Episode One-hundred-seven: Jack and
Isabella Take the Key to Florida to Save
Kayla; Making a Copy, Jack Secretly
Goes to Italy to See What it Unlocks.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK AND ISABELLA ARE ON THEIR WAY TO FLORIDA WHERE VICTOR IS AND WHERE THEY ARE SURE HE IS KEEPING KAYLA. THEY ARE ON THE PLANE. ISABELLA IS ASLEEP AND JACK IS SITTING WEARING A HEADSET AND WITH SUNGLASSES ON EXAMINING THE KEY.

 

JACK: Never before has one key meant so much to so many. But why? Wait a minute!

 

JACK LOWERS HIS SUNGLASSES TO PEER OVER THE TOP.

 

JACK: What is that? What is that? "40, 50, 14, 15." What the hell does that mean? "40, 50, 14, 15."

ISABELLA: Jack. JACK!

JACK: Ah, yes, yes. Ah yes.

ISABELLA: What are you doing?

JACK: I was just holding on to this key, checking it out. You know. It's sure is heavy. They sure don't make 'em like they used to.

ISABELLA: I guess so. It's pretty old.

JACK: Yeah. I wonder what a big old key like this would open up?

ISABELLA: I don't know. My father never told me.

JACK: Oh come on. This key meant so much to your family and he never told you what the key was for?

ISABELLA: I told you everything I know.

JACK: Tell me again. I won't to know everything.

ISABELLA: It's a mystery to me too Jack.

JACK: Come on, just try to remember. Try to remember everything your father ever said about the key.

ISABELLA: Okay. I'll try to remember. He said the key was very valuable to our family.

JACK: Valuable. Valuable as in....money?

ISABELLA: I don't know. He wasn't very clear just like he never told us what it opens.

JACK: Oh come on. You and....you and Marina chased after that key desperately for so long and you can't even tell me what it opened?

ISABELLA: He said, when we found the key we'd know where the treasure was.

JACK: And?

ISABELLA: I still don't have a clue.

JACK: I see.

ISABELLA: You don't believe me?

JACK: No. I....I do believe you. It's....it's funny that's all. Marina treated the key like it was plutonium. I mean she died for this key and you're telling me she didn't even know what it was for?

ISABELLA: She knew what it meant to my father. He kept telling us that if the key ever got in the wrong hands, the Toscano family would be destroyed.

JACK: So she was protecting the family.

ISABELLA: They both were.

JACK: And you're ready to throw all this away for Kayla?

ISABELLA: My father meant everything to me Jack but he's gone. And Kayla's life is at stake.

JACK: That's....still it's going to be kind of hard.

ISABELLA: I think he would understand.

JACK: I appreciate everything you're doing for me and....for the Johnson family.

ISABELLA: The key meant something to my father. May I? It meant something to my family. But now it means something to your family. I'm just glad it's going to finally do someone some good.

 

ISABELLA PUTS THE KEY AWAY IN HER BAG.

 

JACK: I sure hope it does you some good.

SCENE TWO: JACK AND ISABELLA HAVE ARRIVED AT THEIR HOTEL ROOM. JACK OPENS THE DOOR AND REACHES FOR THE LIGHT SWITCH. HE WALKS IN AND ISABELLA FOLLOWS CARRYING TWO BIG BAGS.

 

JACK: Get the door, would you? The first thing we have to do is find a way to Victor's. Okay.

ISABELLA: You think that's where Steve is.

JACK: He better be there. From what I can see, Victor's place is down on the water.

ISABELLA: Yeah, I know where it is.

JACK: You do?

ISABELLA: Well I've been there before.

JACK: Oh! Oh that's right. Yes, well I guess we don't have to worry about getting there. You know the way. So why don't you take a shower, change your clothes, relax.

ISABELLA: I'd like that.

JACK: Good. I'll....I'll just hang around here and I'll relax too. And just take your time, okay. Take all the time in the world. Go on. All the time.

 

ISABELLA GOES INTO THE BATHROOM AND JACK HURRIES OUT OF THE ROOM. A SHORT TIME LATER HE RETURNS AND OPENS THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Ah, Isabella?

ISABELLA: (From the Bathroom) I'm almost ready. I'll be out in a minute.

JACK: Oh, oh. Don't worry. Don't rush. Don't worry about it.

 

JACK SEARCHES HER BAG AND FINDS THE KEY.

 

JACK: Okay.

 

HE TAKES A LOCKSMITH'S MOLDING PAD OUT OF HIS POCKET AND PRESSES THE KEY DOWN HARD INTO IT SO THAT HE GETS A GOOD IMPRESSION.

