SCENE ONE: JACK GOES OVER TO NEIL'S HOUSE LOOKING FOR STEVE.

JACK: Hello! Hello.

JO: Jack?

JACK: Mrs. Johnson, I was looking for Steve. I didn't know if he'd be here.

JO: I haven't seen him. Why, what's going on?

JACK: I just wanted to talk to him about something.

JO: You didn't find him at home?

JACK: No. No.

JO: Well, he's probably Christmas shopping. I ran into he and Kayla at the stores last night and they were afraid they were getting behind.

JACK: Funny to think of him shopping.

JO: I think he does it to be with her. They're very happy.

JACK: I'm glad.

JO: Just like old times. Well except better of course, because of the baby.

JACK: Well, I've got to be going.

JO: Oh, come on, Jack! Jack. Your brother is going to have a child and you're going to be the uncle of that baby.

JACK: Lucky kid.

JO: I'm serious.

JACK: Look, I'm happy for them. I really am. You happy?

JO: What would make me happy is to have my children together on Christmas.

JACK: Ah, look, it's getting late, I really have to go.

JO: No. Listen. Now listen, don't rush off and I don't want to rush you into anything that you're not ready for but I want you to think about it. It would be just so wonderful to have us all together. A real family.

JACK GIVES A SLIGHT WISTFUL SMILE AT THE IDEA.

JUST THEN CAROLINE BRADY WALKS IN; THEY TURN TO LOOK AT HER.

CAROLINE: (Sounding and looking distraught): Excuse.

JO: (Surprised) Caroline.

CAROLINE: I hope I am not interrupting--

JO: Noo!

CAROLINE: (Sound on the verge of crying) I just had to tell you something.

JO: (Walking over towards her) Yeah, it's Kayla. (Crying) She's been kidnapped.

JACK LOOKS AT HER, SHOCKED AND CONCERNED.

SCENE TWO: BACK AT NEIL'S, JO IS PACING THE ROOM, JACK IS HEARD SAYING TALKING TO CAROLINE.

JACK: Bye Mrs. Brady. Bye. (Returns) Ah, look Mrs. Johnson....

JO: This just doesn't make any sense. Who'd want to kidnap Kayla and for what reason?

JACK: (Knowing the reason, but not wanting reveal it) It's a good question.

JO: Steve must be going out of his mind, trying to find her.

JACK: Yeah. I bet he is.

JO: Jack, I rarely ask you for anything. But your brother needs your help.

JACK: I.... I....

JO: Son, you've got money, you've got that newspaper. There are a lot of ways you could help Kayla.

JACK: I already am.

JO: You already are. What do you mean?

JACK: Ah, look this is hard to say but I know a little bit about the situation with Steve and Kayla.

JO: "Situation"?

JACK: Ah.... I don't know how to put it any other way. Er.... ah.... I can't tell you about right now, if that's alright?

JO: That's okay. Would you mind if I told you how grateful I am, because I am, very.

JACK: (Chuckles) Grateful? (Smiling) And surprised too, I'll bet.

JO: Well, a little, (chuckling too) yes.

JACK: Well, I guess all that hammering you did about family must have made a dent, huh?

JO: Oh, Jack?

JACK: Look, I just want to tell you that you've got nothing to worry about and.... ah.... you've got nothing to worry about.

JO: Okay. You mean about Kayla. You'll take care of it.

JACK: Yeah, I.... I think I know how to get her back.

JACK LEAVES, DETERMINED HE KNOWS A WAY TO HELP.

SCENE THREE: BACK AT THE LOFT, ISABELLA IS LOOKING AT A PHOTO OF HER SISTER MARINA. SOFTLY SHE MENTIONS HER NAME, THINKS FOR A MOMENT, AND THEN THROWS THE PHOTO IN THE LIT FIREPLACE.

SCENE FOUR: A WHILE LATER, ISABELLA IS FIXING SOME TEA. SOMEONE IS OPENING THE DOOR SO SHE GOES AND HIDES. IT TURNS OUT TO BE JACK, WHO LOOKS AROUND CONFUSED WHY NO ONE IS THERE. SEEING THAT IT IS JACK, ISABELLA COMES OUT.

