Episode One-hundred-thirty-seven:
Rescue Me: Jennifer's Wedding
Day Fireman Jack, with his
Firetruck, Comes to the Rescue.

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER AND EMILIO'S WEDDING DAY. JENNIFER IS AT THE LOFT GETTING HER STUFF READY TO LEAVE FOR THE CHURCH; ALICE IS HELPING HER. THEY ARE CHECKING OFF THE LIST.

JACK APPEARS AT HER BEDROOM WINDOW. HE IS WEARING JEANS AND A DARK BLUE SHIRT. HE IS HIDING OUTSIDE ON THE FIRE ESCAPE, WAITING FOR THEM TO LEAVE.

ALICE NOTICES A VERY SKIMPY BIKINI IN HER SUITCASE. IT SEEMS THAT EMILIO PICKED IT OUT FOR HER. ALICE NOTICES HER LESS THAN ENTHUSIASTIC DEMEANOR.

SHE KNOWS THAT JENNIFER DOES NOT LOVE EMILIO NOR DOES SHE WANT TO MARRY HIM. JENNIFER INSISTS SHE DOES. JENNIFER AND ALICE LEAVE.

JACK COMES IN THROUGH THE WINDOW.

 

JACK: (With a snarky expression) Right Jack, time to get to work.

 

SUDDENLY HE HEARS JENNIFER'S VOICE. SHE HAS FORGOTTEN HER SHOES. HEFRANTICALLY LOOKS FOR SOMEWHERE TO HIDE AND DECIDES TO WRIGGLE UNDER THE BED. HE GETS THERE JUST IN TIME. HE NERVOUSLY WAITS, HOPING NOT TO BE DISCOVERED. JENNIFER HAS RETURNED BECAUSE SHE FORGOT HER SHOES. ALICE AND JENNFIER LOOK FOR THEM, BUT CANNOT FIND THEM. JACK NOTICES THAT THEY ARE UNDER THE BED.

HE PICKS THEM UP, AND REACHES PUTTING THEM ON THE BED. ALICE GRABS THEM; THEY LEAVE.

JACK CLIMBS OUT AND STARTS TO LOOK THROUGH JENNIFER'S HONEYMOON BAG. HE FINDS THE BIKINI AND HE TOSSES IT ASIDE.

 

JACK: Well you won't be needing these where you're going.

SCENE TWO: AT THE CHURCH, EMILIO IS DRESSED AND MELISSA AND SARAH ARE READY TOO. MELISSA IS UPSET, BUT HIDES IT, SHE IS IN LOVE WITH EMILIO. JENNIFER ARRIVES AND THEY GO OFF TO HELP HER FINISH DRESSING.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILEJACK AND VERN APPEAR NEAR THE BRIDE'S ROOM. JACK IS SSSSHHHHING VERN AS THEY CREEP AROUND. VERN IS CARRYING A HEAVY BOX WHICH JACK INSPECTS.

 

JACK: Good, everything's here.

VERN: Can you tell me what this stuff is for?

JACK: Nope!

VERN: Well at least tell me what I'm supposed to do.

JACK: Vern, you have the dubious honor of helping me pull this caper off.

VERN: Oh when you get in one of these Happy-Jack moods, I really start to worry.

JACK: Vern there's nothing to worry about. We're just making sure thatJennifer gets an extra special gift on her wedding day.

VERN: Wouldn't a nice punch bowl or a blender be easier?

JACK: Easier, yes. Right, no. Jennifer is going to get something she needs. She just doesn't know it yet.

SCENE FOUR: JENNIFER IS DRESSED AND READY. MELISSA TELLS HER THAT SHE IS THE LUCKIESTGIRL IN SALEM. THE MORE MELISSA TALKS THE SADDER JENNIFER BECOMES. MELISSA DOES NOT NOTICE. JENNIFER IS TRYING TO HOLD BACK HER TEARS. MELISSA GOES OUT TO TELL EVERYBODY THAT THE CEREMONY CAN BEGIN.

