SCENE ONE: JACK IS IN HOSPITAL. HE IS UNCONSCIOUS AND JENNIFER IS WAITING BY HIS BEDSIDE.

HE STIRS.

JENNIFER: Jack, Jack?

JACK: (Weakly) Yeah.

JENNIFER: Jack, it's Jennifer. Jack, can you hear me?

MIKE COMES IN WITH JACK'S RESULTS.

MIKE: Hi.

JENNIFER: Hi Mike, how is he?

MIKE: For somebody who's gone a couple of rounds with the Stingrays, not so bad. But for anybody else, not so good.

JENNIFER: Is he going to be okay?

MIKE: Well, he's got a concussion probably and some broken ribs. We won't know for sure until we run some tests.

JENNIFER: Well, will you do that soon?

MIKE: As soon as I can, Squirt.

JENNIFER: Oh good, that's a relief.

MIKE: So how come you don't look relieved? How come you look worried?

JENNIFER: Emilio.

MIKE: What about him?

JENNIFER: He was with the Stingrays when they jumped Jack.

MIKE: What do you mean? I thought he quit the gang.

JENNIFER: I was there. I saw him.

MIKE TELLS JENNIFER THAT SHE SHOULD GO HOME AND HE WILL CALL HER WHEN JACK WAKES UP BUT SHE IS DETERMINED TO STAY. AS THEY ARE TALKING JACK STIRS.

JACK: Oooooh....

JENNIFER: Mike.... (Hearing Jack)  Jack. Jack are you alright?

JACK: Oh, where am I?

JENNIFER: You're in the hospital.

JACK: In the hospital? What am I.... what am I (He attempts to sit up.) ooooh, oh, oh, oh.

MIKE: Jack, Jack,  take it easy. You've been out of it for a few days. Here come on, do me a favor. Look straight ahead, alright.

JACK: This way? Alright.

MIKE EXAMINES JACK'S EYES.

MIKE: Well, your retinas are clear.

JACK: Is that good?

MIKE: That's definitely good. But you've got a concussion, Jack, and we have to take some x-rays a little bit later. I want you to sit forward a bit. Just roll easy.

JACK: Oh, oh, oh.

MIKE: Easy does it.

JENNIFER: (To Jack) Careful.

HE SLOWLY SITS FORWARD WITH HIS BACK TO MIKE AND FACING JENNIFER. HE IS WEARING A HOSPITAL GOWN.

JACK: Don't look Jennifer, close your eyes.

JENNIFER: (Smiling) Jack.

JACK: Ah, oh, oh.

MIKE: I want to check your kidneys out. I'm worried about them. Do you feel any pain there?

JACK: No, not there but over he.... here.

MIKE: Jack, Jack, you have a couple of broken ribs buddy. Relax.

JACK: Ribs? Broken ribs? What ha....

JENNIFER: Jack, don't you remember what happened last night?

JACK: I was on the pier. I was talking to these guys and they.... they jumped me. I almost got em but they outnumbered me.

JENNIFER: Jack, they're just a bunch of cowards.

MIKE: They'll get what's coming to them.

JENNIFER: Yeah, well not unless they're caught. Would you recognize them if you saw them again?

JACK: Ah.... I... I.... I can't remember.

JENNIFER: You will. Just try. Just think!

MIKE: Jennifer!

JACK: I.... I.... don.... I want to remember. I really do. I just can't (remembering something).... Emilio!

JENNIFER LOOKS CONCERNED.

MIKE: What about him?

JACK: Emilio. He was there. I.... (Turning to Mike) I saw him looking up at me.

THE SHOT PANS TO THE DOOR, EMILIO IS NERVOUSLY PEERING INTO THE ROOM.

JACK: (Cont.) He was there.

SCENE TWO: JACK HAS JUST REMEMBERED EMILIO WAS THERE DURING THE ASSAULT.  EMILIO CONTINUES TO PEER INTO HIS ROOM.

MIKE: Well, can I get you anything Jack?

JACK: Water on the rocks.

MIKE: Okay, I'll get a nurse to get it.

JENNIFER LOOKS UP AND SEE EMILIO LOOKING THROUGH THE DOOR.

JENNIFER: I'll get it. I'll get the water.

