SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS WORKING AT THE SPECTATOR.

JENNIFER: Emilio, what are you doing here? Wait until I turn this off for a second.

EMILIO: I went to the apartment to pick up some things that I forgot and you weren't there.

JENNIFER: Oh, I've been here since early this morning. I've been working.

HE HANDS HER A PAPER BAG.

EMILIO: Oh, you don't like em?

JENNIFER: Are you kidding me. These are my favorites. I love these.

EMILIO: Right, I knew that.

JENNIFER: Emilio, this is really nice of you. Thanks.

EMILIO: What can I say? You know Mr. Nice Guy Emilio.

JENNIFER: Yeah, you hate to admit nice you are though. Here sit down with me. Have this with me Emilio.

EMILIO: No, that's cool. I don't think the boss man would like that.

JENNIFER: Get out of here. Jack's not even here yet.

EMILIO: In that case I'll sit down.

AS THEY BEGIN TO EAT, JACK COMES OUT OF HIS OFFICE CARRYING A TRAY OF BREAKFAST FOOD AND A SINGLE ROSE IN A SMALL VASE. HE STOPS SHORT WHEN HE SEES EMILIO WITH JENNIFER. THEY DO NOT NOTICE HIM.

Jack gives Jennifer's breakfast to Vern; 35 sec; 1.3 Meg

VERN COMES UP UNBEKNOWNST TO JACK.

STARTLED BY VERN. JACK TRIES TO THINK UP AN ANSWER, NOT WANTING VERN TO KNOW THAT THE BREAKFAST IS FOR JENNIFER.

VERN: For me?

VERN SEEMS TO KNOW THAT IT IS ACTUALLY FOR JENNIFER BUT HE PLAYS ALONG.

VERN: (Teasing Jack.) Well, that's very nice of you Jack, but.... e.... you know the little flower isn't really necessary.

JACK REMOVES THE ROSE, SNAPS OFF THE STEM AND PUTS IT IN HIS OWN LAPEL.

JACK: Look, why don't you just go ahead and finish that.... eat that up there. But don't tell anybody alright or everybody's going to be expecting it.

VERN: Oh, it'll be our little secret.

 

JACK WALKS OVER TO JENNIFER AND EMILIO.

JENNIFER: Oh, my story's almost finished and ready for you.

JACK DOES ALL HE CAN TO INTERRUPT THEIR MEAL.

EMILIO: Don't worry, like you said. Even Devvy said it was okay.

JACK: Excuse me Jennifer, when you're through here could you come in with the Woodrow file?

JENNIFER: Yeah, sure.

JACK: Great, great. Thanks a lot Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Okay.

JACK: Sorry to interrupt.

JENNIFER: Okay. Where were we?

PRETENDING TO LEAVE. PAUSES. AND THEN PRETENDS THAT HE HAS SOMETHING ELSE TO ASK HER.

JENNIFER: Yeah, I got them here. I'll bring them in.

JACK: Great, great. Sorry to interrupt.

EMILIO: Forget it man. This ain't going to work because he ain't going to let it work.

JENNIFER: Emilio, you heard what he said and....

EMILIO: Yeah, I know what I heard but he doesn't do what he says, okay. I know him. So I'm getting the hell out of here. I'm getting annoyed.

JENNIFER: Emilio you went to all this trouble. I'm sorry that you feel you have to leave.

EMILIO: Well, you know there is one way you can make it up to me.

SCENE TWO: EMILIO ASKS JENNIFER TO GO TO A FIFTIES NIGHT AT THE SALEM BOWLING LANES THAT ARE RE-OPENING. SHE TELLS HIM SHE WOULD LOVE TO GO. EMILIO LEAVES. JACK RETURNS

JENNIFER: I have it. I have the tapes right here. There you go.

JACK: Oh, great, great . (Knowing full-well he did; and pleased his plans worked.) I.... I'm sorry. Did Emilio leave?

JENNIFER: Yes. He thought it would be best if I got back to my work.

JACK: Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't want to interrupt.

JENNIFER: Oh, no. No problem at all Jack.

JACK WALKS TO THE DOOR OF HIS OFFICE; HE STOPS BEFORE ENTERING AND LOOKS DOWN AT THE ROSE IN HIS LAPEL.

