Episode One-hundred-and-thirty-two:
Since Emilio and Melissa are
Going on Tour, He Wants to Get
Married Right Away, and for Jennifer
to Go with Them; Jack Takes Steps This.

 

SCENE ONE: IT IS THE NEXT DAY AND JACK HAS COME TO LOFT. ISABELLA HEARS THE KNOCK.

 

ISABELLA: (Cautious) Who is it?

JACK: It's Jack-the-Whack-from-Wayback.

ISABELLA: Jack.

 

SHE SLIDES OPEN THE DOOR.

 

ISABELLA: Hi.

JACK: What's the matter? It looks like you had a cake fall in the oven.

ISABELLA: No. No cake in the oven.

JACK: No? Well maybe you can bake one and I'll have a cup of coffee while I wait. Got any coffee?

ISABELLA: Come in. Did you just drop by for a visit?

 

JACK IS LOOKING AROUND THE LOFT, APPARENTLY LOOKING FOR JENNIFER, BUT TRYING TO BE SUBTLE ABOUT IT. BUT ISABELLA IS NOT FOOLED BY HIM.

 

JACK: Yeah, I wanted to see how you were doing. It's the kind of guy I am.

ISABELLA: Oh. You here to see me or Jennifer?

JACK: (Surprised at her perceptiveness. He tries to be evasive.) As I recall Jennifer makes lousy coffee. I'm here to see you.

ISABELLA: Well you found me.

JACK: Yeah. So tell me, how are you doing?

ISABELLA: Fine.

JACK: That's good. Glad to hear it.

ISABELLA: Are you sure you're not here to see Jennifer?

JACK: I told you, Jennifer makes lousy coffee.

ISABELLA: Jack, you're here to see Jennifer. It's okay, admit it!

JACK: I just said, I'm not here to see Jennifer. I'm here to see you.

ISABELLA: Well you might be fooling yourself but you're not fooling me. Anyway she's not here.

JACK: Do I look like that bothers me?

ISABELLA: Well you look like you're trying to not let it bother you. I'm glad to see you. I need a friend.

JACK: I can tell. What's going on? You're not okay.

ISABELLA: No, I'm not okay.

 

SHE IS WORRIED ABOUT SOMETHING.

 

JACK: Well as long as you don't ask me to pawn any family heirlooms, I'm sure I can do something.

ISABELLA: I guess I can tell you.

JACK: Tell me, what is it?

ISABELLA: I keep seeing these pictures in my mind of me and Marina.

JACK: Pictures?

ISABELLA: You know, bits and pieces. Jack, they scare me.

JACK: Why is that?

ISABELLA: Because I get this feeling that these pictures are from the night she was killed.

JACK: Huh, why would you think that?

ISABELLA: I don't know. I just think it was the last time I saw her.

JACK: Could you tell me? What is it that you are remembering?

ISABELLA: Marina and I were having an argument.

JACK: Do you remember what you were arguing about?

ISABELLA: No, it was a terrible argument. It was a fight really.

JACK: Did you happen to mention any of this to Roman?

ISABELLA: No, I can't do that.

JACK: Why is that?

ISABELLA: I don't know.

JACK: Are you afraid of what you might have done?

ISABELLA: No! Why would I be afraid of that?

JACK: I don't know. Why are you afraid to remember?

ISABELLA: Jack look, the only reason that I know my sister is dead is because people tell me. I don't remember knowing about it before.

JACK: Why are you afraid to tell that to Roman?

ISABELLA: I just am.

JACK: Hmmm, you trust him don't you?

ISABELLA: Yes I trust him.

JACK: So, trust me enough when I tell you that you should trust him enough to tell him.

ISABELLA: I'm afraid I'll lose him....and his friendship.

JACK: Not telling him the truth is the best way to do that. Go ahead, I think you should talk to Roman. I'm sure he'll understand.

ISABELLA: Jack, you're my friend so I have to ask you something.

JACK: Go ahead.

ISABELLA: Do you remember when you told me that there were things in your past that you weren't proud of?

JACK: Yes I remember that.

ISABELLA: Well....well what if those things were bad things? And they were buried so deep that you couldn't even remember. What would you do?

JACK: I think I'd forget about them. No, no. Do you mean would you talk about those things to somebody you care about, somebody you like?