SHE STARTS TO RUSH OUT THE DOOR.

MIKE: Jen, what's the matter?

JENNIFER: Nothing. Nothing's the matter. Jack I'm glad that you're feeling better. Um, try and get some rest okay.

JACK: Sure.

JACK GIVES THE THUMBS UP SIGN AND BOTH HE AND MIKE STARE AT THE DOOR AS SHE LEAVES.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER GOES OUT AND TALKS TO EMILIO AND ASKS HIM WHY HE IS THERE. HE SAYS THAT HER BOY LOOKS LIKE HE IS DOING ALRIGHT. SHE TELLS HIM TO GO BACK TO HIS GANG. HE EXPLAINS THAT JACK WAS IN TROUBLE WHEN HE ARRIVED AND THAT HE TRIED TO WARN HIM. HE REFUSES TO APOLOGIZE TO JACK FOR NOT STOPPING THE ASSAULT. SHE INSISTS THAT HE TALK TO JACK.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE JACK IS HAVING FLASHBACKS OF EMILIO PROTECTING HIM ON THE PIER. EMILIO GOES IN TO SEE HIM.

EMILIO: Hi Bro.

JACK: (In pain) Ah, oh. What are you doing here?

EMILIO: Listen about last night. I'd like to....

JACK: No need to explain. You hate to leave a job undone so you came in here to finish me off.

EMILIO: Look, I know you're hurt pretty bad but you got to realize that I didn't do this to you.

JACK: You were there.

EMILIO: Yeah, yeah, you saw me?

JACK: I.... saw you there.

EMILIO: Yeah, that was after the fight. After you got beat up. You see I was the one who stopped it. You remember that?

JACK: (Thinking) Aaaaaah.... No! Sorry.

EMILIO: Well, then you'll have to say you don't know if I was involved.

JACK: I will?

EMILIO: What's that supposed to mean? What are you trying to say?

JACK: All I'm saying is even if I don't remember, Jennifer does! She saw you there and as far as she is concerned you were involved with the rest of the group so I'm inclined to go along with her good judgment.

EMILIO: Look, dammit it Deveraux, think about it. Okay, think about it. Close your eyes. Think back.

JACK: Huh.

EMILIO: You're getting beat up and you know, the guy was ready to stab you and I grabbed him. You remember that?

JACK: Oh.... no! (Beat) Look, how could I ever believe that you would want to save my life?

EMILIO: Look, as rotten as you are, I don't know myself.

JACK: Then why should I think of you as my South of the Border Savior huh?

EMILIO: Don't give a damn what you think of me. You get one thing straight. I did not do this to you.

JACK: Whatever you did, it doesn't matter. You're going to prison, ten years hard labor.

EMILIO: Dammit Deveraux, I should let them cut you to pieces alright!

AS HE IS TALKING JENNIFER AND ABE COME IN THE ROOM.

JENNIFER: Jack, what's going on? Is everything alright?

JACK: (Fake) Cough, cough.

EMILIO: Nothing. Nothing's going on.

JENNIFER: Are you sure? We heard shouting.

JACK GIVES EMILIO THE LOOK OF A WINNER.

EMILIO: I'm going.

ABE: No, no, no. You're going to hold on here. I may need to talk to you after I'm finished with Mr. Deveraux.

JACK AND EMILIO EYE EACH OTHER UP AND JACK KNOWS HE IS IN THE CONTROLLING POSITION. EMILIO WAITS OUTSIDE.

ABE: So are you up to answering a few questions?

JACK: Fire away!

SCENE FIVE: ABE HAS SHOWED UP TO QUESTION JACK ABOUT HIS ATTACK.

ABE: Now Jack, we are going to need an identification from you as the victim if any of this gang is going to be charged much less convicted.

JACK: I realize that but like I told you before, they jumped me from behind and all I remember is the whole group of people.

ABE: So, you have no idea who they were?

JACK: Ah.... Lieutenant, I'm not the most popular guy in this town. If we sat down together to make a list of people who want to do me bodily harm it'd stretch from here to (trying to imitate a Bostonian accent) Bah Hahabah.

ABE: Yeah, okay, well let's just start with last night. Now you're sure that you don't have any idea who your attackers were?

JACK: Ah.... do you mean did I know them?

