Episode One-hundred-twenty:
Jack Continues to Debate What
to Do About Harper; Jennifer
is Determined to Help Him.

 

SCENE ONE: MEANWHILE AT THE OFFICE, MELISSA IS TRYING TO TELL JENNIFER HOW GREAT EMILIO IS. JENNIFER INSISTS THAT JACK HAS CHANGED AND THAT HE HAS LEFT HARPER BEHIND. WHEN THEY LEAVE, JENNIFER DECIDES TO WRITE AN ARTICLE FOR JACK.

SCENE TWO: JACK RETURNS.

 

JACK: Alright, everybody. At least try to look busy. I'm back!

 

JENNIFER SCURRIES UP BEHIND JACK TO FOLLOW HIM INTO HIS OFFICE.

 

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: Jennifer! What is it?

JENNIFER: Nothing.

JACK: Nothing, as in, did I try to see Harper?

JENNIFER: Well seeing that you brought it up.

JACK: I'm still thinking about it, thank you.

JENNIFER: Good, because I want you to see something first.

JACK: Jennifer! I have a lot of things....

 

SHE DRAGS HIM BACK TO HER DESK.

 

JENNIFER: I think it might help you decide Jack. I realize that but just look.

JACK: (Reading) "In Paris today, the hats are getting smaller and the...."

JENNIFER: What? No, no, no. This, this.

JACK: (Reading) "I read an interesting article yesterday in The Chronicle. The kind of story that sells papers. It was about a felon waiting for parole and his sinister son waiting for dad to come home. What was interesting was the fact that I work with that son every day and he is not the person described in that article. The Jack Deveraux I know has tried to rise above his past. He is decent, hard working, sensitive, caring"....what is this?

JENNIFER: It's a rebuttal for The Chronicle article. I didn't think it was fair for all of Salem to see you characterized one way.

JACK: You didn't have to do this.

JENNIFER: Yeah, I did.

JACK: Well thank you.

JENNIFER: I thought it might convince you how really different you were from Harper and maybe help you decide whether you want to see him or not.

JACK: Alright, I'm convinced. As a matter of fact you helped me make the decision.

JENNIFER: Oh good, I'm glad.

JACK: I'm going to see him.

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: I'm going to see him. I'm going to see Harper.

JENNIFER: What? I don't understand why, Jack.

JACK: The point is, you think that I'm the guy in this article. But that doesn't come to mind when I think of Jack Deveraux. Now if I want to get down to the bottom of the story and I do, I have to go to the source. I have to go to Harper.

 

HE LOOKS BACK AT HER ARTICLE ON THE MONITOR AND PRESSES A BUTTON TO CLEAR IT. HE GETS UP AND IS ABOUT TO WALK AWAY WHEN HE STOPS AND LOOKS BACK AT THE STAFF.

 

JACK: Alright everybody, back to work!

 

JACK STORMS INTO HIS OFFICE. JENNIFER WATCHES HIM THROUGH THE DOOR AND THEN GRABS HER COAT AND BAG AND RUNS OUT OF THE OFFICE.

SCENE THREE: HE SCENE IS THE JAIL VISITORS CENTER. JENNIFER, IN DISGUISE WITH A SHORT BLACK WIG AND SUNGLASSES IS INTERVIEWING AN UNKNOWN PRISONER SO THAT SHE >CAN GET INSIDE. SHE IS THERE WHEN JACK WALKS IN. HE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE HER.

 

JACK: (To Jennifer) Excuse me.

 

SHE STEPS ASIDE BUT STAYS TO LISTEN TO WHAT HARPER HAS TO SAY. HARPER IS BEING SLIMEY THROUGHOUT THE CONVERSATION TRYING MANIPULATE JACK. JACK IS TROUBLED AND IS EVEN MORE CONFUSED WHAT TO DO, HE IS AFFECTED BY HARPER'S MANIPULATIONS, BUT STRUGGLING WITH HIS DESIRE TO CHANGE. JENNIFER CONTINUES TO PRETEND TO INTERVIEW A PRISON. SHE IS LISTENING INTENTLY AT JACK AND HARPER'S CONVERSATION, AND IS MADDENED BY WHAT HARPER IS DOING TO JACK, AND JACK'S CONFUSION BECAUSE OF IT.