SCENE THREE: LATER THAT DAY JACK IS PRACTICING PUTTING IN HIS OFFICE. HE HAS A GADGET THAT RETURNS THE BALL IF HE GETS IT IN THE HOLE. HE MISSES TWO SHOTS SO PICKS UP THE BALL AND PUTS IN THE CUP, IT ROLLS BACK TO HIM. VERN WALKS IN.

VERN: Excuse me Jack.

JACK: (Sizing up another putt) Not now Vern. I'm busy .

VERN: Listen Jack. I think you're going to want to hear this.

JACK: (Raising his hand up to silence him.) Vern, do not disturb my train of thought.

VERN: Oh, I wouldn't want to do that. I'll come back later with the good news.

JACK: (Stopping in mid-putt.) Whoa! Wait a minute. What good news?

VERN: Well, I don't want to break your concentration.

JACK: (Jack's interest completely peaked, poking Vern with his golf club) It's already broken. Go ahead. What is it?

VERN: Are you sure? I can always come back.

JACK: (Noticing Vern has something in his hand) Vern! What is it?

JACK: What?

VERN: You've been nominated for your series on the homeless. Here's the official word.

JACK: Let me see that! Well, I.... I knew it was good but.... who else is up for this?

VERN: There's Reynolds from The Chronicle and Hutchinson from The Times.

JACK: ...Hutchinson from The Times. Yeah, yeah.

VERN: That's right. She's up.

JACK: (Beat) No contest.

VERN: Wouldn't it be great if we could snag that thing huh? Huh, Jack. You know it's a pretty prestigious award.

JACK: Vern, let me tell you something. It's more important to me to get this paper back running in the black than to get some stupid little award.

VERN: Huh, uh.

JACK: Huh, uh.

VERN: Huh, uh.

JACK: What have you got there?

VERN: Oh, this? This is just a stupid little invitation for you and guest at the awards banquet next week.

JACK: Oiay, oiay, oiay, er?

VERN: (Teasing Jack, remembering what happened earlier that morning.) And if you're looking for a date, I think my wife will understand.

JACK: Vern.

VERN: Well, I mean I just thought with the little flower this morning and....

JACK: Vern, isn't there some copy that you could be editing?

EXITING JACK'S OFFICE.

SCENE FOUR: JACK IS ALONE IN HIS OFFICE, PRACTICING ASKING JENNIFER OUT ON A DATE.

JACK:

 

 

VERN SECRETLY ENTERS JACKS OFFICE, WITHOUT JACK KNOWING.

VERN: (Kidding Jack) I didn't know you felt that way.

JACK: VERN! Stop sneaking up on me like this.

VERN: Listen, you sent for me.

JACK: I did?

VERN: Yeah.

JACK: Oh. Is that the report I wanted.

VERN: Yes, it's right here.

JACK: Thanks.

VERN: (Teasing Jack for his obvious crush on Jennifer.) You know I've never seen you take such an interest in a cub reporter before, like with Jennifer Horton.

JACK: Vern, that's no big deal. I'm a friend of the family.

VERN: Oh, sure. Since when?

JACK: Look, she's a good kid. She's got a lot of potential. There's nothing wrong with trying to develop that potential.

VERN: Huh, uh. Well, it seems to be working alright. You know when she first came I didn't pay too much attention to her but she certainly is blossoming under your tutelage.

JACK: See, see. I should have been a talent scout. There's a lot more to Jennifer Horton than meets the eye.

VERN: Or a lot more than the rest of us realize.

JACK: (Embarrased by Vern's remarks) Vern, you know I'm sure we're going to miss our deadline if we keep.... keep shooting the breeze like this.

VERN: I'm going. Listen, good luck on your date.

JACK: It's not a date!

VERN LEAVES.

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS DRESSED READY FOR THE FIFTIES NIGHT WITH EMILIO. SHE IS DANCING AROUND THE LOFT WHEN THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.

JACK: (Half grin) No, don't tell me. You always dress like that when you watch Happy Days.

JENNIFER: No. I'm going out somewhere tonight with Emilio.

JACK: Oh, well, I guess I came at a bad time then.

JENNIFER: Ah.... did you want something?

JACK: No, bad timing. You're getting ready to go out with Emilio.

JENNIFER: Well, we're not going out we're just going out, going out. You know we're not going out....

JACK: Ah.... you don't owe me any explanations, really.

