oldEpisode One-hundred-fifty:
Jack Gets Invited on the Cruise.
Emilio Wants to Go with Jennifer,
Jack Takes Measures to Prevent This.

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS WORKING AT WINGS AND HER BODYGUARD IS STANDING NEARBY. THE BODYGUARD IS A TALL BLONDE WOMAN IN SHREDDED BLACK LEATHER, NAMED TALULLAH [SHE APPEARED BRIEFLY EARLIER APPLYING FOR A JOB OF STEPHANIE'S NANNY]. JACK APPROACHES, SHE BLOCKS HIM.

 

JACK: I....ah Jennifer?

TALULLAH: You know this dude?

JACK: Yeah this is the dude who hired you.

TALULLAH: Oh. You're the Boss Hoss. I'll be right over her if you need me.

JENNIFER: Thank you.

 

JACK WALKS PAST AND OVER TO JENNIFER AND SITS DOWN.

 

JACK: So, working on anything interesting?

JENNIFER: Why? What's it to you Jack?

JACK: Nothing. Just making idle conversation.

JENNIFER: Yeah right. Well if you must know, your suspicions are right. I am writing the Toscano story.

JACK: Really! How's it going?

JENNIFER: It's going great.

JACK: Great.

JENNIFER: You really mean that? You don't mind if I scoop you on this Jack?

JACK: Oh I don't give a poop about your scoop. However I am worried about you.

 

JUST THEN EMILIO STRUTS UP TO THEM.

 

EMILIO: Well that's one item you can take off your worry list Deveraux because I'm going to look after Jennifer from now on. All the time.

JENNIFER: Emilio. Oh Emilio you're going to be taking care of me? But I already have a bodyguard so you don't have to worry about protecting me or anything.

 

JENNIFER SEEMS TO HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT THEIR ENGAGEMENT.

 

EMILIO: I'm not talking about being your bodyguard. I'm talking about being your husband.

 

SHE IS NOT THRILLED AT ALL, BUT TRIES NOT TO SHOW IT.

 

JENNIFER: Oh....oh.

EMILIO: Listen, there's something I want to tell you and it would probably be a good idea if you stick around Deveraux to hear this too.

JACK: I'm all ears.

EMILIO: No, you're all mouth. Ever since I saw you get roughed up down there at the pier I've realized how much you mean to me and how much I want you and me to be together.

JENNIFER: I know Emilio.

EMILIO: No wait, I'm not finished. I know it was my idea to wait a little while until we got married but I think we've waited long enough.

JENNIFER: Oh.

EMILIO: That's right. I think we should pick up where we left off. That's what I think. What do you say?

 

JENNIFER IS RATHER SURPRISED. SHE DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING.

 

EMILIO: You're not backing out on me now, are you? You haven't changed your mind about marrying me?

 

JENNIFER TURNS TO LOOK AT JACK. HE TURNS AWAY AS IF HE DOES NOT CARE. SHE MAKES EXCUSES TO DELAY THE WEDDING.

 

JENNIFER: No Emilio, I haven't changed my mind at all. I still want to marry you.

EMILIO: Oh right. Let's do it as soon as possible, alright.

JENNIFER: Oh you know what, I still have to work on that assignment though, for the Toscano cruise. I still have to cover it.

EMILIO: Oh no problem. We'll set a date as soon as you get back, okay.

JENNIFER: Okay, okay. Great.

EMILIO: No it ain't going to be great, it's going to be fantastic. Listen I'm going to rehearse a little bit but I'll be around.

JENNIFER: Sure, sure.

 

HE KISSES HER ON THE FOREHEAD AND LEAVES.

 

JACK: Jennifer....

JENNIFER: Don't say a word Jack. Not a word.

JACK: Jennifer, Jennifer!

JENNIFER: Jack I don't want to talk to you.

JACK: Listen, just listen. Marrying Emilio is all wrong. Just be honest with yourself.

JENNIFER: It's no worse than pretending you're not feeling something for the person that's right for you Jack.

JACK: (Knowing what she means.) What are you talking about?

JENNIFER: I'm talking about you!

JACK: No we're not talking about me, we're talking about you.