ISABELLA: Jack.

JACK: OH! Whoa, what! What happened? Wait.... Where's Jennifer?

ISABELLA: She went to run an errand.

JACK: I told.... I told her.... (Beat) Alright. Did she tell you when she'd be back?

ISABELLA: No. Don't worry Jack. I'm sure she's fine.

JACK: Hmmm.

ISABELLA: I wouldn't worry about her if I was you.

JACK: I'm not worried about her.

ISABELLA: What then?

JACK: I'm worried about Kayla. Steve's wife, Kayla. I just found out that she was kidnapped.

ISABELLA: My god.

JACK: I think we both know who kidnapped her and why.

ISABELLA: Victor.

JACK: He wants that key. He'll do anything and hurt anybody to get it. Now all we have to do, is find it and exchange it for Kayla. Oh I know what you're thinking. I know that key seems to have meant a lot to your family.

ISABELLA: Yes it still does.

JACK: And Kayla means a lot to her family too. I think I'm beginning to understand what that means. Look Isabella, I'm telling you. If there is any way that I can find Kayla without using that key, I will do it. I promise.

ISABELLA: But what if that's not possible?

JACK: Then the key has to go. Look you might as well tell me if you're with me on this. I can't find that key without you.

SCENE FIVE: BACK AT THE LOFT, JACK HAS JUST ASKED ISABELLA IF SHE WILL HELP HIM, HE IS WAITING FOR HER ANSWER.

JACK: So what's it going to be?

ISABELLA: Jack, you've really done a lot for me.

JACK: Does that mean yes?

ISABELLA: Yes. But I don't know where to look for the key.

JACK: You don't have to know anything. Just know how your sister thinks. You know her better than anybody don't you?

ISABELLA: I suppose so. I... I guess.

JACK: Then try!  Think about her. She was all alone. She was in a city.... she didn't even know anybody. Strange town, strange country. She's scared. Where would she hide the key? Come on Isabella. Where would she go? What would she do?

SCENE SIX: VICTOR ALSO IS FRANTIC ABOUT FIND THE KEY, "AM I GOING TO GET THAT KEY! NO MATTER *WHAT* IT TAKES!"

SCENE SEVEN: BACK AT THE LOFT, ISABELLA IS PACING AROUND, FOR SOME REASON SHE DOES NOT SEEM TO WANT TO ANSWER JACK.

JACK: What? Where would she put it? Where would she hide the key?

ISABELLA: Jack, I think I know where it is.

SCENE ONE: JACK AND ISABELLA ARE STILL DISCUSSING WHERE THE KEY MIGHT BE.

JACK: Where?

ISABELLA: The one place she could have hidden it.

JACK: (Taking her arm and dragging her towards the door) List... just tell me on the way.

ISABELLA: (Letting go and stopping) No, Jack, I can't go there!

JACK: Why not!

ISABELLA: I just CAN'T!

JACK: Look, it's not just about you anymore it's about Steve and Kayla, and soon it's going to be about their baby! NOW I NEED YOUR HELP AND I CAN'T FIND IT WITHOUT YOU!

ISABELLA LOOKS WORRIED.

SCENE TWO: JACK IS ANNOYED THAT ISABELLA REFUSES TO HELP. ISBELLA SEEMS TO HAVE A REASON WHY IT SCARES HER TO TELL JACK WHERE THE KEY MIGHT BE.

ISABELLA: Is it that important to help your brother?

JACK: Yeah. I need your help, please!

ISABELLA: I think Marina hid the key in her room at the Salem Inn.

JACK: Why there?

ISABELLA: Victor Kiriakis would have looked for it everywhere else.

JACK: Wait a minute. The police went all through that room. We would have known something if they'd found something.

ISABELLA: The police were looking for a murderer, not a key.

JACK: That's a very good point. Let's go. Come on.

ISABELLA: Jack, I don't want to do it.

JACK: Look, I've got no other choice but to use you.

ISABELLA: Just thinking about Marina in that room and what happened....

JACK: I'll be right there with you the whole time.

ISABELLA: Well what if somebody sees me. Victor's bound to be there.

JACK: We'll find some way to get around Victor, alright.

ISABELLA: How?

