oldEpisode One-hundred-Seventy: Jack Does
Crossfire for WATB; Jennifer Thinks They
Should Live Together, He Refuses, He Seems
to Be Slipping Back to His Old-self; Carly and
She Are Old Friends, She Asks Jennifer for Help.

[Air date late July 1990]

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS AT THE STUDIO, ON THE NEWSROOM SET GOING OVER A STORY. CARLY APPEARS AT THE SIDE OF THE SET AND IS WATCHING JENNIFER. JUST THEN JACK ARRIVES, WALKING STRAIGHT PAST CARLY.

 

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: What?
oldEp170A
JENNIFER:
Look at you, look at you. you look great.

JACK: Wha....what this? This old thing. This is....I've worn this old thing a million times.

JENNIFER: No Jack, that's your power suit.

 

JENNIFER IS EXTREMELY PROUD OF JACK, BUT IS ALSO HAVING FUN TEASING JACK. DOING THE SEGMENT MEANS A GREAT DEAL TO JACK, BUT IN TYPICAL JACK FASHION HE KEEPS HIS EMOTIONS IN CHECK.

 

JACK: It is not!

JENNIFER: It is too. I know it's your power suit because you always used to wear it at the paper when you had big meetings.

JACK: It's just a coincidence.

JENNIFER: No, the red tie too. It's all part of the power suit.

JACK: This is the first time....this is the first thing I pulled off the rack this morning.

JENNIFER: Jack, look it's okay if you're nervous, okay. I remember the first time I was on the air I was such a wreck I must have put on a dozen different outfits.

JACK: Till you took a fall in the rain and ended up with mud in your eye. Yeah I was there. I remember. Is that supposed to make me feel better or what?

JENNIFER: Jack, you're going to be great okay. I know it. And then afterwards we'll go celebrate at Wings.

JACK: (Jack is nervous) Ju....just the two of us?

JENNIFER: Well I really wasn't planning on bringing the whole crew.

JACK: Heheheh. It kinda....you know, it kinda sounds like a date.

JENNIFER: Well yeah. I mean don't you think it's about time? What do you say? Do we have a date?

 

JACK STALLS AND STARTS TO STRAIGHTEN HIS TIE AND ARRANGE HIS SUIT.

 

JENNIFER: Well what's taking so long? I mean it's just a simple dinner invitation Jack.

JACK: I'm just not used to being asked out, that's all. It's just a....just a....

JENNIFER: Jack this is the 90s. Women have been asking me out for a quite a while now.

JACK: Not this man.

JENNIFER: Maybe it's just this woman.

JACK: What's that supposed to mean?

JENNIFER: Well I don't know. I mean is it me that you don't want to go out with?

JACK: Don't be ridiculous. You know that that's silly.

JENNIFER: Well why are you avoiding an answer?

JACK: I'm just....I'm just in debate mode right now. You know, never answer a question fully and never ask a question that you don't already know the answer to.

JENNIFER: I just thought I knew the answer to this question.

JACK: I think it's time to get on the air. I've got to get into hair and make-up, you know.

JENNIFER: Jack what is the problem and don't tell me that there isn't one. After we....what we shared together in that cave I thought that we understood how we felt about each other.

JACK: Look I'm just better at caves and deserted islands than I am at dinner dates at Wings.

JENNIFER: Well maybe it's the last part you need to work on.

JACK: Well maybe it is.

JENNIFER: Then it's a date?

 

JACK ROLLS HIS EYES AND SMILES.

 

JACK: Yeah, it's a date! It's a date.

 

THEY HOLD HANDS AND LAUGH AT EACH OTHER.

 

CREW: Mr. Deveraux, Dan wants to brief you before you go on.

JACK: I think that's my cue.

JENNIFER: Alright, see you after the show.

JACK: Yeah, after the show.

 

JACK LEAVES AND CARLY STARTS TO WALK TOWARDS JENNIFER WHEN SECURITY COMES OVER AND THROWS HER OUT OF THE STUDIO BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT HAVE A PASS.

SCENE TWO: JACK IS NOW READY TO GO ON AIR AND HE IS FITTING HIS MICROPHONE. DAN IS TALKING TO HIM.

 

DAN: Look this is a big night for us. You're leading into a major piece that Jennifer's doing for us and we can't afford to lose any audience. So give it your best shot Jackie, alright. Be as brash and obnoxious.....you know be your usual charming self.