 

HARPER: Jack. Good to see you son, very good. It's been a long time.

JACK: Yes it has.

HARPER: I've been reading a lot about you in the papers lately. You've become quite the model citizen.

JACK: Well, you were the one who told me, don't believe everything you read.

HARPER: Nonetheless, I'm really proud of you Jack. You've really done something with your life. I'm glad I didn't drag you down.

JACK: Look, if you....

HARPER: Look I know what I've done. I know I'll never escape my past. But I also know I can never let it eat me up either. So when I hear about you and all of the things you've done, I think maybe there's hope for me yet.

JACK: Is that why you phoned me?

HARPER: Partially. You've already heard about the parole board hearing?

JACK: Well yes, from what you've told me on the phone and the little that I've read.

HARPER: Well I've done the best I can on this side. You know, I've kept my nose clean. Served my term. I've realized it wouldn't hurt to have one of the good guys like you on my side.

JACK: I don't really know if I could do that much for you.

HARPER: Ooooh I think maybe there is something that you could do. For instance, if you wrote some positive articles about me in The Spectator, you know sway the public a little bit. Jack if you could do that, my parole would be a shoe-in.

JACK: Well I think that even if I could write something I couldn't do much good. I mean other than the obvious charge of nepotism, I don't come across as the good guy that you think I am. I mean like you say, you can't bury the past.

HARPER: Jack you're not responsible for those things you did. I mean they were my fault. I was a bad influence on you.

JACK: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. I did what I did Harper. I'll live with that.

HARPER: Alright, help me to deal with I did. This is not just a chance to redeem myself in society. It's a way to do right by me son and nothing is more important to me than that, nothing!

JACK: Well....er....I don't know. I mean I don't know about any of this, honestly.

HARPER: Just do me a favor and think about it. Think about helping your old man, will you? Just do that will you?

JACK: We'll see. Okay I gotta go.

HARPER: You'll keep in touch with me?

JACK: (Hesitating) Sure.

 

JACK TURNS AROUND AND WALKS OUT.

SCENE FOUR: A SHORT TIME LATER JACK RETURNS TO HIS OFFICE. HE WALKS IN REMOVING HIS COAT AS HE GOES WITH JENNIFER (OUT OF DISGUISE) IN HOT PURSUIT. SHE PRETENDS AS IF NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.

 

JENNIFER: How did go with Harper?

JACK: Not that it's any of your business, but it went very well.

JENNIFER: Really?

JACK: Yes, yes. It was really nice to see the old guy.

JENNIFER: What did he want?

JACK: Ah....I think he just wanted to say hello.

JENNIFER: I'm sure he phoned you for a reason Jack.

JACK: Jennifer we hadn't seen each other in a long time and he just wanted to ask me a little favor.

JENNIFER: Oh, what was the little favor?

JACK: He wanted to see if I'd go public with my support for his parole.

JENNIFER: Well I think that's more than a little favor. Are you going to do it?

JACK: Well I think that people expect that. I mean we're from the same family.

JENNIFER: It doesn't matter. You're not the same. Harper's an evil person who's done a lot of horrible things.

JACK: Well I've done a lot of horrible things in my time.

JENNIFER: But you've changed. You don't know that Harper's changed. Are you willing to put your reputation and other people's lives on the line for that man?

JACK: That man raised me and....

JENNIFER: Oh sure, that's why he knows what buttons to push to get you going Jack. Don't let him manipulate you.

JACK: He's not manipulating me. Maybe I....maybe I....maybe I just want to help him.

JENNIFER: Maybe you're afraid to turn him down. Don't listen to what he said to you. Don't let him use you.

