Episode One-hundred-twenty-six:
Jennifer's First Assignment is to
Cover a Storm That Is Ravaging
Salem. Jack Drops by, and They
Both Wind up Falling in the Mud.

 

SCENE ONE: THE NEXT DAY JENNIFER GOES TO SEE HER UNCLE MICKEY AND HE IS INUNDATED WITH PHONE CALLS AND BUSINESS. HE TELLS HER THAT IT IS BECAUSE OF A CHANGE AND EVERYBODY'S INTEREST IN KAYLA'S CASE.

 

JENNIFER: What got them started?

MICKEY: It's not what got them started, it's who and there's only one man we can thank for that. Here he is.

 

JENNIFER TURNS AROUND TO SEE JACK STANDING THERE WITH A SMUG, SELF-ASSURED GRIN. JENNIFER SMILES AT THE SIGHT OF JACK.

 

JENNIFER: Hi.

JACK: Hi.

MICKEY: Jack would you like to sit down?

JACK: Well certainly.

 

THE PHONE RINGS AND MICKEY IS CALLED AWAY.

 

MICKEY: I have to run down the hall for a minute. Do you mind waiting?

JACK: Oh not at all Mickey. Not at all.

JENNIFER: No, no, I don't mind. Not at all.

 

MICKEY LEAVES THEM ALONE IN HIS OFFICE. JENNIFER AND JACK DO NOT SEEM TO MIND BEING ALONE TOGETHER.

 

JENNIFER: So that was quite a piece that you wrote about Kayla.

JACK: Oh, really it was nothing.

 

NOT AS HUMBLE AS HE PRETENDS TO BE.

 

JENNIFER: It was wonderful Jack.

JACK: Look, the only point is that the people of Salem have started to wake up to the fact that Kayla got a raw deal. That's why Mickey had me come by. To keep up the pressure for the appeal. That's all.

JENNIFER: (With pride and love) You know Jack, six months ago, if anybody would have told me you'd be doing so much to help somebody else, I wouldn't have believed them. I mean I'm amazed and I'm so proud of you.

JACK: Look....

 

JENNIFER GIVES HIM A BIG HUG. JACK GETS A SHEEPISH GRIN; HE SEEMS TO BE ENJOYING THE HUG, AND JENNIFER'S PRAISE.

 

JENNIFER: Oh Jack, I think you're so great!

 

THEY STAND WITH THEIR ARMS AROUND EACH OTHER UNTIL JACK BEGINS TO FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AS USUAL.

 

JACK: Ah, excuse me.

JENNIFER: Huh?

JACK: Ah, I think that Mickey could be coming in any minute and....you know.

JENNIFER: Alright, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that.

JACK: Oh....it's alright.

JENNIFER: No, no, it's not alright. I promise that it won't happen again.

JACK: Well, I'm sure that....

 

MICKEY COMES BACK IN, INTERRUPTING WHAT JACK IS ABOUT TO SAY.

 

MICKEY: Jennifer, you have a telephone call.

JENNIFER: Oh I left this number with the televisions station. I wonder if they have an answer about the job. Did they say anything?

MICKEY: I don't know but there's only one good way to find out.

 

HE HANDS JENNIFER THE PHONE.

 

JENNIFER: Oh yes, hi Mr. Ryan.

 

JACK MOUTHS OUT THE WORDS "MR. RYAN" AS IF THEY ARE POISON.

 

JENNIFER: Yes, I'm fine. (Beat) Oh really. Oh that's wonderful. No I wouldn't mind at all. (Beat) Oh definitely, thank you. Thank you so much.

 

JACK IS LISTENING TO EVERY WORD.

 

JENNIFER: Oh Uncle Mickey, I got it, I got it.

MICKEY: Oh I'm so proud of you kiddo.

 

SHE GIVES MICKEY A BIG HUG AND JACK WALKS UP WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE.

 

JENNIFER: I'm so excited.

JACK: That makes two of us. I'm...ah....I'm proud of you too.

JENNIFER: Thanks Jack.

JACK: Sure, ah....

