oldEpisode One-hundred-fifty-one:
Jack and Jennifer Are Upset
After Sheldon Arranges a
Romantic Dinner for Them.

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS WORKING AT THE STUDIO GETTING READY FOR A LIVE INTERVIEW WITH ISABELLA. JACK WALKS UP BEHIND HER AND LOOKS AT HER CLIPBOARD.

 

JENNIFER: Ooooh! Jack! What are you doing here?

JACK: Nothing....special.

JENNIFER: You're just standing in the middle of a TV studio taking your morning constitutional?

JACK: You know this place is so fascinating. I guess you people in the business really forget how mysterious it is to us lay people.

 

JENNIFER IS TRYING TO GET RID OF JACK. IT APPEARS SHE TRYING TO KEEP SOMETHING FROM HIM.

 

JENNIFER: Oh yeah I guess that's true. Well it's been nice chatting with you Jack. Don't be a stranger.

 

JACK SEEMS TO SUSPECT SOMETHING, AND THEREFORE REFUSES TO LEAVE. HE CONTINUES TO BE HIS OBNOXIOUS SELF.

 

JACK: Working on anything?

JENNIFER: Um....yes I am and actually it's down to the wire so like I said, it's good seeing you Jack.

JACK: Interesting piece, hmmm?

JENNIFER: Oh no, no, it's just a fluff piece but you know it's a living. Big deadline though.

JACK: Hmmm.

 

JACK LOOKS OVER JENNIFER'S SHOULDER. ISABELLA IS WALKING INTO THE STUDIO.

 

JACK: Do you think it has anything to do with Isabella?

JENNIFER: Isabella? No Jack. What would give you any idea that it has to do with Isabella?

 

JACK SLOWLY SPINS JENNIFER AROUND TO SEE ISABELLA WALKING TOWARDS THEM.

 

JACK: Oh, no reason.

JENNIFER: Okay, Jack, okay. You're right. I am interviewing Isabella. But it's no big deal and it's none of your business.

JACK: It is if you get hurt.

JENNIFER: I'm sure there is some logic to that Jack but I don't know what it is.

JACK: Okay you want to hear the logic. Here it is. When you go on the air with that story, everybody and their mother and their brother is going to find out about it including those two guys who were trying to threaten us. Now do you think they're going to appreciate you giving out even more information?

JENNIFER: Do you think I'm going to go up there and exposé everything?

JACK: And another thing, and another thing. You go on there and maybe, just maybe, they didn't know where you were going before but now everybody's going to know that you're getting on that ship. So if you think you're getting in front of that camera with Isabella you better just forget it.

JENNIFER: Alright Jack. I really appreciate you trying to run my life alright but why don't you just butt out?

JACK: I'm not trying to run your life. I'm trying to save your life. Big distinction! Although I'm hard pressed as to tell you why.

JENNIFER: Alright, well don't go out of your way, because if I go public, if I put myself out there, no one is going to dare touch me.

JACK: Ooooh!

JENNIFER: Or you! It would draw too much attention. The last thing these guys want is publicity. Did you ever think of that?

JACK: Not good enough reason. I'm sorry.

 

ISABELLA INTERRUPTS THEIR CONVERSATION.

 

ISABELLA: Well I'm as ready as I'll ever be. What....we're not going through with this?

JENNIFER: I wouldn't miss it for the world Isabella. Come with me.

 

JACK WORRIED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY, TRIES TO GET ISABELLA TO PULL OUT OF THE INTERVIEW.

 

JACK: Isabella, Isabella. You're not uncomfortable are you? I mean this is your first time in front of a tv camera. I mean if you want to back out of this because you're feeling uncomfortable, I'm sure Jennifer would understand.

ISABELLA: Jack I want to do this.

JACK: Well if it suddenly became painful, I know that....

JENNIFER: Jack!

JACK: ....Jennifer wouldn't want to bring up any family situations that were suddenly uncomfortable.

ISABELLA: I don't think Jennifer would do anything like that. I trust her.

JACK: Well we all trust her but if something is said in an awkward moment we can't forget that this is live American television.

