SCENE ONE: THE NEXT DAY JACK AND JENNIFER DROP BY WINGS TO TALK EVE.

 

JENNIFER: Alright, I hope Eve's here.

JACK: She is.

JENNIFER: Oh now, are you sure you remember the plan Jack?

JACK: What do you mean, am I sure. Of course I'm sure. I'm the inventor of the plan.

JENNIFER: You're the co-inventor of the plan.

JACK: Always after that by-line, aren't you?

JENNIFER: Look are you just positive you know what to do?

JACK: Of course, I'm positive. Why are you so nervous?

JENNIFER: Why am I so nervous? We have been working so hard for this. We have risked our lives, alright. Now if we do it right, we find the killer. If we mess up someone gets away with murder.

JACK: Like I said, why are you so nervous? Come on.

 

EVE IS SITTING AT A TABLE HAVING LUNCH WITH FRANKIE.

 

JACK: Well surprise, surprise, surprise. I was just saying to Miss Horton what would be just great.... it would be just great to run into you two and look, you're both here. Isn't that terrific Miss Horton?

JENNIFER: Yeah, yeah, that's just terrific. How are you both?

FRANKIE: We're both fine. Isn't that right Eve?

JENNIFER: Are you sure? I mean Eve are you okay, are you getting enough sleep? You look a little tired.

EVE: Thank you Jennifer. (Beat) What's going on here?

JACK: Ah, going on?

EVE: Yes! You two are showing more teeth than Jaws I, II and III. There must be a reason.

JACK: Well the reason is that we are about to experience the joy of giving. For you see, Miss Horton and I are about to make you, yes you Eve Donovan Deveraux, the toast of the town.

EVE: What are you talking about?

JENNIFER: We're having a party Eve.

EVE: Yeah, so?

JACK: And you're the guest of honor.

EVE: Me? (Beat) You're having a party for.... for me?

JENNIFER: Yeah, yeah that's right.

EVE: Why?

 

JACK SLIDES INTO A CHAIR RIGHT NEXT TO EVE.

JACK: Well you see, we feel so bad that you risked your life to find that gun and when we found it, I lost it.

FRANKIE: There's something to celebrate.

JENNIFER: Well you see the point of all of this is that if it weren't for Eve we would be still in the wilderness right now.

JACK: Exactly and we want to show our gratitude, our appreciation in some way and I thought it best that I arrange this whole thing since.... since well you know.... after all we are.... we are married.

 

EVE PULLS A FACE AT THAT THOUGHT.

 

EVE: Are you trying to ruin my appetite Jack? Errrggh!

JACK: Well Bundt Cake, what are you saying? Are you going to turn down this wonderful little celebration?

EVE: That's exactly what I'm saying Jack?

JACK: You are turning down a chance to have the whole town at your feet, fawning all over you.

EVE: You know for your information and I know this is hard to believe but I don't really like that kind of attention, really, okay.

JACK: Oh come on, sure you do.

JENNIFER: Um I have a suggestion. Why don't we make this a compromise? Why don't we make this a party for all of the survivors, for all of us. And we can have it right here and we can invite everybody that we know. It will be great.

JACK: It will be the event of the year.

JENNIFER: Of the decade.

JACK: Well, let's not push it.

JENNIFER: Come on Eve, you can't say no now.

EVE: Oh.... yes I can.

FRANKIE: But you won't, will you?

EVE: Well.... yeah, I think.... I think we all deserve some kind of.... of reward for what we went through.

FRANKIE: Yeah.

JACK: Great, great, that's perfect. I say.... I want you both to.... to go call your friends and family and loved ones and get them all over here at 4 o'clock.

EVE: Alright, Jack, with this kind of notice I'm not going to be able to get that many people. But my dad will come anyway.

JENNIFER: Perfect! I mean.... I mean, I mean, that's fine, that's great. And you know what, we'll take care of all the arrangements. You don't have to worry about a thing. Just be here.