 

JENNIFER IS ABOUT TO LEAVE WHEN JACK GRABS HER ARM.

 

JACK: Wait a minute, wait a minute! How do you know what he said to me? (Beat) Now wait a minute. How did you know what he said to me?

 

JENNIFER TIRES TO CLEAR HERSELF, SO THAT JACK DOES NOT FIND OUT THAT SHE WAS SPYING ON HIM AND HARPER. SHE FINALLY COMES UP WITH AN EXPLANATION.

 

JENNIFER: I don't...know. I don't know anything. I just know how he operates.

JACK: Then stop trying to play like an armchair psychologist. Alright. You don't know the first thing about him. You don't even know who he is.

JENNIFER: Yes I do. I know a lot about him. You want to make a bet?

JACK: Alright, five dollars, right now.

JENNIFER: Alright, you want to make a bet. I bet he said a lot of good things about you and how proud he was because you've changed and how he wished he could be just like you, if someone would just let him. How's that Jack, huh? How do I know, huh?

 

JACK IS SURPRISED THAT SHE IS CORRECT. HE PUSHES THE FIVE DOLLARS INTO HER HAND.

 

JACK: Buy yourself a burger.

JENNIFER: He knows how to get to you Jack. He raised you!

JACK: IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE, YOU KNOW THAT.

JENNIFER: Yes it is. I have parents. I understand what you're going through.

JACK: You have parents? It's not the same at all. You look at your parents and you're proud of them. I used to be proud of Harper but now I can't even look at him.

JENNIFER: Then you shouldn't let him back into your life. I know that I wouldn't.

JACK: No you don't know the first thing about what's right for me or not.

JENNIFER: I don't know what's right for you? I think you're being a little hard on yourself Jack.

JACK: No, no, no, no. I'm being realistic, that's what I'm being.

JENNIFER: Will you let me help you?

 

THE TRUTH IN JENNIFER'S REMARKS BOTHER'S JACK, AND HE DOES NOT WANT TO LET ON, SO HE REVERTS BACK INTO HIS TYPICAL JACKIAN BEHAVIOR.

 

JACK: You want to help me? GET BACK TO WORK!

JENNIFER: Please Jack.

JACK: Get back to work!

 

HE SHOWS HER OUT THE DOOR AND SLAMS IT SHUT. OUTSIDE JENNIFER STOPS.

 

JENNIFER: I am going to help you.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS IN HIS OFFICE WATCHING OLD BLACK AND WHITE SLIDES OF HIMSELF AND HARPER.

 

JACK: Huh.

 

SUDDENLY THE DOOR OPENS AND THE SCREEN FALLS DOWN. IT IS JENNIFER, STARTLING JACK, AND JENNIFER.

 

JACK: Oh whoa! Jennifer!

JENNIFER: I'm sorry Jack.

JACK: That's okay. Turn the light on. Show's over.

JENNIFER: I'm sorry. Excuse me, I didn't mean to bother you.

JACK: Oh no. You never mean to bother me. It's alright.

JENNIFER: I just wondered if you'd decided anything. I mean if you are going to come out in favor of Harper's parole or not.

JACK: I've been giving it a lot of thought, okay.

JENNIFER: Oh, good, so what do you think?

JACK: Jennifer, when I say I've been giving it a lot of thought it means I'm still thinking about it, okay.

JENNIFER: Okay, okay. I was just interested. Excuse me for bothering you.

JACK: I can't understand all this fascination with my affairs.

JENNIFER: Well I don't know how I would expect you to understand anything, Jack. I'm sorry for bothering you. Excuse me.

 

SHE WALKS OUT AND SHUTS THE DOOR. SHE PAUSES FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN THROWS HER ARMS IN THE AIR AND GOES BACK IN.

 

JENNIFER: I'll tell you why I'm so interested in your affairs Jack. Because I care about you! Now maybe you can tell me why that scares you so much.

