Episode Niney-six: Jennifer Is Thrilled
When Jack Asks for Help, but Seeing
Him With Isabella She Believes That
He Cares More for Isabella Than Her.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS WALKING ALONG THE PIER WHEN HE HEARS SOMEBODY COMING UP BEHIND HIM. HE CROUCHES DOWN AND PULLS A GUN.

 

JACK: Hold, hold it right there. I've got a gun. I'll shoot. I swear.

 

IT TURNS OUT TO BE JENNIFER.

 

JENNIFER: Don't shoot, it's me!

JACK: Jennifer!

JENNIFER: Who did you think it was?

JACK: (Frightened that he came so close to shooting her.) What the hell do you think that you're doing, sneaking up on me like that?

JENNIFER: I'm not sneaking up on you.

JACK: I could have killed you.

JENNIFER: I thought you only shot blanks out of that Jack.

JACK: Don't you ever do something like that to me again.

JENNIFER: Don't give me orders.

JACK: I'm your boss. I'll order you whe....

JENNIFER: Oh yeah, well you could have fooled me.

JACK: What do you mean by that?

JENNIFER: Have you forgotten where your office is?

JACK: It's right....I've been busy!

JENNIFER: Too busy that I had to come looking for you?

JACK: (Smugly, but with more than a little hint of hopefulness.) You missed me?

JENNIFER: No! I was worried about you.

JACK: Well look, I've been working on something.

JENNIFER: Something dangerous, right?

JACK: You know me. I'm not into dangerous.

JENNIFER: Then why do you insist on carrying a gun and why did you just turn on me like that? Jack, I'm worried about you.

JACK: I like it when you worry about me.

JENNIFER: Well I don't. I want to know what's going on. I want to help you.

JACK: (Getting an idea.) Maybe you can.

JENNIFER: Alright, tell me what to do.

JACK: First, you've got to trust me.

JENNIFER: Well for some reason I always do.

JACK: Then, you've got to be sworn to secrecy.

JENNIFER: Alright, just tell me what you need.

JACK: Your loft.

JENNIFER: The loft? For what?

JACK: Ah....I've got this friend who....who needs a place to hide out.

JENNIFER: Who is this friend?

JACK: I thought you were going to be sworn to secrecy.

JENNIFER: I just want to know a little bit more before I say yes.

JACK: Look, this friend is in a lot of hot water and I thought this friend would be safe with you.

JENNIFER: What are you getting me into Jack?

JACK: A little adventure!

JENNIFER: Is this little friend of your's really in danger?

JACK: Let me put it this way. (Beat) This person's life could depend on your answer. Think about it and get back to me.

SCENE TWO: JACK RETURNS HOME AND HE AND ISABELLA ORDER CHINESE FOOD. JACK AND ISABELLA SEEM RATHER COMFORTABLE WITH EACH OTHER.

ISABELLA: No one's been nice to me in a long time.

JACK: Well don't push your luck. If you don't start eating that shrimp real soon, I'm going to eat it. I love shrimp.

ISABELLA: Why are you in such a good mood?

JACK: Well I don't want to get your hopes up but I think I've found you a place to hide.

ISABELLA: Where?

JACK: Let's just suffice to say that Kiriakis will not be able to find you.

ISABELLA: You're right. I don't want to get my hopes up.

 

THE PHONE RINGS.

 

JACK: Oh! Hope rings eternal.

ISABELLA: Eh.

JACK: That was kind of a joke. I was hoping that was the phone call I was waiting for. I'll get it. (Beat) Hello.

JENNIFER: Jack, hi, it's Jennifer.

JACK: Oh, my little Angel of Mercy. I knew it was you.

JENNIFER: Yeah, look I know I'm probably crazy....

JACK: You're going to do it?

JENNIFER: It was a difficult decision.

JACK: I knew I could count on you.

JENNIFER: Look, I'm doing this for you, okay. Because you're my boss and I want to help you (Though it is obvious she is doing it because she cares for Jack.).

JACK: I tell you what, there's going to be a special thank you for you in your next paycheck.