SCENE FIVE: JENNIFER GOES TO A FULL-LENGTH MIRROR AND LOOKS AT HER REFLECTION; HOLDING BACK HER TEARS SHE TELLS HERSELF SHE IS HAPPY. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR; SHE THINKS, AND HOPES, THAT IT IS JACK. UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS ONLY EMILIO. HE TALKS TO HER THROUGH THE DOOR AND TELLS HER HOW MUCH HE LOVES HER. SHE GETS TEARS IN HER EYES BECAUSE SHE IS THINKING OF JACK. EMILIO LEAVES. MEANWHILE JACK SNEAKS UP AND LOCKS THE DOOR SO JENNIFER CANNOT GET OUT.

JACK: (With a mischievous gleam) It's showtime!

SCENE SIX: JENNIFER STOPS AND LOOKS AGAIN INTO THE FULL-LENGTH MIRROR. SHE IS ON THE VERGE OF TEARS, AND IS HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS. SHE TELLS HERSELF THAT SHE IS DOING THE RIGHT THING AND THAT SHE *IS* GETTING MARRIED. WITH HER NEW DETERMINATION, THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUS SHE STILL DOES NOT WANT THIS, SHE GOES TO THE DOOR. SHE TRIES TO OPEN IT BUT IT IS LOCKED. SUDDENLY A FIREMAN KICKS OPEN THE BACK DOOR. HE IS WEARING A FULL FIREMAN OUTFIT, HARD HAT, AND MASK WITH AN OXYGEN-MASK. IT IS JACK; BUT SHE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE HIM. THE MASK COVERS HIS MOUTH AND THEREFORE MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR HER TO RECOGNIZE HIS VOICE; HE IS ALSO DISGUISING IT.

 

JACK: You there, come on, let's go.

JENNIFER: What do you mean?

JACK: Come on, let's go.

 

JACK PICKS HER UP OVER HIS SHOULDER AND STARTS TO CARRY HER OUT OF THE ROOM.

JENNIFER: Whoa, what are you doing?

JACK: Ma'am this place is on fire. It's burning down.

JENNIFER: What fire? Wait, wait, just let me down please.

JACK: Alright, put this on.

 

HE HANDS HER A PROTECTIVE FACE MASK.

 

JENNIFER: You don't understand. I'm getting married right now.

JACK: Not in the middle of a towering inferno, you're not.

 

JACK WALKS TO THE DOOR TO MAKE SURE VERN IS ORGANIZED. VERN HAS A SMOKE MACHINE PUMPING FAKE SMOKE ALL THROUGH THE CORRIDORS.

 

JACK: It's burning fast and furious now. It's smoking the whole place up.It's a Towering Inferno out here. Hurry put that mask on!

JENNIFER: Do I really need to put this on?

JACK: Yes, it's the only way to keep the flames away.

JENNIFER: What flames? I don't see any flames.

JACK: Well if you can't see flames, look for the fumes!

JENNIFER: What fumes?

 

JENNIFER PUTS THE MASK ON AND JACK PICKS HER UP OVER HIS SHOULDER. JACK SURREPTITIOUSLY PLACES AN ENVELOPE ON THE TABLE WITH EMILIO'S NAME ON IT. HE THEN RUNS OUTTHE DOOR WITH JENNIFER. .

 

JACK: Just trust me!

JENNIFER: I'm supposed to get married.

JACK: A fireman never lies. Never lies!

JENNIFER: Wait, wait.

 

JACK RUNS OUTSIDE WITH JENNIFER OVER HIS SHOULDER. THEY ARE BOTH WEARINGFULL FACE MASKS NOW.

SCENE SIX: MEANWHILE SARAH HAS GONE DOWN THE AISLE AND MELISSA IS ABOUT TO START HERWALK. MICKEY IS WAITING FOR JENNIFER TO COME OUT OF THE BRIDE'S ROOM.

SCENE SEVEN: JACK IS ALMOST OUT OF THE CHURCH WITH JENNIFER.

JENNIFER: What about my family and friends?

JACK: Don't worry about your family and friends. They go out a separate exit.

JENNIFER: Will you put me down?

JACK: Sorry ma'am, this is a special procedure.

JENNIFER: Put me down, please, put me down.

SCENE EIGHT: MELISSA WALKS DOWN THE AISLE. WHEN SHE REACHES THE ALTAR, EMILIO IS BEAMING. SHE TRIES TO BE HAPPY FOR HIM, BUT IT SEEMS HER HEART IS BREAKING. EMILIO WAITS FOR JENNIFER. THE MUSIC STRIKES UP BUT SHE DOES NOT APPEAR. HE WAITS FOR A SECOND TIME, WITH A DUMB EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE, AND THEN GOES TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG.