 

SHE TURNS AWAY FROM JACK AND BACK TO MICKEY LEAVING JACK FEELING A BIT REJECTED. BUT HE ALSO DOES NOT WANT HER TO SEE HOW HAPPY HE IS FOR, YET SAD THAT THEY WILL NOT BE WORKING TOGETHER ANYMORE. JENNIFER SEEMS TO BE TEASING JACK SOMEWHAT, TRYING TO BE AS "UNEMOTIONAL" AS HE IS BEING.

 

JENNIFER: You know what they want me to start today. I mean with the flood and everything. They're worried the town being flooded and about the river and the lake and they want me to do a live report for the evening news.

MICKEY: Jennifer, that's great.

JENNIFER: I know, I can't believe it. Well I guess I should go alright. Make sure you watch me on tv.

MICKEY: Oh yes.

JENNIFER: Bye Uncle Mickey.

 

SHE TURNS TO SAY GOODBYE TO JACK BUT HE HAS HIS BACK TO HER AND APPEARS TO BE BUSY WITH SOME PAPERS. SHE LOOKS AT HIM THEN WALKS TO THE DOOR. SHE STOPS.

 

JENNIFER: Bye Jack.

 

JACK WAVES TO HER OVER HIS SHOULDER, TRYING TO BE UNEMOTIONAL AND THUS NOT LET ON HIS TRUE FEELINGS. SHE SADLY LOOKS OVER, AND LEAVES.

SCENE TWO: A MASSIVE STORM IS SETTLING IN OVER SALEM. THERE IS THUNDER AND LIGHTENING AND LOTS OF RAIN.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER GOES TO WINGS AND TELLS EMILIO AND MELISSA THAT SHE HAS THE JOB AT THE TV STATION. EMILIO GIVES HER A KISS. IT IS OBVIOUS BY HER EXPRESSION THAT SHE WOULD RATHER IT BE JACK KISSING HER. SHE HEADS OFF TO DO HER FIRST REPORT.

SCENE FOUR: JACK RETURNS TO HIS OFFICE AND SEES SOMEBODY SITTING IN HIS CHAIR.

 

JACK: Alright Vern. I told you, nobody plays behind the desk.

 

THE CHAIR SPINS AROUND AND STEVE IS SITTING THERE WITH A BIG GRIN ON HIS FACE. JACK IS GLAD TO SEE STEVE AS WELL. BUT AS WITH JENNIFER HE ACTS SOMEWHAT NONCHALANT.

 

JACK: Hello Steve.

STEVE: Yeah Vern let me in. I was on my way over to Mickey Horton's office and it's a little early so I thought I'd stop by and see you. I was reading this article again that you wrote about Kayla.

JACK: Yeah, I made a couple of changes since yesterday. What do you think?

 

IT IS APPARENT THAT JACK CARES VERY MUCH ABOUT HIS OPINION. STEVE OBVIOUSLY IS VERY IMPRESSED AND GRATEFUL TO JACK, BUT LIKE JACK HE ACT RATHER NONCHALANT. FOR BOTH JACK AND STEVE THIS GROWING CLOSENESS SEEMS TO BE VERY SPECIAL FOR THEM, ESPECIALLY AFTER ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM.

 

STEVE: It's not bad.

JACK: Thank you.

STEVE: As a matter of fact, I think it's real good. What you wrote really gets the feeling across. You know, the way Kayla is feeling without Stephanie, being in prison and all.

JACK: Well that's the name of the game in the newspaper business.

STEVE: I'm not talking about a game here Jack. I'm talking about Kayla. You did something nice for her here and we both know it. Now I know you're trying to make up for the past. I've had a little taste of that myself. So I know where you're coming from.

 

JACK TRIES TO TELL STEVE THAT HE IS TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR WHAT HE DID TO KAYLA AND HIM.

 

JACK: Well I know what you say about the past. Better to forget about it and put it all behind you. It's get's pretty hard. When you think you're putting the past behind you, it turns around and bites you in the butt.