JENNIFER: Jack, I'm not motivated by money. How soon will this little friend be arriving?

 

WHILE SHE IS TALKING, EVE COMES DOWNSTAIRS AND OVERHEARS THE CONVERSATION.

 

JACK: Ah, tonight!

JENNIFER: Tonight!

JACK: Well we have to do this right away.

JENNIFER: Alright. Then I guess I'm going to have to ask Eve to move out.

JACK: I didn't know that Eve was still living there.

JENNIFER: Yeah, well I tell you that I don't think she's going to be very happy about moving out Jack.

JACK: Yeah, well I tell you what, my....friend....and I will be sneaking in through your bedroom window.

JENNIFER: Alright, Jack, that will be....Jack I've got to go. Bye.

 

SHE HANGS UP SUDDENLY WHEN SHE SEES EVE.

 

JACK: She hung up.

ISABELLA: Do I have a place to live?

JACK: Why did she hang up? (Beat) Yes! Yes, I think you have a place to live.

ISABELLA: Right. Can I finish my dinner first?

SCENE THREE: BACK AT THE LOFT.

 

JENNIFER: I didn't know you were here.

EVE: I was in my....I was in your room. So who's taking my place?

JENNIFER: Eve, I'm sorry that you happened to walk in at the wrong time.

EVE: No I think it was the right time.

 

EVE IS UPSET THAT SHE IS BEING THROWN OUT BUT JENNIFER SAYS THAT A FRIEND OF HER'S REALLY NEEDS A PLACE TO STAY IMMEDIATELY. AS THEY ARE TALKING EMILIO COMES IN AND EVE TELLS HIM THAT JENNIFER IS THROWING HER OUT SO THAT SHE CAN MOVE SOME OTHER FRIEND IN. EMILIO THINKS THAT HE IS THE FRIEND AND LEAVES TO PICK UP A FEW THINGS. HE SEEMS QUITE SMUG WITH HIMSELF, THAT JENNIFER SEEMS TO BE CHOOSING HIM.

SCENE FOUR: BACK AT JACK'S.

 

JACK: Not much to pack, eh?

ISABELLA: It'll do.

JACK: You don't like what I got you?

ISABELLA: Jack, it's all fine, really.

JACK: I know. You're disappointed because I didn't get you any shoes.

ISABELLA: I'm scared.

JACK: Scared of what? Kiriakis?

ISABELLA: Of being with somebody beside you.

JACK: (Affectionately) You mean Jennifer? Oh don't worry about Jennifer. Jennifer's great. She'll take good care of you.

ISABELLA: She's a stranger. I don't know her. You're the only one I trust.

JACK: Well I'm going to be around still.

ISABELLA: A knight without his horse.

JACK: I'm scared of horses. (Beat) You really do trust me, don't you?

ISABELLA: No one's ever done so much for me.

JACK: (No. Nobody's trusted me in a long time.

ISABELLA: I find that hard to believe.

JACK: Believe it!

SCENE FIVE: A SHORT TIME LATER JACK COMES CRAWLING IN JENNIFER'S BEDROOM WINDOW FOLLOWED BY ISABELLA.

 

ISABELLA: Do you think anybody saw us?

JACK: Sssshhhh! I think it was too dark.

ISABELLA: It looks like we made it.

 

JACK WALKS OVER TO JENNIFER'S DRESSING TABLE AND PICKS UP A BASKET OF POTPOURRI. HE SMELLS IT AND SMILES.

 

JACK: This is definitely Jennifer's room.

ISABELLA: Where is she?

JACK: Well, she said she'd meet us.

ISABELLA: Shall we wait?

JACK: Ah....we'll wait a minute and then I'll go down and check.

ISABELLA: Okay.