JACK: That's right. We'll see you at 4 o'clock.

JENNIFER: Bye, bye.

JACK: Take care, let's go Miss Horton, come on.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER RUN OUT OF WINGS.

 

EVE: Gee I wonder if they're up to something?

FRANKIE: Gee I'm not sure but I'll bet on it. But what the hell, we'll have a good time anyway.

SCENE TWO: JACK AND JENNIFER RUSH OVER TO THE CHEATIN¡ HEART WHERE JACK CALLS JO.

 

JO: Jack, Jack, I can hardly hear you with all that noise. Did you say party? Where are you?

JACK: I'm at the Cheatin¡ Heart. I'm.... well I'm.... I'm trying to find April Ramirez. Actually she's invited too.

JO: Why April, she's not even a friend of yours?

JACK: Well come on, let's face it, if I only invited my friends, I'd be there by myself.

JO: Jack, what are you up to?

JACK: Just show up alright. I'll see you there.

JO: Alright, alright, I'll be there. Goodbye.

JENNIFER: Jack.

JACK: Did you find him?

JENNIFER: Yes, he's going to be here in 20 minutes.

JACK: Oh, that's interesting. I'd say the Johnnie Corelli is more than anxious to see us and find out what we're up to.

JENNIFER: Yeah and what about April? Has she come in yet?

JACK: Actually she's about half an hour late for her shift.

JENNIFER: I wonder if that's a coincidence.

JACK: Oh I'd say when it comes to murder there isn't such a thing as coincidence.

JENNIFER: Alright, well who else do we have to invite?

JACK: Just April Ramirez. Everybody else is more than anxious to RSVP on four hour's notice.

JENNIFER: Do you think they suspect something?

JACK: No I think they're a little too nervous to suspect something. Do you have the bags?

 

JENNIFER OPENS HER BAG AND SHOWS JACK WHAT IS INSIDE.

 

JENNIFER: Yeah, yeah, I do, right here. Each bag is premarked with each murder suspect's name, all right here.

JACK: Alright, let's go over this plan one more time.

JENNIFER: Alright.

JACK: I make the toast and all our suspects and unsuspecting guests will raise their champagne glasses.

JENNIFER: Right, conveniently putting their fingerprints on the glasses.

JACK: Right, you my able assistant, will hover in the wings of Wings and pounce as each glass is put down.

JENNIFER: Right, and I will give the glasses to Bo. Bo will slip them in the bag. Bo will slip out to see if the fingerprints on the glasses match the fingerprints on the gun.

JACK: It's game, set and match, Deveraux Horton.

JENNIFER: Horton Deveraux.

JACK: So Nick's killer goes to prison. Hello letter, goodbye Lawrence.

JENNIFER: It's not a bad plan.

JACK: It's.... near perfect.

JENNIFER: Right, well maybe I'll call April. It doesn't look like she's going to make it into work today.

JACK: I'd say that's a very good idea.

 

JENNIFER GOES TO THE PHONE AND JACK GOES BACK TO THE BAR.

 

JACK: I'll finish my drink.

 

THE BARTENDER COMES OVER TO JACK.

 

BARTENDER: Listen, I heard you say you were looking to find Nick Corelli's killer.

JACK: Well, I could be interested. Why, do you know something?

BARTENDER: You bet I do. For the right price, I'll tell you.

 

THE BARTENDER GOES ON TO TELL JACK HIS INFORMATION.

SCENE THREE: AS JENNIFER COMES BACK TO THE BAR, JACK IS STILL TALKING. JACK SEEMS SLIGHTLY DESTURBED CONCERNING WHAT THE BARTENDER TOLD HIM.

 

JACK: Are you sure about that? You couldn't be wrong?

JENNIFER: What's going on?

JACK: Ah.... nothing. I'm just shooting the breeze with my friend here. Ah thank you, I'll talk to you later. (Beat) Well is he on her way?