ISABELLA: Oh Jack, I really appreciate what you're doing. I do but I want to do this, you know. It's my chance to clear all of Victor's lies and this isn't just a favor for Jennifer, this is for me.

CREW: Miss Toscano, we're ready for you in makeup.

JENNIFER: Thank you.

 

ISABELLA LEAVES FOR MAKEUP.

 

JENNIFER: Well obviously she wants to do the interview Jack.

JACK: Well obviously you should know better.

JENNIFER: Look Jack I know you're looking out for my well being and it means a lot to me but trust me it's going to be a nice little interview.

JACK: Alright, if you just remember to be careful and....

JENNIFER: I know and not say anything about the secret. I know and I won't. Alright, just relax and let me handle this Jack.

JACK: Alright, I'm sure....I guess that a nice little interview just with Isabella will be fine. It won't be so terrible.

 

JENNIFER NOW LOOKS OVER JACK'S SHOULDERS AND HER EYES NEARLY POP OUT OF HER HEAD.

 

JACK: Jennifer! You aren't hiding anymore surprises are you?

JENNIFER: Oh, you know what I forgot to tell you.

JACK: Suddenly I just kind of got this pounding in my temples.

JENNIFER: Well, see Isabella isn't the only person that I'm going to be interviewing.

JACK: Combine that with a kind of tightening in the chest and stomach.What is it?

JENNIFER: Well I'm also going to be talking....

 

SHE SLOWLY SPINS HIM ROUND TO SEE GIUSEPPE.

 

JENNIFER: ....to Giuseppe.

THEY WAVE TO HIM.

 

JACK: Jennifer?

JENNIFER: Yes.

JACK: I've got a bad feeling about this.

JENNIFER: Buck up Jack!

 

JENNIFER GOES OVER TO TALK TO GIUSEPPE; JACK DRAGS HER BACK.

 

JENNIFER: Jack!

JACK: What's the matter, wasn't the Governor available?

JENNIFER: Jack calm down alright. Giuseppe is a very important part of the story. Don't worry there's not going to be any problems.

JACK: That's right because there's not going to be a story.

JENNIFER: Everybody's here and we're going on in minutes. There is going to be a story.

JACK: Jennifer, you....look this is getting too risky and I'm not going to let you do it. That's all.

JENNIFER: You mean you Jack are worried about me Jennifer?

DIRECTOR: Gotta move it, Jen.

JENNIFER: Sorry Jack, the show must go on.

JACK: Jennifer, okay look, just please don't say anything about the p....

JENNIFER: Jack I am not going to say anything. Do you take me for a complete nincompoop?

JACK: NO! Jennifer I take you....I take you for one of the best young reporters I've ever come across and I just want to see that you live to a ripe old age, right?

JENNIFER: Alright, okay, wish me luck.

JACK: You're going to need it!

 

JACK IS NOW LOOKING OVER JENNIFER'S SHOULDER. HE SLOWLY SPINS HER ROUND TO SEE VICTOR AND HIS BODYGUARD COMING TOWARDS THEM.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER AND JACK ARE STILL IN THE STUDIO. BOTH ARE IN SHOCK TO SEE THAT VICTOR HAS ARRIVED.

 

JENNIFER: Holy cow! What is he doing here?

JACK: I don't know but he's not here to take the studio tour!!

 

VICTOR WALKS OVER TO ISABELLA. HE TELLS HER THE INTERVIEW IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. HE THREATENS HER AGAIN AS THEY CALL EVERYBODY TO THEIR PLACES.

 

JACK: Alright, alright. All bets are off! All bets are off! We're heading for the hills, you hear me!

JENNIFER: Don't be silly Jack, how can I leave right now?

JACK: You can....ah....we can....ah I'll kidnap you again. I mean everybody will buy that.

JENNIFER: You can't kidnap me everytime you want to get out of something. You can't kidnap me Jack.

 

HE BENDS OVER AND TRIES TO PICK HER UP OVER HIS SHOULDER. SHE RESISTS AND HE TRIES AGAIN AND AGAIN.

 

JACK: Jennifer will you just....

JENNIFER: Jack!

 

DAN WALKS OVER TO THEM.

