oldEpisode Two-hundred-twenty-five: Jennifer
Has a Nightmare; Dressed Only in His Pajama
Bottoms Frankie Comforts Her; at That Instant
Jack Comes in, He Is Hurt , but Tries to Hide
It. Later, Worried, He Goes to Visit Alice
Hoping She Knows What Is Bothering Jennifer.

[Air date early Decemeber 1990]

 

SCENE ONE: IT IS THE NEXT MORNING AND JENNIFER HAS SLEPT ON THE SOFA ALL NIGHT. SHE IS DREAMING THAT LAWRENCE HAS COME TO THE LOFT AND SHE WAKES UP WITH HER HEAD IN HIS LAP. SHE RUNS SCREAMING FROM HIM IN HER DREAM AND FRANKIE HEARS HER SCREAMS. HE COMES RUNNING DOWNSTAIRS WEARING ONLY PAJAMA PANTS AND NO TOP AND WAKES HER UP AND HOLDS HER TIGHT.AT THAT MOMENT JACK OPENS THE LOFT DOOR AND SEES THEM TOGETHER.

SCENE TWO: JACK IS HURT. JENNIFER FEELS TERRIBLE THAT JACK WILL GET THE WRONG IMPRESSION OF WHAT HAS JUST HAPPENED, AND THAT THIS IS HURTING HIM.

 

JENNIFER: I'm so glad you're here. Oh Frankie, I'm so glad you're here.

 

JACK IS QUIETLY FURIOUS AND JUST STARES FROM THE DOOR. HE SLAMS IS SHUT AND THEY BOTH TURN TOWARDS HIM.

 

JACK: Good morning!

JENNIFER: Oh god. Oh.... Jack this isn't what you think.

JACK: What do I think?

 

HE LEANS ON THE KITCHEN BENCH.

 

JENNIFER: I couldn't sleep last night and I came down here to read a book and I just fell asleep on the couch.

 

JACK IS SILENT AS HE LISTENS.

 

FRANKIE: She's right. She had a nightmare. I heard her so I came down here to make sure she was okay.

 

JACK NODS SLOWLY.

 

JACK: I have nightmares sometimes myself. Sometimes I wonder if we were married if they'd stop happening.

 

JENNIFER LOOKS UP AT HIM AND IS UPSET.

oldEp225A
JACK:
Did you tell him?

 

JENNIFER IS SILENT.

 

JACK: I asked Jennifer to marry me.

FRANKIE: And um.... so?

JACK: So she's thinking about it.

FRANKIE: That's great. Well I'm going to get dressed.

JACK: It's nice of you to take care of her.

FRANKIE: No problem.

 

FRANKIE GOES UPSTAIRS.

 

JACK: So hello.

JENNIFER: Hi. You know I better get going too.

JACK: Can't stick around?

JENNIFER: No I can't. I have so many things to do today and Dan's going to kill me if I'm late, so I've really got to get going Jack.

 

SHE RUNS TO THE DOOR AND OPENS IT FOR HIM TO LEAVE.

 

JACK: Here's your hat, what's your hurry.

 

HE KNOWS SHE IS MAKING ANOTHER EXCUSE NOT TO SPEND TIME WITH HIM.

 

JENNIFER: I'm just going to get dressed. I have a lot to do.

 

JACK WALKS OUT THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: Then I'll see you later, okay?

 

JACK HALF TURNS BACK TO HER.

 

JACK: Okay.

 

SHE SHUTS THE DOOR ON HIM.

SCENE THREE: JACK WANDERS DOWN TO THE PIER TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING BETWEEN HIM AND JENNIFER. WHITNEY BAKER COMES ALONG.

 

WHITNEY: Hi.

JACK: Doctor, this is a coincidence.

WHITNEY: Is it?

JACK: Yes, I was thinking of coming by and seeing you.

WHITNEY: Well, what's up?

JACK: What's up. (Beat) I proposed to Jennifer Horton.

WHITNEY: And what did she say?

JACK: She said she needed to think about it.

WHITNEY: And how do you feel about that?

JACK: I think.... I think she's just afraid. I think she's afraid that after the things that she's been going through, her life is never going to be happy and the same again.

WHITNEY: Jack?

JACK: Hmmm.

