oldEpisode Three-hundred-twenty-nine: Jack
Discovers He Let His Home Owner's Lapse.
He Is Terrified That Hawk Will Sue; Jennifer
Cannot Believe That of Hawk. Hawk Continues
to Manipulate Her; But Jack Has His Own Plans.
[Air date late August, 1991]
SCENE ONE: JACK AND JENNIFER ARE STILL AT THE HOSPITAL WAITING FOR NEWS ABOUT HAWK. JACK IS PACING AND SIGHING.
JACK: Huuuuuh!
JENNIFER: Jack please stop doing that. You're making me so dizzy.
JACK: Don't worry about dizzy. How about nauseous?
JENNIFER: I'm really worried about Hawk.
JACK: Well you better start worrying about yourself, not to mention your husband.
JENNIFER: Jack what are you talking about? Is something going on with you?
JACK: Um, no, no, nothing. What would make you think that?
JENNIFER: Well it's just the way you're acting and the way you look, everything. What's the matter?
JACK: There's nothing wrong with me, nothing at all. Marcus is here.
JENNIFER: Jack, if you....
JACK: Alright, is he alright?
MARCUS: Well why don't you see for yourself? I put him in a private room. Right this way.
JENNIFER: Alright, come on.
JACK LOOKS VERY SICK BUT TAKES A DEEP BREATH AND RUNS AFTER JENNIFER AND MARCUS.
SCENE TWO: THEY GO INTO THE ROOM WHERE HAWK IS LYING PERFECTLY STILL IN THE BED. HE IS ONLY MOVING HIS EYES.
JENNIFER: Hawk?
HAWK: Miss Jenny?
JENNIFER: Yeah.
JACK: Oh just as charming as ever.
JENNIFER: Yeah it's me. We've been waiting to see you. How do you feel?
HAWK: Well the good doctor here says I oughta live.
JACK: Alright let me talk to the good doctor for a minute. Excuse me, sir, what's the real story? He's going to be alright, right?
DOCTOR: Well, the man has suffered an injury to his back. The damage could be extensive. It could be minor. Difficult to say at this point.
JACK: At what point won't it be difficult to?
JENNIFER: Jack.
DOCTOR: Heheheh. No that's a fair question. Unfortunately it's impossible to answer.
JACK: When will it be impossible to answer?
DOCTOR: Well I can tell you Mr. Hawkins seems to in terrible pain. The x-rays don't indicate any broken bones but there does seem to be a severe trauma on the surrounding muscles.... or worse.
THE DOCTOR LEAVES.
JACK: Or.... or worse!
JENNIFER: Hawk, I'm really sorry.
HAWK: Oh don't worry yourself about me. I'll pull through.... somehow.
JACK: Marcus, outside now!
JACK DRAGS MARCUS OUTSIDE TO TALK.
JACK: Alright, I want the truth. Tell me he's going to be alright.
MARCUS: Wait a minute, Doctor Smithers told you the truth. Hawkins has a very serious back injury.
JACK: Yeah but what about the proof! Come on, x-rays, CAT scans, MRIs.
MARCUS: No, this type of injury wouldn't show up on any of those. The doctor, he makes an examination and he forms an opinion. Basically, yeah, that's it.
JACK: So if I want find the extent, the actual extent, of a person's pain and suffering, you're telling me that I have to rely on some doctor's opinion.
MARCUS: That's correct. You see the patient tells the doctor how he's feeling and that's the basis for his treatment. Now if there are changes at the hospital stay then....
JACK: Wait a minute. Hospital stay?
MARCUS: Yes, that's mandatory. Not to mention the ongoing physical therapy once the patient has been released.
JACK: How long can this ongoing physical therapy could go on?
MARCUS: Well you know, I mean it depends, weeks, months. You know I've seen cases, they drag on for years.
JACK: Years.... years?
MARCUS: Jack I don't mean to pry, but did this little accident happen in your house?
JACK: In my living room.
MARCUS: Oh, I guess that's why people have insurance, huh?
JACK TURNS AROUND TO MARCUS.
MARCUS: You do have insurance, right?
JACK PUTS ON A FAKE LAUGH.
JACK: Huh, heheh, of course. What kind of clown would run around without insurance? Heheheh.
MARCUS: Yeah.
JACK: Oh, look I need to run back to the office to check a few things out. Would you tell Jennifer I'll be right back.
JACK RUNS OUT.
SCENE THREE: JACK ARRIVES AT THE SPECTATOR WHERE HE BEGINS SEARCHING HIS OFFICE FOR SOMETHING.
VERN: Jack, I thought you left hours ago.
JACK: I did. I came back.
VERN: Why, are you looking for something?