JACK: You think she's going to be able to handle that?

 

JACK IS REFERRING TO MADELINE WHO IS SITTING ON THE SET.

 

DAN: Madeline, are you kidding? She's a pirahna in high heels. She'll have you for breakfast if you let her.

JACK: Thanks for the vote of confidence.

JENNIFER: Yeah if anyone could put Madeline in her place it's you Jack.

DAN: So are you ready with your piece?

JENNIFER: Yeah as ready as I'm going to be.

DAN: Good. Remember this is the big league stuff. Make a place on the mantel for that pretty gold lady.

 

DAN LEAVES.

 

JACK: Is it my imagination or is he....ah....kind of laying it on a little thick, maybe?

JENNIFER: Well he is right. It is the biggest story of my career so far. Maybe the biggest ever.

JACK: Oh good, good. Now my humiliation is on the line as well as your career.

JENNIFER: Jack stop it, you're going to be sensational.

JACK: What about sensationalized.

CREW: Twenty seconds to air.

JACK: Oh, I better sit.

JENNIFER: Oh Jack wait a minute.

JACK: What, what? Is my zipper down, my cow lick up?

JENNIFER: No, no, no. I just wanted to tell you to break a leg.

 

SHE GIVES HIM A BIG KISS ON HIS RIGHT CHEEK AND LEAVES.

 

JACK: Oh....yeah, sure.

CREW: In 5, 4, 3, 2....

 

WHILE THEY ARE COUNTING DOWN, JACK IS FIDDLING WITH HIS CHAIR, JUST MANAGING TO SIT UPRIGHT RIGHT ON CUE. THE NEWS ANCHOR ANNOUNCES WHAT IS ON THE SHOW. JENNIFER IS WATCHING ON THE STUDIO MONITOR AND NOTICES THAT JACK HAS A LARGE LIPSTICK MARK ON HIS CHEEK.
oldEp170B
THE CROSSFIRE SEGMENT BEGINS; JENNIFER RUNS TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE SET TO SIGNAL JACK TO WIPE HIS FACE. SHE POINTS TO HER RIGHT CHEEK JACK AUTOMATICALLY POINTS TO HIS LEFT. HE IS CONFUSED AS SHE CONTINUES TO MAKE SIGNALS. HE BEGINS TO SMACK BOTH OF HIS CHEEKS JUST AS MADELINE ASKS HIM A QUESTION.

 

MADELINE: Now what do you have to say to this Mr. Deveraux? (Beat) Throwing in the towel already?

JACK: Wha....what?

MADELINE: Well why else would you be indulging in this exercise of self flagellation?

JACK: Ah....um.....ah.....I'm trying to keep awake.

 

HE BEGINS TO SLAP HIS FACE AND FEELS THE LIPSTICK. HE WIPES HIS HAND DOWN HIS CHEEK.

 

JACK: Yeah, yeah, that's what I'm trying to do. I'm trying to keep awake....through this horrible opening speech. I tell you, I'm going to need a lot more than a cup of coffee to keep awake if this is the way it's going to go. Thank you.
oldEp170C

SCENE THREE: THE SHOW CONTINUES WITH MADELINE AND JACK ARGUING.

 

JACK: YOU ARE OUT OF YOUR ALLEGED MIND!

MADELINE: You are so open minded, you're flat headed.

JACK: Your idea of the best use of land is to pave everything, put up little parking meters and just fill the pockets of your fat cat friends.

MADELINE: Oh okay, so what's your idea, a place for frogs to frolic?

JACK: Well at least they have a place right now. They won't have a place soon. I mean the way you're going.

 

JENNIFER IS SIGNALING DAN TO TELL HIM IT IS TIME FOR HER PIECE TO GO TO AIR.

 

JACK: Of course maybe that's the way you would like it, no one to have anything at all, Miss High-rise Queen, Miss Parking Lot.

MADELINE: Okay, okay, Mr. Natural....

JACK: Yeah.

MADELINE: If you want to drag this thing into the mud.....

JACK: Hey you were the one that brought up the frogs, not me.

MADELINE: Maybe you've forgotten about a little ecological disaster of your own, the time you poisoned those school children with your toxic waste.