WHITNEY: You don't have a magic wand. Nobody does. You can't fix things for Jennifer. Jennifer is the only one who can do that. Only she can.

 

JACK PONDERS THAT THOUGHT FOR A WHILE.

SCENE FOUR: MEANWHILE, JENNIFER GETS A KNOCK ON HER DOOR AND OPENS IT TO FIND LAWRENCE STANDING THERE. HE WALKS IN AND CONFRONTS HER. SHE LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN BECAUSE SHE IS AFRAID.

 

LAWRENCE: Jennifer, that isn't very polite. You were much more polite when you were posing as Katerina.

JENNIFER: Get out. I don't want you here. What do you want?

LAWRENCE: I just had the most interesting conversation with your friend, Carly Manning. Now it's time for a talk with my wife.

JENNIFER: I'm not your wife. I don't consider myself your wife and after the annulment I won't have anything to do with you.

LAWRENCE: That's exactly what I wish to discuss, the annulment. I've been giving it some thought, our marriage.

JENNIFER: What have you been thinking?

LAWRENCE: It's become very clear to me. I can't just give you up. What a wonderful wife you would have made me. A superb mate to share life's slings and arrows. I'll have to be compensated for that loss.

JENNIFER: Compensated how? What do you want?

LAWRENCE: Convince your friend Carly Manning to turn over the Von Leuschner holdings to me and you'll be a free woman.

JENNIFER: I can't do that.

LAWRENCE: I'm sorry to hear that Mrs. Alamain. The von Leuschner estate is mine. It belongs to me. I'm it's rightful owner. I WILL HAVE IT! And I'll do whatever it takes to get it.

JENNIFER: What are you talking about?

LAWRENCE: In the old days when a marriage was consummated on the night of a wedding, it was an occasion for public joy. The old days are not so far away in my country.

JENNIFER: What are you saying Lawrence?

LAWRENCE: On our wedding night you made me a very happy man. If I were to make public the events of that night, you wouldn't have a prayer of getting that quick annulment you so desire. And as for divorce, well according to the laws of my country that would be very difficult indeed. So, it's up to you my dear, prevail upon your friend or stay married to me.... forever.

JENNIFER: You wouldn't dare make public what happened on our wedding night. If anybody found out what you did Lawrence....

LAWRENCE: I made love to my wife. It got a little rough. Mere fun and games. Newly wed fun and games.

JENNIFER: How could you tell anybody about that?

LAWRENCE: You didn't tell, did you? No one, nobody at all. How sweet. Not even your boyfriend?

JENNIFER: Get out of here. Get out of here right now before I call the police.

LAWRENCE: Now is that anyway for a wife to talk to her husband.

 

JENNIFER WALKS TO THE OPEN DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: Get out of here before I call the police.

 

SUDDENLY JACK COMES BACK.

 

JACK: Jennifer look I need.... Lawrence Alamain!

LAWRENCE: Well if it isn't my old dueling partner. My wife and I were just talking about you Mr. Deveraux. Assuming it's still Mr. Deveraux.

JACK: She's your wife?

JENNIFER: No I'm not your wife. We had a ceremony but I'm not your wife. We were talking about the annulment Jack, when you walked in.

JACK: There doesn't seem to be too much to talk about according to your uncle Mickey.

LAWRENCE: And who is uncle Mickey?

JACK: He's a lawyer here in town.... DA, used to be.

LAWRENCE: And he's going to be representing Jennifer in this matter. You didn't tell me you retained a lawyer.

JENNIFER: Well it seemed like the obvious thing to do.

JACK: He said that an annulment would be a fairly simple procedure.

LAWRENCE: Nothing is simple. There are things we need to discuss, all three of us.

JACK: I didn't think there was anything that needed to be discussed.

LAWRENCE: Well I would have thought that you wanted this matter disposed of as quickly as possible. Especially with wedding bells in the offering.

JACK: If Miss Horton and I have plans, do you have a problem with that?

JENNIFER: Jack.

 

LAWRENCE AND JACK STARE WITH HATRED AT EACH OTHER.

 

JACK: Lawrence? LAWRENCE: (Beat) It's time I went. We'll speak again. You can rest assured of that. Jennifer.