ABE: No, I mean did you see their faces?

JACK: Ah.... (He looks across at Jennifer.) ah.... um.... no I didn't.

ABE: You don't sound too sure.

JACK: The only thing I'm sure about is that they kicked me and they beat me and they jumped on me and everything else from there was just a blur and I think the best thing to do would be to forget the whole thing.

ABE: Why?

JACK: I just think it would be the best thing for everyone.

ABE: (Abe looks at Jack and then at Jennifer.) You know who did this don't you? I mean, you saw them.

JACK: I got a pretty good idea but I don't want to press charges.

ABE: Come on Jack. These guys made hamburger out of you.

JACK: I know that. But.... ah....

ABE LOOKS ACROSS AT JENNIFER AGAIN.

ABE: Alright, who are you covering for?

JACK: Cover, me? What do you mean, cover?

ABE: Emilio Ramirez was there, wasn't he?

JACK: Ah.... you.... um.... Emilio told me he never laid a hand on me.

JACK: I do.... I don't have much choice do I?

ABE: Alright Jack, if that's the way you want it. Let me tell you something, next time, you be straight with me.

ABE LEAVES AND JENNIFER COMES OVER AND SITS NEXT TO JACK AND LOOKS AT HIM.

JACK: What?

JACK: It's no big deal, right?

SHE TAKES HIS HAND IN HERS.

JENNIFER: You know it is. So do I Jack Deveraux. So do I.

SCENE SIX: JENNIFER GOES OUTSIDE AND TELLS EMILIO THAT JACK CLEARED HIM. SHE SAID SHE WISHED THAT EMILIO HAD CHANGED AS MUCH AS JACK OBVIOUSLY HAS. JACK IS WHEELED OUT OF HIS ROOM IN A WHEELCHAIR.

JACK: That's what I've been saying for months now. If you'd just listen. You kids never listen to me.

JENNIFER: Don't you treat this like a joke!

JACK: Well, I'm just trying to inject a little bit of perspective here.

JENNIFER: You are as much to blame for this as anybody else and if you think I've forgotten that, think again Jack.

EMILIO: Ha.

JACK: We can get on with this discussion later but I need to get to x-ray.

JENNIFER: You wouldn't even be here right now if you hadn't written that article.

JACK: I'm just doing my job.

JENNIFER: That wasn't doing your job. You knew that article would hurt people and make trouble. You wanted it to Jack.

JACK: Jennifer, I'm a journalist. We look for trouble.

EMILIO: Save it my man, the lady has got your number. She's got you nailed every which way but loose. Hee, hee, hee.

JENNIFER: What are you smiling about?

EMILIO: Well, you're ripping on someone else for a change. But I guess it's my turn, so go ahead, rip away.

JENNIFER: I've said everything I wanted to say. You know something, you two deserve each other.

JENNIFER WALKS AWAY FROM BOTH OF THEM IN DISGUST. JACK ROLLS HIS EYES AS EMILIO CHUCKLES AT HIM.

EMILIO: So why did you do it?

JACK: Do what?

EMILIO: Well, we both know that if you would have told the cops that I had of hit you, that they probably would have believed you.

JACK: I know.

EMILIO: So, why did you let me off, uh?

JACK: You have to look a gift horse in the mouth, huh?

EMILIO: With you, every time.

EMILIO: Oh, okay, let's hear them.

JACK: In due time Emilio. In due time.

THE NURSE BEGINS TO PUSH JACK TO X-RAY.

SCENE ONE: JACK IS STILL IN HOSPITAL, READING THE SPECATOR  AND AN ARTICLE ON STEVE, "STEVE JOHNSON: SALEM'S NEW HERO.

JACK: (Talking outloud) Weellll, the lettering in the byline could have been a little bigger.

HE HEARS SOMEONE OPENING THE DOOR, JACK THINKS IT IS ANOTHER NURSE, HE DOES NOT LOOK UP, AND CONTINUES TO READ THE COLUMN ABOUT STEVE.

JACK: If it's another pill, I don't want it!

IT IS THE LEADER OF THE STINGRAYS, SANTOS; HE ENTERS JACK'S ROOM.

SANTOS: Who asked you what you want, fool!