 

DAN SIGNAL BACK TO JENNIFER THAT HE IS LETTING CROSSFIRE CONTINUE BECAUSE JACK IS DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB. JENNIFER IS NOT IMPRESSED.

 

JACK: Well I'm....well I....I....you know something I'm glad that you brought that up. I really am because this exactly illustrates what can happen when concerned groups are brought together and made aware, just like what we're doing now. I want you to know that my company, when we found out about out little dirty dumpings, I mean you know so to speak, we immediately jumped into action, we cleaned up our act and the environment and we paid for the medical bills of all those poor little kiddies. And we set up a watch dog group to help everything, to clean it up. You know the important thing I think here is we have to realize that we're not arguing, are we. Brett, we're not arguing are we? NO! We've got nothing to argue about because we're talking about our home, our land, mom, apple pie. We're talking about planet earth. We've got to do something quick to save it or we're going to be stuck. Thank you.

 

BRETT: Thank you Madeline, Jack.

JACK: Thank you.

BRETT: And that's the news!

CREW: Clear.

 

THE SHOW ENDS AND EVERYBODY RUNS UP TO CONGRATULATE JACK.

 

BRETT: Nice job Jack.

JACK: Thank you.

DAN: The ratings are going to go through the roof.

JACK: Yeah, so....so's Madeline.Thank you.

MADELINE: No, I like a man who rises to the challenge. You're the best that I've come across in a long time. I can't wait until our next time.

JACK: There won't be a next time.

DAN: Are you kidding? Wait a minute, when you two are together the sparks really fly.

JACK: And next thing will be the furniture. Thank you.

 

JACK PULLS ON HIS JACKET AND THEN NOTICES JENNIFER STANDING AT THE SIDE OF THE SET.

 

JACK: Ah....I think you have to excuse me. I....ah...have a little battle of my own coming up.

 

JACK WALKS OVER TO TALK TO JENNIFER WHO IS NOT HAPPY ABOUT HAVING HER PIECE CUT COMPLETELY.

 

JACK: Alright, alright. I had no idea it was going to run over. I....

JENNIFER: WE'RE LATE FOR DINNER JACK!

 

SHE MARCHES OFF AND LEAVES HIM STANDING THERE. JACK REALIZES HE IS IN *BIG* TROUBLE.

 

JACK: Round 1.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE, WHILE JACK AND JENNIFER WERE WAY, MELISSA AND MARCUS HAD BEEN SUSPICIOUS OF CARLY AND HER INTEREST IN JENNIFER. MELISSA SNEAKED INTO THE LOFT TO GET A RING THAT HAS SOME CONNECTION TO CARLY AND JENNIFER. THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS JUST AS JACK AND JENNIFER ARRIVE AT WINGS. JENNIFER HAS HER ARM IN JACK'S AND LOOKS HAPPY. JACK STILL LOOKS LIKE THE BATTLE IS CONTINUING.

 

JENNIFER: Hi.

MELISSA: Hi, Jennifer, Jack. I didn't know you guys were going to be here tonight.

JENNIFER: Oh yeah, yeah. We're here to celebrate. Isn't that right Jack?

 

SHE DOES NOT STOP LONG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO ANSWER. MARCUS AND MELISSA ARE AMUSED BY THEIR BANTERING.

 

JENNIFER: Jack made his television debut tonight and he stole the show.

JACK: That's not true, really it's....

JENNIFER: No, no, no. Listen he was fabulous. Nobody knew that anybody else was even there.

JACK: I think she's exaggerating a little bit.

JENNIFER: No....

DAVE: I think your table's ready. The best seat in the house as you requested.

JENNIFER: Huh, uh. Nothing but the best for the best!

 

SHE PATS JACK ON THE ARM.

 

JACK: Courting fame.

JENNIFER: Have fun.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER GO OVER TO THEIR TABLE.

 

JENNIFER: Ah, Dave do you think we could have some champagne? You know history was made tonight. A media star was born.

JACK: How many times do I have to tell you, I'm sorry.

JENNIFER: How many times do I have to tell you, I'm not mad.

JACK: Look, I had my fifteen minutes of fame. It's over now. Nobody even....nobody's even going to know tomorrow.

JENNIFER: Wait a minute, it was more than fifteen minutes first of all Jack.

JACK: Ooooh, we are mad now aren't we?

