oldEpisode Two-hundred-seventy-seven:
At Her Arraignment, Jack Pleads with
Jo to Plead "Not Guilty by Reason of
Insanity." Later, Jennifer Goes to
Roman, and Charges Lawrence with Rape.
[Air late-April 1991]
SCENE ONE: IT IS THE NEXT DAY AND JACK ARRIVES AT THE LOFT.JACK: Good morning Miss Horton. Slept well I hope. JENNIFER: Jack, what are you doing here?
JACK WALKS OVER AND POURS HIMSELF A CUP OF COFFEE. JENNIFER IS MUNCHING ON SOME TOAST.
JACK: I'm here to pick up for.... the trial, remember. By the way, you're out of coffee.JENNIFER: Wait a minute I thought the arraignment wasn't until.... you told me it was....
JACK: Until.... yes, yes, a little later. We just have to make an unexpected stop.
JACK TAKES A SWIG OF JENNIFER'S COFFEE.JACK: Oooooh, this is awful.
JENNIFER: Don't drink it.
JACK: I think I'll take the hint. So tell me, are you all ready to go?
HE TAKES HER PIECE OF TOAST OUT OF HER HAND AND TAKES A BITE.JENNIFER: Well, that depends. Am I allowed to ask what this little stop is all about?
JACK: This stop is not a why stop or a what stop. It's more of a who stop.
JENNIFER IS PUZZLED.JACK: There is plan afoot to get Jo off.
JACK PROCEEDS TO TELL JENNIFER ABOUT HIS PLAN.JACK: So what do you think, is that a plan or is it a plan?
JENNIFER: Oh it's definitely a plan Jack.
JACK: A brilliant plan, not to mention mine.
JENNIFER: I'm not sure it's going to work and I'm not sure Jo's going to go along with it.
JACK: I tell you something, Jo is going to have to go along with it. She's got no choice. You know why, it's the only chance she's got. Come on.
HE OPENS THE DOOR AND WAITS FOR HER.
SCENE TWO: THEY ARRIVE AT THE POLICE STATION AND ARE WAITING IN ROMAN'S OFFICE WHEN JO ENTERS.JO: Jack.
ROMAN TELLS THE GUARD TO LET JO SPEAK TO JACK.JO: Thank you.
ROMAN: I'll let you three talk. Fifteen minutes, is that good?
JACK: Oh fifteen minutes would be just fine.
ROMAN: You got it.
ROMAN LEAVES WITH THE GUARD.JENNIFER: Oh Mrs. Johnson, it's so good to see you. It's so good to see both of you.
SHE AND JENNIFER HUG.JACK: Right, we don't have much time. We have to go right into this. We think we've found a way to get you out of this whole mess. All you have to do is plead not guilty because of temporary insanity.
JO: Wh.... what? What are you.... what is he talking about?
JACK: Temporary insanity. Mickey has gone through the whole thing. He's researched it and he said you can pull it off.
JO: But if I plead not guilty, there'll be a trial. I don't want a trial.
JACK: Of course there's going to be a trial. You're going to have to go to trial. What's the matter with a trial?
JENNIFER: Wait a minute Jo, why does that bother you so much? You've got to have a trial.
JO: No I don't want a trial, no. There has been enough pain in this and enough publicity. No I don't.... no. Now my family's been through enough already.
JACK: Wait...wait a minute.... listen everyone would much prefer that you go through the trial and get out of this mess rather than have.... everybody.... just go across town every day and night and come visit you rotting in jail. Is that what you.... am I right? I'm right. (Beat) Am I right?
JO: Is that what Mickey thinks? Is that what he....
JACK: Of course it's....
JENNIFER: No, listen, Mickey has already talked to Dr. Baker. She has agreed to testify on your behalf. She will be there.
JACK: That's right.... it's a psychological frame of mind angle. It's going to absolutely work. Your son was killed, you didn't know what you were doing.... you didn't know what you were doing.
JO IS SCARED AND CONFUSED AND JACK IS TRYING ANYTHING TO AVOID HAVING HIS MOTHER GO TO JAIL.JO: Oh I can't, I can't, I can't. I can't do that. It's a lie because.... no I knew what I was doing.
JACK: No you....
JO: I pulled the trigger. I'm guilty.
JACK: No you didn't.
JACK GRABS HER ARMS. HE IS REALLY IN A PANIC.JACK (CONT.): YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT YOU WERE DOING. DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING? YOU DIDN'T KNOW! Your son was murdered. He was blown to bits. That would send anybody over the edge at least for a little while. That's the whole point. Don't you understand that? They can't say it didn't happen. And you don't even know what happened. You don't even know, do you?
