oldEpisode Three-hundred-three: Jennifer's
Rape Trial Part IX: The Trial Ends.
Afterwards, Jack Has a Special Question
to Ask Jennifer; It Is Aired on the News.

---

[Air date late June 1991]

 

SCENE ONE: AT THE COURTHOUSE, JACK IS GETTING PANICKY ABOUT HOW KIMBERLY IS GOING WITH LAWRENCE.

 

JACK: Listen Shane, we can't just wait around. We have to do something.

SHANE: Jack, just get Marchand and meet me in the conference room in five minutes. Go on.

JACK: Alright, alright.

SCENE TWO: MEANWHILE BACK AT THE MANSION, KIMBERLY HAS MANAGED TO GET LAWRENCE'S SHIRT OFF HIM AND THROW AWAY THE CUFFLINKS. THAT WAY HE WILL NOT FIND OUT THAT SHE WAS THE ONE WHO BUGGED HIM. MARCHAND CALLS LAWRENCE AND TELLS HIM TO COME BACK TO THE COURT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

SCENE THREE: HE ARRIVES AT THE CONFERENCE ROOM AND THE MARCHAND IS THERE WITH JACK AND SHANE.

 

LAWRENCE: Maurice? (Beat) Well I wasn't aware this was going to be a party. What are you two doing here?

SHANE: Hello Lawrence. This won't take long. We want you to plead guilty to the rape of Jennifer Horton.

LAWRENCE: Oh I'm sure you do Captain. But if you've been paying close attention you'll know that I've already entered a plea of innocence.

SHANE: Well, change it.

LAWRENCE: And why would I do something so stupid?

JACK: Because you did.... rape her.

LAWRENCE: Is that what you think. Jack?

JACK: Lawrence, it's what everybody knows.

LAWRENCE: Knowing isn't proving. And that's all that counts here.

SHANE: Well now that's a cue if ever I've heard one.

LAWRENCE: What are you talking about?

 

SHANE WALKS OVER AND TURNS ON A TAPE RECORDING OF LAWRENCE TALKING TO GREGORY AT THE JAIL. LAWRENCE THINKS IT WAS SHANE ALL ALONG WHO WAS BUGGING HIM SO KIMBERLY IS IN THE CLEAR BECAUSE SHE GOT RID OF THE BUGGED CUFFLINKS.

 

SHANE: Ever heard of a game called Name That Tune? This is a variation called Name That Felon. Of course you've got an advantage. You shouldn't have any trouble recognizing the voice.

 

AS THE TAPE PLAYS, JACK LOOKS WITH DISGUST AT LAWRENCE.

 

LAWRENCE: Where did you get it?

JACK: It's not really important where it was gotten.

LAWRENCE: I'm entitled to know that.

JACK: It's a full confession Lawrence. Anyone who hears that is.... there will be no doubt in their mind as to what happened.

LAWRENCE: But a jury isn't going to hear that. It's inadmissible isn't it?

MARCHAND: It's not that simple Lawrence.

LAWRENCE: Of course it is. A judge will never let that be read in court or heard in court.

MARCHAND: What's going to stop them from handing it out to every reporter in town?

LAWRENCE: They can't do that. You can stop them.

JACK: Unfortunately that's not true Lawrence. Shall I?

SHANE: Yes please.

LAWRENCE: What is this, where's he going?

SHANE: Oh we'll find out soon enough Lawrence. Just relax.

LAWRENCE: Donovan I don't know what you're trying to pull here but you're not going to get away with it.

SHANE: Oh well that's where you and I have to disagree.

 

JACK OPENS THE DOOR AND OPENS IT AND IN WALKS GREGORY AND LAWRENCE'S BUTLER.

 

JACK: I'm afraid a lot of people disagree Lawrence including your own lawyer. But why don't we see what these people have to say?

SCENE FOUR: LAWRENCE TURNS AROUND.

 

SHANE: These two gentlemen are ready to testify against you Lawrence, whenever we ask them.

JACK: About more than just the rape too.

SHANE: Oh yes quite a lot more. Actually we've got a long list from attempted Federal assassination to transportation of a controlled substance with attempt to cause grievous bodily harm, conspiracy.