 

JACK IS EMBARRASSED BY THIS.

 

JACK: Heheheheheh. Jennifer, there's nothing about you that scares me.

JENNIFER: Oh really Jack. Then why do always do that "heheheheh," "heheheheheh," whenever you're nervous?

 

HE IS EVEN MORE SO NOW THAT SHE HAS PEGGED HIM AND HIS FEELINGS SO WELL.

 

JACK: Heheh....because look when you....look the point is I am what I am, unfeeling, insensitive. In other words, Jack Deveraux.

JENNIFER: Yeah I know that. Alright, look I'm not looking to get into a battle with you right now.

JACK: Then what are you here for?

JENNIFER: I just know that you're going through a hard time right now and I want to be there for you. As a friend. Please don't shut me out.

 

JACK IS MOVED BY THIS.

 

JACK: Er...I mean....well you know what they always say. You can't have enough friends.

JENNIFER: Alright, well you've got one.

JACK: Well thank you. Thanks a lot. But still....still there's nothing that you can do. I mean, I have to come to this on my own. I've got Harper suddenly popping back into my life and I have to decide whether...whether I want to push away this man that raised me.

JENNIFER: Jack it shouldn't be that hard a decision. He's using you.

JACK: Jennifer, you don't know....you don't....

JENNIFER: Jack I hate him for what he's doing to you.

JACK: Well that's your problem. You see I don't. Well not anymore anyway. Maybe I've spent so much time without family that it's even got me to the point where I'm considering the Johnson's as a possibility. So it makes me want to think do I really want to push away this man who raised me. I mean he's just as much a part of me.

JENNIFER: I understand that Jack, but he is not you. You have to make your own decisions.

JACK: Yes. And I....I think I need....space to make these kind of decisions. Yes.

JENNIFER: Sure. I understand.

JACK: Good.

 

THEY STAND CLOSE TO EACH OTHER AND THEN SHE BEGINS TO MOVE AWAY. JACK STOPS HER AND PATS HER ARMS. THIS IS JACK'S WAY OF THANKING HER, AND SHOWING HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO HIM.

 

JACK: Ah....ah....I just wanted to say thanks.

 

JENNIFER COPIES HIM AND PATS HIS ARMS. JENNIFER IS AWARE OF THIS AND DOES NOT COMMENT ON IT.

 

JENNIFER: Anytime Jack.

 

JACK ROLES HIS EYES AND SHE LEAVES. SHE HALF SMILES.

SCENE TWO: LATER THAT DAY JACK IS IN HIS OFFICE REVIEWING THE STORIES FOR THE NEXT EDITION, WHEN ADRIENNE ENTERS.

 

JACK: So you've got the oil story, the building collapse. Maybe I'll just stick to the editorial. That should keep me busy.

ADRIENNE: Knock, knock.

 

JACK IS HAPPY TO SEE HER, BUT DOES NOT LET ON HOW PLEASED HE REALLY IS.

 

JACK: Adrienne!

ADRIENNE: Hi.

JACK: Have a seat. I mean you should have a seat, you just got out of the hospital.

 

JACK IS CONCERNED FOR HER, AND HE CANNOT HIDE HIS BROTHERLY FEELINGS TOWARDS HER.

 

ADRIENNE: Jack, I'm fine, really.

JACK: No really, take....

ADRIENNE: I'm fine.

JACK: Um....I'm surprised to see you.

ADRIENNE: Yeah, it sounds like it.

JACK: What, are you up and around so soon?

ADRIENNE: Well I just had a few scratches. Besides you can't keep a good woman down.

JACK: Oh, not a Johnson anyway.

ADRIENNE: No, we're a strong bunch. All of us.

JACK: Well it could have been a lot worse. You're very lucky.

ADRIENNE: I know. I was really scared in there.

JACK: Well I can't really blame you. I get uptight in elevators.

