SCENE ONE: IT IS THE NEXT DAY AND JENNIFER IS SITTING AT WINGS OBVIOUSLY WAITING FOR SOMEBODY. JACK WALKS IN WITH VERN.

 

JACK: There she is Vern.

VERN: She didn't look too happy to see you.

JACK: Ah she's just being cute. Watch this.

 

JACK SAUNTERS OVER TO JENNIFER.

 

JACK: Well hi there. I believe we've met.

JENNIFER: Look I'm not going to invite you to sit down Jack.

JACK: Don't have to. A good journalist knows he never needs an invitation.

 

JACK SITS DOWN.

 

JENNIFER: Yes but a gentleman does.

JACK: Ouch.

JENNIFER: I hope it hurt.

JACK: Well never the less, I did a gentlemanly thing today. Did you happen to read The Spectator?

JENNIFER: Yes I saw it.

JACK: Well did you notice anything?

JENNIFER: Notice what?

JACK: Well perhaps it was the lack of a story about a certain von Leuschner press conference. See I'm holding up my end of the bargain.

JENNIFER: Well no better than my end. There's no coverage at the TV station either. Now the seat that you're sitting in Jack.

JACK: What, do you need it for something?

JENNIFER: Look we saw each other, we exchanged information. Now let's go our separate ways, okay.

JACK: Wa.... wait a minute.

Are you.... you're asking me to leave?

JENNIFER: Yes. I'm asking you to leave.

JACK: You're waiting for somebody aren't you?

JENNIFER: As a matter of fact.....

JACK: A hot date.

JENNIFER: No, an appointment.

 

AT THAT MOMENT, WARNER'S CHAUFFEUR WALKS IN. JACK HAS NO IDEA WHO THE GUY REALLY IS. HE TAKES JENNIFER'S HAND AND KISSES IT.

 

GUNTER: Hello Jennifer. When you phoned and asked me to meet you, I was delighted. Now that I see your beautiful face, I'm even more delighted.

JACK: An appointment, huh.

 

JENNIFER IS FLIRTING WITH THE GUY AND ALSO WITH JACK.

 

JENNIFER: As you can see Jack, I'm very busy.

JACK: Yes, I can see that.

JENNIFER: So we can probably talk later, like next year.

JACK: Jennifer who is this gentleman?

GUNTER: I am Gunter Hoffman.

 

HE STANDS UP AND CLAPS HIS FEET TOGETHER. JACK DOES THE SAME.

 

JACK: I am Jack Deveraux.

 

JACK HURTS HIS FEET AND SITS STRAIGHT BACK DOWN.

 

JACK: How do you know Jennifer?

JENNIFER: I am interviewing Mr. Hoffman if you don't mind. And we need privacy and we need your seat.

JACK: Oh come on, I like to watch.

JENNIFER: Goodbye Jack. Goodbye.

JACK: Oh let me.... really, maybe you could show me a few pointers.

JENNIFER: Come on, we'll go some place else.

GUNTER: Private yes.

JENNIFER: Private definitely.

 

JENNIFER DRAGS GUNTER OUT OF WINGS.

 

JACK: Vern, did you see that?

VERN: Di.... di.... di, first he's kissing her hand and now he's holding it.

JACK: Who is that guy and what does he have to do with Jennifer.

 

JACK GETS ON THE PHONE TO GATHER INFORMATION ON GUNTER.

 

JACK: He works for who? (Beat) You're sure about that? You're that sure. Thank you I think.

VERN: Well I hope you had better luck getting information on that Gunter Hoffman than I did. I got zip.

JACK: He's Warner Bayer's chauffeur.

VERN: Our sources gave you that.

JACK: Heh, talk about empty promises. She said she was going to stay out of this.

VERN: You said you were going to drop this whole business too.

JACK: That's different.

VERN: How is it different?

JACK: It just is, alright. I gotta go.

VERN: You're going after her, right?

JACK: I'm keeping her out of trouble and she's making me mad.

