oldEpisode One-hundred-eighty-six:
Jack Attends the von Leuschner News
Conference, and Makes a Pest of
Himself; Jennifer Attends in Disguise.

 

SCENE ONE: THE NEXT DAY JENNIFER SNEAKS INTO JACK'S OFFICE BEFORE HE ARRIVES. SHE STARTS TO SEARCH HIS DESK. IN HIS TOP LEFT DRAWER SHE FINDS A PICTURE OF HERSELF WHICH SHE TURNS FACE UP SO THAT HE WILL SEE IF EVERY TIME HE OPENS THE DRAWER. THEN SHE FINDS WHAT SHE WAS LOOKING FOR WHICH IS HIS PRESS CREDENTIALS FOR THE CONFERENCE WITH WARNER BAYER.

 

JENNIFER: (Smug) Boy I am so good. I am really good.

 

AS SHE IS CONGRATULATING HERSELF JUST AS JACK ENTERS.

 

JACK: Not that good.

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: Yes, that's right, Jack. Jack Deveraux. At least that's what it said on the door. Yeah, yeah, it still says it. It doesn't say Jennifer Horton. So perhaps you could tell me what you are doing in here.

 

SHE HIDES HIS PRESS PASS THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO STEAL.

 

JENNIFER: Why am I here? Well.... it.... you see I was in the neighborhood and....

JACK: Why?

JENNIFER: Why?

JACK: Yes, why. I believe it's a word. Is it new to you?

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: No, not what, why, and don't ask me who's on first because I'm not a big Abbot and Costello man.

JENNIFER: Look Jack I have no idea what you are talking about, okay.

JACK: What, who,.... don't mind me. I'll just keep filling the air with verbs, adverbs and nouns till you tell me.

JENNIFER: Tell you what?

JACK: The answer. I'm sure you've had time to come up with one.

JENNIFER: Excuse me.

JACK: I wish I could.

JENNIFER: You know what Jack, I think it's time for me to go.

JACK: Not so fast.

JENNIFER: Okay, you got me okay. I lost my my good pen. You know, the gold one with my name on it. It's gone and I thought maybe you found it.

JACK: You're kidding.

JENNIFER: No, did you find it?

JACK: Find what?

JENNIFER: My pen.

JACK: Jennifer who do you think you're talking to? I know why you're here and it has nothing to do with a gold plated pen.

JENNIFER: It doesn't?

JACK: No it doesn't. Now come on Jennifer. You know under different circumstances I would truly be flattered by all the trouble that you've gone through just to come by.

JENNIFER: Oh wait a minute. What are you getting at?

JACK: Come on now, do I have to spell it out?

JENNIFER: You think that I came here to see you Jack?

 

JACK HAS THIS SMUG GRIN ON HIS FACE.

 

JACK: Well....

JENNIFER: Of all the egotistical and conceited.... don't flatter yourself Jack. I didn't come here to crawl back to you. As far as I'm concerned things are over with us. Finished, kaput, over and done with. I'm getting on with my life and I don't care if I ever see you again.

JACK: Yeah, but how do you really feel?

JENNIFER: I mean it.

JACK: I know you mean it but that doesn't explain what you're doing in my office.

JENNIFER: I told you, I lost my pen.

JACK: No you didn't.

JENNIFER: Oh, so you're calling me a liar.

JACK: No, no, not yet.

 

HE GRABS HER BAG AND EMPTIES THE CONTENTS ALL OVER HIS DESK. SHE IS MAD.

 

JENNIFER: Jack give me my purse.

JACK: Let's see.

JENNIFER: Jack what are you.... don't Jack....

JACK: Wait a minute, what. Oh my goodness, it's gold, it's got your name on it, it's a writing utensil. Wait a minute, for a hundred points and the game, is it the pen that you lost?

JENNIFER: Okay, alright, I guess I made a mistake, okay.

JACK: I guess you did.

JENNIFER: Can I just get my things please?

JACK: Certainly. Now, maybe you can tell me what you're doing in my office.

JENNIFER: I've already told you everything that I needed to tell you. Now if you don't mind I don't....

 

JACK GRABS HER ARM.

 

JACK: Jennifer, look at me.

 

SHE IS STANDING CLOSE TO HIM AND HE QUIETENS HIS VOICE AND THE MOMENT BECOMES INTIMATE.

 

JACK: (Concerned) Now tell me what is going on. Tell me.

JENNIFER: Okay, I told you, I thought I lost something but I was wrong. Goodbye.... Jack.

 

SHE GOES TO THE DOOR AND VERN OPENS IT.

 

VERN: Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Hello Vern, goodbye Vern.

 

SHE LEAVES.

 

VERN: What's she doing here?

JACK: I wish I knew.

VERN: Did you lose something?

 

JACK GIVES A WRY SMILE.

 

JACK: No. Not that it stops anybody from going through my office.

VERN: Now what's that supposed to mean.

 

AT THAT MOMENT JACK FINDS THE PRESS PASS ON HIS DESK.

 

JACK: Wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. That's it. That's it. That's what she was after. My press pass. She was after my press pass to the Von Leuschner press conference. Vern, go get her. Go after her.

VERN: Are you kidding me?

JACK: No, get a train, bus, whatever. Wherever she is, you is.

VERN: What are you talking about Jack? I've got a paper to put out.

JACK: Vern I wouldn't ask if this wasn't vital.

VERN: Ask, as in request. Is that what you mean?

JACK: Well, yes.

VERN: Well if that's the case, the answer's no.

JACK: Well if that's the case, it's an order.

VERN: Not again Jack.

JACK: Come on, Vern. It's a case of sides. Get moving.

 

JACK HUSTLES VERN OUT OF THE OFFICE.

