Episode One-hundred-five:
Hiding from Steve in the Secret
Passageway, Jack and Jennifer Share
a Romantic Kiss, and Find the "Key."

SCENE ONE: IT IS THE NEXT MORNING AND JENNIFER HAS DROPPED BY JACK'S TO GET A PAPER SIGNED; OF COURSE IT IS JUST AN EXCUSE TO SEE JACK. SHE KNOCKS ON HIS BEDROOM DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, hello! Jack.

 

THERE IS NO ANSWER SO SHE SLOWLY OPENS THE DOOR AND HEARS THE SHOWER RUNNING.

 

JENNIFER: Oh, he's in the shower.

 

SHE CALLS OUT TO HIM.

 

JENNIFER: Jack! Jack, it's me. Look I'm sorry I came by so early but I talked to the butler and I told him I had to talk to you, so he let me in, okay. Jack!

 

THERE IS STILL NO ANSWER SO SHE WALKS OVER TO THE UNMADE BED AND PICKS UP A PILLOW. SHE CRADLES IT LOVINGLY CLOSE TO HER CHEST AND SMELLS IT. AS SHE IS HOLDING THE PILLOW, JACK WALKS IN THE DOOR HOLDING A TREY WITH ORANGE JUICE AND TWO GLASSES.

JACK: What's this? Pillow Talk?

JENNIFER: Huh?

 

JENNIFER LOOKS EMBARRASSED AND HURT TOWARDS THE BATHROOM.

 

JACK: Over here!

JENNIFER: Oh! Hi! Ah....I knocked and I thought that....

JACK: Yeah?

JENNIFER: Well I thought that you....

 

ISABELLA COMES OUT OF THE BATHROOM, WEARING JACK'S ROBE AND A TOWEL ON HER HEAD. JACK IS SELF-CONSCIOUS KNOWING WHAT JENNIFER MUST BE THINKING. SEEING ISABELLA JENNIFER IS CRESTFALLEN, AND NEAR TEARS.

 

ISABELLA: Jennifer

JENNIFER: Hi.

ISABELLA: Hi.

JENNIFER AND ISABELLA: (Together) I didn't expect that you....

 

THEY BOTH STOP AND LOOK AT JACK. JENNIFER IS HORRIFIED AND STANDS THERE WITH HER MOUTH OPEN.

 

JACK: (Trying to cut the tension of the moment.) Nice robe.

ISABELLA: It's yours.

JACK: I have good taste. OJ anyone?

ISABELLA: They were cleaning my bathroom so I didn't think you'd mind if....

JACK: I DON'T. I mean I don't but they....told me that you'd be here. Both of you.

JENNIFER: Who did?

JACK: Ah....they. You know they, them, them. In the kitchen. They. So I thought I'd bring up some juice for the three of....(Noting that there are only two glasses)....get some juice for both of you.

ISABELLA: No thanks. I think I better go change. You need to talk.

JACK: We do?

JENNIFER NODS HER HEAD, AND TRYING TO HOLD BACK HER TEARS.

 

JACK: (Looking uneasy) Oh, I guess we do.

ISABELLA: I'll see you later.

 

ISABELLA LEAVES.

 

JACK: So....we needed to talk about something?

JENNIFER: Sorry, huh?

JACK: Sorry. Oh that's a good start. You're sorry, right. How about some Vitamin C?

JENNIFER: I....I really should have called first before I came over here.

JACK: Yeah.

JENNIFER: Yeah.

JACK: Yeah.

JENNIFER: Well anyway, Vern just wanted for you to sign some papers and he wasn't sure if you were coming in today so I figured that I would come over and see if you would just sign those papers for me. Oh!

 

AS SHE IS TALKING SHE DROPS SOME OF THEM ON THE FLOOR. SHE BENDS DOWN TO PICK THEM UP BUT JACK WANTS TO HELP.

 

JENNIFER: Wait a minute.

JACK: No, no. Look I'll....

JENNIFER: Jack just give me that....

