SCENE ONE: STEVE IS AT HOME CARING FOR STEPHANIE WHILE KAYLA IS AT WORK. HE WALKS OUTSIDE HOLDING THE BABY. HE IS TALKING TO HER. JACK HAS DROPPED BY TO TALK TO STEVE. SEEING STEVE WITH STEPHANIE, HE SILENTLY WATCHES FOR A WHILE AND ENVIES HIM HIS HAPPINESS.

JACK FINALLY DECIDES TO SPEAK UP.

 

JACK: So how's it going?

 

STEVE IS GLAD TO SEE HIM.

 

STEVE: Oooh, there's your Uncle Jack. What are you doing here?

JACK: Ah....I wanted to talk to you about what happened on the island.

STEVE: What do you mean?

JACK: I mean I want to thank you for getting us off the island.

STEVE: Well yeah, it's too bad we couldn't do the same thing for Hope.

JACK: Yes, she....ah....she seemed like a good person.

STEVE: She was.

 

JACK DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO SAY IT, HE DESPERATELY WANTS TO OPEN UP TO STEVE.

 

JACK: I was thinking about Bo. Um....I....I wanted to say something to him....but I couldn't say anything. That's got to be the worst thing in the world.

 

STEVE NOTICES THE CHANGE IN JACK.

 

STEVE: What's going on Jack?

 

BECAUSE OF THE PAST JACK FINDS IT AWKWARD TO ADMIT WHAT HAPPENED BETWEEN HIM AND JENNIFER.

 

JACK: Ah....Jennifer and I....got close on the island.

STEVE: How close?

JACK: I didn't....I didn't mean for anything to happen. But it did! I mean I tried to stop it, and put the brakes on, because....because of before....because....

STEVE: Yeah, you don't have to mention that now though do you?

 

STEVE SITS DOWN ON THE GARDEN SWING.

 

JACK: I didn't want anything to happen. I tried to stop it but Jennifer....has got....she has got this idea of....ah....she's got this idea about us.

 

JACK IS SMILING AS HE THINKS ABOUT JENNIFER.

 

JACK: And she just keeps hanging in there and hanging in there and....she....I'm at a point where I almost....I almost believe it. And I mean, you know, not like...ah....not like wedding bells or anything like that but I just....but I just keep thinking there'll be something. (Beat) Steve?

 

JACK LOOKS OVER TO STEVE FOR SOME ADVICE.

 

STEVE: Have a seat here Jack.

 

JACK SITS DOWN AT THE OTHER END OF THE SWING AND FEELS AWKWARD.

STEVE: You know when Kayla came along I didn't think I'd ever deserve anybody like her. I was a bum. I looked in the mirror and I saw a bum. But she hung around you know. She kept after me. Before you know it we were together. So I don't know, maybe you and Jennifer can have something.

JACK: Well this is nice talking but I guess I better go.

STEVE: Where do you have to go? Do you have some place to go?

 

JACK SMILES AND SHAKES HIS HEAD.

 

JACK: No.

STEVE: No, you don't do you? You know what, we were just going to get a little bottle, get some formula for this little one here, maybe even a biscuit to chew on....what was that?

 

STEVE PUTS HIS EAR UP TO STEPHANIE.

 

STEVE: She said, can uncle Jack stay and help? She'll get upset if you don't stay.

 

STEPHANIE MAKES A LITTLE SQUEAL, AS IF AGREEING.

 

JACK: I'm no good at fixing formulas. I can't....

STEVE: No, I'll fix the formula. You hold the baby.

 

HE HANDS STEPHANIE TO JACK AND GETS UP.

 

STEVE: After all she is your niece.

 

STEVE GOES INSIDE AND JACK HOLDS STEPHANIE UP AND KISSES HER FOREHEAD, LOVINGLY.

HE SEEMS TO BE CONTEMPLATING WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE FOR HIM, MARRYING JENNIFER AND HAVING A FAMILY.

SCENE TWO: LATER AFTER STEPHANIE HAS HAD HER BOTTLE, JACK PUTS HER DOWN FOR A SLEEP. HE IS BENDING OVER HER CRADLE IN THE LIVING ROOM. HE HAS A BUNNY BLANKET OVER HIS SHOULDER. JACK IS ENJOYING BEING INCLUDED IN STEVE AND STEPHANIE'S FAMILY MOMENT. STEVE IS MOVED AT JACK FINALLY GETTING CLOSER TO HIM, AND WANTING TO BE PART OF THE FAMILY.