SCENE NINE: OUTSIDE THE CHURCH, JACK IS STILL CARRYING JENNIFER. THERE TO A LARGE, ANTIQUE, RED FIRETRUCK WAITING IN THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH.

 

JENNIFER: Wait, I have to tell my family.

JACK: Don't worry ma'am, the firemen will take care of everything.

JENNIFER: What about my family?

 

HE WALKS PAST THE BRIDAL CAR, A JAGUAR.

 

JACK: Nice car!

 

[THIS SEEMS AN IN-JOKE, AD LIB BY MATTHEW, BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME CAR THAT WAS JACK'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT IN 1988, AND WAS USED OCCASIONALLY FOR HIS CAR.] HE KICKS THE CANS TIED ON THE BACK.

 

JACK: [Hard to make this out???] kick the can, fireman joke, y'ah know.

JENNIFER: What about my family? I have to take car of my family.Where are we going?

JACK: Higher ground ma'am. Higher ground.

JENNIFER: What do you mean, higher ground?

JACK: Don't worry everything's in good hands.

JENNIFER: I want to know what's going on before you take me anyplace.

 

HE PUTS HER BACK ON HER FEET AT THE BACK OF THE FIRE TRUCK WHERE ADALMATIAN IS STANDING.

JACK: Sorry ma'am, hop up!

 

SHE RIPS THE MASK OFF HER FACE.

 

JENNIFER: What do you mean, hop up?

JACK: Let me help you.

JENNIFER: I don't want help. I want to know what's going on.

JACK: Ma'am, if you do not co-operate with the rescue procedures, I willbe forced to take drastic measures.

JENNIFER: I don't want to hear it. I don't want to co-operate.

JACK: Then stop arguing and (A double-entendre) hop on my engine!

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: Here, let me help you!

JENNIFER: Wait. ALRIGHT!

JACK: Step right this way.

 

SHE TAKES A FEW BIG STEPS AND CLIMBS ABOARD THE FIRE TRUCK.

 

JACK: Ma'am it looks like you've done this before.

 

JACK CLIMBS UP TOO AND BANGS THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK.

 

JACK: Alright, Bradley, let her rip!

JENNIFER: Alright, where are we going?

JACK: We are going to a safety relocation center ma'am where you will be very safe.

 

HE BANGS THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK AGAIN. SHE IMMEDIATELY BANGS IT HERSELF.

 

JACK: Hit it Bradley!

JENNIFER: Wait! Hold it Bradley. You hold it! Everybody just hold it!

JACK: Wait a minute ma'am, are you out of your mind? We're going to get fried to a crisp!

 

MEANWHILE THERE IS NO FLAMES, NOR SMOKE NEAR THEM NOR COMING FROM THE CHURCH.

 

JENNIFER: Alright, if there is a fire, where are all the other firemen that are supposed to be on this truck?

JACK: Why ma'am, they're out back helping with the evacuations. Hit it Bradley!

JENNIFER: No, hold it! Alright, alright, if there is a fire, okay,why are you telling the truck to leave the scene of the emergency? And howcome if we are just seconds from incineration, there is no smoke, there's no flames, there's no horns, there's b, there's no fire trucks,there's b, there's no (Finally realizing who it is.) ....JACK!

JACK: Wait a minute, (Looking around) Jack who?

JENNIFER: JACK, YOU!

 

SHE RIPS THE MASK OFF HIS FACE.

 

JACK: HIT IT BRADLEY, GOOOOOOOO!

JENNIFER: NO, NO, BRADLEY NO!

JACK: GO, GO, GO!

 

THE FIRE TRUCK PULLS OUT OF THE CHURCH YARD WITH JACK AND JENNIFER ON THE BACK BOTH SCREAMING. JENNIFER IS GRABBING AND SHAKING JACK WHILE HE CONTINUES TO SCREAM AT BRADLEY TO KEEP DRIVING. WE SEE THE TRUCK DRIVE DOWN THE CHURCH DRIVEWAY, JENNIFER IS YELLING AT JACK AND JACK IS SAYING SOMETHING BACK. JACK SEEMS TO BE ENJOYING THE WHOLE THING.