 

LAWRENCE WALKS OUT AND JACK WATCHES HIM GO AND THEN SHUTS THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Jennifer what was that all about? What's wrong?

JENNIFER: Nothing.

JACK: Nothing's wrong?.... Why are.... you're shivering, come on.

JENNIFER: No I'm not.

JACK: You are scared.

JENNIFER: I am not scared, I promise.

JACK: Listen there is no reason to be scared. You're here, you're home remember. Very soon your whole life with Lawrence Alamain will be nothing but ancient history.

SCENE FIVE: JACK MADE A FIRE TO WARM JENNIFER. HE SITS POKING AT THE FLAMES AND THINKING. JENNIFER IS BABBLING, IT IS OBVIOUS TO JACK THAT SHE IS NERVOUS AND APPEARS TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH HIM.

 

JENNIFER: (Nervous) Boy I can't believe it's almost Christmas can you. I always get a like a little kid at Christmas. I really like it. I get like a big kid at Christmas actually. Everytime it gets closer and closer, I get very.... excited.

 
SHE HANDS HIM A MUG OF COFFEE AND AS HE TAKES IT HIS FINGER TOUCH HERS AND SHE PULLS AWAY.
oldEp225B
JACK: What's the matter?

JENNIFER: Nothing. I just.... I just get like that when I'm tired I think.

 

JENNIFER GETS UP AND WALKS AWAY FROM HIM. HE KNOWS THAT SHE IS MAKING EXCUSES AND FOR SOME REASON DOES NOT WANT HIM TO TOUCH HER OR GET NEAR HER. HE IS HURT AND VERY WORRIED.

 

JACK: Jennifer!

JENNIFER: Maybe if I just have some coffee or something. Maybe I should have tea. But maybe it doesn't really make a much of a difference....

 

SHE DROPS THE CUP AND SPILLS COFFEE ALL OVER THE BENCH.

 

JENNIFER: Ouch, ouch.

JACK: Forget about that! Leave it. Did you burn yourself?

JENNIFER: No.

JACK: Okay, just leave it.

JENNIFER: I can't Jack.

JACK: I said, leave it. LEAVE IT. Leave it. Come over her and sit down.

 

HE ESCORTS HER TO THE COUCH.

 

JENNIFER: I guess I can never be a waitress, huh.

JACK: That's right, sit down. It's time to start thinking about what you need.

JENNIFER: I'm fine Jack.

JACK: I said think about what you need. (Beat) You know what I'm talking about?

JENNIFER: Are you talking about the wedding again?

 

JACK IS HURT BY HER OBVIOUS DISLIKE OF THE TOPIC.

 

JACK: I'm not rushing you. I'm not rushing me either. I'm just saying that what you need, what's best for you right now is a plan. A definite clear plan for your future, that's all.

 

JENNIFER GETS UP AND WALKS OVER TO STARE AT THE FIRE.

 

JENNIFER: You know Jack everything that you're saying sounds really wonderful. I just need time. I want to wait a little while. I can't think about getting married right now. Lawrence is going to give me a hard time with this annulment. I know he is. And until that's settled I can't take the next step or even think about it.

 

JACK IS FRUSTRATED WITH ALL THIS AND MAKES A DECISION.

 

JACK: Alright!

 

HE JUMPS AND GRABS THE PHONE.

 

JENNIFER: What are you doing, who are you calling?

JACK: I'm calling Mickey.

 

JENNIFER SNATCHES THE PHONE OUT OF HIS HAND.

 

JENNIFER: No!

 

JACK IS ANGRY WITH HER.

 

JENNIFER: Don't do that.

JACK: Excuse me?

JENNIFER: I don't want you to call my uncle Mickey that's all. I want to take care of this myself.

JACK: Jennifer, you....

JENNIFER: Just understand me, okay Jack.

JACK: I understand you perfectly. And you can do whatever you want to do. Just go ahead and do it.

JENNIFER: Okay I will. I'll take care of it.

 

THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR AND JACK CAN SEE JENNIFER IS SCARED.

 

JENNIFER: Let me.... get the door, okay.

 

IT IS CARLY.

 

JENNIFER: Oh hi.

CARLY: Hi.

JENNIFER: Come on in.

CARLY: Thanks.... Jack, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something.

JACK: I was just leaving.

