oldEpisode Two-hundred-six:
Alamania Part I: Jasper, Jasper:
Jack Shows up at the Alamain Villa,
Driving a Classic 1935 Auburn Speedster.

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[Air date late October 1990]

 

SCENE ONE: IT IS THE NEXT DAY AND JENNIFER IS ALONE IN HER BEDROOM AT LAWRENCE'S MANSION. SHE FLOPS ON THE BED AND THINKS OF JACK.

 

JENNIFER: Oh Jack where are you? Grandma should have gotten to you by now. You should be here.

 

LAWRENCE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR AND GETS THE MAID TO BRING IN THE WEDDING GOWN THAT SHE IS TO WEAR ON SECOND NOVEMBER, HER TWENTY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY.

SCENE TWO: MEANWHILE, JACK IS IN THE LOCAL LIBRARY, TRYING TO GO OVER SOME MAPS AND FIND OUT ALL HE CAN ABOUT THE ALAMAINS. A WOMAN IN THE LIBRARY WITH HIM GETS UPSET AT ALL HIS NOISE.

 

WOMAN: SSSSHHHH!

JACK: Excusa et c'est la buerre est.... ah.... no help, par farvor.

WOMAN: Maybe I can help you.

JACK: Excusa, yo sprakensi.... abla.... parlez-vous.... anglaise?

WOMAN: (In an American accent) I hope so, I'm an American.

JACK: Oh.

WOMAN: I've made this country my field of study at the university.

JACK: Oh then maybe you can tell me. Do you know the Alamains? That's A-L....

WOMAN: Of course, they're very famous.

JACK: Oh, well I knew that. Perhaps you could help me with my study. Give me some quick cliff notes on this country and particularly the Alamains. And please don't spare a single juicy detail.

SCENE THREE: BACK AT THE MANSION, JENNIFER IS COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED BY THE WEDDING DRESS. IT IS ALL TOO SCARY AND SHE CAN TELL THAT THE DRESS WAS FOR SOMEBODY ELSE. THIS MAKES LAWRENCE THINK BACK TO THE LAST TIME HE GAVE THE DRESS TO A WOMAN. HE SAYS THE DRESS IS FOR HIS BRIDE AND NO ONE ELSE AND SHE WILL WEAR IT TOMORROW WHEN THEY MARRY. HE DUMPS IT IN HER ARMS AND LEAVES.

SCENE FOUR: LATER JENNIFER TAKES A WALK IN THE GARDEN AND FINDS POLDY PLANTING FLOWERS.

JENNIFER: Hello.

POLDY: Oh hello, for you, take in the scent. Lovely isn't it?

 

HE HANDS HER A FLOWER.

 

JENNIFER: Yes, it's beautiful.

POLDY: It's not native to this land you know.

JENNIFER: How do you grow it then?

POLDY: Well proper treatment and care a flower can grow even in this soil.

JENNIFER: Are you talking about me too?

POLDY: When I arranged this pact with your father I knew that it might be difficult one day for you and Lawrence to accept. People have accused me of living too much in the past, of being steeped in the ways of old. Well maybe they're right but it's only because I know the old ways often work. See I too was wedded in a marriage of convenience as they say but in time I grew to love my wife and she me. So you see anything is possible.

JENNIFER: Yes, but....

POLDY: What my child?

JENNIFER: What if you'd been in love with someone else?

POLDY: Oh that does present a set of problems all it's own, doesn't it?

JENNIFER: What would you have done?

POLDY: I would have accepted my fate none the less. Love is unpredictable. When your heart is open to it, love can come to you when you least expect it.

 

RIGHT AT THE MOMENT, THE SOUND OF A MUSICAL HORN BLASTS THROUGH THE AIR AND THROUGH THE GATE DRIVES A VINTAGE WHITE CONVERTIBLE. JACK IS DRIVING AND HE IS WEARING A LONG DEEP YELLOW SUEDE COAT AND MATCHING DRIVING GLOVES. HE IS ALSO WEARING SUNGLASSES AND A SILK PAISLEY SCARF.