 

JACK STORMS OUT OF WINGS TO FIND JENNIFER.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER HAS GONE UP TO GUNTER'S ROOM WHERE HE THINKS THAT SHE IS READY TO SLEEP WITH HIM. SHE PRETENDS THAT SHE IS HOT AND CONVINCES HIM TO GET IN THE SHOWER AND THAT SHE WILL FOLLOW. INSTEAD SHE STEALS THE KEY TO WARNER'S PENTHOUSE AND SNEAKS OUT.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE, HAS JACK DECIDED THAT HE WILL INVESTIGATE THE PENTHOUSE TOO. HE DRESSES UP AS A GENERAL FROM A SMALL COUNTRY IN EUROPE. HE IS WEARING A DARK BLUE MILITARY UNIFORM WITH A PEAKED CAP AND LOTS OF BRAID. HE ALSO HAS A CHEST COVERED IN MEDALS AND A RED SASH AND SWORD. HE HAS A GOATEE AND MUSTACHE. HE ALSO HAS A MONOCLE ON HIS RIGHT EYE. HE SPEAKS WITH AN ACCENT.

JACK: Please to excuse. This is Warner Bayer's room, yes.

MAID: Who are you?

JACK: Johann Sebestian Deveraux of Spectatoria. I am new political dignitary, first time in your country. You know me yes.

MAID: No.

JACK: I learn valuable lesson. Never leave home without publicist. Heh, is Warner in his room?

MAID: I just cleaned his room. There's no one there.

JACK: Tis strange. We have appointment.

MAID: Well try later.

JACK: Oh we have come so far. Fought many wars, fighting jet lag.

MAID: Oh is that where you got all those medals, in the war?

JACK: Heh, in many battles, including battles of the heart. Everytime a woman breaks it, my country gives me one. We're all soldiers of the heart, yes.

 

THE MAID IS NOW ENTRANCED BY JACK'S CHEST AND HIS PROWESS AS A LOVER.

 

JACK: Perhaps you could open the door and allow me wait for Warner. And maybe later, wait for you.

 

THE MAID GIGGLES AND OPENS THE DOOR.

 

JACK: I thank you. My country thanks you but most of all, my chest thanks you. These medals weight a ton.

 

JACK GOES INTO THE ROOM AND SHUTS THE DOOR BUT HIS SWORD IS CAUGHT AND HE HAS TO PULL IT FREE. HE GOES INSIDE.

 

JACK: Okay Jennifer, where are you? Alright Jennifer, I've given you a chance. Come on out, wherever you are.

 

HE HEARS SOMEBODY PUT A KEY IN THE DOOR AND RUNS TO HIDE IN THE CLOSET.

 

JACK: Oh shoot.

 

HE SHUTS THE DOOR JUST AS JENNIFER COMES IN THE ROOM. SHE WALKS OVER TO THE DESK TO HAVE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE FILE SHE SAW BEFORE ON KATERINA.

 

JENNIFER: Ah files. Where's the one on Katerina Von Leuschner.

 

JACK PEEPS OUT THE CLOSET AND SEES HER AND AT THAT MOMENT, WARNER PUTS HIS KEY IN THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: Oh shoot.

 

JENNIFER RUNS TO THE CLOSET BUT JACK HAS THE DOOR LOCKED SO SHE HEADS FOR THE WINDOW AGAIN. JACK DECIDES TO TAKE ACTION. HE RUNS OUT OF THE CLOSET AND PUTS HIS HAND OVER HER MOUTH AND PICKS HER UP AND CARRIES HER INTO THE CLOSET AND KICKS THE DOOR SHUT.

 

JACK: This way ma'am.

 

SHE IS TRYING TO LET OUT MUFFLED SCREAMS.

SCENE FOUR: JACK HAS DRAGGED JENNIFER INTO THE CLOSET. SHE TRIES TO SCREAM, HAVING NOT YET DISCOVERED THAT IT IS JACK.

 

JACK: Quiet! It's me, it's me, it's me. It's me!

 

JENNIFER LOOKS AT HIM FOR A SECOND THEN STARTS HITTING HIM.

 

JENNIFER: What are you doing Jack!

JACK: Sssssh! Be quiet.

 

WARNER COMES IN AND TAKES OFF HIS JACKET AND GOES INTO THE BATHROOM. IN THE DARK CLOSET JACK AND JENNIFER ARE FIGHTING.

 

JACK: Are you alright?

JENNIFER: You lied to me! You promised me you wouldn't pursue this thing.

 

SHE TRIES TO PULL OFF HIS FAKE MUSTACHE AND GOATEE.

 

JACK: Listen, talk about lying. You lied twice as much to me. You said you were out of this whole thing and then I find you sitting down with his little chauffeur while he's smooching on your hand.

JENNIFER: Alright, but that is irrelevant and immaterial Jack.

JACK: That's okay. Let's not talk about it here. We just have to get out of here, alright.