JENNIFER: I called her house and I let it ring about fifteen times so she must be on her way. She didn't answer.

 

AT THAT MOMENT APRIL COMES RUNNING UP TO THE DOOR BUT JOHNNIE CATCHES HER BEFORE SHE IS ABOUT TO ENTER..

 

JOHNNIE: Oh April, wait a while

APRIL: What are you doing here?

JOHNNIE: I just got a call from that Jennifer Horton chick. She asked me to meet her and Deveraux here.

APRIL: What do they want?

JOHNNIE: Well I don't know but I'm sure dying to find out, aren't you?

 

INSIDE JACK IS JUST FINISHING THAT THE BARTENDER AND HE WERE JUST TALKING. HE DOES NOT TELL HER WHAT THE BARTENDER SAID ABOUT NICK'S MURDER.

 

JACK: We were just talking....

 

APRIL AND JOHNNIE COME IN LOOKING VERY SUSPICIOUS THAT JACK AND JENNIFER WOULD WANT TO SEE THEM.

 

JACK: Well Johnnie and April. Hi and how nice to see you.

JOHNNIE: Gee I didn't know you cared.

JACK: Well actually I took this chance to say that Miss Horton and I really feel that you got a real raw deal from the police.

 

JOHNNIE HAD BEEN ACCUSED OF KILLING NICK FOR A WHILE AND ALSO OF CAUSING THE TRAIN WRECK.

 

JOHNNIE: Oh you do.

JACK: Yes. You know there really is no evidence to support in saying that you.... that you threatened Tanner Scofield or that you actually paid off that.... that hood to.... to threaten us.

JENNIFER: And shoot at us!

 

JACK STOPS JENNIFER BEFORE SHE GETS INTO MORE DETAIL.

 

JACK: And I would.... whatever. Um, the point is, you know it's like bygones be bygones and all's well that ends well. In fact that's the theme of this afternoon.

APRIL: This afternoon? What afternoon?

JACK: Ah, this one. Um, officially it's for the survivors of the train wreck but unofficially it's kind of a peace making, wound healing, olive branch extending, extravaganza which both of you are cordially invited to.

APRIL: Well thanks a lot but I have to work. I really can't....

 

JOHNNIE INTERRUPTS HER.

 

JOHNNIE: Crazy. Ah what time does this little tale kick off?

JENNIFER: Ah, four.

JOHNNIE: We'll be there.

JACK: Great, great, we'll see you there. We'll be there. We'll see you. Let¡s go.

JENNIFER: Great, see you there.

JOHNNIE: Later.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER RUSH OUTSIDE AND COMPARE NOTES.

 

JACK: Right, we've got the guests, we've got the suspects. Now all we need is forty-five minutes to put this whole thing together.

JENNIFER: Alright.

 

THEY RUSH OFF. INSIDE APRIL WANTS TO KNOW WHY JOHNNIE SAID THEY WOULD GO.

 

APRIL: What do you mean, calm down. I don't want to be with these people. I don't want to see them, I don't trust them and I definitely don't want to party with them.

JOHNNIE: Man, where's your sense of adventure. You might win the door prize.

APRIL: Johnnie you are not funny and in case you forgot, Eve Donovan is going to be there. Remember her, the girl you hate, the girl who hates you. You can't possibly want to be in her company.

JOHNNIE: Oh check in, will you?

APRIL: Well why did you do that? Why did you say yes to Jack and don't tell me you bought that bull about olive branch swinging?

JOHNNIE: Of course not, but we've got to go anyway.

APRIL: Why?

JOHNNIE: Well in case you didn't notice, I've got a little image problem in this town, okay. So I figure if I make nice with the people that I was presumably responsible for harming on that train then it just might keep the tar and feather brigade off my back a little while.

APRIL: And that's why you're going. That¡s your only reason?

JOHNNIE: Oh that's reason number one. Reason number two, is that I don't trust those people either.

