SCENE ONE: JACK, SHANE, KAYLA AND JULIE ARE IN THE LIVING ROOM OF LAWRENCE'S VILLA WHEN AN EARTHQUAKE SHAKES THE BUILDING. WHEN IT STOPS THEY LOOK TO SEE IF JACK'S OKAY.
KAYLA: Jack, Jack.
JULIE: Jack.
JACK: Right here. I.... er.... you know what they say about your life flashing before your eyes. Well it's true but I used Warren Beatty and Clint Eastwood. They've seen enough action for all of us and why not enjoy your last thirty seconds.
KAYLA: Well I think it's all over now and we're okay.
THE RUMBLING STARTS AGAIN.
JACK: No we're not, no we're not. Everybody duck.
SCENE TWO: DOWNSTAIRS JENNIFER HAS JUST COME TO SEE FRANKIE. HE GRABS HER AS THE BUILDING SHAKES.
FRANKIE: Are you okay?
JENNIFER: Yeah, oh Frankie.
THEY HUG EACH OTHER.
FRANKIE: Oh man oh man. What are you doing here?
JENNIFER: What am I doing here? What are you doing here? What is going on? What do you have to do with Lawrence?
FRANKIE: That is a long story. Better question, what are you doing here? I don't get it.
JENNIFER: He has my grandmother here. She's here someplace.
FRANKIE: You're kidding.
JENNIFER: No I wish I were.
FRANKIE: What is it?
JENNIFER: I'm married to Lawrence Alamain.
FRANKIE: What?
JENNIFER: Yes I married him. I'm his wife.
FRANKIE: Wait a minute, then you're the girl.... Jasper....
JENNIFER: Jasper! Yes Jack was here. When was he here?
FRANKIE: Wait...wait a minute.... Jack!
JENNIFER: Yes Jack.
FRANKIE: Who's Jack?
JENNIFER: Jasper! Jack is Jasper. His real name is Jack Deveraux.
FRANKIE: Wh.... you mean Jack Deveraux is your boyfriend?
SCENE THREE: UPSTAIRS JACK IS STILL HIDING.
JACK: IT'S SHAKING, IT'S STILL SHAKING, IT'S SHAKING, IT'S SHAKING....
KAYLA: Jack it's alright.
JACK: Oh it's you. Oh wait a minute.
KAYLA: It's alright, get up.
JACK: Careful, careful.
KAYLA: Are you alright.
POLDY: Hello survivors! Did you enjoy that ride?
JACK: Ride? Was that like, as in enjoy as in enjoy the pleasure of, derive pleasure from. Is that what you're talking about?
POLDY: It's not eveybody's cup of tea I suppose but I like a good jolt. It puts a spin on the afternoon.
SHANE: Tell me does this sort of thing happen often then.
POLDY: Fairly. We're built on a fault you know.
SHANE: No I didn't know.
POLDY: Well no fault of your own. Hahahahah. Well you see we've never had a major quake here. But if we did let me assure you that these walls would not come tumbling down.
JACK: Could I have that in writing please?
POLDY: Oh there's no need to alarmed, let me assure you. This is a very small fault that we're on. In fact when I speak to the people in town they tell me they don't even feel the shaking.
SHANE: Is that so?
POLDY LEAVES AND SHANE STARTS TO LOOK AROUND THE ROOM.
JULIE: I hope he's right about the quakes around here. I'd hate to go through a major one.
JACK: I know I won't live through one.
SHANE: I don't think you have to worry about that Jack.
KAYLA: What do you mean? What are you doing?
SHANE: Just confirming my suspicions.
KAYLA: About what?
SHANE: About the earthquake. Whatever it was it certainly wasn't an earthquake.
JACK: This wasn't an earthquake, are you insane?
SHANE: I certainly hope not Jack.
JACK: Well it was certainly something because something scared the hell out of Julie and Kayla.
JULIE: Scared the hell out of Julie and Kayla?
JACK: Well you know what I mean. I mean we all felt the shaking. We all felt something.
SHANE: I never said you didn't. Take a look at this.
KAYLA: What?
SHANE: The cracks.
KAYLA: I don't see any.
SHANE: Well exactly.
JACK: Well exactly! Exactly what?
SHANE: Jack you said it yourself, we all felt the shaking right. Well don't you think an earthquake big enough to drop those columns would have left some sort of crack in the walls?
JACK: Okay, alright, what was it?
SHANE: I don't know but whatever it was it was probably one of Lawrence's games.