 

DAN: Ah, maybe we could chat later kids. We've got less than thirty seconds to a live broadcast.

 

JACK STANDS UPRIGHT AND PRETENDS HE WAS *NOT* TRYING TO PICK HER UP.

 

JENNIFER: Yeah, okay. You heard the man. It must be show time.

 

SHE RUNS TO THE SET OF THE NEWS DESK AND JACK FOLLOWS HER AND SITS UP ON IT.

JENNIFER: Jack!

JACK: Is that going to be your only answer.

 

OVER THE INTERCOM COMES DAN'S VOICE.

 

DAN: Would somebody please escort Mr. Deveraux off my set. Now!

JENNIFER: Everything is going to be peachy. Don't worry about it.

JACK: Peachy! What do you mean peachy!

 

JACK IS DRAGGED AWAY AS DAN COUNTS DOWN TO AIRTIME.

 

JACK: Listen I'll be right over here.

 

JENNIFER BEGINS HER REPORT ON THE TOSCANO DYNAST, INTERVIEWING ISABELLA. DURING THE BREAK VICTOR COMES OVER AND TELLS ISABELLA ONCE AGAIN THAT THIS HAS TO STOP. DAN AND THE FLOOR MANAGER SEE THE ARGUMENT ANDREALIZE THAT THERE IS A PERSONAL VENDETTA BETWEEN THE TOSCANO AND KIRIAKISFAMILIES. DAN DECIDES TO LET THE ARGUMENT GO LIVE TO AIR AFTER THE BREAK.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE HOPE AND JULIE ARE AT JULIE'S PENTHOUSE. THEY TURN ON THE TV, AND THEY PICK UP THE INTERVIEW. JULIE IS FRUSTRATED, BECAUSE IT SEEMS THAT VICTOR KIRIAKIS IS *EVERYWHERE*.

SCENE FOUR: JACK IS STANDING JUST OFF THE SET AND HE SEES THE ON AIR SIGN IS LIT, AND REALIZES WHAT DAN HAS DONE. JENNIFER IS TRYING TO STOP THE ARGUMENT AND IS UNAWARE IT IS ALL GOING OUT LIVE.

JENNIFER ORDERS VICTOR OFF THE SET BUT HE REFUSES. JACK TAKES ACTION. HE BACKS UP TOWARDS THE MAIN CONTROL PANEL AND PULLS THE MAIN POWER SWITCH TO THE STUDIO CUTTING OFF LIGHTS AND CAMERAS. THIS CREATES PANIC.

 

JACK: Hey somebody turn the lights on! Hey get your hands off me. Hey turn those lights on.

 

THE POWERS COMES BACK ON.

 

JACK: Heh, they can put a billion dollar telescope in the sky and can't keep a couple of incandescent lights on.

CREW: Yeah!

 

THE CREW ALL SUSPECT JACK AND STARE AT HIM. HE JUST GRINS. DAN STARTS TO TALK ABOUT HOW REALITY TV JUST WENT TO AIR; JENNIFER IS FURIOUS.

 

JENNIFER: Dan, you didn't. It's a good thing the lights went off when they....did.

 

SHE LOOKS BACK AT JACK WHO IS SCRATCHING HIS HEAD AND SIGNALING TO HER THAT HE WAS RESPONSIBLE.

SHE GOES OVER TO TALK TO JACK.

 

JENNIFER: Okay, Jack, okay. You were right, you were right. It was a disaster and now Isabella is devastated.

JACK: Oh come on, come on. It wasn't that bad. Look on the bright side.

JENNIFER: I am a complete jerk, aren't I?

JACK: No of course you're not a complete jerk. I mean look what you got out of this. I mean we got the information that Victor is taking this cruise too. I mean that information must be worth something.

JENNIFER: What, why?

JACK: I don't know why but I think we should figure that out someplace else.

JENNIFER: Okay we can figure it out on the way to the unemployment office because I don't have a career anymore. My career's over, Jack.

JACK: I think you're being a little premature. I think the point is to find a place that's a little more....secure.

JENNIFER: Okay, name it.

JACK: Well I think maybe....I think my house is still safe.

JENNIFER: Well I guess there isn't a better place. Although I wish there were.