APRIL: So you really think they're up to something.

JOHNNIE: I know they're up to something, okay. But don't sweat it. Because no one is going to pull a fast one on Johnnie boy.

 

APRIL ROLLS HER EYES BUT IT IS OBVIOUS SHE IS HIDING SOMETHING REALLY BIG.

SCENE FOUR: BACK AT WINGS, JACK IS FINALIZING PLANS WITH DAVE.

 

JACK: Okay let's make sure we have champagne for everybody. And April.... oh in the month of April of course we have to have sparkling cider for everyone too. Don't forget! You do that!

DAVE: Don't worry, I'll take care of everything.

 

DAVE WALKS OFF AND JACK CHECKS THINGS WITH JENNIFER.

 

JACK: What is that?

JENNIFER: It's my suspect list. When a suspect comes in, I'm going to write down their name. In all the excitement I don't want to miss anybody.

 

JENNIFER IS WEARING BLACK LACE MESH GLOVES SO THAT SHE DOES NOT PUT FINGERPRINTS ON THE GLASSES.

 

JACK: Oh, right of course, good, suspects.

 

THEY HAVE NOT NOTICED THAT ALICE AND TOM COME UP TO TALK TO THEM.

 

ALICE: Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Hi.

ALICE: Hi darling.

ENNIFER: Hi, how are you? Hi Grandpa.

ALICE: Hi, what's in that book you're hiding behind your back?

JENNIFER: Oh, you know I'm.... I'm covering the party for The Spectator.

TOM: I thought she was working for WATB.

JENNIFER: I do. (Beat) I do. You know what, I forget for a moment who I worked for.

JACK: Just wishful thinking. It happens to the best of us, yes.

JENNIFER: Yeah and that's why it happened to me because I was thinking and I....

JACK: You thought, exactly.

JENNIFER: Yeah.

ALICE: I see.

 

TOM AND ALICE ARE COMPLETELY CONFUSED.

SCENE FIVE: PEOPLE BEGIN TO ARRIVE INCLUDING VERN, BRIAN, MELISSA, JO AND NEIL. THEN BO ARRIVES AND JACK SIGNALS HIM WITH A FINGER TO THE NOSE. BO ACKNOWLEDGES THE SIGNAL. CARLY ARRIVES NEXT FOLLOWED BY VICTOR AND THEN JULIE. APRIL AND JOHNNIE FOLLOW HER.

 

JENNIFER: Alright, alright, I got Julie, and I got Johnnie, April and Eve. Where's Shane? Did I miss him? Did he come in and I didn't see?

JACK: No, Shane is not here yet. However the this afternoon going, he should show up any minute.

JENNIFER: How do you know that?

JACK: Well the two people he'd least like to see in the world have just shown up.

 

STANDING AT THE DOOR ARE KIM AND LAWRENCE.

 

JENNIFER: Not to worry Miss Horton. I don't believe even Lawrence could put a damper on this party.

 

JENNIFER IS NOT SO SURE ABOUT THAT. SHANE AND KAYLA WALK IN NEXT. BO COMES OVER TO TALK TO JACK AND JENNIFER.

 

BO: Well?

JENNIFER: Oh.

JACK: Yeah, everything's here, everyone's here, yeah.

BO: Right, let's get to it.

JACK: Okay, hang onto that gun.

 

JACK RUNS UP ONTO THE STAGE AND TAKES THE MICROPHONE.

 

JACK: Ladies and gentlemen, could I have your attention please. Ah, it is time for a toast so I'm feeling that I'll wax poetic so I hope everyone can grab a glass. So please refill.

 

EVERYBODY IS HANDED A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE.

 

JACK: Yes, pass all the way round, yes. Don't be shy, grab a glass everyone. Everyone grab a glass, yes. Yes.

 

WHEN THE WAITER GETS TO APRIL SHE ASKS FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

 

APRIL: Ah. do you have something else?