SCENE FIVE: JACK HAS JUST ARRIVED, DRIVING A VINTAGE WHITE CONVERTIBLE. JENNIFER IS SURPISED AND THRILLED TO SEE HIM. POLDY IS TAKEN BY THE VINTAGE CAR. HE CALLS OUT AS HE DRIVES IN AND THE GUARDS SURROUND HIM.

JACK: Greetings, greetings, greetings. Greetings, greetings one and all, greetings.

POLDY: Well do my eyes deceive me?

JENNIFER: Either that or we're both seeing a mirage.

 

JACK SITS UP ON THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT.

 

POLDY: Why it's not a mirage after all.

 

JACK BEGINS TO TALK WITH A SCOTTISH ACCENT.

JACK: Oh no sir, this is the real thing.

POLDY: Oh a 1935 Auburn Speedster. Haven't seen one in years. Where did you get your hands upon it?

JACK: Oh it's been in the family for years.

POLDY: I can imagine. Original engine?

JACK: Oh sir, everything about my baby here is original, from the tires to the tank to the MacPherson struts.

POLDY: MacPherson struts hadn't been invented in 1935.

JACK: Oh.... did I.... did I say MacPherson struts. I think I was talking about my other car.

 

 

HE REMOVES HIS SUNGLASSES.

 

POLDY: Well it was a marvel of engineering for it's time. An eight built from a Dussenberg six. A stroke of genius if I must say.

 

JENNIFER GIVES JACK A SMALL WAVE AND SMILES.

 

JACK: Ah.... you must.

POLDY: How fast can you take her?

JACK: Ah, zero to sixty in three seconds.

POLDY: Good gracious.

JACK: Ah well, maybe.... not that fast.

POLDY: What is your business here young man?

JACK: Why sir I'm here to see Katerina.

POLDY: Katerina? What for?

 

JENNIFER WALKS UP BESIDE POLDY. JACK PAUSES AT THE SIGHT OF HER.

 

JACK: Oh Katerina and I go way back.

POLDY: Is that true Katerina?

JENNIFER: Yes.... yes, way back.

JACK: I'd like to speak to her for a moment if I could.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER CANNOT KEEP THEIR EYES OFF EACH OTHER.

 

POLDY: Well.... alright. But it must be under my supervision, you understand. Katerina is betrothed to my son after all.

JENNIFER: This is Leopold Alamain, Lawrence's father.

JACK: Oh well of course. Who wouldn't know the great Leopold Alamain. Sir, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Ja....

 

JENNIFER INTERRUPTS JACK.

 

JENNIFER: Jasper! This is Jasper and as he was saying, he's an old friend of mine.

JENNIFER WALKS AROUND THE CAR TO SEE JACK. HE LEAPS OVER THE DOOR TO LAND IN FRONT OF HER SWISHING HIS SCARF AROUND HIS NECK AS HE LANDS.

JACK: Yes. An old friend.... but a good friend. A good old friend.

 

SHE EXTENDS HER HAND TO HIM AND HE SLOWLY BENDS AND KISSES IT TENDERLY ALL THE TIME LOOKING IN HER EYES.

JENNIFER: It's so nice to see you again.

JACK: It's nice to see you too

 

THEY CONTINUE TO HOLD HANDS.

UNTIL THEY NOTICE POLDY WATCHING THEN SHE SLOWLY PULLS IT AWAY.

JENNIFER: I'm sorry about your brother. I wanted to be there for you but I couldn't.

JACK: I understand.

JENNIFER: Are you alright?

JACK: I will be, thank you. And you?

JENNIFER: I'm fine, actually I'm wonderful. I'm getting married you know.

JACK: Yes, yes, I heard. Congratulations.

