oldEpisode Two-hundred-four: Jack
Tries to Deal with His Pain. When
Jennifer Calls and Tells Him She is
Coming Home, His Spirits Improve.
However, Lawerence Has Other Plans.
[Air date late October 1990]
SCENE ONE: JACK AND VERN ARE IN HIS OFFICE. THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO JENNIFER AND WHERE LAWRENCE HAS TAKEN HER. JACK IS PACING WHILE VERN IS ON THE PHONE.
VERN: Yes I know you're not authorized to give out privileged information but since when was Mr. Alamain's travel plans a state secret? No, no don't hang up.... listen. I get the message.... ah. Oh damn.
JACK: No go, huh?
VERN: The embassy refuses to confirm or deny anything about Lawrence Alamain. He could be on his way to Mars for all we know.
JACK: Right!
JACK IS SILENT AND DISTRACTED.
VERN: If we only had some kind of word that Jennifer was alright. Jack.... Jack?
JACK: Uh.... yes.
VERN: I'm worried too.
ISABELLA WALKS IN THE OFFICE.
ISABELLA: Oh hi, I hope you're not busy.
JACK: No, not at all, what can we do for you?
ISABELLA: Well I, um, I was actually here to talk to Mr. Scofield.
JACK: Well.
ISABELLA: I didn't realize you'd be in today.
JACK: Well, I am in today. So why don't you tell me what brings you here.
ISABELLA: Well.... ah.... I want to know if the paper will run an article on the Halloween concert. We want to dedicate it to Steve.
JACK: Really?
ISABELLA: You know I really think I should talk to Mr. Scofield about it.
JACK: No, that's alright, you can talk to me.
ISABELLA: Are you sure because....
JACK: You can talk to me!
VERN: Listen, I'll get out of your way.
JACK: Vern, just....
VERN: Yeah.
JACK: What you were talking about a minute ago, I appreciate that.
VERN: Right Jack.
VERN LEAVES.
JACK: So, let's talk business. Let's see, what do you want? Something in the Entertainment section or maybe something in the Metro section right before the big day.
JACK SITS DOWN AND PICKS UP A PEN.
ISABELLA: What are you doing here Jack? Go home.
JACK: I've got a newspaper to run.
ISABELLA: Yeah but denying the pain is not going to make it go away.
JACK: Talking about it will not make it go away either.
ISABELLA: Yeah but you see you're not the only one who's hurting. What about your family, they need you.
JACK: There's a lot of people who need a lot of things.
ISABELLA: That's true. I think maybe you need a friend.
JACK SLUMPS BACK IN HIS CHAIR.
SCENE TWO: A SHORT TIME LATER, ISABELLA RETURNS WITH A TRAY OF FOOD.
ISABELLA: Here we go. One fancy snack from The Spectator cafeteria coming up.
HE IS VERY DISTRACTED AS SHE PUTS IT ON HIS DESK. HE DOES NOT EVEN LOOK UP.
JACK: You really didn't have to do that, thank you.
ISABELLA: You probably haven't eaten all day. Go ahead.
JACK: Jennifer, you....
ISABELLA: Jennifer.
JACK: You really don't have to.... do this, thank you, anyway.
ISABELLA: I'm willing to do whatever I can but I think that Jennifer can do more.
JACK: Isabella, I really don't need to hear....
ISABELLA: I think you should go and talk to her Jack.
JACK: I think that'll be a little difficult, seeing as how she's.... she's out of town working on a story for the television studio.
ISABELLA: Right, well you could at least call her, talk to her. Things aren't as bad as they were, are they?
JACK: Well I think there's been a little thaw in the Cold War. But a little time can change all that.
ISABELLA: Don't do that. You've got a good thing going. You're not going to mess it up. Which is more than I can say for myself.
JACK: You're not seeing eye to eye with Commander Brady?
ISABELLA: No he's not seeing eye to eye with me or precisely my father.
JACK: Well, I can't say I'm surprised. They are rather strange bedfellows.
ISABELLA: I don't know. Roman doesn't trust me. He thinks if he tells me about a case I'm going to go to Victor about it?
JACK: Well?
ISABELLA: Well....
JACK: Well what are you going to do about that?
ISABELLA: I don't know but I'm going to fight for this relationship because Roman and I have been too much together.
JACK: Here, here, that sounds good to me. Here, here.
JACK RAISES HIS COFFEE CUP IN A TOAST.
JACK: I'll drink to that, really.
ISABELLA: Now this is going to sound a little presumptuous of me.
JACK: Huh, Uh.
ISABELLA: But I think I know how you feel, I do.
JACK: Huh, Uh.