JACK: Not to mention large and small crimes that you conducted during your stay with Jencon.

SHANE: Yes I don't think the judge will take it very lightly when he hears that you're responsible for taking the life of a police officer.

LAWRENCE: THAT'S A DAMN LIE. I didn't kill Steve Johnson and you'll never prove that I did.

SHANE: Well maybe we will, maybe we won't. The point is, do you want to take that chance?

LAWRENCE: Well?

MARCHAND: Well what?

LAWRENCE: Well I'm not paying you $500 an hour to stand there with a blank look on your face. I want some advice dammit. What are my options?

MARCHAND: You don't have any options Lawrence.

LAWRENCE: What do you mean?

MARCHAND: They've got you, okay. Accept it. (Beat) Make the best of it, make the deal Lawrence. You don't have any other choice.

SCENE FIVE: OUTSIDE JENNIFER IS FRUSTRATED BECAUSE SHE CANNOT FIND JACK AND THE COURT IS STILL NOT IN SESSION. SHE SEES KIMBERLY AND TURNS AWAY IN DISGUST. KIMBERLY IS HURT BUT THERE IS NOTHING SHE CAN DO. JENNIFER ASKS KAYLA IF SHE HAS SEEN JACK OR SHANE BUT SHE HAS NOT. SHANE APPEARS AND JENNIFER CALLS OUT TO HIM.

 

SHANE: No, Jennifer later.

 

THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON AND JENNIFER APPROACHES SHANE WHO IS TALKING TO GLYNNIS.

 

JENNIFER: Shane, Shane. I don't want anymore excuses. I want to know what's going on.

SHANE: Yes fine.

JENNIFER: NO I WANT TO KNOW RIGHT NOW.

SHANE: Right, right, there's no need to shout Jennifer. I'm quite willing to tell you.

JENNIFER: You are?

SHANE: Yes absolutely. We didn't want to tell you earlier because we didn't want to get your hopes up.

JENNIFER: What do you mean, we? You mean you and Jack?

SHANE: Yes, we've.... we've made a deal with Alamain.

JENNIFER: You what?

GLYNNIS: He's agreed to plead guilty to a lesser charge.

JENNIFER: What are you talking about? I'm not going to let him get away with a lesser charge. He raped me.

GLYNNIS: If we accept the plea bargain we change the charge to spousal rape with special circumstances.

JENNIFER: I don't know what that means. Special circumstances? Does that mean he's going to go to jail?

SHANE: Yeah that's a given with a guilty plea.

JENNIFER: For how long?

SHANE: Well that depends on the judge when it comes to sentencing. But he will serve some time Jennifer, that's for sure.

GLYNNIS: Shane's right Jennifer. It's our best shot.

JENNIFER: I still want him to admit it. I want Lawrence Alamain to stand in front of me and everyone in this courtroom and admit his guilt.

SHANE: Right, I think we can arrange that.

JENNIFER: Right, then if that can be arranged, then I'll go along with this deal.

SHANE: I'll let them know.

GLYNNIS: You did the right thing Jennifer.

JENNIFER: I know I did. It's just that I've fought so hard for so long now.

GLYNNIS: Yes but it's over now.

JENNIFER: No it's not. I still have to face him now.

SCENE SIX: LAWRENCE WALKS INTO THE COURT AND TAKES HIS SEAT. THE JUDGE CALLS THE COURT TO ORDER AND TELLS LAWRENCE HE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FIFTH DEGREE RAPE.

 

JUDGE: How do you plead?

LAWRENCE: Guilty, your honor.

 

THE JUDGE HOLDS LAWRENCE UNTIL FRIDAY 28TH FOR SENTENCING. HE GLARES AT JENNIFER BEFORE BEING TAKEN AWAY. ALICE, TOM AND JULIE ALL CONGRATULATE JENNIFER. JACK HAS ENTERED THE COURTROOM, AND IS WATCHING JENNIFER.

SHE SEES HIM AND CANNOT TAKE HER EYES OFF OF HIM.