HE IS YELLING IN HER FACE.JACK (CONT.): YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT HAPPENED OR NOT, DO YOU? (Beat) YOU DIDN'T KNOW WHAT YOU WERE DOING.
JO: Ooooh help me....
JACK: You didn't.... I....
JO: Somebody please help me.
JACK: Alright, listen to me, listen to me. You're going to say not guilty. Am I right? (Beat) Am I right, you're going to say not guilty.JO FALLS INTO JACK'S ARMS.
JO STILL LOOKS CONFUSED. JO IS TAKEN FOR HER ARRAIGNMENT.
SCENE THREE: SHE COMES IN WITH MICKEY AND ROMAN AND SITS DOWN. APRIL IS ALREADY THERE TO SUPPORT HER ALONG WITH KAYLA AND SHANE AND MARCUS.JACK AND JENNIFER ARE STILL OUTSIDE.
JENNIFER: Jack, everything's going to be fine, you'll see.
JACK: Yes we will see, won't we.
LAWRENCE: Well well, if it isn't the most entertaining act in Salem.
JACK: What are you doing here?
JENNIFER: Jack.
JACK: What are you doing here?
LAWRENCE: I came to offer you some comfort Jack. The shock of knowing your mother is a cold blooded murderess must be quite devastating to you.
JENNIFER: Jack, don't let him get to you. It's not worth it, remember.
LAWRENCE: Oh please, don't deprive me. My days are so quiet Jack.
JACK: Look....
LAWRENCE: Yes?
JACK: This is a public courtroom and no one can stop you from going in....
LAWRENCE: I thank the Founding Fathers.
JACK: As I said, this is a public courtroom and no one can stop you from going in but I.... please stay away.... from Jo. Just leave her alone.... please.
LAWRENCE: Such grace.... under pressure Mr. Deveraux. Or is it cowardice? Let's not disappoint your fans.
JENNIFER: If you're going to go inside, why don't you just go in right now?
LAWRENCE: Absolutely. I think I'll take a seat right behind the two of you. And as you may have already noticed, if there is something I want, there is not a thing in the world that will stop me.
LAWRENCE WALKS AWAY.JENNIFER: Don't be so sure of that Lawrence.
SCENE FOUR: THE ARRAIGNMENT BEGINS JUST AS JACK AND JENNIFER TAKE THEIR SEATS. THE JUDGE ASKS FOR JO'S PLEA AND SHE'S STILL NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY. SHE TURNS TO JACK WHO SIGNALS HER TO PLEAD GUILTY.
SHE HESITATES FOR A MOMENT AND MICKEY PRESSES HER FOR AN ANSWER. SHE NODS.MICKEY: Your honor, the defense pleads not guilty by reason of temporary insanity.
JACK BREATHES A HEAVY SIGH OF RELIEF AND JENNIFER HOLDS HIS HAND TIGHTLY. THEY JUDGE SETS BAIL AT $300,000 AND HE SAYS THE TRIAL DATE WILL BE SET LATER. JACK AND JENNIFER GO OVER TO SPEAK TO HER.JENNIFER: Mrs. Johnson.
JO: Oh Jennifer, Jack, thank goodness.
SHE HUGS JENNIFER.JO: Oh thank goodness you're here.
JACK: So you took our advice after all.
JACK IS SMILING.JO: Well I'm not totally convinced I'm doing the right thing.
SHE BEGINS TO FIX HIS LOOSENED TIE AND UNTIDY SHIRT.JO: But I trust my son.
JACK: Oh, don't make a habit out of that if I were you.
MICKEY: Jack if you want to get this over with, we can post bail anytime.
JACK: Good.... good. I'll be back in a couple of minutes.
JENNIFER: Okay.
JACK: I've got a newspaper to put in hock.
JACK LEAVES WITH MICKEY. JENNIFER FOLLOWS JACK OUT AND LEAVES JO WITH NEIL.
SCENE FIVE: WHEN JENNIFER GETS OUTSIDE, LAWRENCE COMES OVER TO SPEAK TO HER.LAWRENCE: Abandoned?
JENNIFER: Oh, what do you want Lawrence?
LAWRENCE: You already know the answer to that. The same thing I wanted the other day.
JENNIFER: Look Jack and I already told you, if you are having a problem with some kind of letter you should take it up with the post office because we have no idea what you are talking about.
JACK HAS WALKED UP BEHIND LAWRENCE.JACK: Lawrence.... the arraignment is over so you are free to go, or....
LAWRENCE: Or what?
JACK: Please.
LAWRENCE: (With disgust) I thought as much.
LAWRENCE TURNS BACK TO JENNIFER.LAWRENCE: I'm sure we'll speak again soon, Jen.
LAWRENCE LEAVES.JACK: Are you alright?
SHE NODS.JACK: Are you really?