 

ADRIENNE KNOWS HOW MUCH JACK CARES, DESPITE HIM PLAYING IT OFF AS NOTHING, AND SHE IS TOUCHED BY HIS CONCERN, AND THE FACT THAT HE IS FINALLY OPEN TO HER AND BEING A JOHNSON.

 

ADRIENNE: I didn't think I was going to make it. I thought I'd never see my family again.

JACK: Well....you know....well I think we were all....you know....worried.

ADRIENNE: Yeah well it didn't stop you from helping.

JACK: I think you got a little bit of misinformation there. Abe was doing all the work and pulling you out.

ADRIENNE: It won't work Jack. Mama told me everything. How you were there and what you did.

JACK: Well you know how she embellishes.

ADRIENNE: Not this time. Uh, huh.

JACK: Well, I mean, any....anybody would have done that.

ADRIENNE: Uh, huh. It wasn't anybody, it was you. Um, I wanted to give you a little something to show you...thank you.

JACK: Adrienne, it's really....it's not necessary.

ADRIENNE: Why don't you open it?

JACK: Sure.

ADRIENNE: Okay.

JACK: That....ah....well what can I say, that's....that's beautiful.

 

IT IS A GOLD WATCH. JACK IS EMOTIONAL ABOUT THE GIFT.

 

ADRIENNE: I had it inscribed here.

JACK: Oh, look at that. It says....ah...."To Billy" (Beat) It says "To Billy, all my love, always. Adrienne."

ADRIENNE: I thought it was kind of fitting you know. You gave me back time, to live. (Beat) You're busy. I must go. I always knew you were a Johnson and you know I think even now you're staring to believe it.

 

JACK BLINKS AWAY A FEW TEARS AS ADRIENNE LEAVES.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE JENNIFER HAS GONE TO SEE HARPER IN PRISON. SHE SAYS SHE IS A FRIEND OF JACK'S AND SHE CARES VERY MUCH ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO HIM. SHE ASKS HIM TO LEAVE JACK ALONE AND LET HIM GET ON WITH HIS LIFE AND THAT SHE WILL DO ANYTHING SHE CAN TO HELP JACK GET ON WITH HIS LIFE. SHE TELLS HARPER THAT SHE KNOWS HE IS USING JACK AND HARPER GETS ANGRY AND TELLS HER TO STAY OUT OF IT.

SCENE FOUR: JACK IS SITTING IN HIS OFFICE LOOKING AT THE WATCH WHEN ANJELICA COMES IN. SHE IS OBVIOUSLY UPSET, AND IT HAS TO DO WITH WHATEVER SHE IS PLANNING.

 

ANJELICA: Jack, I'm so happy I caught you.

JACK: Ah, actually yes you did catch me.

ANJELICA: I hope you don't mind. I wanted to see you. Actually I wanted to talk to you.

JACK: Yes?

ANJELICA: Actually I wanted to talk to somebody who understands me because Jack, I'm just so tired of battling people who just don't have a clue.

 

SHE IS UPSET. BUT JACK DOES NOT REALIZE IT, AND THINKS IT HAS TO DO WITH HARPER.

 

JACK: I see.

ANJELICA: You know Jack, you and I....you and I are so much alike.

JACK: Yes.

ANJELICA: Right from the very beginning, we've been two of a kind. You know, we defend our territory and we strike out when we're pushed. And I personally don't happen to think that's terribly wrong. But it's the weak people who collapse under pressure, not people like you and not people like me.

JACK: Anjelica, what are you....what are you trying to get at?

ANJELICA: Oh Jack, sometimes....sometimes....oh Jack I just feel like you're the only person who understands. It's getting so impossible with Victor and with Justin badgering me. And I'm just so tired. I'm just so tired of the whole thing. But you....you my dear Jack, you've always been there for me. You are there for me aren't you?

JACK: Ah....Anjelica, I thought you made it perfectly clear the other day that you didn't want to have anything more to do with the Deverauxs.