SCENE SIX: DOWNSTAIRS EMILIO ARRIVES WITH HIS LUGGAGE AND A PIZZA. HE SAYS HE KNOWS THAT JENNIFER IS AS PLEASED AS HE IS ABOUT THE MOVE. SHE TELLS HIM THERE HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE MIX-UP AND THAT SHE MADE UP THE LIE ABOUT A FRIEND SO THAT SHE COULD ASK EVE TO MOVE OUT. SHE TELLS EMILIO SHE DOES WANT TO BE WITH HIM AND THEY KISS. JACK IS WATCHING FROM BEHIND THE STAIRS. THE KISS SEEMS TO AFFECT JACK, HIS CHEERFUL EXPRESSION CHANGES. ISABELLA COMES DOWN TO JOIN HIM. SHE NOTICES HOW MUCH SEEING THE KISS BOTHERED JACK, AND SEEMS SLIGHTLY HURT AND JEALOUS HERSELF, SHE PICKS UP ON THE FACT THAT JACK CARES FOR JENNIFER. THEY BOTH GO BACK UP TO JENNIFER'S ROOM WHILE JENNIFER SAYS GOODBYE TO EMILIO.

 

JACK: Well, Jennifer's here.

ISABELLA: I saw.

JACK: Me too. I think maybe a little more than was intended.

ISABELLA: You mean her kissing that guy?

JACK: Oh, he's not just any guy.

 

JACK IS FIDDLING WITH THE POTPOURRI. THINKING OVER WHAT HE SAW. AND HURT BY IT.

 

ISABELLA: It bothered you, didn't it, seeing her with him.

JACK: (Trying not to reveal that the kiss did in fact bother him, greatly.) Oh....well....I mean she's my employee. My apprentice, my cub reporter (Though speaking rather impersonally about Jennifer, he does so affectionately).

 

JUST THEN JENNIFER COMES INTO THE ROOM. SAVING JACK FROM HAVING TO REVEAL TOO MUCH TO ISABELLA, OR EVEN HIMSELF.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, you're here! How did you get....

 

JENNIFER SEES ISABELLA AND IS NOT IMPRESSED BY JACK HAVING AN ATTRACTIVE FEMALE FRIEND. LIKE JACK SHE TOO IS BOTHERED THAT THE OTHER MIGHT CARE FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

 

JACK: Through the window. Um, this is my friend.

JENNIFER: Yes, I can see that.

JACK: Jennifer, I'd like to introduce Isabella Toscano.

 

JENNIFER IS VERY SURPRISED AND STARES SILENTLY AT ISABELLA.

 

JACK: (Noticing the tension) I'm sure you've got a million questions.

JENNIFER: Isabella Toscano! When Jack said a friend I had no idea that....

JACK: I said, top secret and very dangerous. Now, what are the sleeping arrangements?

JENNIFER: Ah, Isabella, you can stay in the guest bedroom.

JACK: And what about me?

JENNIFER: Well I don't know. I don't know where you want to sleep. I mean if both of you want to stay in the....

JACK: I'll take the couch!

ISABELLA: Jack will take the couch and I will take the bedroom. That's a good arrangement.

JENNIFER: Okay. I didn't know Jack was staying.

JACK: You don't mind, do you?

JENNIFER: Do I have a choice?

ISABELLA: Jennifer I really appreciate you doing this for me.

JENNIFER: Well Jack said he needed to help a friend, so I'm helping.

ISABELLA: I know you're going to a lot of trouble.

JENNIFER: Well I'm sure he went to a lot of trouble to help you too.

ISABELLA: I owe him my life.

JENNIFER: (Jennifer seems to be bothered and slightly hurt that Jack would go through all this trouble for Isabella.) That must mean a lot to him, to help you.

ISABELLA: You'll have to ask Jack.

JACK: (Noticing the tension, he tries do something about it.) I think we should talk about some ground rules.

JENNIFER: Rules, Jack? In my house.

JACK: Yes. First of all, nobody can know that Isabella's here.

JENNIFER: I'm not going to tell anyone.

JACK: You won't have a chance to. Until we get this ironed out, we're all going to be spending a lot of time together.

JENNIFER: The three of us.

JACK: Hmmm. It has a nice cosey ring to it, doesn't it?

 

JACK PUTS AN ARM AROUND EACH WOMAN.