 

JACK WALKS OVER AND PICKS UP HIS COAT. HE PAUSES AT THE DOOR AND SPEAKS TO JENNIFER.

 

JACK: I meant what I said.... Jennifer. There's something stopping you. Take care of it.

 

JENNIFER: I will.

 

JENNIFER SHUTS THE DOOR.

SCENE SIX: CARLY HAS STAYED AND SHE AND JENNIFER TRY TO PATCH UP THEIR DIFFERENCES. JENNIFER TELLS CARLY THAT SHE DOES NOT THINK SHE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO MARRY JACK. SHE TELLS CARLY WHAT LAWRENCE WANTS AND CARLY SAYS IT IS BLACKMAIL. SHE DOES NOT TELL CARLY ABOUT THE RAPE. CARLY THINKS JENNIFER IS LUCKY BECAUSE SHE HAS JACK BESIDE HER THROUGH ALL THIS.

SCENE SEVEN: BACK AT HIS HOTEL, LAWRENCE IS ON THE PHONE.

 

LAWRENCE: I want a comprehensive report. Here in Salem. The name of the newspaper is The Spectator. Yes. And it's dashing young owner publisher, Jack Deveraux. I want everything you can find on them. Yes, alright Gregory, thank you. And as soon as you can get it. Goodbye.

SCENE EIGHT: JACK GOES OVER TO SEE ALICE HORTON WHO HAS BEEN DISCHARGED FROM THE HOSPITAL AND IS RESTING ON THE COUCH IN HER LIVING ROOM. HE HANDS HER A LARGE BUNCH OF FLOWERS.

 

ALICE: Oh Jack they are beautiful. The last time you gave me flowers they were meant for Jennifer.

 

JACK SITS DOWN AT THE END OF THE COUCH.

 

JACK: (He accidentally sits on her outstretched legs) Excuse me. This time they are meant for you. Please enjoy them and I hope you're feeling better.
oldEp225C

ALICE:
Thank you. Now let's talk about what you came here to talk about. I've noticed that Jennifer hasn't been herself ever since we got back. So you must have seen it too.
JACK: I was hoping you could tell me what to do. You see.... ah.... what I'm trying to say is that I've done everything I could do.
oldEp225D
JACK (CONT.): I.... I even popped the question.

ALICE: Oh.... you proposed to Jennifer?

JACK: Yes. She didn't say yes. She didn't say no. I.... I think she'd like to say something?

ALICE: Yes, I'm sure she'd like to say yes.

JACK: So.... you, I mean so you know her longer than anybody.

ALICE: Oh.... oh you want me to tell you why she's stalling?

JACK: I would like for you to tell me what can I do to make her realize that everything is going to be alright.

ALICE: Well.... that is certainly a question. Because you know that Jennifer has always thought for herself. She's always been rather.... independent?

JACK: Stubborn!

ALICE: Ah, huh. She makes up her own mind in her own time. There's nothing that any of us can do about it.

JACK: Yes well that's Jennifer.

ALICE: But Jennifer knows generally what is right for her. Now when she started getting involved with you I.... I admit that some of us were a bit skeptical. But that didn't change her. She knew what she wanted and she went right ahead. So you have to trust her. And if she decides to accept your proposal, nothing, nothing in the world will stop her.

 

JACK NODS AND THEN GETS UP TO WANDER AROUND. ALICE FEELS BAD FOR JACK; SHE CAN SEE HOW MUCH HE LOVES JENNIFER.

 

ALICE: Jack, darling just give her time. When it's right, she'll know it and she'll marry you so fast it will make your head spin.

 

JACK ROLLS HIS HEAD AS IF REACTING TO HER WORDS, AND SMILES. JACK LEAVES.

JACK WANDERING ALONG THE PIER. CHRIS ISAAC'S WICKED GAME PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND.
The world was on fire, Nothing could save me but you.
Strange what desire, Makes foolish people do.
SCENE NINE: JACK TAKES THE RING OUT OF HIS POCKET AND STUDIES IT. CHRIS ISAAC'S WICKED GAME PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND.

oldEp225E.JPG

I never dreamed that I'd need somebody like you.
I never dreamed that I'd lose somebody like you.
 
[Transcribed by Carol Vaughan
added material by Sally A. Wilson]