 

AS JACK IS TALKING HE TAKES OFF HIS OVERCOAT AND HANGS IT UP THEN SHUTS HIS OFFICE DOOR AND HARPER'S PORTRAIT IS IN FULL VIEW. STEVE IS PERCEPTIVE TO JACK'S FEARS ABOUT BEING LIKE HARPER. STEVE TRIES TO TELL JACK THAT HE IS NOT LIKE EITHER HARPER OR DUKE, AND TO MOVE ON WITH HIS LIFE, FOR HE DESERVES IT.

 

STEVE: Jack, you're not that sick dude in the picture. You're not your stepfather. You're thinking about him aren't you?

JACK: Sure I'm thinking about him. I mean he's very much a part of me still. That's why that picture's still there Steve because he's just as much a part of me as....as that orphanage is a part of you.

STEVE: But you don't have to be tied to him if you don't want to.

JACK: I don't think you know what you're talking about.

STEVE: I don't know what I'm talking about? I spent my formative years with Duke Johnson. We both know what kind of freak he was. Now I got out from underneath that didn't I? I used to think I was just like him because I was his son. I got past it. And you can get past it with Harper Deveraux.

JACK: Look, if you're going to start talking about who's related to who, I'm just as much Duke's son as...anybody's.

STEVE: You're nothing like him.

JACK: No, that's....that's because I spent all my time being brought up by....by Harper, the sick senator.

STEVE: Okay, so what are you going to do, go on a murdering spree or something!

JACK: Oh come one. No! Don't be ridiculous.

STEVE: Don't you be stupid. I don't care who you are, where you were raised, what your name is, Happy Jack Billy Jack Duke Johnson Deveraux Howdey Doodey, Dudley Do Right. I don't care. You're not your old man!

 

JACK HAS A BIG GRIN ON HIS FACE.

 

STEVE: Go ahead, make up your own mind. Just remember something. You did something nice for somebody. You helped Kayla. That puts you in a whole different class from Harper Deveraux. Now why don't you take that picture down? It's got bad vibes.

SCENE FIVE: MEANWHILE JENNIFER IS IN THE CENTER OF TOWN WITH A CAMERAMAN TRYING TO GET INTERVIEWS FOR THE NEWS. THE WEATHER IS STORMING AND THERE IS WIND AND RAIN PELTING DOWN. SHE STARTS COMPLAINING AND THE CAMERAMAN TELLS HER THAT BECAUSE IT IS HER FIRST DAY SHE HAS THE FLUFF BEAT. THE STREET IS DESERTED BUT THEN A MAN COMES ALONG AND SHE TRIES TO GET HIM TO STOP. HE BRUSHES HER ASIDE AND THEN THE CAMERAMAN TELLS HER SHE IS GOING LIVE IN FIVE SECONDS. HE COUNTS HER IN AND SHE BEGINS TO TALK ABOUT HOW BAD THE WEATHER IS.

SCENE SIX: AT HIS OFFICE JACK TURNS ON THE TELEVISION TO WATCH JENNIFER. SUDDENLY THE REPORT IS CUT OFF AND THE ANCHORMAN GIVES A WEATHER REPORT.

THE CAMERAMAN IS CALLED AWAY AND SHE IS LEFT ALONE IN THE STREET. JACK DECIDES TO CHECK ON.

BACK TO JACK WATCHING THE NEWS.

 

JACK: Well I guess there's no harm in checking on how Miss Horton is doing.

 

HE GRABS HIS COAT AND FEDORA, AND LEAVES.

SCENE SEVEN: JACK IS SWINGING ON A LAMP POST IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM, IMITATING GENE KELLY IN THE MOVIE SINGING IN THE RAIN. JACK IS SINGING PENNIES FROM HEAVEN (NOT SINGING IN THE RAIN).

JACK: Everytime it rains,
It rains pennies from heaven....

 

SHE IS BOTH SURPRISED AND PLEASED TO SEE HIM.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, what are you doing here?

JACK: Jennifer, what are you doing here? Don't you have enough sense to come in from out of the rain?

JENNIFER: I'm waiting for my cameraman who's covering the bridge washout.