 

ALICE: You shouldn't just be standing here when Jack's waiting for you. Run along, see you later.

JENNIFER RUSHES UP TO JACK AND THEY HOLD EACH OTHER TIGHT.

 

JENNIFER: We won Jack, we really won.

JACK: We most certainly did. Let's get out of here.

JENNIFER: Okay, come on.

 

 

OUTSIDE JENNIFER IS BOMBARDED WITH REPORTERS. JACK STANDS BY HER SIDE AS SHE TELLS THEM THAT SHE IS SO GLAD THAT IT IS OVER.

JACK: Yes, so thank you very much and good evening. Read about it in The Spectator.

 

HE PULLS JENNIFER ASIDE.

 

REPORTER: Jack just one more question.

JACK: (To Jennifer) All the time, yes, I trained you, yes.

 

HE BRUSHES THEM ASIDE SO HE CAN TALK TO JENNIFER ALONE.

 

JACK: Look I just wanted to....

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: I just wanted to get a moment alone where I could tell you that.... ah.... well to tell you that you know I'm proud of you. I mean you went into this whole thing without an ice cube's chance in hell and you.... well you never let it stop you.

JENNIFER: There is no way I could have lost with you by my side.

JACK: Yes, well so.... so how about it?

JENNIFER: How about it? Who are you talking to?

 

JENNIFER KNOWS WHAT JACK IS TRYING TO SAY, BUT SHE TEASES HIM A LITTLE. SHE TURNS AROUND AND SEES MADELINE FROM THE TV STATION TAPING HER AND JACK.

 

JACK: Ah forget about that. I'm talking to you. How about it?

JENNIFER: You're talking to me? How about what? I don't know what you're talking about.

JACK: You know exactly what I'm talking about. I'm talking about.... making it official.

 

JENNIFER GRINS.

JACK: I'm talking.... well alright I better just say this before I lose my nerve. Ah.... Miss Horton.... Miss Horton will you.... will you.... will you marry me?

JENNIFER: Yes, yes I will marry you.

JACK: You're sure about that?

JENNIFER: Are you sure about that?

JACK: Sure I'm sure about that. I'm absolutely sure about that.

JENNIFER: Well I mean you haven't told me that you loved me and I thought you might want to do that....

JACK: I told you that I loved you.

JENNIFER: No, you said I L you and that's not the same as I love you.

JACK: I have said that.

JENNIFER: No, I want everyone to know that you love me.

JACK: Ah, you want everyone to.... you want everyone to know?

JENNIFER: Yeah.

JACK: Listen you can set this wedding up. You can invite everybody in town to this wedding. Everybody.... the entire town of Salem is invited to this wedding. I don't care. All your friends, all a hundred million of them. I know you've got a million of them. Just have them all come, alright. Everybody's invited!

JENNIFER: Stop kidding. Stop kidding alright.

JACK: I'm not kidding. You can invite anybody and I'll say whatever you want me to say. I'll say.... I'll say everything.

JENNIFER: Okay.

JACK: Okay.

JENNIFER: If you insist.

JACK: I insist. I do. Invite 'em all. Everybody. They're all welcome.

JENNIFER: I love you Jack.

JACK: Yes well.... I.... you know....

 

JACK MOUTHS HE LOVES HER.

 

SHE JUMPS INTO HIS ARMS.

 

JENNIFER: I love you so much Jack Deveraux. (Beat) Want to get out of here?

JACK: I want to get out of here.

JENNIFER: Come on, let's go.

 

JULIE INTERRUPTS.

 

JULIE: Jack, Jack. Congratulations to you Jack. Because you stood by Jennifer. I'm so proud of you.

JACK: Well I....

 

JULIE GIVES HIM A BIG HUG.

MEANWHILE JENNIFER GOES OVER AND ASKS MADELINE IF SHE CAUGHT ON TAPE EVERYTHING THAT JACK SAID. AT FIRST SHE DENIES IT BUT THEN ADMITS SHE HAS. JENNIFER IS PLEASED BECAUSE SHE SAID SHE MIGHT NEED PROOF.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, are you ready to go?

JACK: Ah yes.

JENNIFER: Julie.