 

JACK: The one and only key. But not the one and only key for long.

 

JACK JUST HIDES THE IMPRESSION AS SHE COMES OUT OF THE BATHROOM.

 

ISABELLA: What are you doing?

JACK: I was just putting away the phone book. I was getting us a rental car. It'll be waiting downstairs for us.

ISABELLA: Great.

JACK: So, you really are ready are you?

ISABELLA: I guess so. I'll get the key.

JACK: Ah no, actually I have the key. I was looking at it.

ISABELLA: Oh. Thanks.

JACK: Ah, you're not going to get cold feet are you?

ISABELLA: No.

JACK: Oh one other thing.

ISABELLA: What?

JACK: You said something about this key falling into the wrong hands would be the downfall of your family, right?

ISABELLA: Yes.

JACK: Were those wrong hands, Victor's?

ISABELLA: Victor is my family's greatest enemy.

JACK: Well you see that's what I don't understand. I saw a picture of you with Victor, with Marina and your father. And you guys looked like the Brady Bunch on a picnic, not like mortal enemies.

ISABELLA: Victor is a very clever man. There was a time when he tricked my father into thinking he was a very good friend.

JACK: Ah....so what happened?

ISABELLA: Thing's changed.

JACK: And did things change for you?

ISABELLA: I should have known better than to trust Victor.

JACK: So I guess it's going to be kind of hard for you to take that key back to him?

ISABELLA: Things change. Right now all that matters is helping a new life. Steve and Kayla's baby.

JACK: That's very selfless of you.

 

ISABELLA IS SILENT.

 

JACK: I said that's very selfless of you.

ISABELLA: Well I'm just glad you believe me know.

JACK: Why don't you take that key over to Victor's estate and find Steve. I think it's time.

ISABELLA: Wait a second. Aren't you coming with me?

JACK: No. I decided not to.

ISABELLA: You're not coming with me?

JACK: Ah....no.

ISABELLA: Why not?

JACK: I have some other stuff I need to do.

ISABELLA: Other stuff? Are you kidding? How long have we had the key? We can get Kayla back. That's all you've wanted ever since I met you.

JACK: And that's what you're going to do.

ISABELLA: And what about you? What's more important to you than rescuing Kayla?

JACK: Look, I think it's best if you do it alone.

ISABELLA: Jack, I don't understand you. You fought so hard to get this key back. You are the one who should give it back to your brother.

JACK: Ah....look, I don't think Steve wants anymore help from me. I think it's best if it comes from you.

ISABELLA: Yeah, well I don't think that's true.

JACK: If Steve and I see each other we might get into a fight and just mess this whole thing up, that's all.

ISABELLA: But this is your perfect opportunity to prove yourself to him.

JACK: Look Steve doesn't trust me and for a very good reason.

ISABELLA: Whatever happened is past. Saving his wife will make up for everything.

JACK: (Beat) No! No. I don't want to go over this again with you or with Steve. Alright? Just think about Kayla and take the key to Steve. Please.

ISABELLA: Alright! I'll do what you want but I still don't understand.

JACK: Nothing to understand.

ISABELLA: You're a wonderful person Jack.

JACK: Yeah, yeah. I hear that from all the girls.

ISABELLA: Especially Jennifer Horton.

 

JACK TURNS TO FACE ISABELLA AND SHE JUST STARES RIGHT BACK AT HIM. SHE WALKS OUT THE DOOR AND JACK PICKS UP THE PHONE.

 

JACK: Yes, yes. I want a seat on your next flight from Miami to Naples. (Beat) Right, I'll take it, good. Yeah I'll pay with my credit card. You already have the number. Okay. Next flight out. Thank you very much.

 

JACK PICKS UP THE KEY IMPRESSION.

 

JACK: Yes Isabella, I think this is just what you deserve.

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS WORKING ON A STORY ON SHANE DONAVON NOW THAT HE HAS RETURNED TO SALEM SUFFERING FROMAMNESIA, AFTER EVERYONE PRESUMED HIM DEAD. SHE ASKS VERN WHAT HE THINKS JACK WILL THINK OF IT. HE SAYS THAT JACK WILL LOVE IT. JENNIFER THINKS SO TOO. EVEN AFTER WHAT HAPPENED THE OTHER DAY IT IS OBVIOUS SHE CANOT TURN OFF HER FEELINGS FOR JACK, SHE SO WANTS TO IMPRESS JACK.