JENNIFER: Alright.

JACK: Leave my beard alone.

 

THEY HEAR WARNER COME OUT OF THE BATHROOM TO GET A CLEAN SHIRT.

 

JENNIFER: He's back.

JACK: You're telling me.

JENNIFER: We can't get out until he leaves Jack.

JACK: Oh, great. That's just great. This is another fine mess that you've gotten us into.

 

JACK SITS DOWN ON A BAG IN THE CLOSET.

 

JENNIFER: That I got us into Jack? I didn't invite you here.

 

SHE SITS DOWN NEXT TO HIM.

 

JACK: What are you doing here?

JENNIFER: Since when do I owe you an explanation?

JACK: Don't answer a question with a question.

JENNIFER: You made it perfectly clear that there was nothing going on between us alright. Now if there was I'd tell you what was going on but there isn't so I don't have to be honest.

JACK: Look, honesty is a virtue, not a....

JENNIFER: Privilege.

JACK: Privilege. It's easy for you to say. I'm always honest with you.

JENNIFER: You are not. You lied to me about investigating the story about the heiress Jack.

JACK: Okay once. I slipped up just once.

JENNIFER: Oh you slipped once. I think it's par for the course Jack.

JACK: Is that so?

JENNIFER: Yeah that is so. Tell me one time, one time when you have been completely honest with me.

JACK: I was honest when I said that I loved you.

JENNIFER: That doesn't count because you told me that you loved me and then you told me that you were wrong for me.

JACK: Well then I was being very honest.

JENNIFER: It doesn't make any sense Jack.

JACK: Listen, there is a time and a place for everything. This is not the time or the place to discuss relationships.

JENNIFER: No I think this is the perfect time and the place because you can't escape. You can't hide from me.

JACK: Oh I want to hide from Warner Bayer, that's who....

JENNIFER: Face it Jack, you run from me, you run from the truth and most of all you run from this.

 

SHE PULLS HIS FACE ROUND TO HERS AND KISSES HIM....

....HE RESPONDS IMMEDIATELY AND THEY ARE KISSING AND EMBRACING. WHEN THE BAG THEY ARE SITTING ON TIPS OVER AND THEY FALL BACKWARDS IN UNDER THE CLOTHES.

 

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: Whoa, quiet, quiet.

 

THEY MAKE A RACKET AS THEY FALL AND WARNER HEARS IT. HE COMES OUT OF THE BATHROOM. JACK AND JENNIFER STAND UP. JENNIFER PUSHES JACK BEHIND THE CLOTHES. OUTSIDE WARNER GETS A GUN OUT OF THE DRAWER AND OPENS THE CLOSET DOOR. JENNIFER IS RIGHT INSIDE. HE GRABS HER ARM AND SPINS HER OUT OF THE CLOSET AND HOLDS THE GUN TO HER THROAT.

 

WARNER: WHO THE HELL ARE YOU? Just what exactly are you doing here?

 

SCENE ONE: WARNER BAYER HAS A GUN HELD UP TO JENNIFER. JACK IS STILL HIDING IN THE CLOSET.

 

WARNER: I asked you a question. What are you doing in my closet?

JENNIFER: I can explain.

WARNER: Yes well I certainly hope so.

 

JENNIFER THEN PRETENDS THAT SHE IS THERE TO WISH THE OCCUPANT OF THE ROOM, A HAPPY BIRTHDAY. JACK IS WATCHING THROUGH A CRACK IN THE DOOR. WARNER DOES NOT BELIEVE JENNIFER. SHE TELLS HIM SHE HAS THE WRONG ROOM. ONCE AGAIN WARNER DOES NOT BELIEVE HER AND ALTHOUGH SHE IS VERY NERVOUS SHE TELLS HIM THAT SHE WAS STAYING IN THIS ROOM BEFORE HIM.

 

JACK: Yes, yes.

 

THEN SHE SAYS SHE LEFT SOMETHING IN THE CLOSET.

 

JACK: No, no.

 

WARNER ASKS HER WHY SHE LIED AT FIRST AND SHE FUMBLES FOR ANOTHER ANSWER. HE STILL DOES NOT BELIEVE HER AND HE INSISTS SHE TELL HIM THE TRUTH.

 

JENNIFER: Alright, I'm a reporter.

 

IN THE CLOSET JACK IS HORRIFIED.

 

JACK: No, no.