 

THEY FUMBLE TO PICK UP THE PAPERS AND END UP GRABBING THE SAME PIECE WITH JACK'S HAND OVER HERS. THEY PAUSE. THEY SHARE AN AWKWARD, BUT OBVIOUSLY EMOTIONAL MOMENT.

 

JACK: Somebody should have gotten you some mittens for Christmas because your hands are freezing.

JENNIFER: Oh I didn't think you'd notice. You know they get that way sometimes.

JACK: Well that's funny because I always thought of you as the warm blooded type, you know.

JENNIFER: Well your hands were warm enough for both of us. And everyone says you're cold blooded.

JACK: That's funny. I guess that makes us two of a kind.

JENNIFER: Yeah I guess so.

 

JACK SIGNS THE PAPER QUICKLY IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE WHOLE SCENE OVER. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT HE FEELS SOMETHING FOR JENNIFER, AND DOES NOT WANT TO REVEAL HIS TRUE FEELINGS.

 

JACK: You know it's kind of funny about this. You know, I keep thinking that a messenger could have brought this over.

JENNIFER: Well you know, like I said, I was just passing by so....

JACK: Passing by. This side of the lake? Er....little out of your way isn't it?

 

JENNIFER LOOKS AT JACK FOR A FEW SECONDS AND IS ABOUT TO CRY.

 

JENNIFER: Could I have my pen back too please?

JACK: Pen?

JENNIFER: Yeah.

JACK: Oh, oh your pen. Oh I was kind of hoping....here. I was kind of hoping, you know, to hold onto it. Keep it to myself....You know that I noticed you didn't answer my question.

JENNIFER: Well I learned everything from you Jack. (Beat) So is there anything you want to tell me?

JACK: Ooooh, no,no, nope. Nothing at all!

JENNIFER: Okay then, I'll ask. Why was she here?

JACK: She? Why was who here? Who?

JENNIFER: Oh okay Jack, fine. Just forget it!

JACK: Oh Isabella! You mean Isabella. Isabella is a houseguest.

JENNIFER: But I thought that everything....

JACK: You thought, you thought....well you thought wrong. Victor knows where she is. She's not running away from him. She's right here.

JENNIFER: Okay. Then what's going on now?

JACK: Ah....she's helping me. We're working together....to find Kayla.

JENNIFER: Oh, that's something we were working on. Once. Maybe I could still help you, maybe.

JACK: Nah, you see I think that Isabella and I really have everything we need....well, yeah. Thank you very much though.

JENNIFER: Oh okay, that's fine. I'll just leave. I'll leave you and Isabella alone....to get on with whatever it is you were doing.

JACK: Okay.

JENNIFER: Well don't do anything I wouldn't do Jack.

JACK: Jennifer!

 

JENNIFER LEAVES AND ISABELLA COMES BACK TO TALK TO JACK.

 

ISABELLA: Jack.

JACK: (Angry) WHAT?....What.

ISABELLA: I'm sorry.

JACK: Why, you've got nothing to be sorry about. You didn't do anything.

ISABELLA: Then why snap at me?

JACK: Ah.....you're right, you're right, why snap at you? I'm the one who should be sorry. I'm sorry. I'm the guy who's sorry. I'm sorry...

ISABELLA: It's not that bad. You can stop that.

JACK: Ah....let's start all over, okay. You just came in. I'm my bright and cheery and smiling. How's that?

 

HE PUTS ON A BIG TOOTHY GRIN, NOT TOO SUCCESSFULLY MASKING HIS REAL FEELINGS: HOW MUCH HE CARES FOR JENNIFER, AND HOW MUCH IT PAINS HIM TO HURT HER; BUT REALIZING HE MUST DO SO TO PROTECT HER.

 

ISABELLA: What did Jennifer want?

JACK: Well ostensibly she wanted my signature on some paper.

ISABELLA: And the truth?

JACK: She wanted to help us find Kayla.

ISABELLA: And you sent her away. Jack do you realize how much trouble we're having trying to find that key?