JENNIFER: No I want to talk about you, Jack.

JACK: Listen....

TALULLAH: Hey, hey! Bossman or not, you want me to take care of this punk?

JACK: It's Mr. Punk to you.

JENNIFER: No TALULLAH, I can take care of him.

JACK: Don't you see....

TALULLAH: Okay, you suit yourself.

JACK: Don't you see that marrying Emilio would be a big mistake?

JENNIFER: Jack it is not your concern.

JACK: Alright, alright, my conscience is clear. I've done everything in my power to keep you from ruining your life.

JENNIFER: You've done everything except the one thing that would make a difference. You can't have it both ways anymore Jack. Either you want me to be a part of your life or you don't and just stay out of it.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER LOOK HARD AND SAD AT EACH OTHER. NEIL CURTIS WALKS INTO WINGS AND SEES JENNIFER AND JACK. JACK WATCHES ON WITH INTEREST.

 

JENNIFER: Yeah, my appointment.

NEIL: I'll see you in my office.

JENNIFER: Yeah, I'll be there.

NEIL: Jack.

 

NEIL LEAVES.

 

JACK: OBGyn?

JENNIFER: It's none of your business Jack.

JACK: We're not through yet.

JENNIFER: No, that's where you're wrong. We're all through.

 

JENNIFER WALKS AWAY AND JACK IS LEFT TO PONDER HIS ACTIONS. HE HURRIES OFF.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER GOES TO HER APPOINTMENT WITH NEIL. HE SETS OUT ALL THE CONTRACEPTION ALTERNATIVES. HE IS PERCEPTIVE ENOUGH TO NOTICE THAT SHE IS NOT AT ALL EXCITED ABOUT MARRYING EMILIO. HE TELLS HER THAT CONTRACEPTION SHOULD BE DISCUSSED WITH EMILIO. HE ALSO QUESTIONS HER DECISION TO MARRY EMILIO AT ALL AND THAT SHE SHOULD FOLLOW HER HEART.

SCENE THREE: JACK *COINCIDENTALLY* TURNS UP AT THE HOSPITAL TOO. HE GOES INTO THE LOUNGE WHERE MELISSA IS WAITING.

 

JACK: Oh excuse me. I didn't know the room was occupied.

MELISSA: Well don't worry about it Jack. I won't be here for much longer. Jennifer will be back any minute.

JACK: You're waiting for Jennifer?

MELISSA: She had an appointment with Dr. Curtis.

JACK: Oh really!

MELISSA: She is getting married Jack. She wants to be prepared.

JACK: I guess once a girl scout always a Girl Scout.

MELISSA: I'm sorry Jack. I know how much this must hurt.

JACK: Who said anything about hurt?

MELISSA: It's obvious how you feel about Jennifer. And while we're on the subject I guess I owe you an apology.

JACK: An apology?

MELISSA: For thinking the worst of you. For thinking that you were using Jennifer when all along you've been sacrificing your own feelings for her sake.

JACK: I think you know me better than that.

MELISSA: What I do know is that it's probably going to take you a while to get over Jennifer. I just hope that once her and Emilio are married you can get on with your own life.

JACK: You seem to know a lot about this.

MELISSA: Jack!

 

JACK REALIZES THAT SHE IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS UPCOMING MARRIAGE EITHER.

 

JACK: You're falling in love with Emilio....aren't you? (Beat) You're falling for Emilio, aren't you?

 

EMILIO COMES IN THE DOOR, SAVING MELISSA FROM THE TRUTH.

 

EMILIO: Hey what's happening? Oh, what are you doing here Devy?

JACK: Just visiting a sick friend.

EMILIO: Hope you didn't make em sicker. Where's Jen?

MELISSA: She'll be back in a minute.

EMILIO: Oh I'm not interrupting anything am I?

JACK: No actually (About to say something.) ....

MELISSA: (Interrupting Jack before he reveals she is in love Emilio.) Jack and I were just discussing something and I was just about to tell him he had the wrong idea.

EMILIO: Well he usually does.

 

JENNIFER ENTERS.

 

JENNIFER: Emilio.

 

SHE LOOKS ACROSS TO JACK.