WAITER: I believe Dave does. He should be here any minute.

APRIL: Ah, I'll just take this for the toast.

 

SHE TAKES A GLASS OF CHAMPAGNE AND JO NOTICES HER WITH THE DRINK.

 

JACK: Ladies and gentlemen, ah, I'd just like to say that in this world of uncertainties, there is only one thing that is certain. Lightning does indeed strike twice. And so it's not altogether surprising, you'll find that the ladies in question, although they did not pack their bouffants and their beaded gowns, we did indeed find ourselves on a terror train to hell. A month snow bound in the mountains with nought between us and the Grim Reaper but some broken down blankets and a can of weenies. Heheheheh. But I'd just like to say that we are very fortunate to find that.... that we're all back safe and sound, my friends. Safe and sound here in Salem and we have no one to thank but my own dear wife, Eve Donavon Deveraux! Eve please step right up here.

 

EVERYBODY APPLAUDS AS EVE TAKES THE STAGE FOLLOWED BY FRANKIE.

 

JACK: Eve, right this way. Up front, Francoise too. Hold your applause if you will. I'd like to make a toast. A toast, if you will, to Eve Donavon Deveraux. (Beat) To Eve!

CROWD: To Eve!

JACK: Please raise your glasses high. Raise them high. Oh I think we have some people in the back there. If you're not drinking this afternoon, don't be afraid. We can get a little bit of sparkling cider. That'll be for the designated drivers out there. Alright, to Eve!

CROWD: To Eve!

 

JACK GIVES JENNIFER A VERY BIG GRIN.

 

JACK: Well that was a very nice start but I think we can do better for Salem's newest heroine. Come on now, let's have a big round of applause for Eve Donavon. A cheer for the little lady, come on. There we go, yes.

 

EVERYBODY PUTS DOWN THEIR GLASSES AND APPLAUDS EVE. AS SOON AS THEY PUT THEM DOWN, JENNIFER TAKES THEM ONE AT A TIME AND TAKES THEM OUT TO BO WHO PUTS THEM IN INDIVIDUAL MARKED BAGS FOR FINGERPRINTING. JACK KEEPS THEM DISTRACTED AS SHE MOVES AROUND THE ROOM.

 

JACK: There, yes, here we go. (Beat) Yes well I know that technically we're here to honor each other but I think we've just begun to sing Eve's praises. So, ah, without much further ado I'm going to give up the mike. Ah, you don't have to applaud if you don't want....

 

JACK BEGINS TO APPLAUD HIMSELF BUT NOBODY ELSE JOINS IN.

 

JACK: Yes, well anyway without much further ado, let me introduce a man with a plan, Shane Donavon, Eve's father. Come on down, Shane. Yes come right this right way in your helicopter in the sky.

 

JENNIFER CONTINUES TO COLLECT GLASSES FROM AROUND THE ROOM.

 

JACK: Thank you, thank you Jack for those kind words.

 

SHANE MAKES A NICE SPEECH ABOUT EVE AND POINTS OUT HOW SHE RISKED HER LIFE TO SAVE EVERYONE ELSE. HE ALSO THANKS KAYLA FOR HELPING HIM. HE PROPOSED A TOAST TO KAYLA THEN LEAVES THE STAGE.

 

JACK: Thank you Shane. And now we have another dear friend who kept Eve and the rest of us warm on many a night. May I introduce without much further ado, Fluffy! Come on down Fluffy.

 

JENNIFER TAKES APRIL'S GLASS AND THEN JOHNNIE'S.

 

JACK: Yes, there's our fine puppy. Right this way.

 

BRIAN COMES TO THE STAGE WITH FLUFFY.

 

BRIAN: Is this on, do I speak right into this?

JACK: Yes, please.

 

BRIAN MAKES HIS LITTLE SPEECH WHILE BO COLLECTS MORE GLASSES FROM JENNIFER.