JACK:  (Putting down the paper and looking at Santos) Well, Mr. Santos, this is a surprise.

SANTOS: That's right! I figured it was time to check you out of here, for good.

HE PULLS A KNIFE ON JACK.

JACK: Like I said, this is a surprise.

JACK PULLS OUT A GUN AND POINTS IT AT SANTOS.

SANTOS: Hey!

JACK: Let's see, rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper. And a gun beats a knife.

JENNIFER COMES IN THE ROOM.

JENNIFER: Jack, I just came by to pick up....

SHE STOPS WHEN SHE SEES JACK WITH A GUN AND SANTOS WITH A KNIFE.

JACK: Jennifer, get out of here.

JENNIFER: Jack, what is it that going on?

SANTOS: Come in here Little Miss Uptown, water's fine.

JACK: Take one step and your brains will be decorating the walls behind you.

SANTOS: I don't think you got the guts.

JACK: I don't need the guts, I got the gun, fool.

SANTOS FOLDS UP HIS KNIFE.

SANTOS: You think you're a big man now don't you? Wait till next time, I won't come alone. And I'm not going to stop until you are in so many pieces ain't nobody going to be able to put you back together.

HE RUSHES OUT THE DOOR PAST JENNIFER.

JACK: And stay out.

JACK PUTS THE GUN ON HIS TABLE.

Jack shows Jennifer his gag gifts from Vern; 2 Min; 4.2 Meg

JACK: Jennifer, what can I do for you?

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: Is something wrong?

JENNIFER: Are you serious Jack? That guy had a knife the size of a yardstick.

JACK: I know. Pretty gaudy wasn't it?

JENNIFER: What, he could have killed you and he would have if I.... since when do you carry a gun?

JACK: Oh, since this morning.

JENNIFER: Jack, you are in a hospital. How could you have possibly gotten a gun?

JACK: From our mutual friend, Vern.

JENNIFER: Vern! Vern! Vern Scofield.

JACK: Yes. Vern, Vern, Vern Scofield. Not only is he a great editor, he also happens to be a merry prankster.

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: Vern made sure that I had everything that the best dressed patients are sporting this year. Watch this!

JACK BEGINS TO PULL OUT STUFF FROM UNDER THE SHEET.

FIRST IS A SET OF WAX DRACULA TEETH WHICH HE PUTS IN HIS MOUTH.

JACK: And it gets better. I've got itching powder. I've got a little drool cup. And my personal favorite.

HE PRODUCES A SET OF WIND UP CHATTERING TEETH WHICH HE SETS CHOMPING ALONG HIS BED TABLE.

JACK: What do you think?

JENNIFER: You're telling me this gun came from a novelty store?

JACK: Oh, yes it did. But it is loaded. (Laughing)

HE BEGINS TO SQUIRT HER WITH HIS GUN LOOKING WATER PISTOL. SHE PUSHES IT AWAY AND IS ANGRY AT HIS TRYING TO MAKE SO LIGHT OF THE SITUATION.

JACK: Don't tell Mr. Santos. I don't think he'd appreciate our brand of humor.

HE SQUIRTS HER AGAIN AND SHE IS NOT AMUSED.

JACK: What's wrong?

JENNIFER: Don't pretend that you don't know.

JACK: I don't.

JENNIFER: Jack, he could have killed you.

JACK: Well, at least he would have gotten wet.

JENNIFER IS ALMOST CRYING AND IS UPSET BECAUSE JACK IS TRYING TO TREAT IT ALL AS A JOKE.

JENNIFER: Don't make a joke out of this. You heard what he said. The Stingrays never quit. They are not satisfied until they get revenge.

JACK: Jennifer, we all have to go sometime.

JENNIFER: This is not funny. I want to know what you're going to do about it.

JACK: What am I going to do? I'm going to be so busy scratching and dribbling and whooping it up that I won't have time to do anything. But I'll tell you one thing, I will go laughing.

HE BEGINS THE TEETH CHATTERING AGAIN AND SHE STOPS THEM.

JENNIFER: Oh, that's just great. You just get yourself killed. Well don't expect me to sit around here and watch.

SHE STORMS OUT OF HIS ROOM. HE LOOKS AT THE WIND-UP TEETH.