 

EMILIO: Oh there you are. I was just about to come looking for you.

JENNIFER: Well now you don't have to.

EMILIO: Did you get everything taken care of?

JENNIFER: Yeah. Yeah we're all set.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER CANNOT KEEP THEIR EYES OFF EACH OTHER. EMILIO TELLS JENNIFER THAT THEY BETTER GO BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF THINGS TO DO; THEY LEAVE. JACK AND MELISSA ARE ALONE, SAD.

 

JACK: What are the rest of the words to that song? "On the outside lookin' in, On the....

MELISSA: That's not funny Jack.

JACK: "....outside lookin". Laughter is the best medicine.

MELISSA: So they say.

JACK: Although I personally think junk food is the best medicine. Nothing like a burger to take the bite out of the blues.

MELISSA: Yeah, huh, uh!

 

JACK BEGINS TO TOSS A COIN IN THE AIR.

 

JACK: What do you say the best two out of three takes the check?

MELISSA: We'll use my coin.

 

MELISSA WALKS OUT AND JACK FOLLOWS.

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS SHOWN INTO JACK'S BEDROOM BY SHELDON, HIS BUTLER. SHE HAS A NEW BODYGUARD CALLED JAKE, WHOM SHE ASKS TO WAIT OUTSIDE. SHE LOOKS AROUND RATHER WISTFULLY. >SHE STARTS TO OPEN DRAWERS AND REMOVE HER CLOTHES THAT SHE LEFT THERE. SHE FINDS JACK'S INVITATION TO THE CRUISE. AS SHE IS LOOKING AT IT, JACK ENTERS.

 

JACK: Jennifer, what do you think you're doing back here?

JENNIFER: Oh I have a better question for you Jack. What are you doing with this? What is this Jack?

 

HE GRABS IT FROM HER.

 

JACK: Well, from a distance it looks like an invitation. I mean good quality vellum, light cream color.

JENNIFER: You got yourself invited on this cruise. You finagled this for yourself didn't you?

JACK: Is that a question or a rhetorical statement? A question I think.

JENNIFER: You don't have to say anything Jack. I already know. I can see right through you. The only thing I can't figure out is why do you want to go on this cruise.

JACK: (Lying, not too convincingly) It would make a nice sunny travel piece don't you think.

JENNIFER: I don't believe you.

JACK: You accused me of trying to scoop you yesterday and today you don't believe I'm doing this for a story.

JENNIFER: I think you're doing it because you want to be with me.

JACK: Well that's....that's....ah....that's half right. But unfortunately you don't get full credit for partial answers. I'm just there to keep an eye on you. That's a fine yet poignant distinction.

JENNIFER: Jack why can't you just tell the truth for a change. But take your time. You might get dizzy, it's been so long.

JACK: Oh, you want the truth! Well I'll give you the truth. The plain unvarnished truth. I don't trust you to go on that trip and not land in a pile of trouble. So I....I pulled a couple of little strings here and there and I got myself invited. So I could keep an eye on you and be with you....not with you, just....just there with you.

JENNIFER: And that's it. That's all.

JACK: That's it. That's all there is to it.

JENNIFER: You know what Jack, I am really tired of your schemes and your manipulations. But you know what, this scheme is going to backfire right in your face. You're going to be sorry for this one Mr. Deveraux.

JACK: Jennifer, Jennifer!

 

SHE OPENS THE DOOR TO LEAVE.

 

JENNIFER: No Jack. (To the bodyguard) JAKE!

 

JAKE STANDS IN FRONT OF JACK, STOPPING HIM FROM FOLLOWING HER.

 

JACK: Jennifer, couldn't we discuss this....

SCENE TWO: AT WINGS, EMILIO AND MELISSA HAVE BEEN OFFERED A CONTRACT AND TOUR. THEY ARE REHEARSING WHEN EMILIO SUGGESTS THAT THEY GET MARRIED ON THE SHIP. JACK WALKS IN AS EMILIO IS TALKING TO HER. JENNIFER IS *NOT AT ALL* HAPPY ABOUT THIS. SHE OBVIOUSLY WANTS TO BE ON THE CRUISE *ALONE* WITH JACK, HOPING THEN THAT SOMETHING FINALLY WILL HAPPEN BETWEEN THEM. MELISSA GOES TO CALL THEIR NEW AGENT AND TELL HIM THE PLANS.