JENNIFER: I am not mad!

JACK: Oh? (Jack is enjoying every minute of this.)

JENNIFER: I'm not, right! Just because I missed out on the biggest story of my life which Dan said I could have won an Emmy for....

JACK: There's always tomorrow night.

JENNIFER: Oh yeah, not if you go running off at the mouth again.

JACK: I have no intention of running off at the mouth. I have no intention of even doing that show again.

JENNIFER: Oh just like you had no intention of hogging the limelight, right.

JACK: Look it was just....it was a debate. Nobody's watches debates! I don't, you don't! Probably nobody even saw me.

 

AT THAT MOMENT JACK IS RECOGNIZED BY SOME OF THE CROWD AT WINGS WHO COME OVER TO CONGRATULATE HIM ON HIS PERFORMANCE AGAINST MADELINE. JACK TAKES IT IN HIS STRIDE AND JENNIFER IS FURIOUS. DAVE COMES OVER WITH A REQUEST FOR AUTOGRAPHS FROM A NEARBY TABLE AND A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WANT THEIR NAPKINS SIGNED. JACK TRIES TO PRETEND HE IS SHY ABOUT IT ALL.

 

JACK: Well I....I....well....well, I guess so. Alright, who's first. Geoff, okay, with a "G" or a "J."

 

JENNIFER GETS UP AND WALKS TO THE BAR AND CARLY WALKS UP NEXT TO HER.

 

JENNIFER: If you're looking for Jack he's over there with his little fan club.

CARLY: I'm not looking for him. I'm looking for you. Don't you remember me?

 

JENNIFER LOOKS AT CARLY CLOSELY AND SUDDENLY REMEMBERS WHO SHE IS.

 

JENNIFER: Katerina!

 

THEY HUG EACH OTHER. AFTER EXPLAINING TO MARCUS AND MELISSA THAT THEY ARE BEST FRIENDS, CARLY SAYS SHE HAS TO LEAVE BUT SHE PUTS A NOTE IN JENNIFER'S HAND. IT ASKS HER TO MEET CARLY LATER ON THE PIER. JENNIFER LOOKS ACROSS AT JACK WHO IS TOTALLY SURROUNDED BY FANS.
oldEp170D
JACK: So then I said to her....

 

JENNIFER DECIDES TO LEAVE AND MEET CARLY STRAIGHT AWAY BECAUSE JACK WILL NOT NOTICE.

SCENE FIVE: LATER MARCUS AND MELISSA ARE TALKING ABOUT JENNIFER WHEN JACK COMES OVER.

 

JACK: Excuse me. Has anybody here seen Miss Horton?

MELISSA: Well yes she was just over there making a....phone call. She was there a minute ago.

JACK: But she's not now.

MELISSA: Maybe she's in the ladies' room.

JACK: Or maybe she left.

MARCUS: Why would you say that?

JACK: You haven't noticed her making any disparaging remarks about me, have you? I mean other than the usual.

MELISSA: As a matter of fact your name didn't even come up.

JACK: Huh, uh. Proves it. She's is the denial mode over the whole thing.

MELISSA: What thing?

DAVE: Jack I hate to bother you again but do you think you could...

 

DAVE HANDS JACK A MENU TO SIGN.

 

JACK: The price of fame. So demanding, excuse me.

 

JACK WALKS OFF TO SIGN STUFF.

 

JACK: Hi....

 

MELISSA LOOKS AT MARCUS.

 

MELISSA: Well she really could be in the ladies' room.

 

MARCUS: Yeah or she could be gone. And I have a feeling it's got nothing to do with Jack.

 

MARCUS AND MELISSA BOTH SEEM SOMEWHAT DUBIOUS ABOUT CARLY.

SCENE SCENE SIX: JENNIFER MEETS CARLY ON THE PIER. CARLY TELLS JENNIFER HER SHE HAS CHANGED HER NAME AND APPEARANCE: SHE IS IN HIDING FROM THE MAN THAT SHE IS PROMISED IN MARRIAGE TO ON HER TWENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY. JENNIFER AGREES TO PROTECT HER.

[Air late date July 1990 ]

 

SCENE ONE: IT IS THE NEXT DAY AND JACK ARRIVES AT THE LOFT.

 

JACK: Alright, time for a little open heart-to-heart.