JENNIFER: Here we go.

JACK: Let's go.

SCENE SEVEN: JACK AND JENNIFER HAVE RETURNED TO THE LOFT.

 

JENNIFER: Whoa, it's cold.

JACK: It's freezing. Here I'll get the lights.

JENNIFER: Thanks Jack. Here you go. I'll take your coat.

 

SHE IS ABOUT TO TAKE HIS COAT.

 

JACK: I'll get that. You get something hot. I'm just freezing.

JENNIFER: What do you want me to make? Do you want me to make tea?

JACK: Something without caffeine. I don't want to get the jitters.

JENNIFER: Oh gosh, okay, I won't give you the jitters.

 

JACK WALKS OVER AND PICKS UP THE REMOTE CONTROL.

 

JACK: I want to see what's on the TV. See if the trial made it.

 

HE TURNS THE TV ON AND THERE IS MADELINE TALKING ABOUT THE RESULT OF THE TRIAL.

 

JACK: Hey it's on!

 

THE PHONE RINGS.

 

 

JENNIFER: Wait Jack, can you leave that for one second.

JACK: Sure, sure.

 

HE MUTES THE SOUND BUT CONTINUES TO WATCH WHILE JENNIFER GETS THE PHONE.

 

JENNIFER: Hello. (Beat) Yeah this is Jennifer Horton.

 

JACK SEES THE NEWS REPORT SWITCH TO HIM TALKING TO JENNIFER.

JACK: Hey, the trial's on every channel.

JENNIFER: What? (Beat) Oh excuse me, are you asking me to invite you to our wedding?

 

JACK OVERHEARS THIS AND LOOKS AROUND.

 

JACK: What?

JENNIFER: You know I am really touched that you'd like to come but we really haven't made any plans yet.

JACK: Who's coming? Who wants to come?

JENNIFER: Ah yeah. Sure we'll let you know. I mean.... okay, bye.

JACK: Let who know about what?

JENNIFER: You're not going to believe this Jack. It's so funny....

JACK: Try me.

 

THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN.

 

JENNIFER: Just one second. Let me just.... (Beat) Hello. Yes this is Jennifer. (Beat) Ah, you know that's really nice of you but I can afford to buy my own wedding gown....

JACK: Wait, you mean somebody wants to buy.... pay for your wedding gown? Let 'em, let 'em pay, let 'em, let 'em pay.

JENNIFER: You know what if I change my mind yes I'll let you know. Yeah, see you at the wedding. Bye bye.

JACK: Who was that?

JENNIFER: You're not going to believe this but that was a Mr. Martin Bueller. He owns the bridal shop Jack.

JACK: Oh he owns the bridal shop so you had to invite him to the wedding.

JENNIFER: I didn't invite him to the wedding Jack. You did.

JACK: What do you mean I did?

JENNIFER: If you turn around and watch the TV I think you'll understand.

JACK: Just.... turn around and....

JENNIFER: Yep.

 

HE TURNS AROUND AND ON SCREEN IS THE TAPE OF HIM TELLING JENNIFER TO INVITE EVERYBODY IN SALEM.

JACK: MADELINE.... Madeline did that! MADELINE, MADELINE!

 

HE FLICKS FROM STATION TO STATION AND THEY ARE ALL CARRYING THE SAME PIECE OF TAPE.

 

JACK: MADELINE DID THAT TO US! SHE....

JENNIFER: She didn't. It's not entirely her fault. She....

JACK: Wait a minute, what do you mean, it's not entirely her fault? You knew about this?

JENNIFER: I didn't know about it. Not until the very end when....

JACK: Wait a minute. You knew about this! You knew.... you knew that I was going to propose in front of everybody.... everybody who watches WATB heard me propose to you.

JENNIFER: (Enjoying the situation) You know what Jack, if you check the other stations, we're on those too. They tend to pool their resources when they have a really hot story.

 

JACK IS IN A PANIC.