SCENE TWO: MEANWHILE JENNIFER GOES TO SEE MADELINE IN THE HOPE OF STEALING HER PRESS PASS. MADELINE HAS IT PINNED ON HER JACKET AND JENNIFER ASKS IF SHE CAN TRY IT ON. MADELINE REFUSES SO JENNIFER DISTRACTS HER SO THAT SHE CAN STEAL THE PASS. MADELINE NOTICES IT IS GONE AND JENNIFER DISTRACTS HER AGAIN AND DROPS IT ON THE FLOOR AND PRETENDS TO FIND IT ACCIDENTALLY. AS SHE IS LEAVING, MR. LEONARD THE BOSS OF THE STATION COMES OVER AND ASKS HER WHY SHE LEFT. SHE TELLS HIM THAT DAN FIRED HER AND LEONARD HIRES HER BACK. SHE SAYS SHE WILL COME BACK IF SHE CAN GO TO THE VON LEUSCHNER PRESS CONFERENCE. HE AGREES AND SHE GETS HER OWN PRESS PASS. VERN HAS BEEN LISTENING TO THIS CONVERSATION ALL THE TIME.

SCENE THREE: THE PRESS CONFERENCE GETS UNDERWAY AT WINGS. JACK COMES IN LATE AND TELLS THE WOMAN IN THE FRONT SEAT THAT SHE IS WANTED ON THE PHONE SO HE CAN STEAL HER CHAIR. HE ANNOYS WARNER BAYER BY ASKING DIFFICULT QUESTIONS. MEANWHILE JENNIFER COMES TO THE CONFERENCE IN DISGUISE SO THAT JACK WILL NOT RECOGNIZE HER. SHE IS WEARING A TRENCHCOAT AND A BLACK WIG. SHE STANDS UP THE BACK.

 

WARNER: Any questions?

JACK: Jack Deveraux, Spectator. Perhaps you could tell us about Katerina, the missing Von Leuschner heiress.

WARNER: Yes I'm sure that you're a very fine reporter Mr....

JACK: Deveraux.

WARNER: Deveraux. Unfortunately you are very misinformed because Katerina.... we know where she is. She's not missing.

 

HE GOES ON TO REASSURE EVERYBODY THAT THE STORY IS TOTALLY UNTRUE AND THAT SHE PREFERS A QUIET LIFE AND IS READY TO GO ON WITH THE MARRIAGE PACT.

 

JACK: So you say but why should be take your word for it?

WARNER: Oh bravo. Spoken like a true newsman. I'm afraid you have no choice for the time being. But let me assure you that the pledge between this family and Alamains still holds. She will marry Lawrence Alamain on her twenty-fifth birthday.

JACK: Perhaps you could tell us where Katerina is. You did say you knew where she was.

WARNER: Well as the heir to the Von Leuschner Katerina is a natural target for would-be kidnappers and profiteers. I'm sure you'll understand that concern for her safety and her privacy preclude me from making her whereabouts public. But please all of you, tell your readers and your viewers that Katerina is happy and looking forward to her wedding.

JACK: Prove it!

WARNER: You are a most persistent man Mr. Deveraux. But all I can do is repeat all I have told you. Miss Von Leuschner will marry Lawrence Alamain on her twenty-fifth birthday and nothing will stop that wedding taking place.

 

WARNER GOES ON WITH OTHER INFORMATION AND THEN ENDS THE CONFERENCE.

 

WARNER: I have time for one more question.

 

ALL THE MEDIA JUMP UP INCLUDING JACK.

 

WARNER: Except for Mr. Deveraux whose questions seem to go on and on.

 

AT THAT POINT JENNIFER LEAVES AND SHE NOTICES WARNER'S CHAUFFEUR WAITING OUTSIDE. SHE STARTS TO TALK TO HIM AND FLIRT AND HE INVITES HER UP TO HIS ROOM LATER THAT NIGHT. SHE TELLS HIM THAT THE WHOLE PARTY IS AT THE PENTHOUSE AT THE SALEM INN. VERN COMES IN AS SHE LEAVES AND DOES NOT RECOGNIZE HER.

 

VERN: Jack.

JACK: Vern, what are you doing here? Where's Jennifer?

VERN: I don't know but I have a hunch she's in big trouble.

JACK: Alright, why do we have a hunch she's in trouble and why aren't we following her?

VERN: Well we are or we were at least. Look when she left the office, I followed her to the TV station.

JACK: And?

VERN: And then I followed her to Sibley's Department Store.

JACK: And?

VERN: Well and that's when I lost her.

JACK: Dammit! Dammit, okay, let's go back to the station. Why was she there?

VERN: Well apparently she wanted to see Arnie Leonard.

JACK: Station man?

VERN: Yeah, she got her old job back.

JACK: You're not serious. (Jack is happy that Jennifer will be staying in Salem.)

VERN: I'm very serious. I was standing right there where I could hear them. And she asked to cover this press conference when I lost her. That's why I came right over here. Are you sure you haven't seen her anywhere here?

JACK: No. She's pretty hard to miss. Vern, Vern, I'm telling you something. She is involved in this whole thing. First she tries to steal my credentials then she makes this big disappearing act. She's involved with the Von Leuschners and his lordship over there.

 

AT THAT MOMENT WARNER COMES OVER.

 

WARNER: It's been very interesting talking to you Mr. Deveraux.

JACK: Likewise.

 

WARNER GLARES AT JACK THEN WALKS AWAY.

 

JACK: Vern, that gentleman is bad news and we know news. If Jennifer's involved, she's in over her head. I've got to find her.

VERN: How, you don't even know where to look.

JACK: I can get hunches too.

 

JACK HURRIES OUT OF WINGS.

 

JACK: I hope.