JENNIFER: Come in Jack, make yourself at home.

JACK: Tell me, why?

JENNIFER: Tell you what?

JACK: Tell me why you went sneaking out of Wings last night. I had to find my own ride home, thank you very much.

 

JENNIFER HIDES A PICTURE SHE HAS OF HER AND KATERINA AT BOARDING SCHOOL.

 

JENNIFER: Did I really sneak out on you last night?

JACK: You certainly didn't announce your leaving.

JENNIFER: Oh I'm sorry. I thought I did. Well anyway I went to meet an old friend.

JACK: Old boyfriend?

 

JACK IS JEALOUS. JENNIFER SEEMS TO ENJOY THIS; BUT SHE ALSO DOES NOT WANT JACK TO GET SUSPICIOUS AND DISCOVER CARLY'S SECRET.

 

JENNIFER: You know all my old boyfriends Jack. I didn't go meet any of them.

JACK: Well...um....well then who?

JENNIFER: (Trying to change the subject.) Look whoever it was it's really no big deal. Would you like some iced tea?

JACK: Yes, I'd like some iced tea.

JENNIFER: Okay.

JACK: Just tell me!

JENNIFER: Jack, it was somebody that I knew from a long time ago and we went for a walk.

JACK: And that's it?

JENNIFER: Yeah, that's it. We just had a lot of catching up to do.

JACK: Well that's a....a big relief.

JENNIFER: What, that I wasn't sneaking out on you.

JACK: No, I thought that you left because...ah....because....ah....because I was being a jerk.

JENNIFER: (Teasing him) Jack Deveraux a jerk?

JACK: Yeah big surprise I know, yes. But, after my big success in television yesterday, I thought that you thought that my head was getting a little big.

JENNIFER: Well it did but you weren't being a jerk. At least not more than usual.

JACK: I can't tell you how much better that makes me feel.

JENNIFER: Anyway Jack, your television appearance was a one time thing.

JACK: It was a great one time thing though.

 

THEY BOTH SIT DOWN ON THE SOFA.

 

JENNIFER: You were okay.

JACK: I was a hit!

JENNIFER: You got ratings.

JACK: That makes me a hit.

JENNIFER: Jack it's yesterday's news.

JACK: Say it!

 

JENNIFER TAKES A BIG SIP OF ICED TEA BEFORE SHE ANSWERS. JACK WAITS FOR HER TO PRAISE HIM.

 

JENNIFER: Okay....you were a hit.

JACK: (Jack grins) I'm glad you're not mad at me anymore.

JENNIFER: Well even if I was, which I'm not, it's over and done with.

JACK: And a good thing that is too because working together is trouble.

JENNIFER: Nothing but.

JACK: I can tell you when we worked together in that office it was like cats and dogs.

JENNIFER: Jack you were the most impossible boss.

JACK: El Numero Uno boss.

JENNIFER: You know what made it worse? Was that I was dying to kiss you.

JACK: Well you know you certainly didn't make it easy on me always walking around in that little....

JENNIFER: You treated me like I was a pest.

JACK: That's cause you were a pest.

JENNIFER: That's because you like me.

JACK: That's because you....well anyway it's a good thing we're not working together because it just made me too tense.
oldEp170E
JENNIFER:
Me too, it made me very tense. (Beat) I think a good relationship is where we live together but we don't work together.

JACK: Wait a minute, what did you say?

JENNIFER: We don't work together.

SCENE TWO: JACK IS IN SHOCK AT WHAT JENNIFER HAS JUST SAID.

 

JACK: No, no, no, no. Back up a couple of miles.

JENNIFER: To which part?

JACK: You know which part.

JENNIFER: Look after what happened on the island I just thought maybe....

JACK: You just thought we should....what....live together! Argh, I need a drink!

JENNIFER: Jack, Jack wait a minute.

 

JACK GETS UP AND GOES TO KITCHEN.

 

JACK: A real drink.

 

HE TIPS THE ICED TEA DOWN THE SINK AND OPENS THE FRIDGE. THERE IS NOTHING THERE BUT WATER AND HE TAKES A BIG GULP.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, you.....

JACK: Oh no, no, no, no, no.

JENNIFER: You don't understand. You're not listening to me Jack.