JACK: Ha, speaking of washouts, how was yours?

JENNIFER: How did it look like it went!

JACK: Don't worry, I heard this is how (Imitating Gilda Radner from Saturday Night Live) Bawbawa Wa-wa started.

JENNIFER: Oh very funny Jack!

JACK: You know you're looking a little cold. I think maybe you should go home.

JENNIFER: I can't go home. I'm still on duty.

JACK: On duty? You mean dead on duty. You want that stuff shirt anchorman talking about you dying of pneumonia on your debut time out.

JENNIFER: But I can't go home. I'm supposed to be at a party and I'm already late.

JACK: A party!

JENNIFER: Emilio's throwing me a big party.

JACK: Oh, well we can't keep Emilio waiting now can we. Come on.

 

JENNIFER HESITATES.

 

JACK: COME ON!

SCENE EIGHT: JACK AND JENNIFER ARE IN HIS CAR. SHE IS NOW WEARING HIS HAT. THEY ARE BOTHWET; HE IS HUMMING PENNIES FROM HEAVEN AS HE DRIVES.

 

JENNIFER: Jack I don't know why you came this way. The flooding gets worse as you go this way.

JACK: Why don't you just sit back and enjoy the ride.

 

JACK CONTINUES TO HUM. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE STALLS AND THE CAR STOPS. JENNIFER IS FRUSTRATED, BUT NOT *THAT* FRUSTRATED; IT IS OBVIOUS SHE ENJOYS BEING ALONE WITH JACK. JACK IS ENJOYING THE WHOLE SITUATION, ALTHOUGH HE DOES NOT LET ON, ENJOYS BEING WITH HER.

 

JENNIFER: I don't believe this. I knew this was going to happen. I knew this was going to happen Jack. I told you not to go this way. Who cares right? The biggest story of the year is going on out there but it doesn't matter. I'm sitting in a stalled car while everyone is winning Emmys and Pulitzers.....

JACK: Oh now, now, now. Aren't we exaggerating just a wee bit.

JENNIFER: No, we're not. And you know what, it doesn't matter anyway because after my so called debut, I'll never be on television again.

JACK: Oh come on now. You couldn't have been all that bad.

JENNIFER: Jack, I was terrible. I didn't know what I was saying. I was stammering my words. And I probably looked terrible in the rain with my hair falling in my face.

 

JACK IS LOOKING AT HER LOVINGLY, HE OBVIOUS WANTS TO KISS HER.

 

JACK: No, you looked (Stopping before he lets on that he was watching her.).... I mean, I mean, I mean..... I'm sure you looked great.

JENNIFER: Jack I'm sure I looked like a collie.

JACK: No joking, but Lassie had a very good career in television.

JENNIFER: (She kind of hits him) Jack, shut up.

JACK: I'm serious. You look, you look..... well you look.... you look good wet.

 

JACK TAKES THE HAT OFF HER HEAD.

 

JENNIFER: No.

 

JACK BEGINS TO STROKE HER HAIR. HE IS LOOKING AT HER AFFECTIONATELY, AND FULL OF LOVE.

 

JACK: I mean....kinda....kinda cute, yeah.

JENNIFER: Really?

JACK: Yeah, kinda..... wet.

 

SHE MOVES CLOSER TO HIM.

 

JACK: I mean I'm wet....and you're wet....

 

THEY BOTH LEAN TOGETHER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAR AND KISS GENTLY.

SCENE NINE: THE WEIGHT OF THE RAIN CAUSES A SECTION OF WINGS' ROOF TO CRASH. THE HORTONS ARE ALL THERE FOR EMILIO'S PARTY FOR JENNIFER. MAGGIE IS COVERED BY DEBRIS, AND APPEARS SERIOUSLY HURT.

SCENE ONE: JACK AND JENNIFER ARE TENDERLY KISSING IN THE CAR. THERE IS A HUGE CLAP OF THUNDER, BUT PART OF THE NOISE IS THE SOUND OF WINGS' ROOF COLLAPSING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE. JENNIFER HEARS, AND BREAKS OFF THEIR KISS.