 

JACK: There you go. Just lean back there and close your eyes. Oh you close your eyes anyway don't you. You can do that right.

STEVE: Is she asleep?

JACK: Yeah, she just....ah....I just thought you know you put her in the thing and you know wrap it around and I guess she'll....I guess she does the rest.

STEVE: This really blows my mind. I used to really hate your guts. I hated your guts. I'm telling it to you straight man.

JACK: (Hopeful) But you don't now.

STEVE: No I don't.

JACK: Do you think Kayla will ever feel that way? (Beat) Do you think that Kayla could ever forgive me?

STEVE: Look that's none of my business man. If you want to talk to Kayla about it, you talk to her. I can't talk for Kayla.

JACK: I tried talking to her and she backs off.

STEVE: Well can you blame her?

JACK: No, I can't.

STEVE: I don't know anything about it. But I do know is that if you don't make it right with her then you'll never make it right with yourself. That's all I know.

JACK: Thank you for understanding what I have to do. And I think I better move on.

 

JACK IS WALKING TOWARDS THE DOOR. HE HAS FORGOTTEN TO REMOVE THE BABY BLANKET THAT HE HAD DRAPED OVER HIS SHOULDER.

 

STEVE: Wait, aren't you forgetting something there?

JACK: What?

STEVE: The thing, little blankey.

 

JACK REMOVES THE BABY BLANKET FROM HIS SHOULDER.

 

JACK: Oh, yeah.

STEVE: That is unless you think you might need it someday.

 

STEVE GRINS AT JACK AND HE GRINS BACK.

 

JACK: Yeah!

STEVE: Get out of here.

 

JACK IS LEAVING.

 

STEVE: Billy Jack....glad you came by.

 

JACK TURNS TO LEAVE BUT INSTEAD PAUSES FOR A FEW SECONDS AND LOOKS BACK AT STEVE.

SCENE ONE: IT S THE DAY OF HOPE'S MEMORIAL SERVICE JENNIFER IS WORKING AT HER COMPUTER. THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: Come in.

 

JACK COMES IN THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Do you say come in to everybody who knocks?

JENNIFER: I knew it was you.

 

JACK NOTICES THAT JENNIFER IS UPSET, AND THAT SHE IS TRYING TO IGNORE HER FEELINGS.

 

JACK: Huh, uh. Is that what you're going to wear to the church?

JENNIFER: Not it's not.

JACK: Are you going to get changed? You don't have much time.

JENNIFER: Well I'm not going anywhere until I finish this story.

JACK: I think Dan would understand if it was a little late.

JENNIFER: You don't know Dan.

JACK: No but I do know you. Stop it!

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: I said, stop it! Your cousin's memorial service is today and you have to face up to that whether you like it or not. (Beat) You're stalling.

JENNIFER: No I'm doing my job. Besides, life goes on.

JACK: Huh, uh.

 

JACK IS SILENT FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN HE SHUTS HER LAPTOP. HE TRIES TO COMFORT HER.

JACK: No, it doesn't go on. Not till you deal with this first.

JENNIFER: You're right, I do have to face what happened to Hope.

JACK: Nobody said it was going to be easy.

JENNIFER: Well I'm not going to be able to do anything until I accept it. In the meantime I have an unfinished story and a boss that doesn't know the meaning of the word later.

JACK: (Smiling) He'll learn.

JENNIFER: What am I going to say to him Jack?

JACK: Eeeew, he really does have you intimidated doesn't he? I guess I'll have to take a few lessons.

 

THERE IS A LOUD KNOCK AT THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: What am I going to do?

JACK: Don't, don't worry, don't worry. Just pretend he's me.

JENNIFER: Pretend he's you?

JACK: Just pretend he's me. Think you're looking into my face and you'll be able to speak your mind perfectly.

JENNIFER: I can't do that Jack. I....

JACK: Don't keep the boss waiting.

 

SHE GOES TO THE DOOR AND HESITATES AND JACK ENCOURAGES HER TO OPEN IT UP.