SCENE TEN: MICKEY IS AT THE DOOR OF THE CHANGING ROOM, STILL WAITING FOR JENNIFER. FINALLY, EMILIO SHOWS UP. THE DOOR IS STILL LOCKED AND THERE IS NO KEY. EMILIO KICKS OPEN THE DOOR TO REVEAL JENNIFER GONE. JUST AS HE KICKS THE DOOR OPEN THE SONG RESCUE ME! BEGINS IN THE BACK GROUND. THE TRUCK DRIVES DOWN THE MAIN ROAD WITH BOTH OF THEM LEANING OVER THE SIDE. JENNIFER IS STILL IN HER FULL WEDDING DRESS AND VEIL AND JACK IS STILL IN THE COMPLETE FIREMAN OUTFIT. HE REALLY SEEMS TO BE ENJOYING THE RIDE AND ESPECIALLY JENNIFER'S REACTION.

Rescue me and keep me in your arms
Rescue me, I want your tender charms
I'm kind of lonely and I'm blue
I need you and your love too.
Come on and rescue me.
Come on baby and rescue me
Come on baby and rescue me.
Cause I need you by my side
Can't you see that I'm lonely
Rescue me.

Come on and take my heart
Take my love and keep every part
I'm kind of lonely and I'm blue
I need you and your love too.
Come on and rescue me.
Come on baby and rescue me
Come on baby and rescue me.
Cause I need you by my side
Can't you see that I'm lonely
Rescue me.

 

JENIFER CONTINUES TO HIT JACK WITH HER BOUQUET AND YELL IN HIS EAR AS LOUD AS SHE CAN. MEANWHILE HE IS HOLDING THE DOG AND LOVING THE RIDE ON THE FIRETRUCK. IN HIS TEETH HE IS HOLDING A WHITE ROSE FROM HER BOUQUET AND GRINNING.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK AND JENNIFER ARE STILL ON THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AND SHE IS STILL SCREAMING AT HIM.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, take me back to the church, now! Jack, I mean it. I don't want to feel ridiculous and have you ruined my wedding so take me back to the church.

JACK: I'm sorry. What did you say?

JENNIFER: NOW!

JACK: Sorry, no can do.

JENNIFER: Jack, I'm warning you. Do it! Get me back to the church or I won't be responsible.

JACK: Is that a threat? Am I supposed to be scared?

JENNIFER: Just do it. I am getting getting very sick of this. You tell this driver to turn this thing around or I'll kill you.

JACK: Excuse me while I have a conference with my driver. RODNEY!

JENNIFER: BRADLEY!

JACK: Oh thank you. BRADLEY, SPEED UP!

JENNIFER: THAT'S NOT WHAT I SAID. I SAID, TURN AROUND.

JACK: Listen when you've got a fire truck, we'll do it your way. For the time being we've got two alternatives. You can either yell, scream and be obnoxious like you are now or you can lie back and relax and enjoy the ride.

JENNIFER: I'm not going to do either Jack.

JACK: There's no third alternative.

JENNIFER: Wanna make a bet!

 

SHE GRABS HIM AND SHAKES HIM AS HARD AS SHE CAN SO THAT HE ROLLS BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS AGAINST THE SIDE OF THE TRUCK. JACK IS *LOVING* IT.

 

JACK: Let go.

JENNIFER: Let go? No, because I'm choking you.

JACK: Whoa, whoa, whoa. If you want to strangle me you can do it later because if you fall out now, that pavement is not far behind.

 

SHE BEGINS TO SLIP AND HE PULLS HER BACK.

 

JACK: Don't worry. I've got you. (Another one of Jack's double-entendres) Here, hold onto my hose.

HE HANDS HER HIS OXYGEN HOSE.

 

JENNIFER: I don't want your hose. I can take care of myself. I am going to get you back for this some day Jack, if it's the last thing I do.

JACK: I don't know why you're so upset. I'm doing you a big favor here.

JENNIFER: You're ruining my wedding.

JACK: Oh come on. I'm just stopping you from doing something that you'll regret for the rest of your life.