JACK: Ah.... let our fingers do the walking.

JACK RUNS OVER AND PICKS UP THE YELLOW PAGES.

ISABELLA: What are you doing?

JACK: Looking for an address.

ISABELLA: For what?

JACK RIPS A PAGE OUT OF THE BOOK. RUNNING TOWARDS THE DOOR.

JACK: I'll be right back.

ISABELLA: Jack wait a second.

JACK: Look...

ISABELLA: JACK STOP IT!

JACK: don't open the door unless I'm back, okay (shouting the door).

ISABELLA: Jack! I don't know.... I don't know if I can go through with it.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE KAYLA HAS NOT BEEN KIDNAPPED BY VICTOR. STEVE HAS "KIDNAPPED" HER AND TAKEN HER TO THE LIGHTHOUSE FOR SAFETY. HE IS CONCERNED THAT WHILE HE LOOKS FOR THE KEY, THAT KAYLA WILL BE IN DANGER. SHE IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT BEING ISOLATED OUT THERE WHILE SHE IS PREGNANT BUT HE PROMISES TO VISIT EVERY DAY.

SCENE FOUR: JACK RETURNS TO THE LOFT, CARRYING A LARGE BOX MARKED NORTH AMERICAN UNIFORM CO.

ISABELLA: What is that?

JACK: A security system, sort of.

ISABELLA: In a cardboard box?

JACK: Look it could be in a brown paper bag if it keeps Victor and his boys from recognizing you.

ISABELLA: Jack, you're not listening to me. I can't go there. My sister died in that room.

JACK: I know.

ISABELLA: Then how do you expect me to go?

JACK: Because I've got no other choice.

ISABELLA: Because of Steve and Kayla.

JACK: Look! I'm just trying to help them, alright?

ISABELLA: It's that important to you?

JACK: Yeah.... please.

ISABELLA: Alright, what do you want me to do?

JACK: Put it on.

ISABELLA: North American Uniform Company.

JACK: Just put it on. I'll explain it later. On the way. Please.

ISABELLA GOES UPSTAIRS TO PUT ON WHATER JACK HAS BROUGHT.

SCENE FIVE: THE SALEM INN. ISABELLA, DRESSED AS A MAID, HAS JUST ENTERED MARINA'S ROOM PUSHING A LAUNDRY CART.

ISABELLA: It's okay.

THE LAUNDRY CART STIRS AND JACK STANDS UP COVERED IN SHEETS.

JACK: Oh good. You did a great job.

ISABELLA: I think that guy in the elevator suspected me.

JACK: What do you mean? You're a natural born actress. You had me convinced that you're a nurse.... I mean a maid

ISABELLA: Ah, you make a great laundry pile yourself.

JACK: Thank you. I bet you say that to all the sheets. Now let's get down to it. Where would Marina have hidden that thing? (Beat) What?

ISABELLA: I don't know. I expected it to be different. I expected there to be some sign of what happened. It doesn't seem right that there isn't.

JACK: Well, the police clean everything up. Look I know this was.... I know this is hard on you but we have to find the key. Okay

ISABELLA: Okay.

THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

JACK: Ah, don't worry about it. I'll get rid of them. Whoever it is I'll tell them it's my room and... ah....

JACK OPENS THE DOOR AND STEVE IS STANDING THERE.

STEVE: Room service.

STEVE GETS A HALF GRIN ON HIS FACE AND SO DOES JACK.

SCENE SIX: STEVE HAS JUST CAUGHT JACK SNEAKING AROUND IN MARINA'S FORMER HOTEL ROOM. ISABELLA TAKES OFF NOT WANTING STEVE TO SEE HER.

ISABELLA: I've finished here.

JACK: Oh thank you. Thank you.

ISABELLA WALKS OUT WITH STEVE THINKING SHE IS A MAID. JACK COCKS HIS HEAD AND WATCHES ISABELLA

STEVE: Okay Jackson. So what are you doing here?

JACK: Ah.... ah.... nothing. Just....

STEVE: Get any leads on Isabella yet?

JACK: Ah, actually, ah, I've been busy.

STEVE: Busy with what?

JACK: You know. Business obligations....

STEVE: Oh! Business obligations. So that line about wanting to help us was just a line then?