JACK: Right, the game that we don't know the rules to yet.
SHANE: That's right but we will find out very soon if we don't go shooting off half cocked the way you nearly did before the ground started moving.
JACK: I tell you something, the walls obviously don't need help but Jennifer does need help. I'm going to go tend to Jennifer.
SHANE: Jack. Jack get back here. JACK!
KAYLA: I'll go.... I'll go.
KAYLA FOLLOWS JACK OUT INTO THE GARDEN.
SCENE FOUR: BACK DOWNSTAIRS FRANKIE IS STILL TALKING TO JENNIFER.
FRANKIE: What is this, some kind of joke. Jen, I mean, Jack Deveraux, he's a sleaze. I mean he's some kind of criminal.
JENNIFER: (Her love for Jack is evident by her expression) No, he's not. He's changed a lot since you left Salem and so have I.
JENNIFER IS IMPLYING THAT THINGS HAVE CHANGED, AND IT IS JACK WHO IS SPECIAL TO HER.
FRANKIE: Yeah I guess so. I don't get it though. You say you care this much about Deveraux. I mean why pretend to be Katerina. I mean why marry a jerk like Alamain?
JENNIFER: Like you said before, it's a really long story.
FRANKIE TELLS HER THAT IT DOES NOT MATTER WHY SHE MARRIED LAWRENCE, THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO GET OUT OF HERE. SHE SAYS SHE CANNOT LEAVE AND FRANKIE IS JUST AS CONFUSED AS JACK.
SCENE FIVE: OUTSIDE IN THE GARDEN KAYLA IS TRYING TO CALM JACK.
KAYLA: Jack, I know how you feel. I'm pretty frustrated with Shane right now myself.
JACK: Oh it's not that, I'm just.... ah....
KAYLA: Frustrated.
JACK: Frustrated. Right, right.... well.
KAYLA: I understand that. I mean I didn't come here to be part of an ISA mission either.
JACK: Then what are you here for Kayla?
KAYLA: You know.... Steve's been gone three weeks. I really can't believe that. It seems like yesterday or five minutes ago. and everytime I think about it, it really hurts. I'm angry and I feel powerless at the same time. I want to throw something or hit somebody. I swear if I had a gun right now I'd go into that house and I would find Lawrence Alamain and I would pull that gun out without a minutes hesitation and I would shoot him. I really would.
JACK: No.... no you wouldn't.... no.
KAYLA: (Confused) Don't tell me I don't feel this way because I would.
JACK: (Jack becomes more serious) No, no. Kayla, what I'm saying is that violence is not the answer. I learned that from you a long time ago.
KAYLA: I'm not really sure I know what you mean Jack.
JACK: (He has something serious to tell her, but is not sure how to say it.) I mean I learned from you.... Kayla. I learned from the way you and Steve.... lived and continued to love.... through.... I mean you know me. You know me better than anybody, where I've been and what I've been capable of doing. (Beat) I never talked with Steve about it.... I just never.... and now it's too late. (Beat) It's maybe not too late to talk about it with you.
KAYLA: No.... you really don't have to talk to me about it.
JACK: I think maybe we do.
KAYLA TURNS AWAY FROM JACK BUT HE STANDS BEHIND HER AND IS DETERMINED TO GET THIS SAID.
JACK: (Determined) I know I do.... I know I've taken too much for granted. I took Steve for granted. I took.... making up for granted. I always thought there would be time. And there would be a better time and there would be a time after that. And then suddenly there was no more time.
KAYLA TRIES TO CHANGE THE SUBJECT.
KAYLA: You know I really think that Jennifer's going to be alright.
JACK: We're not talking about Jennifer. I hope she's going to be alright. I hope we're all going to be alright. But if we're not.... I just want to let you know that I appreciate.... yours and everyone's chances that you've taken with me. I haven't always deserved them but I want you to know that I.... that I know that. And I want you to know that I...ah.... am sorry for what I did to hurt you. That I am sorry.... seems like such a little word doesn't it.... so hard to say. Rape!
JACK (CONT.): It's like you said that day in court. I raped you and I am sorry and I am saying it now.... for me. Just to...just to get it out there. And I am sorry.KAYLA: I'm sorry too.
JACK: I'm sorry because I think we could have been friends. And now what are we going to do?
KAYLA: Well you know I know this is hard for you and it's hard for me but maybe we can do what Shane said. We can put our feelings aside and work together. I'm willing to give it a shot if you are. Well what do you say, do you want to give Shane's way another try?