JACK: I'm listening to you. (He gulps more water) I'm listening, believe me. Did we discuss living together? I don't think so!
oldEp170F

JENNIFER:
Jack living together is a very natural thing after....

JACK: I don't....I don't think....

 

THERE IS KNOCK AT THE DOOR.

 

JACK: (Trying to avoid the discussion) The door.

JENNIFER: We're not through discussing this Jack.

 

SHE GOES TO ANSWER THE DOOR.

 

JACK: I'm well aware that we're not through discussing this.

JENNIFER: Dan.

DAN: Jennifer I know you're surprised to see me but this is too good for a mere phone call. And Jack, I'm glad you're here because this concerns you too.

JACK: Yeah, I got a bad feeling about this.

DAN: I have an idea that you are going to love. And the best part about it is that you'll be working together.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER GLANCE AT EACH OTHER.

 

JENNIFER: Forget it Dan.

JACK: We are not working together....

JENNIFER: ....no matter what you say.

JACK: Whatever your idea is....

JENNIFER: ....our minds are made up and that's it.

JACK: But thank you for the offer anyway, thank you.

DAN: Are you two finished?

 

THEY GLANCE AT EACH OTHER AGAIN, CONSIDER HIS QUESTION AND DECIDE THAT THEY ARE.

 

JENNIFER: Huh.

JACK: Huh.

DAN: Jack, that commentator you stood in for got detained out of town so I want you to do the Crossfire segment again tonight.

JACK: Can I talk now?

DAN: Yeah but I won't take no for an answer.

JACK: Well what about, it was really great but once is enough.

DAN: Look romance is sweet but let's not carry this chivalry thing too far. I know you're turning me down because last time Jennifer's piece got bumped, right?

JACK: Well I.....well I mean what's wrong with chivalry? It's....ah....

DAN: You have my word. You fill in again for me and Jennifer does her piece on the cruise. Jack you were great. You're a star.

JACK: Heheheh. Look Madonna's a star.

DAN: Hmm but she doesn't have your political savvy.

JACK: Well I couldn't really say that, no.

DAN: Listen, listen, your experience as a newspaper editor makes you perfect to go one on one with the opposition. You're well informed, you're articulate, you're....

JACK: Okay, okay. Look my ego's big but my heart is weak.

DAN: Does that mean you'll do it?

JACK: Ah....television needs me.

DAN: Great, I'll see you both at the studio. You won't be sorry.

 

JENNIFER IS DISGUSTED AT THEIR CONVERSATION.

 

JACK: I think I already am.

 

DAN LEAVES AND JACK TURNS TO LOOK AT JENNIFER.

 

JACK: Aren't I?

 

JENNIFER WALKS AWAY FROM JACK.

 

JACK: You're upset.

JENNIFER: No that's not the word I'd use.

JACK: You're upset that I agreed to do the show.

JENNIFER: Jack we both know that you can't resist a little flattery.

JACK: Okay, what should I do? Should I put a cot in my ears whenever your boss comes around?

JENNIFER: No, that wouldn't have helped.

JACK: Alright we both agree that we shouldn't work together. That's the best thing.

JENNIFER: Look what's bothering me is not your doing the show, alright, it's that I'm going to have to do my story on the cruise.

JACK: Wait a minute, what's wrong with that? Why should you have second thoughts about that?

JENNIFER: The more I keep thinking about it, the more I keep dreading it. I mean how am I supposed to sit there and be objective and factual on a piece that was so personal?

JACK: Well....ah....nobody said you had to be objective.

JENNIFER: Well Jack you did. I mean that was the first rule that you taught me about journalism.

JACK: Oh! Well....ah....since when have you ever listened to me?

JENNIFER: I know but how am I supposed to pretend that it doesn't matter, that it isn't getting to me?

JACK: Well I guess you have to rely on tremendous concentration.

JENNIFER: Tremendous, that's right.

JACK: And amazing acting ability.

JENNIFER: Amazing, yes. So there's only one thing to do about it.

JACK: Give the story to somebody else?

JENNIFER: No, give the story what it deserves. I am going to put every bit of heart and feeling that I have into it Jack.

JACK: That's it.

JENNIFER: I am going to put myself on the line.

JACK: That's it.

JENNIFER: And I am going to show the personal side of what happened.

JACK: That's it. That's great!

JENNIFER: And I am not going to leave out one single intimate detail.