JACK: So do I.

 

DESPITE WHAT THEY SAY, IT IS OBVIOUS THEY LIKE THE IDEA VERY MUCH.

 

JENNIFER: And no more funny business. No more trying to trick me into moving in there again Jack.

JACK: It's the last thing I want.

JENNIFER: Alright. Then I guess we should go.

JACK: I guess!

SCENE FIVE: A SHORT TIME LATER JACK AND JENNIFER WALK INTO HIS BEDROOM. IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOM IS A TABLE BEAUTIFULLY LAID OUT FOR DINNER WITH SILVER CANDELABRAS, FINE FOOD AND WINE, AND SUBDUED LIGHTING. THE WHOLE ROOM IS FILLED WITH ROMANCE. JENNIFER SMILES.

 

JENNIFER: Jack!

JACK *ACTS* RATHER DISGUSTED BY ALL THIS.

 

JACK: What, what? You know I hate it when this happens. I do. I mean Sheldon botched up again. I mean I gave him specific orders. I said (Enumerating with his fingers.) paper plates, pizza and overhead lighting.

JENNIFER: You didn't want all this?

JACK: Wel....well, no, I mean I think you need a flashlight to be able to see the food.

JENNIFER: And you told the bodyguard that he could have the night off because....

JACK: Because if I saw one more body looming behind you I'd think I was trapped in a Bergman film.

JENNIFER: Oh, oh I see.

JACK: I mean it doesn't....it doesn't bother you does it?

JENNIFER: What this? Me? No, no this doesn't affect me in the least. I'm here on business remember. But if it's distracting to you....

 

JACK CONTINUES TO *ACT* DISGUSTED. THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUS THAT HE IS ENJOYING IT, AND SET IT UP. JENNIFER SEEMS TO KNOW THAT IT IS ALL AN ACT, AND THAT IT WAS *JACK* AND NOT SHELDON WHO SET UP THE ROMANTIC DINNER, BUT PLAYS ALONG PRETENDING SHE TOO IS DISGUSTED.

 

JACK: Distracting? Oh no, no. I'm just a little, you know, just a little, you know, (He kind of shudders.) aggravated, that's all. It's the dimness!

JENNIFER: Yeah, good help is so hard to find anymore.

JACK: It's a....it's a real problem.

JENNIFER: Well....we may as well eat.

JACK: Oh, yes of course.

 

JACK SITS DOWN AND ARRANGES HIS NAPKIN ON HIS LAP. JENNIFER WAITS FOR JACK TO ASK HER TO SIT DOWN. HE PICKS UP HIS CUTLERY BEFORE NOTICING HER.

 

JACK: Oh excuse me. Please, sit.

JENNIFER: (She sits) Thank you Jack.

 

JACK IS HOLDING A WINE GLASS.

 

JACK: Let's see if Sheldon burned the food.

 

HE LIFTS THE SILVER COVER ON HIS PLATE AND PEEPS UNDERNEATH. HE PULLS A FACE. JENNIFER LEANS IN CLOSE AND IN A SOFT AND ALMOST SENSUAL VOICE SHE BEGINS TO TALK.

 

JENNIFER: So what do you think about Kiriakis?

 

JACK IS SIPPING WINE.

 

JACK: Kiri....who?

JENNIFER: Do you think he's the one who's after the diary pages?

 

JACK PONDERS HER QUESTION FOR A FEW SECONDS.

 

JACK: I think, I think he doesn't know anything about the diary pages. I think based on the way he acted today, he's as much in the dark....as you and I are now.

JENNIFER: Well one thing's for sure. If he's on that ship we're in for a lot of excitement.

JACK: We're probably also going to be in for a lot of harm.

JENNIFER: I know what direction you're going in Jack and just forget it because I'm going on that ship.

JACK: No, did I say anything? Did I say a single word about it? I just want you to be completely aware of the....ramifications of everything that could happen.

 

IT SEEMS THAT BY "RAMIFICATIONS" JACK IS NOT ALLUDING ONLY TO DANGERS THAT MIGHT OCCUR, BUT MORE ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE, AS IN THE ROMANTIC POSSIBILITIES THERE MAY BE IN STORE FOR THEM.