JACK: NO! No, Jennifer....we're not going to use Jennifer!

ISABELLA: Why not?

JACK: Because she could get herself killed or worse!

 

JENNIFER HAD DROPPED A PAPER OUTSIDE THE DOOR AND HAS RETURNED TO PICK IT UP. SHE OVERHEARS THE REMAINING CONVERSATION, AND GETTING THE WRONG IDEA.

 

ISABELLA: You must really care about her an awful lot if you're determined to keep her out of this.

JACK: Look, let's stop talking about Jennifer. Let's not worry about her anymore. I've stopped worrying about her.

ISABELLA: Oh, have you really?

JACK: Yes, I have.

 

JENNIFER LEAVES AFTER HEARING JACK'S COMMENT.

 

ISABELLA: Well what if I told you I don't believe you Jack Deveraux?

 

JACK SLAMS SOME PILLOWS BACK ON THE BED.

 

JACK: You better start believing me when I start telling you we still don't have the key. We haven't taken care of Victor and we haven't found Kayla. How about that?

ISABELLA: Okay. What do you suggest? That we blaze a trail over to your brother's house to look for the key while Victor watches every move we make?

JACK: No. We will go over to the house because Victor will not be watching me. He'll be watching something else.

ISABELLA: What?

JACK: I'm going to go over to Steve's house again but you're going to go over to Victor's house.

ISABELLA: Oh I see. I keep him occupied while you look for the key.

JACK: Yeah, yeah. That's it. What do you think?

ISABELLA: I think you're getting away with the easy job.

JACK: Well.... I guess.... I guess that's part of the charm!

SCENE TWO: STEVE IS ON THE PIER AND JACK COMES UP.

 

JACK: Hello Steve. So you got any word on Kayla.

STEVE: No.

JACK: Well I'm still here to help.

STEVE: You want to help Jack? All I want is Kayla. You got something that will bring her back, you tell me. But words are cheap little brother. You lied to me about Isabella. God only knows what else you're lying to me about.

JACK: Look I am serious. I mean what I say here. I am serious.

STEVE: So am I.

 

STEVE STARTS TO WALK AWAY.

 

JACK: STEVE!

STEVE: I got things to do.

JACK: Well so do I. So do I.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER IS BACK AT THE LOFT WHEN ISABELLA ARRIVES TO TALK TO HER.

 

JENNIFER: Oh.

ISABELLA: Hi, Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Hi. Jack's not here.

ISABELLA: Good. I came to see you.

JENNIFER: Oh, oh. Come on in.

ISABELLA: Thanks. Jack mentioned that you offered to help us.

JENNIFER: Yeah, I did but he said he didn't need me.

ISABELLA: Yeah that's what he said but I'm sure that's not actually what he meant. He never says that. You know that.

JENNIFER: What are you telling me?

ISABELLA: I'm trying to pay back a favor. I owe Jack a lot. What do you give to the man who has everything? Since he seems incapable of asking for what he really wants, I thought I'd give him a hand. He wants you.

JENNIFER: What?

ISABELLA: He needs you Jennifer. You could make all the difference in his life.

JENNIFER: What about you and Jack and all the time you've spent together in the the Sanitarium. I thought that the two of you....

 

ISABELLA SHAKES HER HEAD.

 

JENNIFER: You know I still don't even understand why you were there in the first place or why he was with you there.

ISABELLA: Well, I needed a friend. Jack helped me out, that's all. There's nothing between us. There couldn't be. He's already in love....with you.

JENNIFER: (Hopeful, yet fearful.) What makes you think that?

ISABELLA: Oh, the way he talks the minute you leave the room.

JENNIFER: Oh right, right! Whenever I'm not there.

ISABELLA: I said he loves you. I didn't say it was going to be easy. Jack won't let it be. The only reason he doesn't want you involved is he's scared you'll get hurt. Trust me. Go to him.

 

JENNIFER WANTS SO MUCH TO BELIEVE ISABELLA BUT IS STILL HESITANT.