JENNIFER: My life, exactly Jack. It's my life, it's my decision so turn this thing around and get me back there, now!

JACK: Oh you don't really want me to do that, do you?

JENNIFER: Yes I do, Jack. My family's waiting, Emilio's waiting for me.

JACK: Oh that's right, Emilio's waiting.

JENNIFER: Yes.

 

JACK IS ENJOYING ACTING OBNOXIOUS, AND REALLY SEEMS TO BE GETTING PLEASURE IMAGINING A JILTED EMILIO.

 

JACK: I can see Emilio in his monkey suit smiling for ear to ear, singing "Hear Comes the Bride, Here Comes the Bride" and the funny thing is, (Laughing) the bride isn't coming.

JENNIFER: That's not funny! There's nothing funny about this.

JACK: (Really acting obnoxious and melodramatic.) No, Grandma and Grandpa are what's funny. They're standing up there...."where's my Jennifer Rose, Jennifer Rose....?"(Imitating their sobbing.)

JENNIFER: STOP IT JACK, STOP IT!

JACK: Ah there's no need to yell.

JENNIFER: If you think that's yelling you're in for a surprise. TAKE ME BACK, TAKE ME BACK! AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! I can do that for hours Jack if you let me.

 

MEANWHILE, DESPITE ALL THE NOISE THE DOG IS STAYING PERFECTLY CALM.

 

JACK: Thank you for the warning. Ah Rodney....

JENNIFER: Bradley!

JACK: Thank you. Bradley, it's time!

JENNIFER: Time for what?

 

SUDDENLY THE SIREN STARTS ON THE FIRE TRUCK AND JACK IS EXCITED LIKE A LITTLE BOY.

 

JACK: Here we go!

SCENE TWO: MEANWHILE, EMILIO HAS DISCOVERED THAT JENNIFER IS GONE. MELISSA IS COMFORTING HIM AND SHE FINDS THE NOTE THAT JACK LEFT. IT APPEARS TO BE FROMJENNIFER AND SAYS THAT SHE IS SORRY BUT SHE JUST WAS NOT ABLE TO MARRY HIM.

SCENE THREE: THE FIRETRUCK HAS NOW REACHED SOME WOODS, SOME DISTANCE FROM SALEM; NEARBY IS A LOG CABIN. THE FIRETRUCK STOPS TO LET JACK AND JENNIFER OFF.

 

JACK: This is the place.

JENNIFER: What do you mean, this is the place.

JACK: Trust me, come on. Jennifer, trust me.

JENNIFER: Jack, no. Let go of me.

 

HE PICKS HER UP AND HOISTS HER OVER HIS SHOULDER AGAIN.

 

JACK: Okay. Thanks again. I'll be seeing you later Rodney.

JENNIFER: I told you his name is Bradley. Jack put me down. Dammit put me down this minute or I'm going to scream Jack.

JACK: Listen! You go ahead because Rodney's going to pull that switch....

 

THE FIRE SIREN STARTS TO WAIL LOUDLY.

 

JENNIFER: BRADLEY!

JACK: Oh anyway, you were saying? What were you saying?

JENNIFER: Put me down!

JACK: It would be my pleasure.

 

JENNIFER IMMEDIATELY BEGINS TO RUN TOWARDS THE TRUCK.

 

JACK: Wait a minute, wait a minute. Listen he's halfway out of the woodsby now.

JENNIFER: We'll see about that Jack.

JACK: Jennifer, look we made a deal. Even if you get away from me, he'snot to help you get back to Salem. Come on, face it. You're here. Camp Gitche Gumee. May as well make the most of it, alright? Relax, come on inside.

 

JACK OPENS THE DOOR TO THE CABIN. HE GOES INSIDE AND SHE STOPS AT THE DOOR. IT IS VERY RUSTIC AND ROMANTIC.

 

JACK: Now what?

JENNIFER: I don't believe this. You seriously kidnapped me.

JACK: Well serious is a pretty strong word. I took you from the churchand got you to a place where you could think. Out in the fresh air and the mountains and the breezes and the springs so you could....so you could think about your life, so you could think about the cultural wasteland that your life's going to become if you marry Emilio.

JENNIFER: I see and how long is it supposed to take me to come to this conclusion Jack?

JACK: That's up to you.