 

THE WHOLE CONVERSATION IS BEING WATCHED BY POLDY SO THEY ARE CAUTIOUS AND TRYING TO CONVEY INFORMATION WITHOUT SAYING TOO MUCH.

 

JENNIFER: Thank you My nanny, Cecily Smythe, you remember her, don't you?

JACK: Ah.... lovely older lady, white hair, kind of.... ah....

 

JACK INDICATES HAIR ON TOP OF HIS HEAD.

 

JENNIFER: Yes, she wears it up. Yes that's her. She went to visit a sick aunt and to tell everybody about the wedding.

POLDY: I shall sorely miss her too. A lovely lady indeed.

JACK: Sir, you're more than welcome to take a look under my baby's hood here.

POLDY: I wouldn't mind.

JACK: Say no more, say no more. Your wish is my command.

 

JACK RUNS AROUND AND LIFTS THE RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE HOOD SO THAT POLDY CAN SEE THE ENGINE AND BE OUT OF SIGHT OF HE AND JENNIFER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR.

 

JACK: Take a look at this, sir.

POLDY: Oh my!

JACK: Oh yes.

 

JACK RUNS BACK AROUND TO WHISPER TO JENNIFER.

 

JACK: Okay, are you really alright?

JENNIFER: Yes, I am now that you're here. Jack I've missed you so much.

JACK: I've missed you too.

 

THEY SECRETLY JOIN HANDS AND HOLD EACH OTHER'S FINGERS IN SILENCE.

 

JACK: Now it's time to get you out of here.

JENNIFER: First I want to tell you what I have planned, right.

 

JACK IS OBVIOUSLY FRUSTRATED.

 

JENNIFER: I'm going to pretend that I'm Katerina right up to the day of the wedding then I'll tell Lawrence who I really am and the whole deal will be off.

JACK: How about a really radical plan? Why don't we tell Lawrence now?

JENNIFER: Because if I wait until the last minute, he won't have time to find the real Katerina and she'll be out of the pact too.

JACK: That's not your problem.

JENNIFER: Yes it is. Because you see Katerina, she's....

 

POLDY INTERRUPTS AND THEY INSTANTLY PULL APART.

 

POLDY: A fine piece of machinery indeed. Beautiful, just beautiful.

JACK: Sir, you know, you're more than welcome to take my baby out for a spin around the.... block if you like. I'm in no hurry.

POLDY: I do thank you indeed but I dare not leave my future daughter in law in the presence of unchaperoned male company.

JACK: Heheheheh. I understand of course. I can't believe my chum Katerina is actually getting married.

JENNIFER: Yes. Everything's ready and the arrangements are all set. And I expect everything to go exactly as planned.

JACK: Yes I'm sure you do. I tell you, I would give my left bagpipe to see you walking down that aisle.

POLDY: You mean that your friend here has not been included on the guest list?

JENNIFER: I didn't know if he'd be able to make it.

POLDY: I shall add your name to the guest list, Mr.?

JACK: Jasper.

POLDY: Jasper. I thought your first name was Jasper.

JACK: It is. It's my last name too. Jasper Jasper.

POLDY: Well we'll see you at the wedding then, Mr. Jasper Jasper. Come along now dear.

 

HE TAKES JENNIFER'S ARM AND ESCORTS HER AWAY BUT AS SHE PASSES JACK, SHE MANAGES TO HAND HIM THE FLOWER SHE WAS HOLDING.

HE PRESSES TO HIS HEART, AND SADLY WATCHES HER WALK AWAY. SHE TURNS BACK AND LOOKS AT HIM FOR A FEW SECONDS. HE REALIZES THE GUARDS WANT HIM TO LEAVE.

 

JACK: Heheheheh.... Ah I'm going.... I'm going.

 

HE TRIES TO BE SUAVE AND JUMP OVER THE DOOR INTO THE CAR BUT CANNOT DO IT SO HE HAS TO OPEN THE DOOR AND GET IN NORMALLY.