 

JENNIFER: Did you hear that?

 

JACK IS ENJOYING THE KISS AND DOES NOT WANT TO BE DISTURBED.

 

JACK: I didn't hear anything except some thunder.

JENNIFER: No this was different. This was as if.... OH MY GOD JACK,IT'S WINGS!

JACK: WINGS! It looks like the roof caved in.

JENNIFER: Jack we got to get out of here.

JACK: Ah wait. It's safer here. You don't want to go out there.

JENNIFER: Jack, it doesn't matter. My family's in there!

JACK: Wait a minute. What do you think you're doing?

JENNIFER: Jack, I told you, my family's in there. I have to help them.

JACK: Ah....it's dangerous out there!

JENNIFER: I don't care Jack!

 

SHE GETS OUT OF THE CAR AND JACK FOLLOWS.

 

JACK: Jennifer, Jennifer!

JENNIFER: I'm going. You can follow or leave me alone.

JACK: Wait a minute!

JENNIFER: Jack, I'm going!

JACK: You're not going anywhere! Jennifer!

JENNIFER: Jack, let go of me.

JACK: I just want.....just think for one minute.

JENNIFER: I don't want to think. LET GO OF ME!

 

SHE PULLS AWAY AND SLIPS OVER, FACE DOWN INTO THE MUD. JACK SMILES AS HE SEES HER FACE COMPLETELY COVERED IN MUD.

 

JACK: I told you to think. Now give me your hand.

 

SHE TAKES HIS OUTSTRETCHED HAND BUT SLIPS AGAIN BACKWARDS INTO THE MUD.

 

JENNIFER: JACK!!

JACK: Give me your other hand.

 

SHE STARTS TO PULL HERSELF UP WITH HIS HAND BUT INSTEAD HE SLIPS FACE DOWN INTO THE MUD. JENNIFER IS AS AMUSED AS JACK WAS ABOUT HER.

 

JENNIFER: JACK!!

JACK: AAAARGH!

 

JACK LIES STILL FOR A FEW MINUTES SO JENNIFER BENDS OVER HIM SCREAMING. THEY SHOUT TO HER EACH OTHER OVER THE WIND, RAIN, AND THUNDER.

 

JENNIFER: JACK, JACK! ARE YOU OKAY?

JACK: I'M GREAT!

JENNIFER: IF YOU WANT TO WAIT IN THE CAR, THAT'S FINE BUT I HAVE TO SEE IF MY FAMILY'S HURT OR WORSE

JACK: (Concerned for her safety) WAIT A MINUTE! WAIT A MINUTE! IF YOU DON'T STOP RUNNING AROUND, YOU'RE GOING TO END UP IN THE "OR WORSE" CATEGORY YOURSELF.

JENNIFER: I'm not going to let the rain stop me and I'm not going to let you stop me either.

JACK: Jennifer! I am....WWOOOOWWWW!

 

THE BOTH FALL OVER BACKWARDS WITH JENNIFER LYING ON TOP OF JACK.

 

JACK: JENNIFER, JUST LISTEN TO ME FOR A MINUTE. I KNOW YOU'RE SCARED AND I KNOW YOU WANT TO HELP YOUR FAMILY BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP ANYBODY IF YOU'RE DEAD!

JENNIFER: What am I supposed to do?

JACK: LET ME HELP YOU!

JENNIFER: Is that what you were trying to do?

JACK: YES!

JENNIFER: YOU ARE?

JACK: YES!

JENNIFER: (Overjoyed) REALLY?

JACK: YES!

JENNIFER: OH JACK!

 

SHE GIVES HIM A BIG HUG RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE SITTING IN THE MUD AND HE FALLS BACKWARDS WITH HER LYING FACE DOWN ON TOP OF HIM. THEY BOTH ARE ENJOYING THIS POSITION.

SCENE TWO: A SHORT TIME LATER JENNIFER AND JACK ARRIVE AT WINGS.

 

JENNIFER: Emilio.

EMILIO: You're safe.

JENNIFER: Yes.