 

DAN: Oh hi Jen.

JENNIFER: Hi.

DAN: So have you got that piece for me?

 

JACK IS GIVING JENNIFER HAND SIGNALS OVER THE TOP OF DAN'S HEAD. NOT BEING SUBTLE DAN PICKS UP ON THEM.

 

DAN: Something wrong Deveraux?

JACK: No, I was just waving hello. Hi, hi.

DAN: Hi. (To Jennifer) So how's the story going?

JENNIFER: Ah actually it's not going at all.

DAN: Pardon me?

JENNIFER: I can't do it today Jack....

 

JACK LOOKS EMBARRASSED AND DAN IS CONFUSED.

 

JENNIFER: ....ah....Dan.

DAN: You can't?

JENNIFER: No. Look I realize that it's very important but there are a lot of other things that matter too. Now I don't know what you're going to do to me but that's my decision and it's final and I'm going to stand by it.

DAN: Fine, fine, whatever. Listen, do you mind if I make a call? I've got to check with the office.

JENNIFER: Sure.

JACK: That was great, that was great. (Beat) What's the matter? What's wrong?

JENNIFER: Nothing. I just remember why I needed the time off, that's all.

SCENE TWO: A SHORT TIME LATER. DAN HAS JUST GOTTEN OFF THE PHONE.

 

DAN: Well thanks for the use of the phone.

JENNIFER: Is everything alright Dan?

DAN: No, not really. Alex is going on a vacation next week and nobody told me before. Now it's almost too late to get somebody to take his place.

JACK: What does he do when he's not on vacation?

DAN: The Crossfire segment. You know, one of those point, counterpoint things.

JENNIFER: Whatever Alex argues for, Madeline Armstrong is always arguing against.

JACK: Oooooh!

DAN: It's the biggest ratings draw we have.

JENNIFER: Well what about Brett?

DAN: Brett reads the news and only if we leave out the big words. No I need somebody who is capable of actual thought. Somebody who is articulate, politically aware, colorful....

 

JENNIFER SEEMS TO HAVE AN IDEA.

 

JENNIFER: Creative, intelligent,....telegenic?

JACK: Telegenic?

DAN: Exactly. You know somebody like that?

JENNIFER: As a matter of fact I do.

DAN: Oh great, what's his name?

JENNIFER: Jack Deveraux!

 

JACK LOOKS AT JENNIFER AND THEN AT DAN AND THEN SWINGS HIS HEAD STRAIGHT BACK TO JENNIFER.

JACK: You're not serious?

JENNIFER: Why don't you just think about it, Jack?

JACK: Forget it. Forget it. Alright.

JENNIFER: Excuse me Dan. Can we have a minute?

DAN: Yeah sure. I just need to make a call.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER GO OVER TO TALK ALONE.

 

JACK: Wai....listen you don't need to say a thing because I've already made up my mind.

JENNIFER: Jack you are perfect for this job and you know it.

JACK: No I don't know it.

JENNIFER: What, don't you like the idea of us working together again?

JACK: It's.....it's not that at all. It's....it's.....it's politics. I am out of politics for good. I have been out of politics ever since.....

 

JENNIFER REALIZES WHY JACK IS RELUCTANT.

 

JENNIFER: ....Harper got arrested.

JACK: Yeah. Yes. Yeah! Well that's enough tripping down memory lane. How about that?

JENNIFER: What, is that what's bothering you. Are you afraid that people are going to hold your past against you?

JACK: No! No, no, no. I am not afraid of anything. I am not going to change my mind, okay.

JENNIFER: Jack!

JACK: No, no!

JENNIFER: You were a different person then. Everybody knows that. People have faith in you. I have faith in you. I know you've changed. You can be whatever you want to be Jack. You don't have to hide anymore.

 

JACK IS VERY UNSURE. DAN COMES OVER.

 

DAN: Listen I hate to push but I have rehearsals to book and ad space to buy. I need your answer Jack. Will you help me out this one time, will you do the show?

 

JACK STARTS TO SAY NO AND THEN YES AND THEN HESITATES BEFORE ANSWERING.

 

JACK: Alright, alright, I'll do it but you've got to give me a big dressing room.