JACK: Alas, poor Yorrick, methinks she was concerned (He grins with delight.).

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER MEETS EMILIO ON THE PIER AND SHE TELLS HIM THAT SANTOS CAME TO SEE JACK WITH A KNIFE. SHE SAYS SHE IS VERY WORRIED ABOUT JACK BECAUSE HE CANNOT DEFEND HIMSELF AGAINST A GANG. EMILIO SEES HER CONCERN AND RUNS OFF TO TAKE CARE OF SOMETHING.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE JO VISITS STEVE AND KAYLA.

JO: Let's talk about your brother.

STEVE: Oh that's a sparky subject.

JO: He's in the hospital. Jack is in the hospital.

KAYLA: What?

STEVE: What?

JO: I don't know, some gang, the Stingrays, they jumped him.

STEVE: Those punks. Is he alright?

JO: The doctor says he has three broken ribs, bruises and cuts and possible mild concussion and possible kidney trouble.

STEVE: But what did they say? Is he going to be alright?

JO: I don't know. I hope so.

STEVE: I gotta go.

KAYLA: Where?

STEVE: I don't know. Just out.

STEVE GRABS HIS COAT AND WALKS OUT.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE JACK IS SITTING IN BED WITH BLACK SOCKS ON HIS FEET. HE IS FIRING THE WATER PISTOL AT THEM.

JACK: Make my day!

EMILIO COMES IN WITHOUT KNOCKING AND SEES HIM.

EMILIO: Deveraux, you are out of your league messing with the Stingrays.

EMILIO LOOKS AT JACK WITH A HALF SMILE.

EMILIO: Now the way I see it is you've got one way of getting out of this with your head attached to your shoulders.

JACK: Oh really! Perhaps you'll enlighten me to that.

EMILIO: I'm going to be your body guard.

JACK: Excuse me!

EMILIO: You heard me man. You need my protection.

JACK: You're going to protect me?

EMILIO: (Leaning in close.) That's right.

JACK: Well thank you Emilio. I'm sure I can protect myself.

EMILIO: Yes sir, you are in good shape.

EMILIO DIGS HIS FINGER INTO JACK'S BROKEN RIBS.

JACK: Aaargh, ooooh. Stupid son of a b....

EMILIO: Hey, watch your mouth or I'll make you double my salary.

JACK: Your what?

EMILIO: You don't think I'm going to drive you for free. Do you amigo?

JACK: No. I don't think you're going to guard me at all. Amigo!

EMILIO: Okay. Have it your way. Just stay away from Jennifer.

JACK: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. I thought you were supposed to be concerned about guarding my body?

EMILIO: Listen, Santos can put you in a blender for all I care but I don't want him going after you when Jennifer's around so just stay away from her.

JACK: It's not that simple. We work together.

EMILIO: So, take a vacation.

JACK: Oh, take a hike.

EMILIO: Take a choice. Either stay away from Jennifer or I'm your bodyguard.

JACK: (Laughing) You're not serious.

EMILIO: (Laughing) Yes, I am.

JACK: (Still laughing) Well, go be serious somewhere else. You're making me laugh.

EMILIO WALKS OUT AND JACK CONTINUES TO LAUGH UNTIL HE HAS GONE THEN HIS FACE TURNS SERIOUS.

JACK: And it hurts when I laugh.

SCENE FIVE: A SHORT TIME LATER THE NURSE BRINGS IN JACK'S FOOD. HE LIFTS THE COVER AND PUTS IT STRAIGHT BACK ON.

JACK: Forget it.

NURSE: Mr. Deveraux, Dr. Horton said you have to eat your....

JACK: .... food. Food, Yes, food. Not that. If you run across anything edible give me a holler. In the meantime you know what you can do with that.

 

STEVE IS LEANING ON THE DOOR WATCHING JACK WITH THE NURSE. SHE WALKS OUT WITH THE TRAY.

JACK: Thank you.

STEVE PUTS HIS HARMONICA IN HIS MOUTH AND BLOWS A CHORD AS HE SLOWLY APPLAUDS.

STEVE: I see you're winning friends everywhere you go.

JACK: (Smiling) What can I say? It's in the blood.

STEVE WALKS UP CLOSE AND STARES AT JACK.