SCENE EIGHT: JACK AND JENNIFER ARE AT THE LOFT. JACK HAS JUST DISCOVERED, TO JENNIFER AMUSEMENT, THAT HIS PROPOSAL IS BEING AIRED ON ALL THE TV STATIONS. JACK IS BECOMING VERY NERVOUS AND MAD. HE TURNS BACK TO THE TV AND FLICKS TO MORE STATIONS.

 

JENNIFER: Go on.

JACK: What!

JENNIFER: Now you know what those phone calls are about Jack.

JACK: Let me tell you something. No sane person would take an invitation like that seriously!

 

THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN.

 

JENNIFER: You want to bet?

 

HE TRIES TO STOP HER ANSWERING THE PHONE.

 

JENNIFER: No Jack, don't!

JACK: No.

JENNIFER: You're going to be mean and you're going.... don't you....

JACK: Hello, hello, who is it? (Beat) Yes this is Jack Deveraux. It most certainly is. Let me tell you .... let me tell you something. You are not, let me repeat, YOU ARE NOT.... ARE NOT INVITED TO THIS WE....

 

HE BEGINS TO COUGH LOUDLY AND ALMOST CHOKES.

 

JENNIFER: Just give me the phone Jack. Jack, don't cough in his ear. Give me the phone....

 

JENNIFER IS WORRIED ABOUT HIS COUGHING AND CHOKING.

 

JENNIFER: Jack are you okay? Jack, what's wrong? Jack!

HE SINKS TO THE FLOOR WITH HIS COUGHING AND SHE HURRIES TO GET HIM A DRINK.

 

JENNIFER: Here have this.

 

JACK TAKES A SIP AND THEN SPURTS WATER ALL OVER THE FLOOR BECAUSE IT IS BOILING HOT.

JENNIFER: It's hot.

JACK: (With a Hoarse) IT'S HOT! Thanks for telling me.

JENNIFER: Oh I'm sorry, I'm sorry, are you going to be okay?

JACK: I think...I think I'm coming down with something.

JENNIFER: What? Come on, come on. Jack we're going to get you home because you are not going to get sick so you can't make this wedding.

 

SHE GETS HIS COAT.

 

JENNIFER: Now here, put on your coat.

 

THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN.

 

JENNIFER: Oh shoot, I've got to get that, here. Just hold on one second okay. Goodnight, hold on.

 

SHE GOES BACK TO THE PHONE WHILE JACK CONTINUES TO COUGH AND WHEEZE.

 

JENNIFER: Hello, yes this is.... no you're not bothering me at all. (Beat) Yes, that's wonderful that you want to come to our wedding but it's not really planned yet. (Beat) The thing is we're going to be married within a week. We will get married this week. (Beat) Our honeymoon? No we don't have a honeymoon planned, we're not even married yet.

JACK COUGHS EVERYTIME THE "WEDDING" IS MENTIONED.

 

JENNIFER: Okay, goodbye. (Beat) Oh gosh Jack.

 

SHE RUNS BACK OVER TO HIM AT THE DOOR. HIS WHEEZING IS GETTING WORSE.

 

JENNIFER: Jack you sound terrible. I'm not going to let you drive home in this rain. You're going to stay here with me.

 

HE SHAKES HIS HEAD. JACK SIGNALS GOODNIGHT AND WHEEZES OUT THE WORD. HE HAS THE COAT ON WITH THE FRONT TOWARDS HIS BACK; HIS ARMS ARE THROUGH THE SLEEVES, BUT NOT COMPLETELY VISIBLE. HE WAVES THEM.

JENNIFER: Yes, Jack.... are you sure?

 

HE NODS. HE IS WHEEZING EVEN MORE, AND DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A BLE TO TALK.

 

JENNIFER: Goodnight.... Jack, aren't you going to kiss me?

 

HE COUGHS IN HER FACE AND POINTS TO HIS MOUTH. HE THEN BLOWS HER A KISS.

SHE LOOKS A BIT SAD AS HE WALKS AWAY.

 

JENNIFER (CONT.): Goodnight.

 

JACK GETS IN THE ELEVATOR AND HAS ANOTHER COUGHING FIT. HE APPEARS SCARED TO DEATH.

JENNIFER WATCHES HIM AND CANNOT HELP BUT LAUGH.