ANJELICA: Jack, please don't let that silly conversation bother you. Oh I was probably in one of my moods and you know better than anybody how I can be.

 

ANJELICA IS WIPING TEARS FROM HER FACE.

 

JACK: Yes, I do know that.

ANJELICA: So forget what I said the other day Jack because this is true. And if you for one moment have ever doubted my devotion or my love for you, take a look at these.

 

ANJELICA HANDS JACK SOME PHOTOGRAPHS OF HERSELF, JACK AND HARPER. JACK MISINTERPRETS WHAT SHE IS TRYING TO SAY.

 

JACK: (Sigh)....It's the family.

ANJELICA: It's the family. Our family. And despite what I said the other day, for better or for worse, it's the only family we've ever had.

JACK: Anjelica, I want to ask you something. Did Harper come to you and convince you to come to me with these pictures?

 

ANJELICA LEANS FORWARD AND TAKES JACK'S FACE IN HER HANDS AND KISSES HIS CHEEK.

 

ANJELICA: Jack....I really have to go. But I want you....you hold onto those, okay.

JACK: Anj....well sure I....

 

ANJELICA PAUSES AT THE DOOR.

 

ANJELICA: Jack you remember that you and I are practically blood and we can never turn our backs on each other. Not now....not ever!

 

SHE CLOSES THE DOOR LEAVING JACK TO STARE AT THE FAMILY PICTURES.

SCENE FIVE: LATER THAT DAY, JENNIFER DECIDES TO GO INTO SEE JACK. SHE GETS TO THE DOOR AND PAUSES TAKING A DEEP BREATH. AS SHE IS ABOUT TO TURN THE KNOB, JACK OPENS THE DOOR AND JENNIFER STUMBLES INTO HIS OFFICE.

 

JENNIFER: Shoot! WHOA!

JACK: Do you want something or do you have thing for my doorknob?

JENNIFER: Of course I want something Jack. Why would I be in your office if I didn't want something?

JACK: What do you want?

JENNIFER: (Beat) I want a pen. I came in here to get a pen.

 

SHE REACHES OVER AND TAKES THE PEN FROM HIS DESK SET. JACK IS UPSET. JENNIFER IS STARTLED.

 

JACK: NOT THAT PEN!

JENNIFER: Why not this pen? It's a pen. What difference does it make?

JACK: It's part of a set and....and....and I got it from Harper!

JENNIFER: (Beat) So have you heard from Harper today?

JACK: It's not something I want to talk about.

JENNIFER: Oh! You know I was just wondering....

JACK: Look, this is none of your business. Yours or anybody else's!

JENNIFER: Sorry.

JACK: Like I said before. I mean I appreciate your concern but there is nothing you can do about it.

JENNIFER: Okay. Well I'll go see if Vern has a pen at his desk. I'll be out there in case you need me.

 

JACK SNATCHES THE PEN FROM HER HAND AND SHE LEAVES.

SCENE SIX: [SOMEONE SINGING AS TIME GOES BY PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND, IT IS PART OF A DAYS MONTAGE ENDING.]

You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is still just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by

And when two lovers woo
They still say: "I love you"
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings
As time goes by

Moonlight and love songs - never out of date
Hearts full of passion - jealousy and hate
Woman needs man - and man must have his mate
That no one can deny.

 

JENNIFER IS STANDING AT HER DESK LOOKING AT JACK'S OFFICE DOOR THE FOLLOWING LYRICS ARE HEARD. THE SCENE SWITCHES TO JACK WHO IS LOOKING AT THE INSCRIPTION ON THE WATCH THAT ADRIENNE GAVE HIM. THEN HE PICKS UP THE PEN HARPER GAVE HIM AND THEN HE STANDS UP AND PULLS ON HIS COAT WHILE JENNIFER HOLDS THE DOOR AJAR AND WATCHES.

It's still the same old story,
A fight for love and glory,
A case of do or die,
The world will always welcome lovers,
As time goes by.