 

JACK: I'm going.

SCENE SIX: LATER THAT NIGHT JENNIFER IS IN THE GARDEN OF THE VILLA WITH POLDY. SHE IS HOLDING A WEDDING INVITATION.

 

JENNIFER: You know I'm glad my friend Jasper told the guard where he could be reached. Thank you for finding him and arranging all this.

 

SUDDENLY JACK APPEARS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE GATES.

 

JACK: (He speaking with a different accent, like the one he used when he was pretending to be Wilfred Grenville.) Hello, hello, excuse me! Hello!

JENNIFER: Excuse me.

 

JENNIFER WALKS UP TO THE GATE WHILE POLDY STANDS BACK AND WATCHES.

 

JENNIFER: Hello Jasper, I've been waiting for you.

JACK: Yes. I got a message. (He realizes his mistake and reverts to a Scot's accent) Something.... something about I was supposed to come.

 

JENNIFER PRESSES UP AGAINST THE GATE TO SEE HIM.

 

JENNIFER: Yes Leopold arranged for you to come.

JACK: Oh, I didn't....

 

JACK PAUSES AND LOOKS CLOSELY AT HER THROUGH THE GATE.

 

JENNIFER: What? What is it? What's wrong?

JACK: It's nothing. I just thought.... I thought maybe you were still wearing that little.... that little tiara.... in your hair or something, the way moonlight is dancing off it and all. It must be something in the water.

HE PUTS HIS HAND THROUGH THE GATE AND GENTLY STROKES HER HAIR. SHE SHUTS HER EYES AND STROKES HIS CHEEK.

 

JENNIFER: You never looked more wonderful too Jasper.

JACK: It's the water.

JENNIFER: Yes, yes.

 

JENNIFER REALIZES THINGS ARE GETTING TOO INTIMATE AND TURNS TO FACE POLDY.

 

JENNIFER: Hahahah.

POLDY: Hahahah.

JACK: Ah I'm sorry. You know me, always looking with my fingers, lassie.

JENNIFER: Well Jasper, why don't you just take this wedding invitation right here and get out of here, right.

JACK: I would love to just take it right here.... right here.

 

HE TOUCHES HER HAND AGAIN AS SHE PASSES HIM THE INVITATION.

SCENE SEVEN: MEANWHILE UP ON THE BALCONY, LAWRENCE IS WATCHING THEM WITH A TELESCOPE. HE THEN FANTASIZES ABOUT CARLY/KATERINA MARRYING HIM, THE MUSIC FASCINATION PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND.

SCENE EIGHT: BACK IN THE GARDEN JACK AND JENNIFER ARE STILL TALKING. NEITHER OF THEM WANTS TO LEAVE THE OTHER. THEY BOTH ARE DESPERATE TO BE IN EACH OTHER'S ARMS, BUT CANNOT LET ON WHAT AND HOW MUCH THEY FEEL FOR EACH OTHER.

JENNIFER: Yes.

JACK: You know I can hardly wait for tomorrow.

JENNIFER: Yes, I can't either.... for all of this to be over so I can finally be with the man I love for the rest of my life.

JACK: And a lucky man he is too. I tell you one thing, I sure hope he does everything in his power to make you happy.

JENNIFER: I hope he does too.

 

THEY ARE STARING AT EACH OTHER AND DO NOT NOTICE POLDY WALK UP.

 

POLDY: You have a very big day tomorrow my dear. Yes I'm sure that Mr. Jasper will understand if you bid him adieu at this time.

JENNIFER: Yes.

POLDY: Good.

JENNIFER: Well until tomorrow Jasper.

JACK: Tomorrow.

 

JENNIFER SLOWLY WALKS AWAY WITH POLDY LEAVING JACK ALONE OUTSIDE THE GATE.

 

JACK: (Quoting MacBeth) Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow, creeps at this petty pace.