 

JENNIFER: Where?

ISABELLA: He's at Steve's. All you have to do is talk.

JENNIFER: No forget it! No! I am tired of being pushed away by Jack.

ISABELLA: You love him don't you?

JENNIFER: (Sigh) Yes!

ISABELLA: Then go to him. He won't come to you. He's too afraid.

JENNIFER: Of me?

ISABELLA: Of you! Of all those feelings, you know. As long as he keeps them a secret, he's safe. They're locked away and he can't get into trouble if he never asks. You can never say no. But if you don't make a move, something wonderful may never happen. It's up to you. You can open up his heart if you want to. He has so much inside of him Jennifer.

JENNIFER: I don't know. I'm not sure.

ISABELLA: Nobody ever really is.

JENNIFER: Well....I'll....think about what you're saying to me.

ISABELLA: Okay.

 

ISABELLA WALKS TO THE DOOR.

 

ISABELLA: I hope so. I hope you make a decision now Jennifer for both your sake. Bye.

 

ISABELLA LEAVES AND JENNIFER IS LEFT ALONE WITH TEARS IN HER EYES WONDERING WHAT TO DO.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE JACK IS ALONE AT STEVE'S.

 

JACK: If I were a key, if I were a key, where would I hide? Right! If it's good enough for a beeper, it's good enough for a key.

 

HE RUSHES TO THE PLANT AND SEARCHES THROUGH IT.

 

JACK: Come on. Come on, you little....so much for plant psychology. Here key, here key. Wait a minute!

 

HE HEARS SOMEBODY TRYING TO GET IN THE DOOR AND RUSHES OVER TO SEE WHO IT IS.

 

JACK: Jennifer!

 

HE HIDES BEHIND THE DOOR AS SHE OPENS IT WITH A CREDIT CARD.

 

JENNIFER: Oh Jennifer, you're learning. Don't leave home without it.

JACK: What the hell do you think you're doing here?

 

JACK IS ABOUT TO GRAB HER ARMS BUT SHE GETS A GOOD HIT IN FIRST.

 

JENNIFER: OH!

JACK: Don't you know that breaking and entering is illegal?

JENNIFER: You might have told yourself that Jack.

JACK: You're spying on me, aren't you? You're spying on me.

JENNIFER: No, I'm not. I came here to help find Kayla. And I know what you told me before and I know that you don't want me here but I don't care. So, what are we looking for?

JACK: Nothing!

JENNIFER: Oh, okay. Then I'll just stand around and I'll watch you look for nothing.

JACK: No you won't! You're going to leave so you won't get hurt!

JENNIFER: It's my choice!

JACK: Well not as long as you are my responsibility.

JENNIFER: Since when?

JACK: Since....

JENNIFER: Yes?

JACK: Since....ah, since....you joined The Spectator. As the publisher....

JENNIFER: Oh come off it. This has nothing to do with the newspaper and you know it.

JACK: LOOK! For once and for all, STOP ARGUING WITH ME! DON'T YOU KNOW IT'S DANGEROUS HERE? ONCE AND FOR ALL, WILL YOU JUST STOP BUTTING INTO MY PRIVATE LIFE?

JENNIFER: Do you really mean that?

JACK: YES!

JENNIFER: Do you honestly want me to just butt out of your life from now on? Honestly?

JACK: (Beat) (This is obvious not how he feels deep down, but his concerns about her safety and his own past make him push her away.) That's what I said, isn't it?

JENNIFER: And what if I said I didn't believe you?

JACK: Well, I'd say that....that is your right as an American.

JENNIFER: You know what Jack, I think you're afraid to say what you really mean. As a matter of fact, I think the problem is that you're afraid of what you feel. (She grabs his arm) Aren't you Jack?

JACK: (Shocked at how well she pegged him, but not wanting to let on.) I don't know what you're talking about?

 

JACK CONTINUES TO SEARCH AS SHE FOLLOWS HIM AROUND THE ROOM.