JENNIFER DOES NOT SEEM TOO PLEASED WITH THE ARRANGEMENT, AS WELL AS BEING SLIGHTLY JEALOUS OF ISABELLA AND HER RELATIONSHIP WITH JACK. ISABELLA SEEMS AWKWARD BY THE SITUATION, AND IS PICKING UP ON THE TENSIONS BETWEEN JACK AND JENNIFER, AS WELL AS BEING SLIGHTLY JEALOUS OF JACK'S FEELINGS FOR JENNIFER.

 

JENNIFER: Yeah. Just like the Three Musketeers.

 

SCENE ONE: THE NEXT MORNING JENNIFER COMES DOWNSTAIRS AND JACK IS ASLEEP ON THE COUCH. HE IS STILL IN HIS PANTS AND SHIRT WITH A BLANKET TOSSED OVER HIM. JENNIFER LEANS OVER THE BACK OF THE COUCH AND AFFECTIONATELY PULLS THE BLANKET UP OVER HIM AND THEN GOES TO THE KITCHEN. ISABELLA SEES HER DO IT.

 

ISABELLA: Good morning.

JENNIFER: Good morning.

ISABELLA: I....I hope I'm not interrupting.

JENNIFER: Ah....what do you mean?

ISABELLA: You and Jack.

JENNIFER: Ah....Jack's asleep.

ISABELLA: Not now. I mean in general.

JENNIFER: (Jennifer seems to realize what she means, but so as not to reveal how she feels pretends she does not.) "In general?"

ISABELLA: Well it's obvious you care for him.

 

JACK WAKES UP BUT PRETENDS TO BE STILL ASLEEP. HE OPENS ONE EYE AND LISTENS TO THEIR CONVERSATION.

 

JENNIFER: (Trying to evade the question, and her feelings.) Oh....well, Jack's my boss.

ISABELLA: Is that all?

JENNIFER: What do you mean?

ISABELLA: I guess I thought that you and he were lovers.

JENNIFER: Well I don't know where you ever got an idea like that, but you're wrong.

ISABELLA: Then you and he....

JENNIFER: No, we're not.

 

JACK HAS NOW LEANED FURTHER OVER TRYING TO HEAR EVERYTHING THEY ARE SAYING.

 

JENNIFER: Jack and I, we just work together. That's all.

ISABELLA: I'm sure there's more to your relationship but that.

 

JACK SUDDENLY ROLLS OFF THE COUCH.

 

JACK: Oooooh!

JENNIFER: Jack!

JACK: Morning, ladies.

JENNIFER: You weren't asleep, Jack?

JACK: Me, asleep? I could hardly keep my eyes open through Letterman.

JENNIFER: (Angry, and flustered) I'm not talking about last night. I'm talking about right now.

JACK: Oh, now....oh.

JENNIFER: Oh. Is that all you can say Jack? Oh. You were eavesdropping on us, you creep. OH!

 

JENNIFER BEGINS TO BASH HIM WITH A PILLOW.

 

JENNIFER: It's so typical of you Jack, so typical.

JACK: Oh, oh....oh....OH! (Flashing one of his patented Happy Jack faces.) You're not mad at me, are you?

 

JACK WALKS OVER TO THE KITCHEN AND LOOKS AT ISABELLA.

 

JACK: Duck!

 

AS SOON AS HE SAYS IT, HE AND ISABELLA DUCK DOWN AND JENNIFER THROWS SOME OBJECT AT JACK WHICH MISSES THEM BOTH AND GOES SAILING INTO THE KITCHEN.

 

JACK: Thanks for the juice. Work on that aim.

 

JACK PICKS UP A GLASS OF JUICE AND RUNS UPSTAIRS.

 

JENNIFER: Don't you walk away from me Jack. I'm talking to you.

JACK: I'm going to the shower. You'll thank me later.

 

JENNIFER BEGINS TO THROW FRUIT AT HIM.

 

JACK: Look, Isabella, she's not like this usually. Usually, she's worse.You can trust her as far as you can throw her which isn't far. Don't turn your back.

JENNIFER: GET IN THE SHOWER, CREEP! (To Isabella) Oh he's so sneaky and manipulative.