 

JENNIFER: I am, thank you. And I intend to be on that cruise.

JACK: Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Look Jack, I am not going to rest until I get to the bottom of this whole mystery. Case closed. Of course, I think you should consider if it's worth the risk for you to come Jack. You never know what you might find on an ocean cruise.

JACK: Now tell me, do I strike you as the type who scares easily. I mean that is a rhetorical question of course.

JACK: (CONT.): The point is if you go, I go.

JENNIFER: I'm going.

JACK: Then I'm coming....I mean I'm going, I'm going.

 

SUDDENLY ROMANTIC VIOLIN MUSIC BEGINS TO FLOAT THROUGH THE ROOM. THE TUNE PLAYING IS OUR LOVE IS HERE TO STAY. JENNIFER LOOKS UP AND SMILES; JACK LOOKS AROUND IN MOCK DISGUST. JENNIFER FEIGNS DISGUST AS WELL.

 

JACK: Oh good grief!

JENNIFER: It's the help, I'm telling you Jack.

JACK: I'm telling you it's a big problem.

JENNIFER: I think Sheldon's just gone berserk.

JACK: It's coming out of his paycheck, it is.

JENNIFER: Well he's nuts if he thinks that I'm going to dance with you Jack.

JACK: He's high if he thinks I'm dancing with you.

JENNIFER: You know it's going to be even worse on that cruise with all that romantic music. There is no way that I'm going to dance with you there.

JACK: Not to worry. I'll be to busy getting sea sick. No time really.

JENNIFER: Then we're in agreement.

 

THEY BOTH ARE SLIGHTLY SMILING AT EACH OTHER, ENJOYING THE CLOSENESS.

 

JACK: Oh total agreement! And another thing, I'm not going to be going up on (Stuttering trying to think of the word.) that....that....that palisade.

JACK (CONT.): What do you call that thing?

JENNIFER: (Laughing) Promenade.

JACK: The promenade. Yeah you laugh. It's really horrible. I'm not going to go up on that promenade thing.

JENNIFER: Thank you.

JACK: Yeah.

JENNIFER: That's one less thing I have to worry about.

JACK: And I'm not getting up in the middle of the night to watch the sun come up over the ocean.

JENNIFER: Oh that just makes me tired, thinking about it.

JACK: That's a very good point.

JENNIFER: Don't forget about those moonlit swims in the pool.

 

THE MORE THEY DISCUSS WHAT THEY WILL NOT BE DOING WHILE ON THE CRUISE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THEY BOTH ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CRUISE AND THE POSSIBILITIES OF ROMANCE.

 

JACK: It's out of the question, you know that. It's out of the question.

JENNIFER: I'm so glad we see eye to eye.

JACK: You know something, I'm beginning to dread this whole trip.

JENNIFER: Me too, Jack.

SCENE SIX: STEVE AND KAYLA HAVE BEEN IN AUSTRALIA LOOKING FOR STEPHANIE AND THEY HAVE FOUND HER, AND SHE IS HEALTHY.

SCENE SEVEN: MEANWHILE BO HAS ESCAPED FROM ERNESTO, AND IS PRETENDING TO BE JOHNNY CORELLI, WHO IS SUPPOSE TO PRETEND TO BE BO — SO HE IS PRETENDING TO BE HIMSELF. HE HAS RETURNED TO SALEM.

SCENE EIGHT: GIUSEPPE IS HAVING SECOND THOUGHTS AND WANTS TO TELL ISABELLA SOMETHING. HE SCHEDULES A MEETING. HE IS MURDERED BEFORE HE HAS A CHANCE. WHEN ISABELLA AND ROMAN SHOW UP TO MEET HIM PARK, THEY DISCOVER HIS BODY.

SCENE TEN: ALONG WITH JACK AND JENNIFER, ISABELLA, VICTOR, JULIE, HOPE, BO AND ROMAN ARE ALSO INVITED ON THE CRUISE. ERNESTO HAS SOMETHING PLANNED FOR ALL THE LOVERS, ALL THOSE PEOPLE HE SEES AS HIS ENEMIES.