EMILIO COMES BY AND ASKS HER TO LUNCH BUT SHE DOES NOT WANT TO GO BECAUSE JACK MIGHT CALL. EMILIO IS HIS USUAL FRUSTRATED SELF ABOUT HER INVOLVEMENT WITH JACK. SHE GOES OUT TO INTERVIEW SHANE.

SCENE TWO: WHEN SHE RETURNS TO THE SPECTATOR VERN TELLS HER THAT JACK CALLED WHILE SHE WAS OUT. JENNIFER IS DISAPPOINTED THAT SHE MISSED HIM, AND IS *EVEN MORE* DISAPPOINTED WHEN SHE DISCOVERS THAT JACK DID NOT MENTION HER.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE JACK HAS ARRIVED IN ITALY. HE IS SITTING IN A TAVERNA AND HE PICKS UP A MATCH BOOK.

 

JACK: Here's one for the collection. Yeah.

 

HE SITS BACK WHISTLING UNTIL AN ITALIAN SAILOR COMES OVER AND SITS DOWN.

 

JACK: Hey sailor. New in town? It's a joke. American joke. Oh good, you brought it. Give me the map

 

JACK UNROLLS A MAP.

 

JACK: The Italian map? Tell me what I need to know. These are the co-ordinates, "40, 50, 14, 15." Tell me what I need to know.

 

THE SAILOR RAISES HIS HAND AND RUBS HIS FINGERS TOGETHER.

 

JACK: Oh wise guy, eh? We made a deal remember. Lira later, X marks the spot first. Then I'll scratch your back. Sì? That's more my way.

SAILOR: Here. This place you go. "X."

JACK: Oh that's good. I should be able to get there in about an hour. Thank you very much. You're very kind

 

THE SAILOR GRABS HIS ARM.

 

JACK: Oh, that's right. I was going to pay you. I really was. I was just testing. Here, don't spend it all in one place.

SAILOR: Grazie signore.

JACK: Grazie your family. Now all I've got to do is see what there is to see and open what there is to open.

 

JACK PICKS UP HIS COPY OF THE KEY AND WALKS OUT.

 

JACK: Hey, put it on my tab.

SCENE FOUR: AN HOUR LATER JACK IS IN THE WOODS EXAMINING THE MAP.

 

JACK: Did that guy pull a fast one on me or what? I don't what could be hidden around here. What am I supposed to do. Turn around three times, kick my heels and go Abrcadabra, Open Sesame, Mussolini is a ween....AAAAARRRRGGHHHH!

 

JACK SLIPS DOWN A HOLE INTO A PIT THAT IS FULL OF VINE ROOTS. HE LANDS HARD ON THE SANDY BOTTOM.

 

JACK: OH! This hole is definitely not on the map. Ooooh! So much for a hasty retreat huh. Let's get a little light on the subject.

 

JACK STRIKES A MATCH FROM THE MATCHBOOK HE TOOK FROM THE TAVERNA.

 

JACK: Well I guess it's safe to say that....wait a minute! There's a wall safe in this cave.

 

HE BEGINS TO LAUGH.

 

JACK: Well Deveraux, you've seen worse. I guess we'll see what we shall see. OUCH!

 

HE FLICKS THE MATCH ONTO THE FLOOR AND LIGHTS ANOTHER ONE. USING THE KEY HE OPENS THE SAFE.

 

JACK: Opens like it was oiled yesterday. Let's see what kind of treasures are in the Toscano family....it's not jewels or gold. What the heck? It's a diary. It better be one hell of a first edition! "Loretta Toscano." What the hell kind of a name is that? Unless it's....Isabella's mother. Why would anybody go to so much trouble to hide Isabella's mother's diary? We've got Victor and everybody going crazy over this thing. It must we worth something. (The Match burns his finger) OUCH!

THE MATCH BURNS HIS FINGER AGAIN AND HE FLICKS IT ONTO THE FLOOR.

 

JACK: That's it. Out with that. Let's get some real light on the subject. Okay, let me see. I'll make like Tarzan, how about that?

 

HE BEGINS TO CLIMB UP THE VINE ROOTS BUT THEY BREAK AND HE FALLS BACK DOWN.

 

JACK: Aye, yie Josephine, this looked a lot easier. Okay. I guess if I'm going to get out of this place I'm going to have to rely on a little....manual labor.

 

HE BEGINS TO STACK UP SOME ROCKS THAT ARE SCATTERED OVER THE FLOOR OF THE HOLE.

 

JACK: There we are. Oh we don't want to lose the guest of honor.