SHE WANDERS BACK INTO THE EMPTY COURTROOM WITHOUT SAYING ANYTHING.JACK: So come on tell me, are you alright?
JENNIFER: Yeah, I'll be fine.
JACK: I don't think you'll be fine. Tell me what you're really thinking about.
JENNIFER: Alright, I'll tell you what I'm thinking. I'm thinking that I will have to be here just like this one.... day soon. And there will be a lot of people sitting here, a lot of people that I know. And I am going to have to look at them and I am going to have to talk about the most horrible thing that's ever happened to me. And there's going to be a lot of questions and....
JACK: Look you don't....
JENNIFER: You know I haven't even told Carly. You know I haven't even been able to tell my best friend.
JACK: You don't have to do this, you know that. You don't have go through with any.... to take Lawrence to court or any of it. It's whatever you want. That's what you....
JENNIFER: That's just it. I don't know what I want. I.... I mean just thinking about there's....
JACK: Don't think about it, don¡t think about it.
JENNIFER: I have to think about it.
JACK: You do, don't you?
JENNIFER: Yeah, I do. (Beat) I have to think about it. (Beat) And I have to see Roman, right now.
SHE RUSHES OUT OF THE COURT AND JACK HESITATES FOR A MOMENT BEFORE FOLLOWING HER. HE KNOWS HOW DIFFICULT THIS WILL BE FOR HER AND ALSO FOR HIM.
SCENE SIX: JENNIFER WALKS STRAIGHT INTO ROMAN'S OFFICE.JENNIFER: Roman, I want Lawrence Alamain arrested.
ROMAN: Well, get right to the point. Jennifer I would love nothing better than to bust Lawrence Alamain but quite frankly I don't have any reason to.
JENNIFER: He raped me Roman.
ROMAN LOOKS ACROSS TO JACK WHO FEELS UNCOMFORTABLE.JENNIFER: Lawrence Alamain raped me.
ROMAN: Jennifer, maybe you better have a seat here and tell me what happened. I'm going to need the whole story if I'm going to help.
JACK: If?
JENNIFER: Jack.
ROMAN: Believe me, once I get all the facts here, he'll be taken care of. Go on.
JENNIFER: Thank you.
ROMAN: Anytime.
JENNIFER SITS DOWN AND BEGINS HER STORY WHILE JACK WORRIES.JENNIFER: Um.... alright well I guess you know how it started and.... how we all ended up at Lawrence's. How we were in his country and why. He was....
SHE LOOKS ACROSS AT JACK.JENNIFER: .... it was the day of the wedding when we got married and we had this plan. And I thought that it was going to work. We had this whole plan worked out that I.... I mean I thought that....
ROMAN: You're doing fine. Go on.
JACK: Ah, if she could just.... ah.... take her time.
ROMAN: Jack.
JACK: If she could just take her....
ROMAN: Just ease up, will you?
JACK: What do you mean I ease up? You need to ease up.
ROMAN: Just.... listen, do us a favor.
JACK: Do us a favor? Do we need a favor here? I think what she needs is....
ROMAN: I tell you what I need. I'm going to need Jennifer's whole story here. Every last bit of it. Now maybe it would be best if you waited out in the other room for a few minutes, alright.
JACK: Wait a minute, come here. Listen, she needs all the help and support she can get. Look at her she's....
ROMAN: Jack, look at her. She knows you care about her. She knows you're trying to help so give her some time alright. With you in the room here maybe she's going to withhold something otherwise she wouldn't withhold. So let's help her out a little bit, please.
JACK: Alright.
HE WALKS ACROSS TO JENNIFER.JACK: Do you want me to go?
JENNIFER: No.
JACK: See, she doesn't want me to go.
JENNIFER THEN HESITATES AND LOOKS ACROSS AT ROMAN AND THEN BACK TO JACK.JENNIFER: Um.... maybe Roman's right though. Maybe.... ah....
JACK IS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND FEELS SOMEWHAT REJECTED.JACK: Alright.... I'll be outside.
HE WALKS OUTSIDE AND SHUTS THE DOOR BUT STOPS AND LOOKS BACK THROUGH THE GLASS.
ROMAN COMES OVER AND PULLS DOWN THE BLIND SO THAT JACK CANNOT SEE. HE WALKS AWAY FROM THE DOOR AND IS WORRIED.
SCENE SEVEN: OUTSIDE ROMAN'S OFFICE, JACK IS PACING UP AND DOWN WHEN KAYLA ENTERS.KAYLA: Jack.
JACK: Ah, hello.
KAYLA: Are you alright?
JACK: I'm fine, how are you doing?
KAYLA: I'm alright. I'm here to have dinner with Roman.
JACK: I'd wager that he's going to.... cancel his dinner engagement.