ISABELLA: Yeah. Wouldn't you be afraid that if you told them, they could never love you?

JACK: I don't know. Isabella I didn't think there were any bad parts to you.

ISABELLA: I hope there aren't. I'm just not sure.

JACK: I think you're worrying about this whole thing too much. Just....just be honest with Roman. Tell him everything. It'll be alright.

ISABELLA: You're right.

JACK: I know I'm right. I'm always right!

ISABELLA: Okay. Okay, so I go talk to Roman.

JACK: That's right.

ISABELLA: Okay, I just wish you could take some of that great advice that you give.

JACK: Right. Listen I'm going to stick around here and make a couple of calls. I've got to see what's going on at the office.

ISABELLA: Oh yeah Jack, you stick around here.

JACK: Look, it's more expensive to call from the car than it is to call from here. And it's a lot colder down in the car.

 

SHE STILL KNOWS WHY HE WANTS TO BE IN THE LOFT, TO BE NEAR JENNIFER.

 

ISABELLA: Funny, last time I was out, the sun was shining.

JACK: (Nervous, embarrassed laugh.) Heh....

ISABELLA: Wish me luck.

JACK: You don't need luck. You're telling the truth. Ah let me get that door. No let me get it, let me.

ISABELLA: Thank you.

JACK: Sure, any time.

 

ISABELLA GOES OUT AND JACK SHUTS THE DOOR.

SCENE TWO: MEANWHILE AT WINGS EMILIO AND MELISSA HAVE RECEIVED A TELEGRAM, THEY HAVE BEEN HIRED FOR A THREE MONTH CONCERT TOUR. JENNIFER WALKS IN, AND EMILIO PICKS HER UP AND TWIRLS HER AROUND. SHE IS GLAD FOR THEM, BUT ALSO BECAUSE IT IS AN EXCUSE TO POSTPONE THE WEDDING. HE TELLS HER THAT THEY NEED TO GET MARRIED RIGHT AWAY. SHE TRIES TO MAKE EXCUSES, BUT HE TELLS HER THAT HE HAS IT ALL PLANNED OUT. SHE IS NOT TOO HAPPY. SHE ALSO DOES NOT LIKE THE WAY HE SEEMS TO BE PLANNING HER LIFE. THOUGH SHE TRIES TO BE TACTFUL ABOUT IT. SHE WONDERS ABOUT HER JOB. EMILIO DOES NOT SEEM TO SEE A PROBLEM. HE WONDERS IF SHE STILL WANTS TO GET MARRIED, BUT SHE IS NOT TOO CONVINCING WHEN SHE TELLS HIM SHE DOES. HE LEAVES.MELISSA IS NOT HAPPY BY JENNIFER'S LACK OF EXCITEMENT. MELISSA TELLS HER SHE IS LUCKY TO BE LOVED BY EMILIO, SHE WISHES SOMEONE WOULD LOVE HER AS MUCH. JENNIFER LOOKS AWAY AND IS DEFINITELY THINKING ABOUT JACK.

SCENE THREE: JACK WALKS OVER TO THE KITCHEN AND PICKS UP THE PHONE. HE IS ABOUT TO DIAL WHEN HE SEES JENNIFER'S BLACK SATIN PAJAMA TOP LYING ON THE COUNTER. HE HOLDS IT AFFECTIONATELY, AND NOTICES THAT THE BACK IS TRANSPARENT. HE IS LOOKING THROUGH IT WHEN HE HEARS JENNIFER'S VOICE OUTSIDE THE DOOR. IN A PANIC HE RUNS AND HIDES BEHIND THE COUCH STILL HOLDING THE TOP. JENNIFER COMES IN WITH MELISSA AND THEY TALK ABOUT THE WEDDING. JENNIFER SAYS SHE ALWAYS WANTED A BRIDAL DRESS AND TRAIN NOT A QUICK WEDDING BEFORE EMILIO AND MELISSA GO ON TOUR. MELISSA TELLS HER THAT IT IS THE FUTURE THAT COUNTS. JENNIFER DID NOT SEEM TOO EXCITED AS SHE SPOKE OF THE WEDDING, BUT SUDDENLY SHE MAKES AN 180 DEGREE CHANGE, AND TALKS ABOUT HOW GREAT IT WILL ALL BE AND HOW SHE CANNOT WAIT TO MARRY EMILIO AND GO OFF WITH THEM ON TOUR THEM.