 

JENNIFER: Yes you do Jack.

JACK: "No I don't." " Yes you do." You know I love this conversation.

JENNIFER: You don't have to hide the way you feel.

JACK: I'M NOT HIDING ANYTHING! This is annoyed! Don't you see all the tell-tale signs?

JENNIFER: I know how you feel Jack.

JACK: Jennifer!

JENNIFER: I KNOW!

JACK: You know! Well I'm glad that you know and I'd love to know all about what you know but we don't have time.

JENNIFER: We never have time. We never talk about anything important. Why don't you just talk to me? Stop looking and talk to me.

JACK: Jennifer, don't you know what we're doing here? Right now Isabella is trying to divert Victor but we don't have much time so we have to find what I'm looking for, fast.

JENNIFER: We?

JACK: Just don't argue with me, alright.

JENNIFER: No, forget about it. I want to have this conversation right now and I'm not going away until....

JACK: It's very hard to have a conversation on your own.

JENNIFER: Yeah! Well it's hard to have a relationship that way too Jack.

JACK: We do have a relationship. I'm a boss and you're an employee.

JENNIFER: STOP IT!

JACK: (Grabbing her by both arms.) JENNIFER! Jennifer, don't you know where we are? WE'RE AT STEVE'S AND HE'S GOING TO KILL ME IF HE CATCHES US HERE AGAIN. JUST ZIP IT!

JENNIFER TURNS AROUND AND PICKS UP THE VASE THAT MARINA HID THE KEY IN. SHE IS ABOUT TO THROW IT AT JACK.

 

JACK: See, I knew it. We're trying to move through here like nobody's been here, not make a mess and you're ready to trash the family heirlooms.

JENNIFER: Jack just listen to me.

JACK: SSSSHHHH!

 

THEY HEAR SOMEBODY COMING IN THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: I don't want to sssshhhh!

JACK: Oh great, oh great. He's here.

JENNIFER: Jack what are we going to do?

JACK: I tell you what....we are going to hide.

JENNIFER: Where are we going to hide Jack?

JACK: In the secret room. Every home has one! Come on get in here.

SCENE FIVE: JACK AND JENNIFER GO BEHIND THE SECRET WALL. JENNIFER IS STILL HOLDING THE VASE. STEVE COMES IN AND JACK WATCHES HIM BY MOVING A SMALL PICTURE FRAME THAT HAS A OPENING BEHIND IT.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, don't loo....

 

JACK COVERS HER MOUTH WITH HIS HAND.

 

JACK: Quiet! This way.

 

STILL HOLDING HIS HAND OVER HER MOUTH THEY MOVE DOWN THE VERY NARROW STONE PASSAGEWAY. THEY STOP AT THE END AND REALIZE THAT THEY ARE PRESSED UP AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.

JENNIFER: Ouch!

JACK: I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

JENNIFER: Stop being sorry!

 

THEY ARE ALMOST NOSE TO NOSE AND JENNIFER IS LOOKING AT JACK'S LIPS. JACK IS SCARED BUT ENJOYING IT. THEY CONTINUE TO STARE INTO ONE ANOTHER'S EYES FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN JACK GETS TOO SCARED AND TRIES TO MOVE AWAY. HE CANNOT REALLY GO ANYWHERE AND ENDS UP BACK IN FRONT OF HER AGAIN.

 

JACK: I....I really don't think that we should....

JENNIFER: I think we should.

JACK: Jennifer....

JENNIFER: (Putting her finger on his lips) Shut up Jack!

JACK: Jennifer, I....

JENNIFER: I said, shut up!

 

SHE LEANS CLOSER AND LOOKS IN HIS EYES. JACK CLOSES HIS EYES AS THEIR LIPS MEET. THEY KISS LONG AND TENDERLY AND ARE COMPLETELY LOST IN THE MOMENT.