JENNIFER: So in other words you're prepared to keep me here forever.

JACK: No, no, no. I'm prepared to keep you here until you break things off with Emilio.

JENNIFER: Okay fine. I agree!

JACK: You....you do?

JENNIFER: Yes, you heard me. Now take me home Jack.

JACK: Ooooh no, no, no, no, no. I'm not taking you anywhere until you say it and mean it. Now come on inside. It's getting cold out there.

JENNIFER: Forget it Jack!

 

SHE TURNS HER BACK TO HIM AND FIXES HER VEIL BACK IN PLACE.

 

JACK: Jennifer, look I know you're mad at me but freezing yourself is no reason to spite me.

JENNIFER: I am waiting here for Emilio. He'll find me.

JACK: Ah no he won't.

JENNIFER: What do you mean, no he won't? How could you possibly know that he won't find me Jack?

JACK: He's not even going to start looking for you.... thanks to me.

SCENE FOUR: INSIDE THE LOG CABIN.

 

JENNIFER: You forged my name Jack?

JACK: Well it wasn't that exactly. I worked hours trying to get your signature down, trying to get that little "J" thing going. But I tell you one thing, I could sign checks for you in any supermarket in the country.

JENNIFER: I want to know what was in that letter, now Jack.

JACK: Well it was what you would expect. You know, sorry, hope youunderstand. The gist of it was that it was just a bad idea all the way round.

JENNIFER: What else, what else?

JACK: Well....er....you needed time to think and you really didn't wan thim to follow you. You were very emphatic about that.

JENNIFER: He's never going to believe it. He's going to know it's a fake and he's going to come looking for me Jack.

JACK: You don't love Emilio. You know it, he knows it, everybody knows it. And you're not stretching anybody's imagination by saying that you ran out of that thing early. He bought that thing hook line and sinker.Every word.

JENNIFER: Jack, who do you think you are, playing god with my life?

JACK: Look I'm just helping you to get out of a corner that you painted yourself into, that's all. You should be thanking me.

JENNIFER: I don't even know what to say to any of this Jack because it's so bizarre.

JACK: It's perfectly reasonable, it's rational. It's.... (Trying to think of a reason, without admitting the real reason.) ....it's just an ex-boss helping a former employee to shape her future, that's all.

JENNIFER: I see. So your motive for doing this was of professional concern.

JACK: Well....yeah, that's right. That's right.

JENNIFER: Jack you have become quite the humanitarian. What's next Jack? Are you going to walk through fire to stop Vern from making a bad real estate investment Jack?

JACK: Come on, now you're being totally unreasonable.

JENNIFER: No, no, you're being unreasonable if you think I'm going to believe this story. Now I want to know why you really did this Jack.

JACK: You're not going to stop until I give you some silly, stupid, selfish reason, are you?

JENNIFER: (Hopeful) Is that it? Is that why?

JACK: What why?

JENNIFER: Us!

JACK: There is no us!

JENNIFER: There could be Jack, if you changed your mind, if you want me. Do you want me Jack?

JACK: Look I think you're getting a little carried away.

JENNIFER: No Jack. You must have changed your mind about us. You just won't admit it.

JACK: There's nothing to admit, that's why.

JENNIFER: Then why would you go to so much trouble to break up this wedding. You must want to make a commitment.

JACK: I....did I say anything about commitment? Did I say a word about any kind of commitment?

JENNIFER: Jack, then why all this? Why the fire truck, why the smoke,why this place?

JACK: Because I am trying to stop you making the wrong commitment. But it has nothing to do with us.

JENNIFER: I don't believe you Jack.

JACK: You know something. I mean you're barely a....you're barely twelve years old. You're hardly out of grade school. You shouldn't be thinking of relationships let alone commitments.

JENNIFER: You know Jack, I keep thinking that you're going to change,but you never do. You are still the biggest coward I've ever met in my life.

JACK: What?

JENNIFER: We both know why you broke up this wedding. And even afterall this you still don't have the guts to admit how you feel.

JACK: Jennifer, you....