JENNIFER IS PLEASED, THAT THEY WILL BE WORKING TOGETHER.

SCENE THREE: THE CHURCH AND IT IS TIME FOR HOPE'S MEMORIAL SERVICE. JACK AND JENNIFER ARRIVE. JACK FEELS SELF-CONSCIOUS BEING THERE, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO SAY, AND UNSURE THAT HE IS ACCEPTED.

 

ALICE: Jennifer, I'm so glad you're here. Oh and you too Jack.

JACK: I....ah....I don't know what to say. I'm really sorry.

ALICE: So are we all. So are we all.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER SIT DOWN NEAR THE BACK OF THE CHURCH.

SCENE FOUR: BO HAS DECIDED NOT TO COME TO THE SERVICE HE TAKES SHAWN DOUGLAS FISHING INSTEAD. ALICE DECIDES IT IS TIME THAT SHE TALKED TO HIM ABOUT FACING WHAT'S HAPPENED SO SHE LEAVES TO FIND HIM.

SCENE FIVE: TOM RECITES A POEM ABOUT HOPE AND THEN CALLS JENNIFER TO RECALL SOME SPECIAL MEMORIES. SHE HESITATES.

 

JACK: What's the matter?

JENNIFER: Nothing.

JACK: You can do this, right.

JENNIFER: I know.

JACK: Come on.

JENNIFER: I can do this.

JACK: Right.

 

JENNIFER GOES UP AND TALKS ABOUT GROWING UP WITH HOPE. AS SHE FINISHES, SHE BEGINS TO CRY AND RUNS OUT OF THE CHURCH. JACK RUNS OUT AFTER HER AND PUTS HIS HAND ON HER SHOULDER.

SHE TURNS TO HIM WITH TEARS RUNNING DOWN HER CHEEKS.

SCENE SIX: JACK HAS TAKEN HER BACK TO THE LOFT. JACK IS HURTING FOR HER, AND UNSURE HOW TO COMFORT HER.

 

JENNIFER: I didn't want to do that. I didn't want to cry. I wanted to be so strong but I couldn't do it.

JACK: You don't have to explain this to me. I know.....

JENNIFER: I have to explain. I really do. I need you to understand. When I was up there talking about Hope, it brought back so many memories of her, of everybody I've ever been close to, of everybody I've ever loved. And my mom, she's not in my life anymore. And my dad, we have so many problems, and Mike's not here anymore and I don't know what I'd ever do if I lost you.

 

JACK IS THROWN BY THIS LAST REMARK.

 

JACK: Whoa, whoa, whoa. What are we talking about here?

JENNIFER: That's what I was thinking about the whole time I was up there. That's why I had to stop.

JACK: Look, let's not.....go there okay Jennifer. I mean I don't know how to cheer people up. I don't know what to say. I don't....

JENNIFER: You don't have to say anything. Will you just hold me....please?

 

SHE PUTS HER ARMS AROUND HIS NECK AND HE ENCASES HER IN HIS ARMS.

 

JACK: Please don't....don't cry.

 

SHE SITS DOWN ON THE SOFA AND HE SITS NEXT TO HERE.

 

JENNIFER: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just keep thinking about what happened. I just feel this emptiness inside and I don't know how to make it go away.

 

JACK MOVES OVER AND KISSES HER.

 

JACK: Just stop.

 

HE KISSES HER AGAIN.

 

JENNIFER: Jack I want you to make love to me.

 

JACK HESITATES.

 

JACK: Jennifer....

 

JENNIFER GETS THE WRONG IDEA, BELIEVING THAT JACK IS TURNED OFF WITH THE IDEA SINCE IT IS THE DAY OF HOPE'S MEMORIAL.

 

JENNIFER: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. This is wrong. This is an inappropriate day for this. I'm wrong. I wasn't thinking. I'm sorry.

JACK: No! (Beat) No, it's not wrong.

JENNIFER: It isn't?

JACK: There's nothing wrong with trying to make the pain go away.... at least for a little while.

 

JACK BEGINS TO KISS HER PASSIONATELY, AND LOVINGLY, TRYING TO COMFORT HER AND EASE HER PAIN. THE SCENE ENDS AS THEY ARE ABOUT TO MAKE LOVE.