 

JACK PICKS UP THE DIARY AND PUTS IT IN HIS POCKET BUT DOES NOT NOTICE THE MATCHBOOK STILL LYING ON THE GROUND AS WELL AS A PAGE THAT FELL OUT OF THE DIARY.

 

JACK: Here we go. Let's get a grip on this puppy. Oh, why did I ever cut gym class? OOOOHHHH!

 

JACK BEGINS TO PULL HIMSELF UP OUT OF THE HOLE. HE STRUGGLES TO THE TOP MOANING AND GROANING ALL THE WAY.

 

JACK: OOOOOHHHH! Come on. Deveraux, promise tomorrow morning, you're going to get out Jane Fonda, first thing, Jack. OOOOOHHHHH! At last. But for now a little light reading on the Toscano family diary, thanks to Loretta.

SCENE FIVE: BACK AT THE SPECTATOR, VERN ASKS JENNIFER TO STAY BACK AND FINISH THE METROARTICLE THAT SHE AND JACK HAD BEEN WRITING. ONCE AGAIN SHE HAS TO CANCELA DATE WITH EMILIO. WHILE SHE IS WORKING, VERN COMES IN WITH HER DIARY THATTHE CLEANING PERSON HAD FOUND UNDER THE DESK. SHE STOPS TO READ AN ENTRY ABOUT JACK AND HOW SHE IS NOT SURE WHEN IT STARTED BUT NOW HE IS ALL SHE THINKS ABOUT.SHE REALIZES THAT NO ONE COULD EVER READ HER DIARY AND IMAGINES WHAT WOULDHAPPEN IF JACK DID.

SCENE SIX: JENNIFER'S FANTASY BEGINS....

JACK IS SITTING AT HIS COMPUTER WHEN HE NOTICES HER DIARY ON HIS DESK.

 

JACK: What's the matter with this thing?

 

HIS KEYBOARD IS WOBBLING. HE LIFTS IT UP.

 

JACK: What is this? Wait a minute. "My Diary by Jennifer Horton." Hmmm. (Beat) No. Come on that's wrong, that's dishonest, it's low, it's....ah....(With a devious gleam) it's me. What the heck! Let's see, "Frankie," "Frankie," no (Flips ahead). Ah that's better. Oh. (Reading) "I wish I could tell someone how I felt," comma, "but I can put my feelings here in this book. This is the only place I can really admit that I think I might be falling in love with...."

JENNIFER: (Angered) Jack, Jack!

JACK: (Finishing reading) "....Jack..."

JACK: There's an echo in here.

JENNIFER: Jack!

JACK AND JENNIFER: (Together, Jack is shocked and Jennifer is angry that Jack is looking at the diary, but hopeful.) Jack!

JACK: Hahahahahaha Jack!

JENNIFER: What's so funny? Why are you even looking in here? You knew this was my diary.

JACK: I'm sorry. It was right here under my keyboard. What could I say?

JENNIFER: You knew that I was looking all over the office for this Jack. How dare you?

JACK: I'm sorry. Really. I am very, very sorry.

JENNIFER: You're sorry

JACK: Yes. I apologize. I am very sorry. I was reading your book and I'm sorry. I kind of got carried away with what it was saying.

JENNIFER: So is that all you have to say, that you're sorry?

JACK: Wh....what do you want me to say?

JENNIFER: Nothing. I just thought now that you know, now that you've read this....

JACK: I'm not going to lie to you, Jennifer.

JENNIFER: You're not?

JACK: No.

JENNIFER: Oh Jack, I'm so glad.

JACK: No, no, I'm the one who's glad. I mean I'm glad I read that because otherwise I wouldn't have the nerve to tell you that I feel exactly the same way.

JENNIFER: You do?

JACK: Yes. Yes I do. I just....I didn't know how to tell you how I feel because I was afraid you might feel differently if you knew how I felt.

JENNIFER: (Hopeful) So you feel the same way that I feel?

JACK: I guess you better be careful what you wish for, (Smiling) huh?

JENNIFER: Well Jack if you're telling the truth and you feel the same way I feel, why are you just standing around like that?

JACK: (Kidding her, by pretending not to know what she means, he looks down at his pants.) Like....like what?

JENNIFER: Well why don't you do something about it?

JACK: What do you mean? Right here....right....

JENNIFER: Yeah.

JACK: Well....I mean I am the boss, right?

JENNIFER: Right!

JACK: Office hours and all.

 

HE MOVES CLOSE TO HER AND PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER.

 

JACK: It just goes to show you doesn't it? You got it.

JENNIFER: Well I....

JACK: How's your short hand, huh? Pretty good I bet.