 

EMILIO IS CONCERNED AND TRYING TO BE TOUCHY-FEELY, BUT ALL JENNIFER CAN THINK ABOUT IS JACK, AND WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN THEM.

 

EMILIO: You were out in that storm and I didn't know where you were.

JENNIFER: Well I was stranded on the street and luckily Jack came by and he saved me.

 

JACK IS HANGING OUT IN THE BACKGROUND. AND DOES NOT LIKE JENNIFER AND EMILIO'S CLOSENESS.

 

EMILIO: Thanks Jack.

JACK: Don't mention it.

 

EMILIO GIVES JENNIFER A BIG HUG THEN SHE TURNS AROUND TO JACK WHO GIVES A SMALL SALUTE.

JACK: Ta taa!

SCENE THREE: MELISSA AND SARAH COME OVER AND HUG HER. SHE GOES TO SEE MAGGIE, WHO IS NOT SERIOUSLY HURT. EMILIO FUSSES OVER EVERYONE AND PUTS A BLANKET AROUND JENNIFER. JACK WATCHES WITH A WRY SMILE.

 

MELISSA: I saw you coming in with Jennifer. You helped her out there on location, didn't you?

JACK: Well I was....you know....happening to be driving by. It was a coincidence.

MELISSA: Come on Jack. You never happen to be anywhere.

JACK: Look I don't need a hard time today, alright.

MELISSA: I'm not giving you a hard time. I just want to tell you that I appreciate what you did for my cousin.

JACK: Right, right.

MELISSA: I do. I love Jennifer and anyone who helps her should be thanked.

JACK: Well I'll bear that in mind.

MELISSA: I really wish you would.

 

MELISSA WALKS AWAY AND JULIE COMES IN LOOKING FOR SCOTT AND FAITH. SHE ASKS ONE OF THE PATRONS IF HE HAS SEEN THEM AND HE SAYS NO. JACK IS LISTENING IN ON THE CONVERSATION.

 

JACK: Excuse me, do you have a problem?

JULIE: I haven't seen Scott or Faith.

JACK: Well were they around her before?

JULIE: Yes but I haven't seen them since the wall caved in and they were sandbagging the lake.

JACK: Well maybe they decided to hole up somewhere else.

JULIE: No, no. Scott promised me he would come back here and he wouldn't ignore that.

JACK: Ah....I tell you what. Maybe I can go look for them.

JULIE: Oh I couldn't ask you to do that.

JACK: Well I'm not doing anything else. I'll go, really!

JULIE: Well if I can go with you.

JACK: Heh, the more the merrier!

JULIE: I'm so grateful.

JACK: Come on, this way.

 

MELISSA WATCHES IN SURPRISE AS JACK TAKES JULIE TO LOOK FOR SCOTT AND FAITH. IT IS FINALLY DAWNING ON HER THAT JACK HAS CHANGED, AND THAT HE DEEPLY LOVES JENNIFER.

SCENE FOUR: JENNIFER DOES A LIVE CROSS OF INTERVIEWS WITH SOME OF THE RESCUERS AND PATRONS, INCLUDING EMILIO. SHE IS LOOKING FOR JACK, BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO INTERVIEW HIM. MELISSA TELLS HER THAT HE WENT TO HELP JULIE. EVERYBODY IS SURPRISED EXCEPT JENNIFER. THOUGH SHE ALSO IS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY.

SCENE FIVE: MEANWHILE JACK FINDS SCOTT. FAITH HAS FALLEN IN THE LAKE AND ALMOST DROWNED. JULIE AND SCOTT DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.

 

JACK: I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll go back to Wings. There're some doctors there.

SCOTT: No, no, no. She needs to get to hospital now. She's in bad shape.

JACK: Alright, alright, let's go then. Alright.

 

SCOTT TRIES TO LIFT HER BUT IS TOO EXHAUSTED.

 

JACK: Wait a minute, you can't even get yourself there. Get a blanket.

SCOTT: Be careful, be careful.

JACK: I'll be careful, I'll be careful. I've got her.

 

JACK CARRIES FAITH TO THE CAR AND THEY TAKE HER TO HOSPITAL.