JACK: That's wonderful! (Beat) You what?

JENNIFER: Thank you Jack. I feel so much better. I'm so glad now that everyone's going to see exactly what that cruise meant to me.

 

SHE GIVES JACK A BIG HUG AND HE IS WORRIED ABOUT WHAT SHE IS GOING TO SAY.

 

JACK: Je.....Je....ah.....

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE IN PRISON HARPER HAS HEARD THAT STEVE AND KAYLA ARE BEING REMARRIED. HARPER DECIDES THAT IT IS TIME HE TOOK CARE OF STEVE FOR GOOD.

SCENE FOUR: JACK AND JENNIFER ARE AT THE STUDIO READY FOR THE CROSSFIRE SEGMENT AND THEN JENNIFER'S PIECE ON THE CRUISE. JACK GIVES HER HAND A REASSURING SQUEEZE.

 

JACK: Holding up okay?

JENNIFER: Oh yeah, yeah, I'm fine.

JACK: Yeah I just wanted to let you know I'm here, in case anything....

JENNIFER: Thanks.

MADELINE: Jack, I can't tell you how excited I am about another debate.

JACK: Me too Madeline, me too.

MADELINE: Last night you were absolutely wonderful. You're politically astute, marvelously glib and a wonderful editor to boot.

JACK: I speak fast and know how to get off.

DAN: Places people, thirty seconds to air.

MADELINE: (Slightly flirting with Jack) I guess that's us Mr. Deveraux.

JENNIFER: (Jealous, Mimicking Madeline) "I guess that's us Mr. Deveraux."


SCENE FIVE: CROSSFIRE IS UNDERWAY AND JACK IS IN FULL SWING.

 

JACK: I'm telling you that the S&L bail out is going to cost this country more than World War I and World War II combined.

MADELINE: The banker's made an honest mistake.

JACK: Mistake! Look the only mistake was allowing these guys graduate from high school without a basic understanding in math and economics. What they need is a watchdog looking over their shoulders, keeping them from lending billions and billions of dollars to people with lousy collateral.

MADELINE: You know what you're trouble is Jack. You're one of these limousine liberals who wouldn't even recognize the common man if you ran over him.

 

JACK LOOKS UP AND SEES JENNIFER LOOKING AT HER WATCH. HE REALIZES THAT IT IS TIME CROSSFIRE FINISHED.

 

JACK: You know something, I thought we were talking about the S&L bail out but obviously we are getting a mixture between S&L and S&M and another thing, you've gotten way of course and unlike the government I'm not going to bail you out. So thank you very much, it's been very nice chatting with you Madeline. Bud....ah Brett, take it away. Go ahead.

CREW: Clear, ready for commercial.

 

JACK GETS UP AND LEAVES THE SET.

 

DAN: Jack, why did you end it? It was going great, you were on a roll.

JACK: I....er....I just had it with being in the spotlight, that's all.

 

HE LOOKS ACROSS TO JENNIFER WHO SMILES AND MOUTHS THE WORD THANK YOU TO JACK.

SCENE SIX: IT IS NOW TIME FOR JENNIFER'S PIECE ON THE CRUISE. JACK IS WATCHING ON THE CAMERA MONITOR AND NODS GIVING HER REASSURANCE AS SHE BEGINS.

 

JENNIFER: When I left for the cruise I was hoping to bring back a very big story to make my mark as a journalist, to entertain you, to educate you. But instead I cam back with an education for myself. So many of the things I wanted to tell you seem very inconsequential right now. But maybe that's what being a good journalist is all about, learning what's important. And what I learned is that love is what's important. The love of friends, the love between brothers and the love between a man and a woman. And the man who planned this cruise and destroyed it was Ernesto Toscano. What he tried to do to us will stay with us for the rest of our lives. See he tried to destroy love. He lived by the credo that people who love each other can be manipulated to hating and even killing each other. He turned himself inside out. He turned everything into hate. Ernesto Toscano was hate. But I'm here to tell you that even though there was pain and even though there was loss, he didn't succeed.....

 

AS JENNIFER DOES HER COMMENTARY, JACK LISTENS ON MOVED AND WITH GREAT LOVE FOR HER.
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....Love did survive. So like everyone else who survived, I came back with more than I left with. I came back with something to build on. And I hope we all did. This is Jennifer Horton. Goodnight.