SCENE SIX: THEY ARE LOST IN THE KISS, AND FINALLY ARE GIVING INTO THEIR FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER. ASTHE KISS CONTINUES, JACK PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER AND SHE LIFTS HER ARM TOPUT IT AROUND HIS NECK. AS SHE DOES SO, THE VASE FALLS TO THE GROUND ANDBREAKS.

 

JACK: Ooooh! What was that?

JENNIFER: Oh, I forgot. The vase, it was in my arms and....

JACK: It was bad move, topping off my day.

JENNIFER: What do you mean?

JACK: Be quiet, be quiet.

 

OUTSIDE STEVE HEARD THE CRASH TOO.

 

STEVE: Who's there? I got a loaded gun here, you don't want to mess with me. Who's there now? Come out and everything will be alright. Come on out now.

 

JENNIFER STANDS WITH HER FINGERS ON HER LIPS WHILE JACK LOOKS AT HER AND WONDERS WHAT TO DO NEXT.

 

STEVE: Ready or not here I come. I've got a gun and it's no fun. Are you out the window?

 

JACK WATCHES STEVE AGAIN THROUGH THE HOLE BEHIND THE PICTURE FRAME.

 

STEVE: What the hell's going on?

 

STEVE LOOKS DOWN AND SEES KAYLA'S KITTEN, EMILY.

 

STEVE: What you doing down there Emily? Is that you making all that noise? Did you break something? Your mama's going to scold you when she gets home. I'm going to bring her home now.

SCENE SEVEN: STEVE PUTS THE KITTEN BACK DOWN AND LEAVES.

JACK PUSHES OPEN THE PASSAGEWAY AND THEY COME OUT.

 

JACK: The coast is clear.

JENNIFER: Okay Jack. What did you mean by my being bad for you.

JACK: I don't have time to talk to you, okay.

JENNIFER: Did you mean about that maybe we shouldn't have kissed?

JACK: Look....

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: Look, we have to move fast. Isabella can only hold Victor for so long.

JENNIFER: Wait, Jack. We have to talk.

JACK: I'm busy.

JENNIFER: Jack, we kissed!

JACK: So? So what?

JENNIFER: So that means we have to talk about it.

JACK: (Jack again begins to push Jennifer away.) There's nothing to talk about. All I was trying to do was keep you from making any noise. Obviously I didn't have much luck, did I?

JENNIFER: You're afraid to talk about it.

JACK: I am busy trying looking for something, if you don't mind.

JENNIFER: You know Jack, if Steve hadn't have come here, we would still be kissing right now. You know that?

JACK: You broke the vase!

JENNIFER: It was a minor technicality. What really matters right now, is how you feel about me!

JACK: Jennifer!

JENNIFER: Honestly!

JACK: (He does not what to do, so he purposefully hurts her; but he is obviously breaks his heart doing so.) Honestly. Honestly, the earth didn't move!

JENNIFER: Maybe it was because you were so busy, you didn't feel it move.

JACK: Look what do you want me to say? That kissing you was the next best thing after the calculator?

JENNIFER: It would be a good start!

JACK: Start of what? Nothing happened!

JENNIFER: Yes it has. Why can't you just admit it?

JACK: Look, I'm not the kind of guy you take to the sorority dance.

JENNIFER: Jack, I quit my sorority.

JACK: I'm not the kind of guy that you take to your grandparent's house.

JENNIFER: What's wrong with my grandparents?

JACK: NOTHING'S WRONG WITH YOUR GRANDPARENTS! IT'S JUST A FANTASY, THAT'S ALL!

JENNIFER: Don't you ever fantasize Jack?

JACK: Look if you want to fantasize, go to....go to....Emilio. I mean, he's exactly what you need.

JENNIFER: How do you know what I need?

JACK: Because I'm older and I'm wiser and I've more experience. You're better off with him!

JENNIFER: But it's you that I want!

 

JACK STOPS BUT WILL NOT LOOK AT HER. SHE IS ABOUT TO CRY. HE EVENTUALLY LOOKS UP.

JACK: (He tries to hide how painful it is for him to say this, how far from the truth it is.) I don't want you.