JACK IS NOT HAPPY LISTENING TO ALL THIS.

 

JENNIFER: I'm so glad that Emilio is nothing like Jack.

MELISSA: They don't come any better than Emilio. I'm just glad you're finally realizing it.

JENNIFER: Yep and the best thing is that I'll get to realize it for the rest of my life.

 

JACK WINCES AT THESE COMMENTS.

 

SCENE FOUR: MELISSA LEAVES AND JENNIFER GOES UPSTAIRS, HUMMING HERE COMES THE BRIDE AS SHE WALKS RIGHT PAST JACK, ALMOST TOUCHING HIM, WITH WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SLY GRIN.

JACK DECIDES TO SNEAK OUT. HE GETS UP AND THE PAJAMA TOP IS CAUGHT ON HIS SHOULDER. HE TIPTOES TO THE DOOR AND QUIETLY UNLOCKS IT AND SLIDES IT OPEN. HE IS ABOUT TO WALK OUT WHEN JENNIFER POPS UP BEHIND HIM. OBVIOUSLY SHE REALIZED HE WAS THERE AND THE LAST PART WAS JUST AN ACT TO GET HIM TO REACT.

 

JENNIFER: It does sound like a marriage made in heaven, doesn't it Jack?

JACK: Um, nice...nice shirt!

 

JENNIFER SNATCHES THE TOP FROM HIM. JENNIFER KNOWS WHY HE IS THERE. JACK CONTINUES TO PLAY THE INNOCENT.

 

JENNIFER: It's not your size, Jack!

JACK: It's not my color either, if you'd like to know!

JENNIFER: Are you spying on me?

JACK: No, I'm not spying on you. I was here to visit with Isabella.

JENNIFER: Oh did you get lost on your way out?

JACK: No, I happen to get lost trying to get out. You were on your way in.

JENNIFER: Oh! Well if I would have known you were here I would have offered you some tea.

JACK: I don't want any tea. But I want to give you some advice. I think that you're very stupid to go on the road with Emilio when you've got a career as a journalist!

JENNIFER: People change careers.

JACK: So now you're going to start tuning pianos for Emilio.

JENNIFER: It would make Emilio very happy if I went on tour with him.

JACK: But would it make you happy?

JENNIFER: (Trying again to force Jack to admit his feelings.) What do you care Jack?

JACK: I care if it makes you happy! I know he's not the right guy for you.

JENNIFER: Well then who is the right guy for me Jack?

JACK: The guy who's going to take you or allow you to take yourself to top of your career possibilities.

JENNIFER: When I come back from the tour, I'll get another job.

JACK: Huh, uh. When you come back from the tour you're going to be taking care of little bambinos.

JENNIFER: That might make me very happy.

JACK: Er, no. Being married to Mr .Wrong is going to make you very happy! I don't think so.

JENNIFER: I could wait a whole lifetime for Mr. Right, Jack.

JACK: Hey, he might be right around the corner.

JENNIFER: The one thing I like about Emilio is that he says what he means and he means what he says. Not like some people I know!

JACK: Oooooh! Miss Straight-from-the-Hip. Why don't you tell me now? Do you really want to marry Emilio?

JENNIFER: (Thrown by this question.) ....It's time I left Salem anyway.

JACK: So take a train or a bus. You don't have to get married.

JENNIFER: Maybe I do! (Beat) Anyway I want you to leave.

JACK: I think it's time we sat down and had a little discussion about this.

JENNIFER: If I had something to stay for, I would.

JACK: ....Well all I can say is that I think you would have made a hell of a journalist, one of these days.

 

JACK WALKS OUT THE DOOR AND SLAMS IT SHUT. THEY BOTH STOP AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY JUST SAID.

SCENE FIVE: JACK DECIDES TO VISIT THE TV STUDIO WHERE JENNIFER WORKS. HE WALKS IN AND SPEAKS TO ONE OF THE CREW.

 

JACK: Excuse me, could you tell me where that slime ball boss of your is, Dan Ryan?

CREW: Over there.

JACK: Huh, uh. Thank you.