 

JACK IS MOVED BY JENNIFER'S SPEECH AND IS STILL THINKING ABOUT IT WHEN SHE COMES OVER TO HIM.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, Jack what did you think? Did you like it?

JACK: I thought it was....I thought it was something else.

JENNIFER: Is that it? Is there anything else you want to say?

DAN: I agree with Jack. It was something else, honey. That is really going to boost your career. And I'm going to have the hottest news team in town. Jack I've got to arrange for you to do some future guest appearances. You are brash, you're flip and with a little coaching from Jennifer on how to play to the camera you're going to bring in even bigger numbers.

JACK: Look, look, wait a minute. I publish a newspaper, alright. I'm not a television personality.

DAN: Jack if you've got it, flaunt it, don't waste it.

JACK: Look those are words to live by. Now just put them on your own wall.

DAN: Will you think about it?

JACK: I'll....er....give me time. I'll think slow.

DAN: Well take your time but remember time is money.

 

DAN LEAVES.

 

JENNIFER: Well it looks like you have some big decisions to make. Maybe you could make one about us too.

SCENE SEVEN: JACK AND JENNIFER RETURN TO THE LOFT. THEY ARE TALKING AS THEY WALK IN THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: Don't close up on me now Jack, not when we've come this far.

JACK: I'm open, I'm open, alright.

JENNIFER: You're just saying that. You don't really mean it.

JACK: I mean it. I mean it. Okay, ask me a question, any question.

JENNIFER: Alright and you'll give me a straight answer?

 

JACK HESITATES.

 

JACK: Ah....maybe. I haven't decided yet.

JENNIFER: Come on Jack. After I just poured my heart out and....

JACK: Alright. The doctor is in. Ask away.

JENNIFER: Okay. I think it's time that we took the next step in our relationship.

JACK: That's not a question. Did I miss something here?

JENNIFER: Conversation is supposed to be give and take.

JACK: Well....do you want to get pinned, is that what you want?

JENNIFER: Jack, I'm serious.

JACK: Look....look you have known for a long time that I'm not....you know I'm not exactly the husband type.

JENNIFER: Okay. But if you remember when we were on the island, you put a ring on my finger.

JACK: I....I....I put a shell on your finger.

JENNIFER: It still fit.

JACK: I know it fit. It was supposed to fit. But it wasn't a....it wasn't a....you know....it wasn't a diamond and I would hope that you'd remember that.

JENNIFER: I just thought things changed between us when we were on the island.
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JACK:
Things....wait a minute, things have changed. They have changed. But that was there and this is here.

JENNIFER: Okay so what does that mean? Does that mean that we have to go back to the island now once a year to remember how we felt?

JACK: No! It doesn't mean that at all. It means that....listen, I for one, know that things have changed....that things are not the....I know how I feel. I know exactly how I feel and I feel....I feel the same way that I did feel then.....

 

JACK IS BACKING TOWARDS THE DOOR TRYING TO GET OUT FAST.

 

JACK: ....it's just ah....it's just ah....it's different.

 

HE GOES OUT AND SHUTS THE DOOR. HE STOPS OUTSIDE AND TALKS TO HIMSELF.

 

JACK: I can't explain it. It's different.

 

JENNIFER IS LEFT ALONE INSIDE WITH TEARS IN HER EYES.

SCENE EIGHT: LATER JENNIFER HAS CHANGED INTO HER NIGHTGOWN AND ROBE. SHE PUTS ON THE SHELL RING, AND WALKS TO THE WINDOW THINKING ABOUT JACK.

 

JENNIFER: Oh Jack!

SCENE NINE: MEANWHILE JACK HAS GONE BACK TO THE DARKENED STUDIO. HE IS WANDERING AROUND OVER THE CABLES AND EQUIPMENT. HE STOPS AT THE CAMERA AND THINKS BACK OVER JENNIFER'S PIECE ON THE CRUISE ESPECIALLY THE PART ABOUT LOVE BEING THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. HE WANDERS OVER TO THE SET AND PICKS UP JENNIFER'S CUE CARDS AND REMEMBERS HER WORDS ABOUT BRINGING BACK SOMETHING TO BUILD ON.
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[Transcribed by Carol Vaughan
added material by Sally A. Wilson]