JACK: I think before I jump on the wagon, I have to see Jennifer. I have to see.... I have to see what's behind this act. I mean she's scared of something.
KAYLA: What if she won't talk to you?
JACK: If she won't talk to me then.... then I will co-operate with Shane Donovan one hundred and fifty per cent. Unless earthquake comes along and then I'll just.... (A faint laugh) faint and die.
KAYLA: I don't think that's going to happen. She'll talk to you.
JACK: You understand what I'm.... you understand everything I've said.
KAYLA: I think Jennifer's lucky to have some one like you who love's her so much.
JACK: (It is obvious that this means a great deal to him.) I better go find her, alright.
KAYLA: I'm just going to wait out here for a few more minutes.
JACK: Okay.
JACK LEAVES AND KAYLA STAYS TO THINK OVER WHAT JACK SAID.
SCENE SIX: LATER THAT EVENING SHANE, JULIE AND KAYLA ARE DRESSED FOR DINNER AND WAITING IN THE LIVING ROOM. LAWRENCE COMES DOWN WITH JENNIFER WHO IS STILL PLAYING THE ROLE OF DUTIFUL WIFE. WHILE THEY CONTINUE WITH JENNIFER'S IMPERSONATION, THE BUTLER ANNOUNCES THAT ANOTHER GUEST HAS ARRIVED, CARLY MANNING. THEY ARE ALL SURPRISED BUT PARTICULARLY JENNIFER WHO KNOWS THAT CARLY IS THE REAL KATERINA. CARLY IS SHOCKED TO SEE ALL THOSE PRESENT AND IS PARTICULARLY SHOCKED WHEN LAWRENCE INTRODUCES JENNIFER AS HIS WIFE KATERINA. JENNIFER MAKES AN EXCUSE TO LEAVE THE ROOM AND CARLY FOLLOWS.
SCENE SEVEN: CARLY HAS FOLLOWED JENNIFER. SHE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT JENNIER IS DOING THERE, IMPERSONATING HER.
CARLY: Jennifer what are you doing here? You have to get out of here.
JENNIFER: I can't leave here.
CARLY: Is it true? Are you married to him?
JENNIFER: Yes, I am.
CARLY: He forced you into it, didn't he? He threatened you.
JENNIFER: No he didn't.
CARLY: Yes he did Jennifer, you love Jack.
JENNIFER: I married Lawrence, I'm his wife now.
JENNIFER RUNS BACK TO HER ROOM.
JENNIFER: You shouldn't be here Jack.SCENE EIGHT: SHE GOES INSIDE AND SHUTS THE DOOR AND WALKS OVER TO THE LARGE MIRROR AND HOLDS UP HER LEFT HAND AND LOOKS AT HER WEDDING RING. SHE PULLS IT OFF AND SUDDENLY JACK'S IMAGE APPEARS IN THE MIRROR. HE IS STANDING BEHIND HER. THIS STARTLES HER.
JENNIFER IS CLOSE TO TEARS; IT IS PAINFUL FOR BEING SO CLOSE TO JACK, BUT NOT ABLE TO REALLY BE NEAR HIM, AND TO HAVE TO HURT HIM. JACK IS FRUSTRATED.
JACK: You don't mean that.
JENNIFER: Yes I do. Because I'm a married woman now.
JACK: What about happily?
JENNIFER: (Thrown by the remark) What?
JACK: Happily! It's part of the phrase women use when they are trying to avoid their feelings. I'm a happily married woman.
JENNIFER: Well I am a happily married woman so could you go please.
JACK: Answer one question and I'll go.
JENNIFER: Okay, what?
JACK: How could you be a happily married woman....
HE WALKS OVER AND SITS ON THE END OF HER BED.
JACK: .... when you have your own bedroom?
SCENE ONE: CARLY AND BO HAVE ARRIVED AT THE VILLA TO JOIN THE OTHERS. JENNIFER IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO KNOWS THAT CARLY IS THE REAL KATERINA.
SCENE TWO: JACK HAS SNEAKED INTO JENNIFER'S BEDROOM TO FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING. JENNIFER WANTS JACK TO GO, BEING NEAR HIM, MAKES IT TOO DIFFICULT TO PRETEND SHE DOES NOT CARE.JENNIFER: What did you say?
JACK: I'd be more than happy to repeat the question. If you and Lawrence are so happily married what are you doing sleeping in this bedroom? I didn't think separate bedrooms were the hot ticket with newlyweds this year.