JENNIFER: No, no, no. I don't even want to hear another one of your lies Jack okay because I have heard enough. You knew that you could have broken up this wedding anytime that you wanted to. All you had to do was admit how you feel. But no, you couldn't be straightforward. You had to pull some ridiculous scheme Jack. Well it's not going to work. I'm going to hike back to the highway and I am going to hitch a ride home and as soon as I get there I'm going to marry Emilio so fast it'll make your head spin.

JACK: Go for it. And I want you to remember one thing. The sun is going down and....and it's going to be dark before you hit that highway.

JENNIFER: I don't care. I'll deal with it.

JACK: I'm sure you will! But while you're tracking through the dark in the muck and the mire and the cold, don't, please don't, think about me sitting next to a warm fire in a warm cozy cabin. Please.

SCENE FIVE: MEANWHILE EMILIO HAS ANNOUNCED TO THE GUESTS THAT THERE WILL BE NO WEDDING THAT DAY. APRIL AND NICK TALK, AND SHE TELLS HIM SHE *KNEW* THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN, SINCE SHE *KNOWS* THAT JENNIFER DOES NOT LOVE EMILIO. THE HORTONS LEAVE AND HEAD OVER TO WINGS.

SCENE SIX: JENNIFER SUDDENLY LOOKS UNSURE WHETHER SHE SHOULD HITCH A RIDE HOME. STILL AT THE CABIN, JENNIFER IS OUTSIDE, REFUSING TO GO IN WITH JACK. HE IS SCRECTLY WATCHING HER THROUGH THE WINDOW. JENNIFER LOOKS TOWARDS THE WINDOW, AND JACK MOVES OUT OF VIEW, NOT WANTING HER TO KNOW HE HAS BEEN WATCHING HER. SHE IS GETTING VERY COLD AND SCARED. AN OWL HOOTS, MAKING JENNIFER MORE NERVOUS.

JACK DECIDES THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO GET HER INSIDE. HE GOES OVER TO AN OLD-FASHIONED RADIO AND WITH A GRIN TURNS IT ON. IT IS A FAKE ANNOUNCEMENT, AND IT IS JACK'S VOICE DISGUISED.

 

JACK AS ANNOUNCER: Repeating our tops story. The Sheriff's Department has declared a state of emergency in the Saddleback Mountain area in the wake of recent outbreak of bear attacks there...

 

JENNIFER IS GETTING NERVOUS. THERE IS A SIGN NEARBY. SHE LOOKS AT IT AND IT SAYS "SADDLEBACK MOUNTAINS." THIS MAKES HER EVEN MORE ANXIOUS, BUT SHE IS DETERMINED NOT TO GO IN AND LET JACK WIN.

 

JENNIFER: I'll be fine.

JACK AS ANNOUNCER: ...Three people were mauled in the latest incident. And authorities have asked campers to stay indoors until the animal is found.

 

SUDDENLY SHE HEARS A BEAR GROWL AND SHE RUNS INSIDE, STILL IN HER FULLWEDDING GOWN AND VEIL.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, Jack!

JACK: Jennifer, what are you doing in here?

 

THE BEAR GROWLS AGAIN AND SHE RUNS FLYING INTO HIS ARMS. JACK IS PLEASED THAT HIS LITTLE ROUSE WORKED SO WELL.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, Jack!

 

JACK IS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ABOUT HOLDING HER.

SCENE SEVEN: MEANWHILE EMILIO BEGINS TO SUSPECT THAT JACK IS INVOLVED IN JENNIFER'S DISAPPEARANCE. HE GOES TO JACK'S OFFICE AND FINDS A PHOTOGRAPH OF JACK AND JENNIFER IN HIS DRAWER. MELISSA FOLLOWS HIM AND HE TELLS HER THAT THEY BOTH KNOW THAT JACK IS THE ONE SHE WANTED ALL ALONG.

SCENE EIGHT: AT THE LOG CABIN.

 

JACK: Ah....Jennifer, I knew you'd come crawling in here sooner or later.I just didn't think it'd be sooner. I mean for appearances sake. I know how you hate to be proven wrong.

 

SHE CONTINUES TO CLING TO HIM FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN LETS GO.

 

JENNIFER: I wasn't wrong. I'm leaving here at dawn as soon as they catch the bear.

JACK: Oh yeah, I heard all about that, yeah.

JENNIFER: Well why do you think I came running in here like a crazy woman Jack?