 

JACK: Thank you, thank you Fluffy. And now a man who needs no introduction, a man that I would give my last weenie to share my blanket with.... FRANCOISE! I love you man. Right this way.

FRANKIE: Thanks Jack.

 

WHILE FRANKIE IS TALKING, JACK LOOKS ACROSS TO JENNIFER WHO SIGNALS THAT SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET EVE'S GLASS WHICH SHE IS STILL HOLDING ON STAGE. JACK TAKES HIS HANDKERCHIEF AND OFFERS TO TAKE EVE'S GLASS.

 

JACK: Here, allow me. Thank you. (Beat) Oh and thank you, thank you Francoise. Thank you. Ah.... ah, how about a song from Melissa since she didn't get a chance to sing the rest of them on the train. Hahahahah, this way.

 

JACK HURRIES OFF THE STAGE AND GIVES BO THE LAST GLASS.

 

JACK: Here.... careful.

JENNIFER: Right, how long will it take you to get the prints?

BO: About an hour.

JACK: And then you're coming back with the gun.

BO: No, I'm not coming back with the gun. The deal is Roman gets the gun as soon as we know who the killer is.

JACK: Right, right, okay let's stop wasting time then.

BO: Right, see you later.

JACK: Yes.

JENNIFER: Right Jack, we did it. We laid the trap and the killer walked right into it.

JACK: Right, now all we have to do is.... watch and wait.

JENNIFER: Right and wonder who it is.

SCENE SIX: AFTER THE GUESTS ALL LEAVE, JACK AND JENNIFER HANG OUT AT WINGS WAITING FOR BO TO COME BACK WITH THE NEWS.

 

JACK: It's been over an hour.

JENNIFER: I realize that. You've mentioned that several times Jack.

JACK: Well when's he going to be back with the gun.

JENNIFER: He'll be here alright.

JACK: WHEN.... WHEN?

JENNIFER: I don't know when but he'll be here. You have to stop being so nervous, alright. I mean just relax. Put your mind on something else.

JACK: How can I.... look we are surrounded by glasses with fingerprints. How can I relax?

JENNIFER: Well.... I'll put some music on, how's that.

 

SHE PRESSES THE SOUND SYSTEM ON AND TANGO MUSIC STARTS PLAYING.

JACK: Tango music?

 

JENNIFER GETS A TWINKLE IN HER EYE.

 

JENNIFER: Do you remember the last time we heard that?

JACK: The cruise beyond description.

JENNIFER: Seems like a million years ago, doesn't it? Everything was a lot different then too.

JACK: Yes.

JENNIFER: Yeah.... yes.

JACK: Well I think we should just leave sleeping dogs lie. I mean that.... that cruise is on the bottom of the ocean now and that tango went with it, if you know what I mean. It.... it wasn't very good.

 

JENNIFER WALKS OVER AND STANDS RIGHT IN FRONT OF JACK WHO IS NOW SMILING AS HE THINKS OF THE TANGO.

 

JENNIFER: We were good at it.

JACK: Till I dropped you.

 

JENNIFER FIDDLES WITH HIS JACKET IN AN INTIMATE WAY.

 

JACK: I did drop you.

JENNIFER: Come on.

JACK: I dropped you.

THEY ARE BOTH ENJOYING THE INTIMACY AND CLOSENESS OF THE MOMENT.

 

JENNIFER: Maybe you remember a little bit.

JACK: That's all I can remember the drop.

 

THEY ARE ENTRANCED WITH EACH OTHER AND AT FIRST THEY DO NOT NOTICE THAT BO IS THERE.

 

JACK: Oh there you are. What took so long?

JENNIFER: What happened, did you get the prints?

BO: Yeah. Clean prints on every glass.

JACK: Alright, so does it match the prints on the gun?

BO: We got a match, a perfect match.

JENNIFER: Tell us Bo.

JACK: Well tell us, who killed Nick?