ISABELLA: When Marina died, I felt like I'd lost a part of my life and that feeling doesn't go away just because you want it to. But it gets better with time, eventually.
JACK: You get lemons, make lemonade, right?
ISABELLA: Cut it out! Fight for what you want, that's what I'm doing.
JACK: I think.... I think that's it's easier for you, you know that. Because I think you're a little more open to this.... ah.... idea of giving.
ISABELLA: Giving is not that tough Jack, not when you know you've got something that somebody needs. Your family needs you. You know what, I think you need them too.
ISABELLA LEAVES.
SCENE THREE: BACK AT THE EMBASSY, JENNIFER TALKS TO LAWRENCE ABOUT HAVING TO SEE A SICK FRIEND. INSTANTLY LAWRENCE AGREES TO LET HER GO HOME TO SEE HER FRIEND. ALICE THINKS IT WAS TOO EASY BUT THEY SET OFF TO THE AIRPORT ANYWAY AND SEEM TO HAVE NO TROUBLE LEAVING.
SCENE FOUR: IN SALEM, JACK IS PACING IN HIS OFFICE AGAIN WHEN VERN RETURNS.
VERN: I've checked every source in New York, every one and nobody knows what Alamain's up to and not word one about Jennifer.
JACK: That's no problem. Let's just go down the list and start calling people. Give me the list.
VERN: No, I'll take care of this.
JACK: Give me the list Vern.
VERN: Look it's too soon for you to even be here Jack. Go home.
JACK: Vern, the list!
VERN: Jack, I know you, you're....
JACK: Give me the list! The list!
VERN: I know you'll use this to avoid dealing with what happened to Steve. GO HOME!
JACK: Vern.... Vern is there something on that door there that says please nag the occupant?
VERN: I'm not nagging.
JACK: And neither was Isabella but for some reason everyone is coming in here today telling me what to do.
VERN: Well did you ever think it's because we care about you.
THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR AND A NEW FACE APPEARS. IT TURNS OUT TO BE BRIAN, VERN'S SON.
VERN: Brian.
BRIAN: Hi dad. Jack.
JACK: Hello, long time no see.
VERN: Yeah, that's for damn sure.
VERN PUSHES JACK ASIDE AND HUGS BRIAN. JACK IS SOMEWHAT SURPRISED AND HURT BECAUSE HE ALWAYS THINKS OF VERN AS A FATHER FIGURE.
VERN: Hey don't they give you days off anymore.
BRIAN: No the Commissioner said the department would go to hell in a hand basket without me.
VERN: I believe him, I believe him.
BRIAN: Actually he tends to ignore me and when he does speak to me he calls me Byron. Can I talk to you outside.
VERN: Yes.
JACK: Please.
VERN AND BRIAN WALK OUT OF JACK'S OFFICE AND HE GOES WITH THEM. WHEN THEY GET OUTSIDE THEY TURN AROUND AND BOTH LOOK AT JACK AND HE REALIZES THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE TALK.
JACK: Oh I'm sorry. Excuse me.
JACK GOES BACK INTO HIS OFFICE AND AFTER A SHORT TIME THERE DECIDES TO GO HOME. HE WALKS OUT TO SEE VERN AND BRIAN HUGGING EACH OTHER.
JACK: Umph, uh! Ah Vern.
VERN: Yeah.
JACK: I just wanted to let you know that you need to mind the store for a little while. I have some things that I need to do.
VERN: Okay Jack.
JACK: Byron.
BRIAN: See what I mean, see what I mean.
JACK LEAVES WITH A HALF SMILE ON HIS FACE.
SCENE FIVE: AT NEIL'S MANSION NEIL IS TALKING WITH JO I ABOUT WANTING TO LEAVE EARLY TO SEE ADRIENNE.
JO: I'd like to be with Billy too.
NEIL: Well maybe he's at the office. Why don't I try him?
JO: No, because if he is, he needs to work out this pain by himself. He doesn't need me.
JACK: Oh he doesn't?JACK LISTENS QUIETLY FOR AWHILE, UNOBSERVED. OVERHEARING THIS HE ENTERS.
JO: Jack I had no idea.
JACK: Obviously. Neil.
NEIL: Jack. Listen if you two will excuse me I have a couple of phone calls I'd like to make.
JO: Thank you Doctor.
NEIL LEAVES.
JACK: I suppose you're wondering why I'm here.
JO: No, but I'm glad you are because I've never needed anybody as much as I need you right now.
JACK: You doing alright?
JO: I'm holding on. It's very hard.
JACK: I know that.
JO: I miss him so much.
JACK: I can't believe he's gone.... but he is gone. He's dead and he's not coming back.
JO: Son, I know the pain you're going through. So am I. But we can make this.