JACK: Perhaps you missed the stimulating conversation.

JENNIFER: No, I don't think that was it.

JACK: Oh, so....I think it's better to talk with me than have to dance with a marauding bear.

JENNIFER: I don't think so.

JACK: I don't see why you're so angry. You've had plenty of time to cool off.

JENNIFER: No, it's going to take me a lot longer to cool off because I hate the position you've got me in and I hate that I have to depend on you for even one night.

JACK: Well, that's understandable. I guess if you want to abuse me for the rest of the evening you might as well be comfortable to do it. Do you have something more comfortable to slip into than a wedding dress?

JENNIFER: What other choice do I have?

JACK: Well....I took the liberty of pulling out a few things that would be more suitable to a mountainous climate.

JENNIFER: No, in other words you went through my drawers and you stole my clothes Jack.

JACK: Necessity is sometimes the mother of petty theft.

JENNIFER: I am going home at dawn and I am seriously thinking of pressing charges, Jack.

 

SHE GRABS THE BAG AND WALKS TOWARDS THE BATHROOM.

 

JACK: Don't open the....

 

BEFORE HE FINISHES WHAT HE IS ABOUT TO SAY, SHE OPENS A DOOR AND A HEAP OF STUFF FALLS OUT ON THE FLOOR.

 

JACK: ....closet! The Little Scout's room is the....

 

SHE GOES IN THE OTHER DOOR AND SLAMS IT SHUT.

 

JENNIFER: The gall! The unmitigated nerve!

 

SHE TRIES TO REACH OVER AND UNDO THE BUTTONS DOWN THE BACK OF HER DRESS BUT SHE CANNOT DO IT ALONE.

 

JENNIFER: SHOOT!

JACK: Is everything alright in there?

JENNIFER: No, everything's not alright.

JACK: Are you sure? I....

 

SHE COMES OUT OF THE BATHROOM.

 

JENNIFER: It's my dress. I can't get out of it all by myself.

 

SHE WALKS IN FRONT OF JACK AND WAITS FOR HIM TO HELP HER. SUDDENLY HE IS VERY SCARED.

 

JENNIFER: Well what are you waiting for? Is a little help too much to ask for?

JACK: Aaaah....no....no. Of course not.

 

HE VERY GENTLY MOVES HER VEIL ASIDE AND BEGINS TO UNDO THE BUTTONS ONE AT A TIME. HE IS SWEATING AND SHE IS NERVOUS TOO. HE UNDOES ABOUT SIX THEN STOPS.

 

JACK: Ah, I think that's about as far as it goes.

JENNIFER: Thanks. I think I can manage now. (Beat) If you want to help some more....just....knock.

 

THEY HOLD ON EACH OTHER'S EYES AS SHE GOES BACK INTO THE BATHROOM. SHE SHUTS THE DOOR AND TALKS TO HIM.

 

JENNIFER: I gave you another chance today Jack and you turned me down. But that's fair enough. If you don't want me, you don't get me.

 

JACK IS OUTSIDE STILL SWEATING AND NERVOUS. SHE OPENS THE DOOR AND COMES OUT IN A LONG WHITE SATIN NIGHTGOWN AND ROBE EMBROIDERED WITH CRYSTALS. SHE SLOWLY REMOVES THE ROBE AND HANDS IT TO JACK.

 

JENNIFER: I think you should know what you're missing first. Think about it while you're on the cold hard floor tonight Jack.

 

SHE TOSSES HIM A BLANKET AND CLIMBS SLOWLY ONTO THE BED. JACK WALKS OVER TO A CHAIR NEAR THE FIRE AND SITS DOWN, STILL HOLDING THE ROBE.

 

JACK: (To himself) I must be out of my mind.

JENNIFER: What was that Jack?

JACK: Ah, I said this place was a real find. Goodnight.

JENNIFER: Goodnight.

JENNIFER IS NOT SO MUCH UPSET ABOUT THE KIDNAPPING, AS FRUSTRATED THAT AFTER ALL THIS JACK STILL IS UNWILLING TO ADMIT HIS FEELINGS FOR HER. SHE SLOWLY LIES BACK ON THE PILLOWS AND ARRANGES HER GOWN, FRUSTRATED. JACK TURNS AND STARES INTO THE FIRE.