KAYLA: I guess it's about Jo, huh?
JACK: No, it's really.... about Jennifer. Jennifer is in there.... talking and I'm out here waiting.
KAYLA: Something wrong?
JACK: Wrong?.... No. (Beat) What the hell, you're going to hear about this sooner or later. You might as well hear it from me. There's nothing like poetic justice.
KAYLA IS PUZZLED.JACK: Now I know how this is going to sound. Especially coming from me, telling you, but.... when Jennifer was at Lawrence's villa, Lawrence.... ah....
KAYLA: Lawrence?
JACK: Lawrence raped her.
KAYLA: What?
JACK: Yes. Lawrence raped Jennifer.
KAYLA: Jack, I....
JACK: What.... what?
KAYLA: I'm sorry for her. (Beat) And for you.
JACK: You're sorry for me?KAYLA: Yeah, I am.
EVEN KAYLA IS SURPRISED AT HOW SHE FEELS. JACK IS VERY VERY SURPRISED.JACK: Well I don't know where to go from here. I don't.... Kayla.... I....
KAYLA: I don't think that there is anything you can really do now Jack. You can't.... take it away. You can't....
JACK: You can't.... you can't change it, I know that. You can't....
KAYLA: No.... but she needs you now. Now more than ever. I know for me when Steve was there....
THEY BOTH FEEL AWKWARD.KAYLA: All you can really be is a oving, supportive person.
JACK: That's a laugh.
KAYLA: No it's not Jack. You have to open up to her. You've.... got to do it.
JACK GIVES A LOOK LIKE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE.KAYLA: You've got to let go of all this stuff and go to her and.... when you've been raped, you feel.... so alone. (Beat) Don't let her feel alone Jack. You've got to let her know she's not alone.
JACK: I'll try.
KAYLA: No, don't just try. If you love her, do it. (Beat) Well, tell Roman I'll.... I'll call him later.
SHE WALKS OUT THE DOOR.JACK: Kayla?
SHE DOES NOT HEAR HIM AND KEEPS WALKING.JACK: Thank you.
SCENE EIGHT: ROMAN THEN COMES OUT OF THE OFFICE.ROMAN: Jack?
JACK GOES BACK IN WITH JENNIFER WHO HAS BEEN CRYING.JENNIFER: Well.... I did it. (Beat) I did it.
JACK: Right, so you did it. So everybody knows. Now we take Lawrence to court and you....
ROMAN: I'm afraid it's not going to be that easy.
JACK: I thought the laws were supposed to make it easy.
ROMAN: He's not a citizen of the United States, Jack. It means we have to go through a lot of red tape and bring the Feds in.
JACK: You know.... um.... there's some people in Washington who probably remember Harper Deveraux¡ name in a favorable light. I'm sure they still owe us a favor or two.
ROMAN: Alright, you give me a list of your men, I'll add it to mine and I'll call in the ISA.
JACK: Whatever you need. I just.... ah.... whatever. I just want....
ROMAN: Yeah. I'll get the ball rolling. You did right in coming here, Jennifer.
ROMAN LEAVES AND JACK AND JENNIFER ARE ALONE.JACK: So.... you're taking him to court.
SHE NODS AND IS ABOUT TO CRY.JACK: I'll support that.
SHE SMILES BUT WITH TEARS IN HER EYES.
SCENE NINE: BACK ATTHE LOFT.JACK: So.... the wheels are in motion. You're going to take Lawrence to court.
JENNIFER: Right.... and it's just the beginning.... for me.
JACK: I'm sorry. (Beat) I don't know what else to say.
JENNIFER: You know just the fact that you want to say anything is enough for me Jack.
JACK: Is it?
JENNIFER: Yeah, it is. I mean, knowing that you care and knowing that you're there for me, really means a lot.
JACK: Means a lot...I'm certain you could use a lot more.
JENNIFER: I don't know what you mean.
JACK: I mean there's got to be a lot more.... that could be done to show you that I'm.... that I'm.... ah....
JENNIFER: What.... that you're what?
JACK: I'm just....
HE STEPS TOWARDS HER AND RUNS HIS HAND DOWN EACH SIDE OF HER FACE.JACK: I'm just trying to.... I'm trying to prove.... I'm trying to prove it you.
JENNIFER: Prove what to me?
GENTLY HOLDING HER FACE,
JACK MOVES CLOSE ENOUGH FOR HIS NOSE TO BRUSH HERS.
SCENE TEN: KIMBERLY HAS IN THE MEANWHILE BECOME CLOSE TO LAWRENCE. THAT NIGHT SHE IS AT HIS MANSION, WHEN THE DOOR RINGS. IT IS ROMAN WITH A WARRENT FOR LAWRENCE'S ARREST FOR RAPING JENNIFER.