 

JACK WALKS OVER TO SEE DAN WHO IS STANDING ON THE NEWSROOM SET. HE WHISTLES AS HE WALKS AND RUNS HIS FINGER OVER SOME OF THE EQUIPMENT ON THE WAY TO >CHECK FOR DUST.

 

JACK: Heads up!

DAN: HUH!

JACK: Dan-the-Man! How're you doing?

DAN: Jack Deveraux. So what brings you by here?

JACK: Oh I wanted to say hi, see how you're doing.

DAN: Well the ratings are high. I'm a happy man. How's the newspaper business?

JACK: Oh, circulation is up, up, up! I'm a happy man too.

DAN: Oh, looking for a job?

JACK: That's cute.

DAN: Yeah.

JACK: Real cute. Actually I'm here to do you a favor.

DAN: What, you got a hot story?

JACK: No, but you have a hot employee.

DAN: Who?

JACK: Jennifer Horton.

DAN: Oh yeah, the new kid. I heard we stole her from you.

JACK: Heh, heh, the same way that somebody is going to steal her from you.

DAN: Oh I don't want to lose her.

JACK: At this time there is a station out of town that's making an offer to make a deal with her.

DAN: How good an offer?

JACK: Ah....I'd say by this time next week, she'll be packing her bags.

DAN: Oh, I don't want to lose her, she's talented.

JACK: Young, fresh....

DAN: Pretty.

JACK: Pretty! Yeah, yeah, if you like that sort of thing, yeah.

DAN: Then why didn't you keep her?

JACK: Because you Dan were too smart for me and you took her away from me. But I'll tell you something, I learned something from this.

DAN: What?

JACK: Give them bigger and better assignments and they can't walk out on you.

DAN: Look I would if I could but it's not in my hands.

JACK: Who's hands is it in?

DAN: The station manager's.

JACK: Arnie! Arnie Leonard.

DAN: That's him.

JACK: Yeah, that old dog. He plays a pretty mean hand of Poker.

DAN: Well why don't you talk to him? He's upstairs.

JACK: Oh yeah! It's where all the good executives are!

DAN: Hehehehe.

JACK: I'll talk to you later Dan.

DAN: I'll see you.

JACK: Hahahahahahaha.

 

JACK GOES UPSTAIRS WITH A BIG GRIN ON HIS FACE.

SCENE SIX: A SHORT TIME LATER, JENNIFER ARRIVES AT THE STUDIO WITH EMILIO TO SHOW HIM AROUND.

 

EMILIO: So this is where you work eh?

JENNIFER: Yeah, ever been to a tv station?

EMILIO: Actually the closest I've ever came is the six o'clock news. Pretty busy place.

JENNIFER: Yeah, more than usual. Something's up.

EMILIO: What do you think's up?

JENNIFER: I don't know. I'd better find out. (To some crew) Hey what's going on?

CREW: Rumor says there's going to be a big shake-up.

JENNIFER: What, you mean people are going to get fired?

CREW: Heads are going to role. Watch out for yours. They're going for all the newer people.

JENNIFER: I was really starting to like this job. I mean I was hoping I could move up to the really important stories.

EMILIO: Oh don't worry about it because me and you, we got other plans. We're going to get married, hit the road. Forget about it.

 

JENNIFER DOES NOT LIKE TO THINK ABOUT THAT BUT AGREES WITH EMILIO. HE DECIDES TO LEAVE AND WAIT FOR HER AT WINGS. AFTER HE GOES SHE LOOKS AT THE ANCHOR DESK AND DECIDES TO GIVE IT A TRY WHILE NOBODY ELSE IS AROUND. AS SHE TAKES THE SEAT, JACK WANDERS ALONG BEHIND THE SET. HE HIDES AND LISTENS TO WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY AS SHE MAKES UP A NEWS STORY. HE IS IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE NEWSROOM SET PROP WALL. AND INCHES TO THE VERY EDGE TO HEAR HER BETTER.

 

JENNIFER: Why not?......(She sits down) Good evening, this is Jennifer Horton. (Wistfully) And now the news. Today on a busy street in Salem a man named Jack Deveraux was walking when a brick....no make that a brick wall, fell on his head, knocking him out. Actually knocking him to his senses.When he woke up he realized that he was desperately in love with Jennifer Horton. (Sadly) Actually that was story I just made up, ladies and gentlemen. It was stupid story. It was a stupid dream.