 

JACK: (To Melissa, knowing how she feelings about Emilio.) You don't seem too pleased with the proceedings.

MELISSA: Emilio and Jennifer are going to get married on that cruise Jack, whether you and I like it or not. It's just going to happen and there's nothing we can do to change it.

 

SHE WALKS AWAY.

 

JACK: Speak for yourself Melissa.

SCENE TWO: JACK HAS GONE TO THE PHONE. HE IS PLANNING SOMETHING.

 

JACK: Listen, you are going to love them. Thank you. Thank you again for the favor. Listen, next time lunch is on me. No really, really. I love ya. Yeah.

 

JACK WALKS BACK INTO WINGS WITH A VERY PLEASED EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE.

 

JACK: Hey kids, how's it hangin'?

JENNIFER: (Trying to make him jealous) Oh, oh Jack, I guess you didn't hear the news. You remember how much I was looking forward to going on the cruise, well now it's going to be even more wonderful than I thought.

JACK: (Facetiously) Oh really!

JENNIFER: Yeah, because Emilio decided he's going to go with me and we're going to use this opportunity to have a really romantic shipboard wedding. We're going to get married on the cruise.

JACK: (Facetiously, and mischievous, since he knows something) Oh that's....that's wonderful!

 

JENNIFER IS SURPRISED AND ANGERED THAT JACK IS NOT ARGUING AGAINST THIS. SHE WAS HOPING THAT THIS WOULD MAKE HIM JEALOUS, AND FINALLY REACT. SHE DOES NOT REALIZE THAT JACK HAS TAKEN STEPS TO PREVENT EMILIO FROM GOING ON THE CRUISE.

 

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: (Really laying it on) That's wonderful! That's the best kind of wedding you could have. You'll never ever forget it. That's wonderful! Congratulations again.

EMILIO: So I guess you and your firetruck won't be showin' up then, right.

JACK: Well, no point. I mean really no point.

EMILIO: Exactly, exactly what I was thinking buddy but I want to thank you for realizing that we are meant for each other.

JACK: Some things are definitely meant to be.

EMILIO: I heard that and I'm really happy about it you know.

JACK: That makes two of us. (Beat) I want to hear all about it, really every little detail. Oh Dave! A bottle of your coldest champagne. A little celebration on me.

EMILIO: I don't drink.

JACK: Oh! Well Jennifer?

 

SHE IS VERY HURT AND ANGRY.

 

JENNIFER: No thank you Jack.

JACK: (Smug) Oh Dave! Kill the champagne. But let's talk about the music. I've got an incredible Jean Pierre Rampale tape but maybe flute isn't your instrument.

EMILIO: Listen Deveraux, me and the lady would like a little private time. Why don't you go talk to a bar stool, alright.

JACK: Oh, well....

 

MELISSA RUSHES IN EXCITED. JACK SEEMS TO KNOW AHEAD OF TIME WHAT SHE IS ABOUT TO SAY.

 

MELISSA: Oh you guys you are not going to believe this. You are not going to believe this!

EMILIO: Well we're not if you don't tell us.

MELISSA: I just talked to our agent. His secretary had me on hold forever but I finally got through and he's booked us already. He's booked us already. Guess where?

EMILIO: Are you kidding? Where?

MELISSA: Chicago Grande.

 

EMILIO IS EXCITED ABOUT THE NEWS, AND ALMOST FORGETS HIS PLANS OF MARRYING JENNIFER AND GOING ON THE CRUISE WITH HER.

 

EMILIO: Chicago Grande! I told you. We are going to be big time, we are going to be big time.

MELISSA: Apparently another act canceled at the last minute. This is our big break Emilio. This is our big break.

EMILIO: Where is it at? Oh you told me that. When is it?

MELISSA: The first week of June;

EMILIO: Yeah, the first week.

MELISSA: What? Did you book us on something already and I didn't know about it.

EMILIO: Well I kinda, kinda did.