AS THEY ARE TALKING, ISABELLA IS LISTENING AT THE DOOR.

JACK: No! No, that's not what I meant at all.

STEVE: You got a kick out of playing do-gooder for a few days and now you've lost interest. Is that it?

JACK: (Not wanting Steve to believe that he is trying to hurt him) No, Steve, no, not at all.

STEVE: Well, I don't know what you're doing here Jackson, but I don't like it. So you can get out. That is unless you're meeting somebody here. In that case I'll stay right here with you and keep you company.

JACK: No, it's really not necessary.

STEVE: No? Alright. Well, the least I can do is walk you to your car.

JACK: I'm feelin' like you're trying to get rid of me or something.

STEVE: Yeah.

JACK: You want me to go?

STEVE: Yeah. Out the window or out the door, you take your choice.

JACK: Door.

STEVE: After you.

JACK OPENS THE DOOR AND PAUSES, TRYING TO LOO FOR ISABELLA WITHOUT STEVE NOTICING.

STEVE: Now what?

JACK: Ah.... nothing. I'm..... nothing.

JACK WALKS AWAY. STEVE LOOKS AROUND SENSING JACK IS UPT TO SOMETING.

SCENE FIVE: LATER WE SEE SOMEONE, JUST FROM THE LEGS SHOWING CLIMB IN A WINDOW INTO A ROOM, JUST THEN THE NOISE OF A KEY OPENING THE DOOR IS HEARD AND THE PERSON HIDES BEHIND THE DOOR. ISABELLA, STILL IN THE MAID COSTUME COMES IN. IT IS JACK BEHIND THE DOOR, SEEING IT IS ISABELLA HE CLOSES THE DOOR. STARTLED BY THE CLOSING DOOR, ISABELLA TURNS AROUND TO SEE THAT IT IS JACK.

JACK: Where the hell did you run off to?

ISABELLA: I couldn't stand being that close to your brother.

JACK: What do you mean? He's not going to be able to recognize you.

ISABELLA: I know what he looks like and I know that he's after me. What happened? What did he say?

JACK: Oh look, that's not worth repeating. Don't worry about it. Let's get down to business and find this thing before somebody else barges in on us. Now where.... oh look, maybe Marina hid it under here.

 

JACK LIFTS UP THE BLOTTER ON THE DESK.

JACK: No. (Beat) Well what do you know?

ISABELLA: What?

JACK: Maid service is pretty bad around here. Check the floor out.

JACK LOOKS UNDER THE BED AND FINDS A SINGLE EARRING.

ISABELLA: Is it the key?

JACK: No. It's an earring. Think it was Marina's?

ISABELLA: Ah, I don't know. I've never seen it before. It must have belonged to someone who rented the room after her.

JACK: Hmmm. Okay. Well let's keep looking.

ISABELLA PUTS THE EARRING IN HER POCKET.

JACK: I tell you what. I better hold onto that. We don't want to return the uniform and leave that in the pocket.

ISABELLA: Heh. Sure.

SCENE SIX: JACK AND ISABELLA RETURN TO THE LOFT. JACK IS PACING THE FLOOR LOOKING AT THE EARRING AND ISABELLA COMES DOWNSTAIRS IN A ROBE.

JACK: Isabella. (Beat) Are you okay?

ISABELLA: I'm fine.

JACK: I know it was hard for you to go to that room today.

ISABELLA: I'm sorry we didn't find the key.

JACK: We'll find it. Right now I'm more interested in finding out who this little earring belongs to.

ISABELLA: Yeah.

JACK: Look, it would arouse too much suspicion if I didn't show up at home and keep going to work. And, you know, the uniform rental has a same day discount. So, Jennifer will here so you've got nothing to worry about, alright.

ISABELLA: I'll be fine.

JACK: Good, good. I'll.... I'll call you when I get home.

ISABELLA: Okay.

JACK: Door locked. Don't answer the phone. I'll see you later.

ISABELLA: Okay, bye.

JACK LEAVES AND ISABELLA TAKES AN EARRING OUT OF HER POCKET THAT EXACTLY, MATCHES THE ONE THEY FOUND IN MARINA'S ROOM.