JENNIFER: Jack, just come in here if you want to talk to me. I'm just getting ready.

JACK: Look, I don't want to be in the way.

JENNIFER: Look, all I have to do is run up and put some water on my hair and I'll be right back.

JACK: It's really.... it's not imp.... it's not imp....

Jack's Vegas Elvis fantasy; 3 Min; 6.5 Meg

JENNIFER GOES UPSTAIRS AND JACK GOES OVER AND PICKS UP AN OLD 45 RECORD THAT IS SITTING IN A BOX. AS HE DOES SO, THE ELVIS SONG LOVE LETTERS BEGINS TO PLAY. JACK LOOKS THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RECORD,

AND BEGINS TO DREAM ABOUT JENNIFER....

JACK IS DRESSED AS THE VEGAS ELVIS IN A WHITE SKIN TIGHT SUIT WITH SILVER STUDS AND A CAPE. HE HAS LONG SIDEBURNS AND SUNGLASSES. JENNIFER IS FIXING HER HAIR IN THE MIRROR. SHE COMES TOWARDS HIM. JACK IMITATES ELVIS IN SPEECH AND MANNERISMS THROUGHOUT THE FANTASY. THE SONG LOVE LETTERS PLAYS THROUGHOUT THE FANTASY, IT BEGINS WITH A PIANO OPENING:

Love letters straight from your heart,
Keep us so near, while apart .
I'm not alone in the dark,
When I can have all the love that you write.
I memorize every line;
And I kiss the name that you sign;
And darling then I read again right from the start

Love letters straight from your heart.
I memorize every line;
And I kiss the name that you sign.
And darling then I read again right from the start:
Love letters straight from your hear.

JACK: You were expecting maybe.... Wayne Newton.

JENNIFER: No, I was expecting you.

JACK: Disappointed?

JENNIFER: No. Not at all.

SUAVE AND SEDUCTIVELY, HE PICKS UP A MARTINI AND HANDS IT TO HER. SHE TAKES A SIP AND THEN HE DRINKS FROM THE SAME GLASS.

JACK: Want to dance?

HE BEGINS TO GENTLY SWAY HIS HIPS AND THEN TAKES HER HAND AND SWINGS HER CLOSE. SHE SWOONS AS SHE PULLS HIS SILK SCARF AROUND HER NECK. THEY DANCE AND HE CARESSES HER FACE.

SHE THEN CARESSES HIS FACE. HE BENDS DOWN AND KISSES HER GENTLY AS SHE SWOONS AGAIN. HE LOOKS UP AT THE CAMERA.

JACK: (With a sly expression.) You're beautiful. Don't ever change.

THE SONG ENDS ALONG WITH JACK'S FANTASY. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. JENNIFER IS NOW IN THE ROOM.

JENNIFER: Oh, Jack, I'll be right back. I'll just get the door and then I'll talk to you in one second, alright.

IT IS EMILIO. HE IS WEARING BLACK LEATHER, AND A BLACK LEATHER CAP, WITH HIS HAIR TIED BACK. HE LOOKS STRAIGHT OUT OF A LEATHER BAR, RATHER THAN A JAMES DEAN TYPE ANTI-HERO.

JENNIFER: Yeah, we're still on. Why else would I be dressed like this. He just came over to ask me something. What is it that you wanted Jack? (Beat) (To Emilio) Those are the records right. Jack what is it that you wanted?

JACK: (Shaken from his fantasy.) Nothing. Nothing at all. Here, you kids have a fabulous time tonight and don't keep her out too late.

EMILIO: What are you, her dad?

JACK: Mr. Dad to you.

JENNIFER: Jack, are you sure?

JACK: (Trying to be cool, so as not to reveal his disappointment.) I was born sure.

EMILIO: See you round, Daddio.

JENNIFER: Jack I'll see you at the office alright?

JACK WALKS OUT AND SHUTS THE DOOR AS THE LAST VERSE OF LOVE LETTERS PLAYS IN HIS MIND. HE TAKES THE INVITATION OUT OF HIS POCKET AND TEARS IT UP. DEJECTED.

SCENE ONE: JACK ARRIVES AT WORK.

JACK: Vern.

VERN: I was waiting for you to come in this morning.

JACK: Oh, really. Do you have something that you want me to sign?

VERN: No, not this time. I need your opinion about who to send over to cover the Journalism Awards tonight.