ISABELLA: I find that hard to believe.

JENNIFER: That's because you haven't known him that long. I have. Trust me, he's like this all the time.

SCENE TWO A SHORT TIME LATER, JACK COMES OUT OF THE SHOWER. HE IS WEARING PANTS AND A SHIRT BUT HAS A TOWEL WRAPPED AROUND HIS HEAD, LIKE THE BRAZILIAN SINGER CARMEN MIRANDA. HE IS DANCING AND SINGING THE GIRL FROM IPANEMA. JACK IS BEING CUTE KNOWING THAT JENNIFER IS STIL ANGRY WITH HIM; HE IS TRYING TO GET HER TO REACT AND FORGIVE HIM.

JACK: "Tall and tanned and young and tender,
The girl from Ipanema goes walking,
And when she's walks,
The boys, they just go Oooooooh,
They just go oooooh,
They just go ooooohwaaa...."
(Jack stops short noticing that she is still angry with him.)

 

JENNIFER IS SITTING ON THE COUCH PRETENDING TO READ THE PAPER BUT REALLY WATCHING HIS PERFORMANCE

 

JACK: Ah, hi! I didn't know you were still here (An obvious lie).

JENNIFER: Yes.

JACK: Um, sorry about the song. You know it kind of got stuck in my head. You know, I love that waterproof Mr. Mike. (A nervous laugh) Hehehehehee.

 

JACK SITS DOWN NEXT TO JENNIFER ON THE COUCH. HE IS TRYING TO MAKE FRIENDS AND SHE IS TRYING REALLY HARD TO IGNORE HIM AND STAY MAD.

 

JENNIFER: Huh, uh.

JACK: Ah, where's Isabella?

 

JENNIFER POINTS UPSTAIRS.

 

JENNIFER: Shower.

JACK: Oh.

 

JENNIFER PLONKS JACK'S SHOES IN HIS LAP, THEN RIPS THE TOWEL OFF HIS HEAD.

 

JACK: Kinda nice, you know, the guest before the host. I'm sure that Miss Manners would be proud.

JENNIFER: I'm sure.

JACK: Wow! One, two. Count 'em. Two!

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: Two words. When you're angry you usually go to one.

JENNIFER: I am not angry.

JACK: (Flashing another Happy Jack smile.) Oh yes you are. You're angry. Come on.

JENNIFER: Alright, alright, I am a little angry. But I should have realized that you always sleep with one eye open, Jack.

JACK: Not to mention my ears.

JENNIFER: I wasn't planning on mentioning them.

JACK: Good. Not my best feature.

JENNIFER: Well they'll do.

JACK: Oh well, good. Are we still angry?

JENNIFER: (Beat) I'm through, for now.

 

DESPITE HOW SHE ACTS, IT IS HARD FOR HER TO STAY MAD AT JACK FOR LONG.

 

JACK: Good, good. I was hoping we could cut through the ice and I could....well I could, you know, tell you how much I appreciate you helping me out.

JENNIFER: Helping you?

JACK: Well, helping Isabella. You were helping me to protect Isabella.

 

SHE IS PLEASED THAT JACK IS ALLOWING HER TO HELP AND HAS THANKED HER, BUT HURT BY THE IDEA THAT HE IS GOING TO SO MUCH TROUBLE FOR ISABELLA.

 

JENNIFER: Well Jack, I told you that I could help you with this whole Toscano business, alright. I'm just glad that you're finally giving me a chance to.

JACK: Well, it's not exactly helping. It's more....you know what I would actually like is for you to kind of not get too involved.

JENNIFER: Why not Jack? Why are you making this such a mysterious thing? Is it because of Isabella?

JACK: Er....well....in a way.

JENNIFER: Well I know that you started doing this because you wanted to help Steve and Kayla. But it's bigger than that now isn't it? Will you just tell me how Isabella fits into this?

JACK: Okay. I just....I just have the feeling that the girl's in a lot of trouble and she needs my help. She needs our help and we can't tell anybody that she's here. Okay?

