT WITH THE POLICE. JACK COMES DOWN TO HELP HER OUT.

 

JACK: Commander, what about the public? I mean, don't inquiring minds have a right to know?

ROMAN: Look I'd love to give you something to put in that paper but I've got nothing to say.

JACK: But, just for the record. Isn't something unusual going on down here at the Riverfront?

ROMAN: For the record, nothing's happening. And off the record, keep your reporters off this pier. For her sake.

JACK: Thanks.

 

ROMAN LEAVES.

 

JENNIFER: He's hiding something Jack.

JACK: Brilliant deduction my dear Watson. Now why don't we take his advice and stay away.

JENNIFER: I am a reporter.

JACK: So report from your desk. Just stay away.

JENNIFER: No Jack. You can't make me stay away.

JACK: Look, I'm your boss. Don't forget who you're talking to.

JENNIFER: I know you're my boss but Jack, you don't understand....

JACK: I promise you. I will handle it from here. I'll take it and run with it.

JENNIFER: I think that you are going to need my help.

JACK: If I need your help, I'll holler.

JENNIFER: Well you better Jack because something bad is going to happen down here. I can feel it.

SCENE TWO: JACK IS ON THE PIER DISGUISED AS A HOMELESS MAN. HE IS WEARING AND TORN AND BATTERED SUIT, A HAT WITH THE BRIM TURNED UP AND HE'S CARRYING A GUN. HE HEARS SOMEBODY COMING SO HE HIDES UNDER THE STEPS.

SANTOS AND JULIO COME DOWN TO TALK. JULIO SAYS THAT EMILIO DOES NOT WANT HIM TO BE A MEMBER OF THE GANG. EMILIO COMES DOWN AND TRIES TO DEFEND HIS POSITION WITH JULIO. HE SAYS JULIO IS TOO MUCH OF A KID TO BE A MEMBER. SANTOS SAYS THAT JULIO CAN STAY IN THE GANG. JACK RECORDS THE WHOLE CONVERSATION. AFTER THEY LEAVE, JACK COMES OUT OF HIDING AND JENNIFER COMES DOWN TO SEE WHAT HE HAS GOT.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, Jack?

JACK: I don't recall hollering for help.

JENNIFER: I'm beginning to worry about you Jack.

JACK: You better worry about Emilio. He just took off in this direction with the Stingrays.

JENNIFER: Jack, what did you find out? Tell me.

JACK: Well it appears that Emilio doesn't want his little brother to join the gang.

JENNIFER: I knew it.

JACK: Hmmm. He's a little afraid that something might happen to him.

JENNIFER: That means something dangerous is going to go down, right?

JACK: Go down? You sound like you're about to join the gang.

JENNIFER: We have to do something.

JACK: No, no we don't.

JENNIFER: Are you crazy? Emilio and Julio are in a lot of trouble Jack.

JACK: Jennifer, we report on the news. We don't make it. Emilio's into this thing too far. We can't just reach in there and pull him out.

JENNIFER: Why? Because he's part of the gang.

JACK: Well partly, yes.

JENNIFER: Well appearances can be deceiving Jack.

JACK: You're telling me.

 

SHE RUNS OFF.

 

JACK: Hey, one hour! One hour. We meet at Wings.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER CATCHES UP WITH THE GANG WANTING TO SEE EMILIO. SANTOS GRABS HER AND EMILIO ASKS THEM TO LET HER GO. THEY SAID FINE BUT GET RID OF HER. EMILIO SAYS HE WILL TAKE CARE OF HER. HE MANHANDLES HER A LITTLE WAY AWAY FROM THE GANG AND HE TELLS HER TO CALL ROMAN AND PRETEND TO HIT HIM. SHE DOES THAT AND RUNS AWAY. THE GANG GETS SUSPICIOUS OF EMILIO.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE JACK IS WAITING AT WINGS FOR JENNIFER.

 

JACK: Dave, I don't mean to be a male chauvinist pig or anything but can you tell me, why are women always late?

DAVE: I don't know. Maybe it's in their genes.

JACK: They're in our jeans!

 

JENNIFER RUSHES IN.

 

JENNIFER: I need to use the phone.

DAVE: Right here.

JACK: Jennifer!

JENNIFER: I was right about Emilio. He didn't go back to the gang.

JACK: Who are you going to call?

 

JENNIFER CALLS ROMAN WITH THE MESSAGE THAT EMILIO IS IN TROUBLE AND NEEDS ROMAN AT THE PIER RIGHT NOW. SHE HANGS UP.

 

JACK: Jennifer, Jennifer.

 

JENNIFER WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND JACK FOR PROTECTION.

 

JENNIFER: Oh Jack. I'm so scared.

JACK: (Uncomfortable, it is obvious that being hugged by her means something to him.) Jennifer. Er....look, I think you better sit down and have a cup of coffee.

JENNIFER: No, I have to get back to help him.

JACK: You can't go back there. It's dangerous.

JENNIFER: I have to go.

JACK: Look, you....er, alright let's go. I'll go with you. Come on.

JENNIFER: I'm going.

JACK: Come on. You've got to be careful, alright.

SCENE FIVE: THE STINGRAYS WITH EMILIO AND JULIO ARE HAVING A MEETING WITH SOME COLOMBIAN DRUG DEALERS WHEN ROMAN AND THE POLICE ARRIVE. JACK AND JENNIFER ARRIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ARREST AND EMILIO IS CARTED OFF BY ROMAN.

 

JACK: Yeah, let's go.

 

JACK RUNS OFF TO FOLLOW THE POLICE AND GET A GOOD STORY. JENNIFER STOPS FOR A MINUTE BEFORE LEAVING. SHE IS VERY WORRIED ABOUT EMILIO.