 

JACK WALKS AWAY TO A CORNER OF THE ROOM AND CANNOT FACE HER. HER EYES ARE FILLED WITH TEARS. JACK WATCHES HER FROM BEHIND AND IS JUST AS SAD. A FEW MINUTES LATER SHE IS ABLE TO TALK BUT JACK CANNOT LOOK HER IN THE EYE. IT IS KILLING JACK TO SAY WHAT IS SAYING TO HER, SEEING HER IN PAIN. HOWEVER, HE FEELS THAT HE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR HER SO HE CONTINUES TO PUSH HER AWAY.

 

JENNIFER: You don't want me?

JACK: I've been trying to tell you that for some time now.

JENNIFER: You really don't want me?

 

HE TURNS TO FACE HER.

JACK: Look you forced me to say that, out loud!

JENNIFER: Okay, if that's the way that you feel, I can't change that.

JACK: That's the way that I feel.

JENNIFER: Okay. Well I can't force you into a relationship that you don't want.

JACK: Look, the important thing is that we understand each other.

JENNIFER: Okay, so we'll just go back to what we've always been. You're my employer and I'm your employee.

JACK: (With a cynical laugh) Boss and slave, right! Yeah! Well know that we understand each other, let's.... let's go clean up that mess. I mean Steve is going to kill me for busting up his family heirlooms anyway. Let's go.

SCENE EIGHT: JACK WALKS BACK INTO THE PASSAGEWAY AND JENNIFER STANDS FOR A FEW SECONDS TO GAIN HER COMPOSURE. THEN SHE FOLLOWS HIM.

 

JACK: This is worse than Humpty Dumpty. Be careful so you don't cut yourself, okay.

JENNIFER: Don't worry about me.

JACK: Wait a minute! Wait a minute. What have we here?

 

JACK PICKS UP THE KEY FROM AMONGST THE BROKEN PIECES. THE CLEAN UP THE REST AND GO BACK TO THE LIVING ROOM.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, what is that?

JACK: It's what I've been looking for.

JENNIFER: Well maybe it's a good thing I broke the vase then?

JACK: Isabella was right. Marina hid it right under our noses.

JENNIFER: Can I get a better look at it?

 

JACK IS DOING ALL HE CAN TO KEEP HIS BACK TO JENNIFER AND AVOID HER EYES. HE IS ALSO TRYING TO PROTECT HER FROM KNOWING ALL ABOUT THE KEY AND THUS GETTING INVOLVED AND IN DANGER.

 

JACK: This stupid little key caused so much pain to so many people.

JENNIFER: Can I see it?

JACK: Just think now. This will bring Kayla back.

JENNIFER: Come on Jack, let me see.

JACK: I've got to get it to Steve, that's all.

JENNIFER: Alright, I'm going to go with you.

JACK: NO YOU'RE NOT! JUST ME AND ISA....just Isabella and myself!

JENNIFER: You and Isabella. I understand that. Sure.

JACK: Look, this key means something to Isabella. It's important to her.

JENNIFER: Is that the only reason you don't want me to go with you?

JACK: I thought we talked about this already.

JENNIFER: Well I really don't see what the big deal is of me going with you.

JACK: Look, I told you, listen I told you already.

JENNIFER: Don't you want to be near me anymore Jack?

JACK: We've already talked about this. I'm the employer and you're the employee.

JENNIFER: (Almost crying) And that's it then?

JACK:(Speaking lovingly) Someday you're going to make a great journalist.

JENNIFER: Ah, that's great. That makes my day Jack. You don't need me here.

JACK: Jennifer....

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: Thank you for helping me find this.

JENNIFER: I'll see you at the office, boss.

 

WITH EYES FULL OF TEARS SHE SLOWLY GOES OUT THE DOOR, PAUSES AND THEN WALKS AWAY. AS SHE IS GOING UP THE PATH, JACK OPENS THE DOOR AND WATCHES HER, JUST AS SAD AS SHE IS.