JENNIFER: Don't worry. She's important to you, isn't she?

JACK: Er....well....ah.....

 

ISABELLA COMES DOWN AND SEES JACK PARTLY DRESSED, SAVING JACK FROM AN EXPLANATION.

 

ISABELLA: You're not leaving are you?

JACK: No, I'm not going....well I am going in a minute but I'm going to be back.

 

THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: Oh I'll get it.

JACK: Wait, get upstairs. Run, run. (To Jennifer) Ask who it is.

EMILIO: (From outside the door) It's Emilio, dummy.

JENNIFER: Great.

JACK: Don't worry about it.

JENNIFER: Oh don't worry about it!

 

JACK OPENS THE DOOR.

 

EMILIO: What are you doing here?

JACK: Ah, just leaving. Thanks for everything.

JENNIFER: Okay. Goodbye.

JACK: (To Emilio) Pardon my pecks!

EMILIO: Get out of here!

 

JACK LEAVES AND EMILIO COMES IN.

 

EMILIO: So what's going on between you and Deveraux?

JENNIFER: Emilio there is nothing going on between Jack and me.

EMILIO: Did he sleep here last night?

JENNIFER: Yes he did, alright. But it's not what you think that it is.

 

EMILIO GETS UPSET. JENNIFER TELLS HIM THAT JACK CAME LAST NIGHT TO HELP HER WORK ON A STORY; IT GOT LATE AND HE FELL ASLEEP ON THE COUCH. EMILIO HANDS HER THE BREAKFAST HE BROUGHT AND TELLS HER HE HOPES JACK CHOKES ON IT. EMILIO THEN STORMS OUT.

SCENE THREE: ISABELLA COMES DOWNSTAIRS AND TALKS TO JENNIFER.

 

ISABELLA: Jennifer, I'm sorry I couldn't help overhearing.

JENNIFER: It's okay. Emilio and I fight like this a lot.

ISABELLA: Like you and Jack.

JENNIFER: Well I never thought about it like that but yes, I guess you're right.

ISABELLA: It's inevitable when you like two people. Eventually Jennifer you have to choose.

JENNIFER: Look Isabella, I know you're trying to help.

ISABELLA: I'm sorry. I didn't mean to jump to conclusions.

JENNIFER: No, that's okay. You don't have to apologize. I mean if I had to sit through everything you've seen this morning then I'd have to say something too.

ISABELLA: I saw how difficult this must be for you.

JENNIFER: I really appreciate that but I really think you're getting the wrong impression here. (Sadly) Especially about me and Jack.

ISABELLA: He's just not someone you can get close to.

JENNIFER: I don't think so.

ISABELLA: Well I do. The Jack you speak about is nothing like the person I know.

JENNIFER: But you saw the way he acted before.

ISABELLA: When he's with me, he's sensitive and caring.

JENNIFER: What about competitive and argumentative? What about undependable, short tempered and sarcastic?

ISABELLA: Jack has never lost his temper with me. He's sincere and caring. Sometimes even a little bit vulnerable.

JENNIFER: You know I can't believe I'm hearing this. It sounds like we're talking about two different people.

ISABELLA: Maybe we are.

JENNIFER: I mean the man that you're talking about is almost perfect and that is not the word that I think of when I think of Jack.

ISABELLA: I wasn't talking about Jack. I was talking about you and me. Maybe Jack is different because we're different. My grandmother used to have this saying. She'd say, it's not who you're with but who you are when you're with them.

JENNIFER: Maybe you're right. Maybe he is different when he's with you.

ISABELLA: Maybe so.

JENNIFER: Well you've obviously reached something in him. You know (Wistfully) I used to think that I would....(Beat)....look I'm going to take a shower, okay (Stopping before she admitted how much she cares for Jack, and how sad she is that she does not have a future with him.).

 

JENNIFER IS HURT THAT JACK IS SUCH A DIFFERENT PERSON AROUND ISABELLA. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT DESPITE ALL SHE SAYS THAT SHE IS DESPERATELY IN LOVE WITH HIM.