JENNIFER: Well for your information, I'm not sleeping here.
JACK DOES NOT BELIEVE HER.
JACK: Hmmm. You were with the tour and you just got separated from the rest of the party, is that it?
JENNIFER: I left something in the room and I wanted to come back and get it. Not that it's any of your business.
JACK: Jennifer I think your business is my business and vice-a-versa.
JENNIFER, NERVOUSLY, PICKS UP A HAIR BRUSH AND STARTS TO BRUSH HER HAIR. SHE TRIES TO AVOID HIS QUESTIONS, AND TO RESTRAIN HER FEELINGS FOR HIM.
JENNIFER: I just left my brush here and I wanted to come get it.
JACK: Jennifer, I've bought a lot of stories in my time. That is the business I'm in, stories. But I really hope you don't expect me to believe this sophomoric tale about you sleeping with Lawrence. Any rebuttals? Besides I know how much.... that.... means to you.
JENNIFER: (Speaking softly) I'm sorry Jack.
JACK SLOWLY SPINS BACK TO LOOK AT HER AND IS NOW HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING.
JACK: What do you mean, you're sorry? (Beat) What do you mean, you're sorry?JENNIFER: I really don't think that I should discuss the details of my personal life with my husband, with you.
JACK: I think that's the wrong answer Jennifer. And you know you're not staying here because you like him. So what is the real reason?
JENNIFER: He's my husband. I want to stay with him. Is that so strange?
SHE STARTS TO BRUSH HER HAIR AGAIN, BUT HE TAKES THE BRUSH FROM HER.
JACK: Look there is nothing strange about this. Odd yes, weird yes, peculiar yes, and untrue yes.
JENNIFER: I don't know why you find it so impossible to believe. I mean it's like a dream come true, don't you think?
JACK: Jennifer, that's not it at all.
JENNIFER: I think that you should leave before Lawrence comes in and finds you here.
JACK: Jennifer, do you still love me?
SCENE THREE: JACK IS IN JENNIFER'S BEDROOM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING. HE HAS JUST ASKED HER IF SHE STILL LOVED HIM. SHE HESITATES.
JENNIFER: Could you repeat the question?
JACK GETS A TINY SMILE ON HIS FACE. HE KNOWS BY HER REACTION THAT SHE STILL LOVES HIM.JACK: I don't think that's really necessary. I think the answer's obvious.
HE STROKES HER HAIR THEN RUNS THE BACK OF HIS FINGER DOWN HER CHEEK THE WAY LAWRENCE DOES. IT MAKES HER A BIT CONFUSED ABOUT JACK TOUCHING HER BUT STILL SURE OF HER LOVE FOR HIM, AND SHE DESPERATES WANTS TO BE WITH HIM, BUT CANNOT.
JENNIFER: Jack.... I'm....
JACK: Just tell me what's going on and I'll take care of it.
JENNIFER: I want to tell you.
JACK: Then tell me.
JENNIFER: I can't....
THEY BOTH HEAR A NOISE OUTSIDE THE DOOR.JENNIFER: You have to go Jack. Somebody's coming.
JACK: I'm not going to go anywhere Jennifer.JENNIFER: Jack you have to sneak out of her right now, please!
JACK: Alright, I'll sneak out and you'll sneak out with me.
JENNIFER: No, I'm okay. Just go, please.
JACK: Go, no. Jennifer you were going to tell me something right. What were you going to tell me? I'm here to listen, alright.
JENNIFER: Alright, alright, just meet me later, okay.
JACK: Where?
JENNIFER: I don't know. I don't know anywhere but my bedroom. Meet me....
JACK: So this is your bedroom then?
JENNIFER: Yes, technically it is but I'm not going to argue with you right now about it.
JACK: Alright, ten o'clock we meet at the garage, alright. If you don't hear from me by ten o'clock, it's kosher. So it's safe, okay.
JENNIFER: Okay, come on, let's go. Please go.
JACK: Alright. You're going to meet me there?
JENNIFER: Please Jack.
JACK: You're going to be there?
JENNIFER: Yes I will. Please go.
SHE OPENS THE DOOR JUST AS A GUARD WALKS PAST. JACK SNEAKS OUT BEHIND HIM. JENNIFER GOES BACK INTO HER ROOM.