 

WARNER LAUGHS AND SAID SHE SHOULD HAVE SAID SO AT FIRST.

 

JENNIFER: So you're not angry.

WARNER: Well if it had've been that dreadful Jack Deveraux I might have been tempted to pull the trigger.

 

IN THE CLOSET JACK WINCES AT THAT THOUGHT. JENNIFER THEN ASKS WARNER FOR THE REAL STORY ABOUT KATERINA.

 

JACK: Goodbye Jennifer, it's been nice knowing you.

 

WARNER IS SURPRISED BUT IS ALSO INTRIGUED BY JENNIFER'S QUESTION. WARNER SAYS THAT KATERINA IS NOT MISSING BUT JENNIFER ASKS HIM WHY HE'S LOOKING FOR HER. WARNER DECIDES HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK TO HER ABOUT IT OVER DINNER.

 

JACK: Great, great.

 

JACK THINKS HE CAN ESCAPE WHEN THEY LEAVE. INSTEAD WARNER CALLS ROOM SERVICE. HE ASKS HER TO LOOK AT THE MENU WHILE HE GOES INTO THE BATHROOM. JENNIFER GOES BACK TO THE CLOSET TO TALK TO JACK.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, can you believe this?

JACK: It's time you got him out of here. Now we've got to get out of here while we still can go.

JENNIFER: What are you talking about? Are you nuts? I'm not leaving right now Jack.

JACK: You are not seriously considering going to dinner with that gentleman are you?

JENNIFER: And pass up an opportunity like this. Look you leave if you want to but I'm staying through dessert.

JACK: Oh, oh. Not if I have anything to say about it.

JENNIFER: What are you doing Jack?

 

JACK TRIES TO PICK HER UP AND CARRY HER OUT.

 

JACK: Follow me.

 

JACK HAS HER AROUND THE WAIST BUT SHE KICKS HER FEET ON THE BACK OF THE SOFA AND THEY FALL OVER BACKWARDS. WARNER HEARS THE NOISE AND CALLS OUT SO JACK RUSHES BACK TO THE CLOSET AND JENNIFER SEATS HERSELF NEATLY ON THE SOFA. THEN SHE NOTICES THAT SHE IS MISSING A SHOE. IN THE CLOSET JACK IS HOLDING IT. JENNIFER GOES TO THE CLOSET TO LOOK FOR IT. SHE GOES IN AND ARGUES WITH JACK.

 

JENNIFER: Give me my shoe!

JACK: NO! I'm not going to sit in here while you munch on crumpets with tea.

JENNIFER: Jack you had you're chance to leave okay.

JACK: I could have gotten out of here if it wasn't for you.

WARNER: What is going on in there?

JACK: Sssshh.

 

JENNIFER POPS HER HEAD OUT.

 

JENNIFER: Oh it's my shoe, it's just stuck in here.

WARNER: Oh. I thought I heard voices.

JENNIFER: Oh I was talking to it.

WARNER: You talk to your shoe?

JENNIFER: Oh I talk to all my accessories especially when they are giving me a hard time.

 

SHE LEANS IN AND PULLS THE SHOE OUT OF JACK'S HAND.

 

JENNIFER: It works like a charm. Now don't give me anymore trouble tonight. Do you understand me?

 

SHE HITS JACK ON THE CHEST WITH HER SHOE THEN SHUTS THE CLOSET AND SITS DOWN WITH WARNER. WARNER TELLS HER DINNER MAY BE A WHILE BUT SHE SAYS SHE HAS ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD. IN THE CLOSET JACK IS FUMING.

SCENE TWO: SOME TIME LATER, WARNER AND JENNIFER ARE EATING DINNER. THROUGHOUT THE MEAL JENNIFER RAMBLES ON SO MUCH THAT JACK IS PACING UP AND DOWN. SHE STILL INSISTS THAT KATERINA IS MISSING AND EVENTUALLY WARNER RELENTS AND TELLS JENNIFER, OFF THE RECORD, WHAT EXACTLY HAS HAPPENED. HE ADMITS THAT KATERINA IS STILL MISSING BUT NOW THAT HER TWENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY IS ALMOST HERE, THEY ARE FRANTIC TO FIND HER. JENNIFER INSISTS THAT THE ARRANGEMENT IS ANTIQUATED AND THAT PEOPLE SHOULD MARRY BECAUSE THEY LOVE EACH OTHER. JACK LISTENS IN SILENCE TO HER COMMENTS. THE PHONE RINGS AND WARNER TAKES THE CALL IN THE BEDROOM. JENNIFER PICKS UP SOME BREAD STICKS AND TAKES THEM TO JACK.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, look, if you want to leave, now's your chance, okay.