JENNIFER: Well, I...

THEY BOTH GIGGLE. JACK LEANS IN AND BEGINS TO KISS JENNIFER AS THE SCENE FADES....

SCENE SEVEN: .... JACK IS ASLEEP IN THE WOODS, HE WAKES UP. HE SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME OR A SIMILAR DREAM.

 

JACK: Oh....aye. Whoa. Let's get back to that required reading. Phew!Okay where were we. Oh here we are.

JACK (CONT.): Let's see. (Reading) "Honesty is so rarely the best policy in my world. You can say that again Loretta. At times I think I might have almost lost track of what I truly believe and truly feel. But here in these pages, in my own little world, I can be nothing but honest about what I think, what I feel, and who I am. The eyes may be the mirror to the soul but a diary is the only true and dependable way to a woman's heart." Huh! Well I wonder if that's really true. (Beat) Loretta! Well I never. Hey Isabella can't know anything about this.

 

HE HEARS SOMEBODY COMING TOWARDS HIM.

 

JACK: Well, time to display the better part of valor. At least, my better part.

 

JACK WATCHES FROM THE BUSHES AS TWO MEN CLIMB DOWN THE HOLE, OBVIOUSLY TO GET TO THE SAFE IN THE CAVE.

SCENE EIGHT: JACK HAS RETURNED TO TOWN AND CALLS THE SPECTATOR.

 

JACK: No, please, please. Don't hang up. Operator please. It took me ten minutes to get to the United States let alone remember the name of my hotel. Try one more time please. Isabella Toscano, Room 412, please. (To himself) Come on Isabella, Isabella, Isabella. (Beat) No....thanks....

 

JACK HANGS UP.

 

JACK: Why would you just get up and go home?

 

HE CALLS THE SPECTATOR. VERN AND JENNIFER ARE WORKING IN HIS OFFICE.

 

VERN: Spectator.

JACK: Vern, Vern is that you?

VERN: Jack! How are you?

JENNIFER: Jack, Jack. Let me talk to Jack.

JACK: I can't talk much. I'm being followed.

VERN: Followed? Who's following you?

JACK: Look, just make sure that there is a car waiting for me as soon as my flight lands, alright. You got that?

VERN: Yeah. I understand Jack but what's going on?

 

JENNIFER GRABS THE PHONE FROM VERN.

 

JACK: The point is I'm in a little bit of danger, that's all.

JENNIFER: What do you mean a little bit of danger, Jack?

JACK: Jennifer?

JENNIFER: Yes. What's going on? What kind of danger are you in? Are you there?

JACK: Yeeessss, I'm here.

JENNIFER: Okay, what is it? What's going on? Tell me.

 

JACK MAKES STATIC NOISES INTO THE PHONE.

 

JACK: I'm sorry. There's a little bit of static. I can't hear. I couldn't hear what you said. I'm sorry.

JENNIFER: Jack, Jack. You said something about danger.

JACK: No, no. I said stranger. I said that Vern sounds like a stranger, I haven't seen him in so long.

JENNIFER: I don't believe you Jack.

JACK: No? (Beat) Oh no. Actually what I meant was changer. I was saying, change the flight. I'm always having these bad dreams. A premonition is what you'd call it about my flight. I thought I should change the flight, you know. Change it. Change the flight.

JENNIFER: Jack you're lying to me. I know when you're lying to me.

JACK: You do?

JENNIFER: Yes. I can hear it in your voice. I'm worried about you.

JACK: Look, get Vern on the phone right now!

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: Oh no!

JENNIFER: What!

JACK: Get Vern on the phone right now! Right now!

JENNIFER: Jack, tell me what's going on? Jack?

JACK: Right now! Right don't get Vern on the phone. Just tell him I'll be on the same flight. Flight 508 leaving in two minutes. You got that.

JENNIFER: Alright, flight 508.

JACK: He'll know what to do.

JENNIFER: He'll know what to do about what....Jack?

 

ALL SHE HEARS IS DIAL TONE.

VERN COMES IN AND SHE TELLS HIM THAT JACK HUNG UP ON HER; SHE KNOWS SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG.

SCENE NINE: JACK BOARDS THE PLANE AND IS RELAXING.

 

JACK: That's a wrap.

 

THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT BRINGS HIM A PILLOW.

 

JACK: Oh, grazie. And one of those little moist towels for my face? (Beat) Let's get back to the Toscano files. Loretta, that is. It was so kind of her to write in English instead of Italian. Let's see....wait a minute. (Beat) Oh no! I don't believe this.