JACK: Nobody.

VERN: Oh, come on Jack.

VERN WATCHES JACK STIR HIS COFFEE WITH A RULER.

JACK: Trembling, yes, trembling

VERN: Well, it's understandable. I mean it's a prestigious award, grand affair.

JACK: Bad speeches on a bad PA system. Vern, I have tried my hand at the political circuit, thank you very much.

JENNIFER WALKS IN.

VERN: Oh, but Jack you've earned it.

JACK: Vern forget about it.

VERN WALKS AWAY AND JACK GOES INTO HIS OFFICE. JENNIFER FOLLOWS.

JENNIFER: Jack?

SHE LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN AND KNOCKS.

JENNIFER: I'm not going to be around later. It's my day off remember?

JACK LOOKS UP AT HER BARE MIDRIFF.

JENNIFER: I came here to pick up my pay check.

JACK: Just started signing them.

JENNIFER: Well, I'll wait here till you're done, if that's alright?

JACK: (Enjoying the view.) Suit yourself. No pun intended.

JENNIFER: Jack, how come you didn't tell anyone about the award nomination?

JACK: Nothing to tell.

JENNIFER: Oh, come on. You can't tell me that you aren't excited?

JACK: Alright, I can't tell you.

JENNIFER: Jack, I can't believe you. I would give anything just to go to that ceremony.

JACK: Oh, you would, would you?

JENNIFER: Yeah, I mean you might win.

JACK: Might.

JENNIFER: I mean to be nominated is an honor but if you won that would be great. I can't even think of anything more exciting than that Jack.

EMILIO COMES IN. JACK IS YET AGAIN THWARTED IN HIS PLANS OF ASKING JENNIFER TO THE AWARDS. DEFEATED. EMILIO IS IN SHORTS, AND HIS USUAL ATTIRE OF A BODY-SHIRT/TANK TOP.

JACK: Excuse me?

EMILIO: Hey, no problem. Don't worry about it. Listen let's get out of here. I'm double parked and don't forget the check, alright.

JENNIFER: I'm going to get my check in a minute. Jack, I want to talk to you about....

JACK: It's finished. As of right now. Signed, sealed and delivered. You two kids have a good time at the beach. Watch out for that undertow.

JENNIFER: Jack, what about the award ceremony?

JACK: What about it?

JACK HAS LOST WHATEVER CONFIDENCE HE HAD. HE PRETENDS THE NOMINATION MEANS NOTHING, TO HIDE HIS DISAPPOINTMENT.

EMILIO: Good, now let's get out of here.

JENNIFER: Alright, alright. Congratulations Jack.

JACK: (Pretending he does not know what she is talking about.) About.... what?

JENNIFER: Nothing. I'll see you tomorrow.

EMILIO: And if I don't see you tomorrow.... so what!

STRUTTING OFF, SMUG THAT HE HAS PULLED ONE OVER ON "DEVERAUX" BY GOING OUT WITH JENNIFER, EMILIO SHUTS THE DOOR.

JACK: I hope that undertow sucks you to China!

SCENE TWO: JACK IS STILL WRITING CHECKS IN HIS OFFICE WHEN VERN COMES IN.

JACK: Vern are you trying to put a hole in my jacket or make a point?

VERN: (Frustrated with Jack.) Look the point is, you have been nominated for a high profile award. Now, I have no idea how that happened but it's exactly the shot in the arm that circulation can use not to mention what it can do for morale.

JACK: Oh, are you saying that people have been jumping up and down all morning, right?

VERN: That's right. Some of us have. Look, this is not just about you, Jack, it's about the paper. It's about all of us, the reporters, the office staff and yes, even that little intern Jennifer. Now if you're going to represent The Spectator, it's an obligation to the people that work for us to play this thing up for everything it's worth.

JACK: Finished?

VERN: Ah, I've said all I have to say.

JACK: Good. I'm out of here. (Beat) Oh, Vern, wish me luck tonight.

VERN: Of course I wish you luck.