JACK: You think so, huh?
JO: Yes, if we help each other. I need to help you and I need you to help me.
SHE STARTS TO CRY AND HE PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER AND RESTS HIS HEAD AGAINST HERS.
SCENE SIX: JACK AND JO ARE AT ADRIENNE'S WHERE SHE IS HAVING A SMALL DINNER. SHE TELLS THEM THAT SHE AND JUSTIN ARE GOING TO ADOPT TWINS BOYS BELONGING TO ANJELICA'S OLD NANNY. JACK IS THERE HAVING A CUP. THEY HAVE DECIDED TO NAME THE BOYS JOEY AND VICTOR AFTER VICTOR AND JO.
MEANWHILE JENNIFER AND ALICE ARE AT THE AIRPORT. JENNIFER IS AT A PAY PHONE TRYING TO FIND JACK, SHE HAS TRIED DIFFERENT PLACES, NOT KNOWING WHAT HAS HAPPENED.
JACK: I'm happy for you both about the adoption.
JO: So am I.
ADRIENNE: Thanks. I think Steve would approve of a toast to Victor and Joey.
JO: Yes to Vic and Joey.
JUSTIN: Here, here.
THE PHONE RINGS.
ADRIENNE: I'll get it. Hello.
JENNIFER: Hi Adrienne, this is Jennifer. You know I've been calling all over Salem trying to find Jack. I was wondering, is he there by any chance?
ADRIENNE: Yes he is. Hold on a second, okay.
JENNIFER: Yes, great, thank you.
ADRIENNE: Jack, it's for you.
JACK: Tell them I'll take a message.
ADRIENNE: It's Jennifer.
JACK'S WHOLE EXPRESSION CHANGES AND HE HURRIES TO THE PHONE; THOUGH HE TRIES NOT TO LET THE OTHERS SEE HOW MUCH IT MEANS TO HIM. THE OTHERS SMILE: THEY ARE NOT FOOLED.
JACK: (Whispering) Alright, what the hell's going on? Are you alright?
JENNIFER: Jack, yes. I'm fine. I'm so glad you made it home okay. I just wanted to tell you I heard about Steve's accident and I wanted to be there for you. But you know what, I'm on my way home right now, okay. So just tell Steve I hope he feels....
JACK: Jennifer, wait a minute. There's.... there's something you don't know.
JENNIFER: What? What is it?
JACK: (Beat) Steve just died.
JENNIFER: What?
JACK: He was.... he was starting to get better and then last night suddenly something happened.
JENNIFER: (Her heart breaking for Jack) Oh Jack, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I just wish I could be there for you right now.
JACK: Yeah.
JACK EYES FILL UP AS HE REALIZES HOW MUCH HE MISSES HER AND NEEDS HER RIGHT NOW.
JENNIFER: But don't worry okay. I'm leaving right now. I'll be there before you know it.
JACK: What about Lawrence?
JENNIFER: Don't worry about Lawrence, okay. I'm coming home. I love you Jack.
JACK: (Sigh) Just.... just hurry alright.
HE PUTS THE PHONE DOWN AND SMILES TO HIMSELF.
JACK: She's coming home.
SCENE SEVEN: LATER THAT NIGHT, JACK IS STANDING ON THE BALCONY OF THE PENTHOUSE AND ADRIENNE COMES OUT TO TALK TO HIM.
ADRIENNE: Jack, thanks for going along before. With the toast I mean. I know it's not easy for you to be happy today.
JACK: I am happy for you Adrienne. Happy for you and the babies.
ADRIENNE: But you can't stop thinking about Steve can you?
JACK: Can you?ADRIENNE: No, but I can't stop living. Steve'd hate that. The last thing he talked to be about was Victor and Joey.
JACK: I suppose he told you to fight for them.
ADRIENNE: He gave me the courage to. Now I have a chance to be a mother and the babies have a chance for a good life. That's all anyone gets Jack. One chance, one life. Steve had that. What he had with Kayla and Stephanie was precious and I want that for Justin and me. And for you and Jennifer. You can be happy Jack, I know you can.
JACK: You know if somebody had've told me that yesterday, I think I would have said they were crazy.
ADRIENNE: What about now, huh?
JACK: I think maybe I'd.... say they were right. Maybe they were right.
SCENE EIGHT: BACK IN NEW YORK, JENNIFER AND ALICE BOARD THE PLANE AND NOTICE THAT THERE ARE NO FLIGHT ATTENDANTS OR PASSENGERS OTHER THAN THEM. AT THAT MOMENT LAWRENCE BOARDS THE PLANE AND TELLS THEM THAT HE IS TAKING THEM TO HIS COUNTRY AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT.