 

JENNIFER GETS UP AND WALKS OFF THE SET. JACK STAYS BEHIND THE SET. THROUGHOUT HER FAKE NEWS REPORT HE LISTENS IN, WITH A PAINED EXPRESSION.

 

JACK: It's not that stupid.... as dreams go.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS AT WINGS HAVING LUNCH WITH ARNIE LEONARD.

 

ARNIE: They grill salmon very well.

JACK: I don't see why you need to eat that stuff. You don't need to be on a diet. You look great.

ARNIE: I look like a 50 year old man.

JACK: Huh, uh.

ARNIE: Trouble is I'm only 42. What do you want Jack?

JACK: I told you what I want. (Beat) Look, you owe me.

ARNIE: Alright, I'll make some calls.

JACK: Good, good.

 

ARNIE LEAVES AND EMILIO COMES IN AND WALKS PAST JACK. THEY HALF ACKNOWLEDGE EACH OTHER. EMILIO GOES OVER TO DAVE AND JACK COUGHS LOUDLY SO THAT DAVE WILL COME OVER AND LEAVE EMILIO.

 

DAVE: Did you need something?

JACK: Ah....no,no don't worry about it.

DAVE: Okay fine, I'll get your check.

JACK: No....um....what's Emilio doing here?

DAVE: Ah, well that's all for Jennifer. You know how those engaged couples are.

JACK: Yeah.

SCENE TWO: JACK LOOKS ACROSS AS EMILIO IS ARRANGING A BEAUTIFUL DINNER TABLE FOR JENNIFER. JACK DECIDES TO INVESTIGATE.

 

JACK: Emilio, I see you're having a little celebration here.

EMILIO: Yeah that's right man. I'm celebrating with my fiancée. Hey, guess what? You ain't invited. Hahahahaha

JACK: Well what is it you're celebrating?

 

JENNIFER WALKS UP BEHIND HIM.

 

JENNIFER: Why do you care Jack?

 

JACK LOOKS AWAY AND KNOWS HE HAS BEEN CAUGHT.

 

JENNIFER: I asked you a question Jack? Why are you so interested in what we're celebrating?

 

JACK IS TRYING TO THINK FAST.

 

JACK: Ah....you know that's the difference between forty and fifty bucks.

JENNIFER: What are you talking about?

JACK: Well you see this table set up like this, you assume an important announcement is imminent.

JENNIFER: Well you assumed wrong.

JACK: Well keep me posted.

JENNIFER: Why are you so interested Jack?

JACK: I don't know. Call me Emily Post. Maybe I want to see what kind of dishes you pick out.

 

JENNIFER IS NOT TO PLEASED BY JACK'S REMARKS, AND THE FACT HE IS SEEMS TO BE GOING ALONG WITH THE IDEA OF THE WEDDING.

 

EMILIO: Yeah well if you want to buy us a present, put it in the mail. See ya!

JACK: Ya!

 

JENNIFER GOES OVER TO THE TABLE AND ADMIRES ALL THE WORK THAT EMILIO HAS PUT IN. SHE TELLS HIM THOUGH SHE CANNOT HAVE DINNER BECAUSE SHE HAS A MEETING WITH THE STATION MANAGER. EMILIO DECIDES TO GO WITH HER.

ARNIE COMES BACK TO SEE JACK.

 

ARNIE: Jack.

JACK: Oh Arnie, good to see you. So did everything work out alright?

ARNIE: I've taken care of everything.

JACK: Good, good. I'm glad. I'm very glad.

ARNIE: That's a very controlled reaction. Are you always so used to getting what you want?

JACK: Not always....but as the song goes, maybe this time.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER AND EMILIO ARRIVE AT THE STUDIO WHERE ARNIE LEONARD PROMOTES HER TO FEATURE REPORTER. HE SAYS SHE HAS TO START IMMEDIATELY. EMILIO WANTS TO TALK ABOUT IT. ARNIE INSISTS ON A ANSWER *IMMEDIATELY*. JACK MEANWHILE IS THERE TOO AND IS TRYING TO LISTEN IN FROM BEHIND THE SET.