SCENE FOUR: LATER SHE SNEAKS OUT TO SEE CARLY. CARLY IS ABOUT TO TELL HER SOMETHING. HOWEVER, JENNIFER DOES NOT LET HER BECAUSE SHE IS WORRIED LAWRENCE WILL COME ALONG. JENNIFER SAYS SHE CANNOT LEAVE BECAUSE SOMEBODY ELSE IS HERE. SHE REFUSES TO TELL CARLY WHO IT IS. SHE TELLS CARLY THAT SHE HAS STARTED TO FALL IN LOVE WITH LAWRENCE AND WANTS TO STAY.
SCENE FIVE: DOWN IN THE GARAGE, POLDY IS SHOWING JULIE HIS FAVORITE CAR AND JACK IS TRYING TO GET IN THE GARAGE TOO WITHOUT THEM SEEING HIM. JACK TAKES OFF HIS SHOES AND HIDES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR.
POLDY: I do have a daughter now.
JULIE: Katerina, beautiful as a jewel.
POLDY: Yes but I worry about her. So sweet.
JULIE: But?
POLDY: There's this old acquaintance of hers that you were talking to this morning, Jack Deveraux.
JACK IS LISTENING TO ALL THIS. HE IS MOVED BY THIS REMARKS.BUT EVEN MORE CONFUSED AND CONCERNED ABOUT JENNIFER'S ACTIONS.
POLDY: I'm afraid for her. I'm afraid that she's in love with Jack. I can see it in her face, in her eyes when she looks at him and he isn't watching. It's true love.
JULIE: Does it make you angry Leopold? After all she is married to you son.
POLDY: Well it is an arranged marriage and not one of the heart but a marriage none the less. It's an arrangement made with Lawrence's best interests at heart.
JULIE: Well I wouldn't worry about it too much if I were you. I have a feeling that everything is going to work out for the best.
JACK SNEAKS BACK OUT THE GARAGE AND INTENDS TO COME BACK LATER.
SCENE FOUR: HE MEETS THE REST OF THE SALEM GANG IN THE GARDEN.
BO: Jack.
JACK: Bo, Carly.
BO: What the hell is going on with Jennifer?
JACK: Well the only thing I'm sure of is that I'm not sure of anything. Jennifer's not telling us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but.
BO: Well this whole thing about her being in love with Alamain, that's a load of bull.
JACK: The important thing is why is she trying to act like the blushing bride? That's what I want to find out.
SHANE: Look there's something we're all forgetting. The real Katerina von Leuschner, where is she?
CARLY IS SILENT.
SHANE: I mean obviously she never showed up for the wedding right and that means the pact should have been finished, right. But somehow Alamain has managed to keep it going and now the von Leuschner and Alamain families are united. Whether she knew it or not Jennifer has made him a very powerful man.
KAYLA: So having Steve killed just made him more powerful and gave him more money.
SHANE: I don't think we're dealing with just a businessman looking for a quick buck. No, Lawrence is motivated by some very powerful emotions and there's someone here who knows more than we think, only she's not talking.
JULIE: Jennifer.
SHANE: Yes, that's right.
BO: So what do we do know?
SHANE: Everything seems to point this evening of the big party. That's when he makes his move and that's when we make our move. Everyone agreed? Jack?
JACK: Hmmm? Yes, yes.
CARLY: You know I think we better go. We don't want to him to catch us here together.
SHANE: Yeah, you're right.
JACK: Welcome to the party.
BO: Yeah thanks.
THEY ALL LEAVE BUT NOT BEFORE BO ASKS CARLY WHY SHE IS SO NERVOUS. SHE DOES NOT ANSWER.
SCENE SIX: UP IN HER BEDROOM, JENNIFER HAS JUST COMPLETED THE NEXT CHAPTER IN HER JOURNAL. SHE IS ABOUT TO LEAVE TO MEET JACK, AS SHE OPENS THE DOOR LAWRENCE IS STANDING THERE. SHE TELLS HIM SHE WANTS TO TAKE A WALK BUT HE KNOWS SHE IS LYING. HE TELLS HER THAT SHE MUST NOT DO ANYTHING SHE WILL REGRET. HE LEAVES. SHE KNOWS THAT SHE CANNOT MEET JACK. SHE FEELS BAD, BECAUSE SHE KNOWS DOING ALL THIS IS HURTING JACK VERY MUCH.JENNIFER: I'm sorry Jack.
SCENE SEVEN: DOWN IN THE GARAGE, JACK IS WAITING; WORRIED AND SOMEWHAT HURT BY HER ACTIONS.
JACK: Come on Jennifer. It's ten o'clock, you were supposed to come. Where are you?