JACK: Well, don't keep me in suspense. What do you want?

STEVE: I heard my baby brother got rolled. I came to check out the damage for myself.

JACK: (Grinning) Don't look too concerned.

STEVE: Well, it's my kidney.

JACK: It'll live.

STEVE: Jackson, don't you ever learn, dude? I mean first it was politics and now it's the stupid newspaper. Somebody always ends up black and blue when you're around.

JACK: As long as it's me and not you I don't see why you're complaining.

STEVE: Jo doesn't like it too much.

JACK: Well, there's not much we can do about that, is there?

STEVE: You can keep your stupid self out of trouble.

JACK: Believe it or not Steve, I didn't go out looking to get my face rearranged by the Stingrays. I mean I may be a lot of things, but a masochist I am not.

STEVE: You're a damn fool. That's what you are.

JACK: Don't think that you're the first person to point that out. Maybe I can do the same thing for you. Let me point you in the general direction of the nearest exit.

STEVE: I don't want to leave yet.

HE WALKS BEHIND THE BED AND BEGINS TO PLAY THE HARMONICA AGAIN.

JACK: Oh, I forgot! There's a lecture coming, isn't there? Or should I say a sermon? You know I'm really sorry I missed your act out at the revival tent. I'm sure it was really something.

STEVE: It was.

JACK: Hmmm. I bet you were really playing those games and....

STEVE: It wasn't a game Jackson. People's lives were at stake. People's lives were lost.

JACK LOOKS ASHAMED AT WHAT HE JUST SAID.

Steve acts strangely; 3 Min; 6.4 Meg

JACK: So, what are you here for?

STEVE: I told you I came to check you out, see if you're doing alright.

JACK: No. You're here to argue with me.

STEVE: Think what you like.

JACK: (Chuckle) I think that for some reason, you're feeling your old nasty self. But because you're the Patron Saint of Salem, you can only let that out to a few people. Few are called but I am chosen.

STEVE: You're crazy.

JACK: Crazy, but true.

STEVE: What if I told you I was here just to be nice to you?

JACK: Nah! No, you know Steve, besides being a kind of lightning rod for the baser emotions in Salem I'm also a pretty perceptive guy.

STEVE: Is that so?

JACK: Yeah. If you really are being nice to me, what did you think of my article?

STEVE: What article?

JACK: Oh, I don't know. The one on the front page with the big glowing testimonial. Ring any bells?

STEVE: Yeah, I saw that.

JACK: And?

STEVE: You didn't write that.

JACK: Oooh I hate.... I hate to disappoint you (motioning with his ands and fingers but with these two hands. Now what did you think?

STEVE: I thought it was alright.

JACK: I'll try not to let that go to my head.

STEVE: Jack, you can't.... you can't change the past.

JACK: I know that.

STEVE: I'd like to think that people can get beyond it.

STEVE: Just in general.

JACK: Alright. If we are talking about people.... do you think that people.... in general.... can ever forget their past? I mean we'd certainly like to believe we can get over the things that we've done, even if they are bad. But will they let us forget? My experience says, no. They won't. It's kinda like being hooked up to this machine that keeps you breathing and living forever and ever. Well, answer the question?

STEVE: What question?

JACK: Do you think that people can forget and get past their past?

STEVE: I'd like to believe that they can.

JACK: But?

STEVE: I don't know. (Beat) I gotta go.

STEVE WALKS TO THE DOOR.

JACK: (Jack seems concerned) Hey! Are you alright?

JACK LOOKS STEVE IN THE EYE AND STEVE LOOKS BACK, REALIZING HOW PERCEPTIVE JACK REALLY IS.

STEVE LEAVES AND JACK THINKS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED, HE SEEMS SINCERELY CONCERNED FOR HIS BROTHER.

SCENE SIX: EMILIO FINDS JENNIFER ON THE PIER AND HE TELLS HER THAT HE OFFERED TO BE JACK'S BODYGUARD AND THAT JACK REFUSED. JENNIFER IS SURPRISED THAT EMILIO WANTS TO PROTECT JACK BUT EMILIO SAID IT WAS ONE WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE DID NOT BLAME HIM EVERYTIME JACK GETS HURT. JENNIFER DECIDES THAT JACK DOES NEED A BODYGUARD WHEN SHE THINKS BACK ON SANTOS' THREAT.