SCENE FOUR: JENNIFER AND EMILIO TALK IT OVER AND THEY DECIDE TO POSTPONE THE WEDDING UNTIL HIS TOUR IS OVER. HE DOES NOT WANT TO WAIT BUT SHE CONVINCES HIM. JACK IS PLEASED AND GIVES ARNIE THE THUMBS UP SIGN. JACK LEAVES.

SCENE FIVE: ACK GOES LOOKING FOR ISABELLA WHO WANTS TO SEE HIM. HE FINDS HER IN THE PARK.

 

JACK: Oh Isabella, there you are. I've been looking for you.

ISABELLA: Jack.

JACK: Alright, talk to me, tell me what's wrong.

ISABELLA: I just saw Victor.

JACK: Oh really. Did he say something that upset you?

ISABELLA: He said he wanted to protect me. He warned me about Roman.

JACK: That's funny. Why would he do that?

ISABELLA: I don't know but he seems sincere.

JACK: I think seems is the operative word. I wouldn't trust him.

ISABELLA: I don't know what to do Jack. I want to trust Roman but I don't think he trusts me anymore.

JACK: Why is that?

ISABELLA: He's keeping things from me.

JACK: Well I think....you know you keep things from him.

ISABELLA: I've told him everything I know about Marina.

JACK: Really? Everything.

ISABELLA: Well everything that I can. Look Jack there's still a lot that's unclear. I just keep hoping that something will happen to piece it all together.

JACK: You just can't wait around waiting for that to happen I guess.

ISABELLA: You are right, I can't.

JACK: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Where do you think you're going?

ISABELLA: I'm going to go to the Salem Inn and I'm going to go to the room where Marina stayed.

JACK: Oh that's a great idea.

ISABELLA: Well I can't think of a better idea. Maybe this way I can piece something together.

JACK: Well if you're going to have yourself a little seance I guess you need somebody to light the candles and hold hands. So I guess I go with you.

ISABELLA: No, I gotta do it alone.

JACK: Are you sure?

ISABELLA: Yeah.

JACK: Alright. But if things start piecing together in that mind of yours I hope you remember to give me a call before anybody else.

ISABELLA: Okay.

JACK: Promise?

ISABELLA: Promise.

 

JACK IS ABOUT TO LEAVE.

 

JACK: I mean it, I want you to call me.

ISABELLA: Okay I'll call you.

JACK: Good.

SCENE SIX: JENNIFER TELLS ARNIE THAT SHE ACCEPTS THE JOB; HE FILLS HER IN ON HER WHAT SHE HAS TO DO. SHE IS STILL PUZZLED ABOUT HOW SHE GOT IT. HE TELLS HER NOT TO LOOK A "GIFT" JOB IN THE MOUTH. EMILIO LEAVES. SHE WALKS BEHIND THE SET AND OVERHEARS JACK AND ARNIE TALKING.

 

JACK: I suppose now you're going to tell me that I owe you. Probably even going to want it in writing.

ARNIE: I want it notarized.

JACK: Don't worry about it. Nice doing business with you.

ARNIE: Any time.

 

ARNIE LEAVES AND JENNIFER COMES UP TO CONFRONT JACK.

 

JENNIFER: Jack what are you doing with my boss?

JACK: Wha....Jennifer what are you doing here? I thought you'd be at dinner. I mean what are you doing here?

JENNIFER: What's that got to do with anything?

JACK: It means that I'm surprised to see you here, that's what it means.

JENNIFER: What were doing with Mr. Leonard? Why were you shaking his hand like that?

JACK: Ah....ah....we were....ah....we were.....we were doing a business transaction. We were doing business. I'm making a deal with him and he's going to advertise for The Spectator on TV.

JENNIFER: You're lying.

JACK: Me, lie?

JENNIFER: Yes, you! I can always tell when you're lying Jack.

JACK: Heh.

 

IT FINALLY DAWNS ON HER.

 

JENNIFER: All I have to figure out is what you're trying to cover up. What could you have possibly been talking to my boss about that you don't want me to.... MY PROMOTION!

JACK: Promotion? Wha....what promotion?

JENNIFER: Jack you know exactly what I'm talking about. My new Job. You're the only reason that I got it, aren't you?