JACK: I'm not going anywhere without you.

JENNIFER: Alright, then have some dinner.

 

SHE PUTS A BREADSTICK IN HIS MOUTH AND LEAVES.

 

JACK: Now, wait a....

SCENE THREE: WARNER TALKS TO JENNIFER MORE AND MORE ABOUT THE ALAMAINS AND ARRANGED MARRIAGES. HE SAYS THAT IS NORMAL IN THEIR CIRCLES. WARNER SAYS THAT THE ALAMAINS WILL TAKE DRASTIC ACTION IF THEY CANNOT FIND KATERINA. JENNIFER GETS SCARED FOR CARLY. WARNER TELLS JENNIFER THAT LAWRENCE ALAMAIN HAS NEVER SEEN KATERINA AND JENNIFER REMEMBERS THAT SHE IMPERSONATED KATERINA ONCE YEARS AGO AT SCHOOL. JENNIFER DECIDES TO LEAVE AND JACK SIGNALS HER SO THAT HE CAN GET OUT TOO. JENNIFER ASKS WARNER IF SHE CAN SEE THE VIEW FROM THE PENTHOUSE BALCONY AND WHILE SHE IS THERE JACK COMES OUT OF THE CLOSET. HE GOES TO THE DINNER TABLE AND STEALS A WINE GLASS AND SOME MORE BREADSTICKS. HE LEAVES AND WALKS DOWN THE CORRIDOR HOLDING A BREADSTICK LIKE A CIGAR.

SCENE FOUR: LATER THAT NIGHT, HE IS WAITING FOR JENNIFER WHEN SHE GETS BACK TO THE LOFT.

 

JACK: Alright, let's get one thing perfectly clear Jennifer. You are not going to rendezvous with Warner Bayer.

 

JENNIFER IS SILENT.

 

JACK: Jennifer the man had a gun. He could have shot you.

JENNIFER: Jack, you're the one that he wanted to shoot and from the way you look, I'd want to shoot you too. Where did you get a get-up like that?

JACK: Well....

JENNIFER: I don't even want to know. Don't even tell me. The point is that as long as you are not around me I am perfectly safe.

JACK: Oh, yeah....

 

JENNIFER LISTENS TO HER MESSAGES AND DAN LEFT ONE TELLING HER THERE HAS BEEN A TANKER ACCIDENT AND HE WANTS HER THERE BY SEVEN.

 

JACK: Well I guess you better get going.

JENNIFER: It's after seven.

JACK: Wait a minute, Jennifer you just started back at this job. You're going to blow your whole career because of one little story.

JENNIFER: This is isn't just one little story Jack.

JACK: Ooooh! Then there's more to it than that, isn't there?

JENNIFER: I didn't say that.

JACK: You don't have to say that. I know you.

JENNIFER: You don't know me as well as you think Jack.

 

JACK IS HURT BY THAT COMMENT AND GETS WORRIED.

 

JACK: Tell me what's going on.

JENNIFER: If I told you what was going on, I'd have to trust you and the truth is, is that I don't. Not anymore.

 

JACK IS NOW REALLY HURT.

 

JENNIFER: What's the matter Jack? You don't like hearing the truth? Sometimes it isn't very nice is it? Like when you wake up in the middle of the night in someone else's bed and find they left you there alone.

JACK: You just like to save those up don't you. I told you before I thought I was doing what was best for you.

JENNIFER: Well you know what, you thought wrong. And I used to think if you did something like this, that oh it's just Jack, he's up to his old tricks. But things have changed. Everything since the island has changed. At least it has for me.... I thought it did for you too, but....

JACK: Jennifer, you....

JENNIFER: No Jack, I don't want to hear it anymore. Don't say anything because I don't want to hear it anymore. I let you get closer to me than I've ever let anyone before. I let you into my heart. And I'm not going to do it again. (Beat) Will you please just go?

 

JACK WALKS TO THE DOOR AND BEFORE HE CLOSES IT HE LOOKS BACK AT HER.

 

JACK: I don't care what you say, I'm just trying to keep you from getting hurt.

 

HE SHUTS THE DOOR. JENNIFER IS ALONE.

 

JENNIFER: It's too late Jack.