SCENE SEVEN: SHE GOES BACK TO THE HOSPITAL WITH EMILIO.

JACK: Oh goodie, more visitors. And repeating customers yet.

JENNIFER: Jack I want to talk to you and I don't want to hear one word out of you until I'm finished.

EMILIO: So, in other words, Shut Up!

JENNIFER: I don't want to hear out of you either.

JACK: Who does?

EMILIO: Hey!

JENNIFER: Jack, I want you to let Emilio be your bodyguard.

JACK: I'm sorry I already told him no.

JENNIFER: I don't care. I know that you two don't like each other. So what? Your life is more important.

JACK: Not that it's up for grabs but I'm sure that I can take care of myself.

JENNIFER: Look, if you going to tell me you can take care of yourself, don't bother because you're wrong, you can't. And I know your too proud to ask for help but you don't have to because Emilio is offering. If you're stupid enough to turn down this offer Jack, I will per.... I will....

JACK: You'll what?

JENNIFER: It doesn't matter because you're not going to turn him down.

JACK: Oh, really!

JENNIFER: Yes, really. And if you want to fight about it you better get ready to keep going on all night because I'm not going to give in until you give in.

JACK: Well, it could get a little crowded but I can live with it.

EMILIO: And if she stays.... so do I.

JACK: Tell me, if I accept this proposal does that mean that you work for me?

EMILIO: Well, that's the idea here.

JACK: Let's make a deal.

JENNIFER: You're not just saying that?

JACK: Oh, no, no, no, no. Welcome to the payroll amigo. As you know, I am an equal opportunity employer. However, I do have a few little house rules.

SCENE EIGHT: A SHORT TIME LATER WE GO BACK TO JACK WHO IS LAYING OUT RULES FOR EMILIO WHO IS PACING UP AND DOWN THE ROOM.

JACK: .... no ghetto blasting and I do get the final say on what your guard uniform is.

EMILIO: Is that it?

JACK: For now.

EMILIO: Are you sure? Because I think there is still some oxygen in the room.

JACK: Wait! No attempts at humor.

EMILIO: Hey, man! Do you want me to quit before I start?

JACK: Look, this was your idea. If you want me to go along with it you have to play it my way. Now run along outside and guard the perimeter and we'll rendezvous in say 0200 hours.

EMILIO SLOWLY BEGINS TO WALK OUTSIDE.

JACK: Remember, no break dancing.

EMILIO WAITS OUTSIDE.

JENNIFER: You're really enjoying this, aren't you Jack?

JACK: I'm enjoying everything I can to keep from laughing out loud.

JENNIFER: Why? Feel free.

JACK: I can't. It hurts.

JENNIFER: Oh, your ribs.

JACK: It feels like somebody's been kicking me with steel toed boots.

JENNIFER: You know it's going to be a while until you're feeling better Jack.

JACK: Don't remind me.

JENNIFER: Well, what are you going to do when you get out of here? Where are you going to go?

JACK: Simple. I'll go home.

JENNIFER: You can't go home alone. Not when you're like this Jack.

JACK: I.... I.... I can handle it.

JENNIFER: No you can't, not by yourself.

JACK: Jennifer, I....

JENNIFER: Jack why don't you come stay with me?

JACK: Wh...what do you mean? (Pointing) In your apartment?

JENNIFER: Yes, yes. I have a spare room and you need somebody to keep an eye on you.

JACK NOTICES THAT EMILIO IS LISTENING AT THE DOOR.

JACK: And you're sure you wouldn't mind...that?

JENNIFER: No, of course not.

JACK: Well, if you're sure then it'll probably work. You and me and...

JENNIFER: And Emilio. He'll be there too.

JACK: Oh right, right, right. Right!

EMILIO: Sounds real nice boss man. Me, you, Jennifer, all under one little roof. Boy, it's gonna be cozy ain't it?

JACK: This was your idea wasn't it?

EMILIO: And a good one I might add.

EMILIO RAPS HIS ARMS AROUND JENNIFER AND JACK.

EMILIO: Me and you, the three of us. I'm gonna love this job.

JACK: Yeah! (Half grin).