JENNIFER: Um....I guess you didn't realize that was the week of the cruise.

EMILIO: Oh I'm sure we're going to have another big break come, right.

 

JACK IS WATCHING THIS WHOLE SCENE UNFOLD AND HE IS DELIGHTED.

 

MELISSA: I....I guess so.

JACK: Sounds like a big but to me.

EMILIO: Well come on, say something. What's up?

MELISSA: Well it's just that Kevin really went out of his way to say how special this was and he said not to expect this to happen too often. I just think if we let this one go Emilio it's going to be a long time before we get another break.

EMILIO: You're right, you shouldn't blow this because of me. Take this gig by yourself.

 

MELISSA IS NOT ONLY EXCITED ABOUT THE JOB OPPORTUNITY, BUT GLAD BECAUSE IF THEY GO ON TOUR, EMILIO WOULD HAVE TO POSTPONE THE WEDDING, AND HE AND JENNIFER WOULD NOT BE GOING ON A ROMANTIC CRUISE TOGETHER FOR THEIR HONEYMOON.

 

MELISSA: No, that I will not do. Either we make it together or we don't. I'll just tell Kevin that we're not available.

 

JENNIFER IS PLEASED ABOUT THE TOUR TOO, SINCESHE CAN BE ALONE WITH JACK. SHE PRETENDS TO BE SELF-SACRIFICING ABOUT LETTING EMILIO GO ON TOUR.

 

JENNIFER: No Melissa don't do that because you are both available.

 

JENNIFER WALKS OVER AND STANDS NEXT TO JACK.

 

EMILIO: What do you mean?

JENNIFER: Emilio this is too big an opportunity to pass up. Take the job. Call Kevin and say that you will take the job.

EMILIO: If you think that I should take the gig, I guess I'll take the gig.

MELISSA: That's great Emilio. Kevin said we should get down there right away and sign the contracts.

EMILIO: Are you sure about this?

JENNIFER: Yes Emilio, this is too good to turn down. I mean we have the rest of our lives together. One week apart isn't going to make any difference.

EMILIO: You're da best. By the way, why marry Emilio Ramirez when you can marry Emilio Ramirez the star! Hahahahah! I just want to make you proud of me, that's all.

JENNIFER: (Not doing too good a job of sound excited and proud.) I want what you want.

EMILIO: Yeah.

 

EMILIO KISSES JENNIFER ON THE LIPS AND JACK MOVES OVER BEHIND HER AND LEANS IN CLOSE TO EMILIO TO BREAK THEM UP.

 

JACK: Ah....hi!

EMILIO: Listen we better get out of here. You know packing and all that.

JENNIFER: Yeah, congratulations.

 

EMILIO AND MELISSA LEAVE.

 

JACK: Well! The cruise looks like (Referring to the old Sonny and Cher song.) "just you and me, babe"!

JENNIFER: We will be on the ship together but it will not be just "you and me babe!" We will be together but we will be separate. That's what you decided a long time ago. So happy packing Jack. Make sure you pack a lot of long-johns because it is going to be long cold cruise.

JACK: Not so fast speedy.

 

HE GRABS HER ARM.

 

JACK: It's very simple. We've gone through so much together, we can't face this thing separately. You over (Motioning) there and me over here. I know what's best for you and this is not what's best for you.

 

GIVING JACK, YET *ANOTHER*, OPPORTUNITY TO BE OPEN ABOUT HIS FEELINGS FOR HER.

 

JENNIFER: Alright Jack, then what is best for me?

JACK: A little bit of middle ground. I mean we can't be together together but we can't be apart apart.

JENNIFER: Jack I think we can be apart apart.

JACK: Then they're going to get you. They're going to get you. It'll either be the guys in the warehouse, or the guys throwing the bricks or maybe the mystery mangler on the cruise unless I take care of you, look after you and make sure you don't get hurt.

JENNIFER: Well if what you're worried is me getting hurt Jack, don't worry about it because it's too late. You've already blown it. Nobody could hurt me as much as you already have.

 

SHE BRUSHES PAST HIM BUT STOPS TO LOOK BACK JUST FOR A SECOND.