SCENE SIX: THEY HAVE ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL. EVERYONE IS FRANTIC, BUT JACK KEEPS A COOL HEAD. JACK SEES MARCUS.

 

JACK: I need some help. Marcus over here.

MARCUS: What happened? She fell in the lake and she almost drowned.

 

SCOTT GOES ON TO DESCRIBE HER SYMPTOMS IN DETAIL WHICH ASTOUNDS MOST PEOPLE. MARCUS TAKES HER AWAY FOR EXAMINATION AND JACK REASSURES SCOTT.

 

JACK: Don't worry. I think he's good.

SCENE SEVEN: SOME TIME LATER JACK GOES TO THE DOCTOR'S LOUNGE AND CALLS THE SPECTATOR.

 

JACK: I tell you what you're going to do. You get a photographer and get over to Wings first thing in the morning. I want to get a photography shoot for our follow up, alright. Yeah, get McCormick, he lives down by the lake, okay. (Beat) Ye.....oh, then get somebody else. Send him home to be with his family. Ah okay, I'll talk to you later.

 

JULIE COMES IN FOR COFFEE. AND SHE SPOTS JACK.

 

JACK: So tell me, how's it going?

JULIE: (Grateful) No word yet. Listen Jack, I want to thank you. I never could have managed that without you.

JACK: (Not use to people praising him.) I'm sure you would have done alright on your own.

 

JULIE SEEMS TO THINK WELL OF JACK. JACK IS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH PEOPLE TRUSTING AND THINKING WELL OF HIM.

 

JULIE: Is this what a reluctant hero looks like?

JACK: I don't know about that. Maybe you should check my credentials with somebody who knows me a little better.

JULIE: I'm getting to know you pretty well and I disagree. Just accept the thanks Jack. You deserve it.

JACK: (Uncomfortable with the praise.) Shouldn't you be doing something with Scott right about now?

JULIE: Of course.

 

JULIE LEAVES AND JACK TURNS TO THE TV TO SEE JENNIFER ON SCREEN INTERVIEWING EMILIO.

 

JACK: Jennifer!

 

JACK'S FACIAL EXPRESSION IS OF DEEP PRIDE AND LOVE FOR HER.

JENNIFER IS TRYING TO GET ACROSS TO JACK HOW GRATEFUL SHE IS, AND HOW MUCH HE MEANS TO HER.

 

JENNIFER: (On TV) Mr. Ramirez I think you're downplaying your courage. You risked your life to save somebody else and that makes you a hero. One of the many who put others before themselves tonight and cared enough to reach out to help. Here by the lake or even out on the road, I have witnessed these heroes first hand. I just wish that I could thank them in person for all that they've done. This is Jennifer Horton reporting live from Wings. Now back to the station.

SCENE EIGHT: EMILIO AND MELISSA TELL HER HOW GREAT SHE WAS AND SHE SAID SHE HOPES THAT SHE GOT HER MESSAGE ACROSS. JENNIFER REALLY WANTED TO THANK JACK ON AIR, AND TO LET EVERYONE KNOW HOW SPECIAL HE WAS. EMILIO MAKES A COT FOR HER ON THE FLOOR AND SHE LIES DOWN TO GET SOME SLEEP. THOUGH JENNIFER CAN ONLY THINK OF JACK.

 

JENNIFER: (Wistfully, she wants him to be there with her.) Sweet dreams, Jack.

SCENE NINE: MEANWHILE JACK HAS MADE HIMSELF A BED OUT OF THE CHAIRS IN THE HOSPITAL LOUNGE. HE PUSHES TWO TOGETHER AND AS HE PLONKS DOWN THEY SPREAD APART SO HE DRAGS A SMALL LAMP STAND TABLE IN BETWEEN THEM TO SUPPORT HIS BACK. HE SEES HER ON TV.

 

JACK: (Finally getting his sleeping arrangement set up, and throwing his coat over him fro a blanket) Voilá. (Spotting Jennifer) Well looky here. (Wistfully)Goodnight Miss Horton. Goodnight.