JACK LEAVES.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE JENNIFER AND EMILIO GO TO THE BEACH. SHE IS DISTRACTED ALL DAY, THINKING OF JACK. SHE KEEPS WONDERING WHY JACK DOES NOT WANT TO GO TO THE AWARDS. EMILIO IS SICK OF THE WAY EVERY CONVERSATION THEY HAVE INVOLVES JACK. HE GETS ANNOYED AND TURNS ON THE RADIO. EMILIO THROUGHOUT TRIES TO GET CLOSE TO JENNIFER, BUT SHE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE INTERESTED, SHE STILL IS PREOCCUPIED WITH THOUGHTS OF JACK. HE TELLS JENNIFER TO CHANGE THE RADIO STATION. SHE DOES. AN ANNOUNCEMENT COMES ON ABOUT THE FERRARO AWARDS, EMILIO WANTS HER TO CHANGE THE STATION, BUT JUST THEN THE ANNOUNCER MENTIONS THAT JACK DEVERAUX IS ONE OF THE NOMINEES AND THAT HE IS ATTENDING THE CEREMONY. JENNIFER SUDDENLY DECIDES THAT SHE HAS TO BE THERE FOR JACK. SHE RUNS OFF; EMILIO IS LEFT LYING ON THE BEACH, ALONE, AND FRUSTRATED.

SCENE FOUR: LATER THAT EVENING, THE FERRARO AWARDS ARE BEING PRESENTED IN THE PARK. JACK IS LATE AND RUNS TO HIS SEAT, JUST AS THE WINNER IS TO BE ANOUNCED.

Jack wins the Ferraro Award, Jennifer watches; 2:10 Min; 4.8 Meg

THE CROWD APPLAUDS JACK; JACK LOOKS SURPRISED.

HE GOES UP TO MAKE HIS ACCEPTANCE SPEECH.

MC MR. DUNNE: Congratulations.

JENNIFER ARRIVES AND JACK SEES HER. HIS FACE LIGHTS UP AND SHE GRINS AND WAVES TO HIM. THROUGHOUT HIS SPEECH ALTHOUGH HE SPEAKS IN GENERAL, REFERRING TO ALL THE SPECTATOR STAFF, HE REALLY IS REFERRING *SOLELY* TO JENNIFER. JENNIFER BLUSHES. SHE TOO SEEMS TO REALIZE WHAT HE IS TRYING TO SAY AND THAT HE IS REFERRING TO HER. SHE BEAMS WITH PRIDE FOR AND AT JACK. JACK BLUSHES, AND BEAMS THAT JENNIFER IS THERE FOR HIM.

JACK: (Outloud) Jennifer? Jennifer!

WHEN HE INTRODUCES HER SHE BLUSHES, AND GRINS.

JENNIFER: (Mouthing the words to Jack. Full of pride for Jack.) You're welcome.

THERE IS HUGE APPLAUSE FROM EVERYONE.

SCENE FIVE: AFTER THE AWARDS, JACK IS MINGLING WITH THE CROWD.

JACK: Thank you, thanks.

MAN: Hey, you call me.

JACK: I will. (Admiring his award) Well, at least they got the name right.

JENNIFER: (Walking up behind him) He's right you know.

JACK: Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Jack, I am so happy for you (throws her arms around him).

JACK: (Rubbing her lipstick from his cheek, and trying to act nonchalant.) Jennifer. Jennifer. Look I told you not to stick around here.

JENNIFER: Jack, you won!

JACK: I'll tell you something. I couldn't get a buck and half for this thing at any pawn shop in town.

JENNIFER: Okay, you're right.

JACK: Hell of a way to spend the rest of your day off, huh?

JENNIFER: Actually, it was. (Beat) You almost lost it up there, Jack.

JACK: What, over this? Oh, come on.

JENNIFER: You know you're really starting to turn things around. I almost think I'm proud of you.

JACK: (Very pleased) Oh, yeah.

JENNIFER: Yep. You'll see, before you know it, you'll be a leader of this community.

JACK: I thought I was a leader in the community.

JENNIFER: I mean a real leader. Things are going to get better and better for Jack, you'll see.

JACK: You really think so.

JENNIFER: You bet I do.

JACK: So, what happens now? You hit me up for a raise?

SHE GIVES HIM A BIG HUG.

JENNIFER (CONT.): Really proud.

JACK: The moral. Look Jennifer, like I said up there. I don't know what to say.

THEY CONTINUE TO ENJOY THEIR TENDER MOMENT TOGETHER. OBVIOUSLY EACH MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO THE OTHER MORE THAN EITHER WOULD ADMIT OR EVEN REALIZE.