JACK: Don't miss a thing, do you Vern?
VERN: Heheh, maybe I can help. What are you trying to find?
JACK: Insurance policy.
VERN: Life insurance?
JACK: Home owner's.
SUDDENLY JACK FINDS WHAT HE IS LOOKING FOR.
JACK: OH! VERN: You found it.
JACK: Yes. Yes, yes, now all I have to do is check to make sure....
HE FREEZES AS HE READS THE SECOND PAGE.
JACK: OH NO! (Beat) No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
HE SINKS INTO HIS CHAIR.
VERN: You let the policy lapse, didn't you?
JACK: YESSS!!! Yes and that makes me a target. I'm a sitting duck. I'm about to be sued for every feather I've got.
VERN: By who?
JACK: Don't ask. Look we have no time. I want you to call my lawyer and insurance agent, alright. Find out if I've got a grace period. Maybe I do.
VERN: It might have come and went by now.
JACK: Vern! I can do my own negative thinking, thank you very much. It's your job to find me a loop hole that I can crawl through. And nobody can crawl like Jack Deveraux, nobody.
SCENE FOUR: SOMETIME LATER JACK IS ON THE PHONE. THE NEWS IS BAD BECAUSE HE SLUMPS BACK INTO HIS CHAIR AGAIN.
JACK: Yes I understand.
HE SLOWLY HANGS UP THE PHONE.
VERN: Boss, you don't look so good.
JACK: I don't feel so good either. I've just been on the phone with four lawyers, six.... six insurance agents and one so-called consumer fraud expert, and they have all just said the same thing.
VERN: You let the grace period slip by, didn't you?
JACK: Yes, Vern, yes. And once again you have been able to size up my situation with amazing clarity.
VERN: Heh, Jack, how could you do anything so stupid?
JACK: That was not your cue to criticize Vern. That was your cue to look.... respectful and sympathetic. To ask me in the mildest of voices, how do I ever intend to get out of this hideous situation that has been thrust upon me by such a black and malignant fate.
VERN: Okay, Jack, soft voice. "How do you plan on getting out of this hideous situation" and all the other stuff you said?
JACK: I'll tell you something. I'm not going to let that cowboy from Montana put one over on me. (Beat)I'm going to get thejump on him. That's exactly what I'm going to do.
JACK STORMS OUT OF THE OFFICE.
SCENE FIVE:MEANWHILE JENNIFER IS STILL IN WITH HAWK TALKING TO HIM ABOUT HOW HE WILL GET ON. HAWK IS PLAYING HER FOR A FOOL AND CONVINCING HER THAT HE CAN JUST MANAGE TO SURVIVE ON THE PALTRY AMOUNT THAT HOWARD LEFT HIM. JACK COMES IN AT THE END OF HAWK'S COMMENTS AND KNOWS FULL WELL THAT HAWK IS A CONNING JENNIFER.
JENNIFER: Jack, um, I was just telling Hawk how bad we feel about what happened and how much we want to help him out.
JACK: Oh yes, yes. I'd like to talk to Mr. Hawk about that myself.... alone.
JENNIFER: Alone?
JACK: If you don't mind.
JENNIFER: Well as a matter of fact, I do Jack.
JACK: As a matter of fact, I have to insist.
HE GIVES HER A LOOK THAT SHE UNDERSTANDS MEANS BUSINESS.
JENNIFER: I'll be outside.
JACK: Thank you.
JENNIFER LEAVES AND JACK GETS RIGHT INTO IT.
JACK: Alright, so what will it take?
HAWK: Take?
JACK: To get you to sign a release form?
HAWK: Well, I don't get you.
JACK: Alright, perhaps I can paint a little picture for you. Jennifer happens to be a very nice young lady. She liked your grandfather, she likes you. I also happen to like her myself. As such I'm prepared to be very generous. Generous enough to pay your hospital bills.
HAWK: Well, thanks but you know I'm not going to be here forever. They say I'm going to need outpatient therapy and round-the-clock nursing care and the whole bit, you know. That costs and not to mention the hotel room I'd have to pay for and room service.
JACK: Hotel room?
HAWK: Well Jack I don't have anywhere to stay round here. I mean you heard the doctors say. I've got to stay close to here.
JACK: What's the bottom line Howie?
HAWK: Well I just need a place for recovery, you know. Hospital, you know and a hotel. I mean unless you have a cheaper way.
JACK: I always have a cheaper way.
HAWK: Oh.
JACK: I.... I'm prepared to have you to.... to stay with.... stay at the penthouse with us.HAWK: Oh, gee I don't know. That might just be a little inconvenient for me. Well not to mention you and Jennifer.
JACK: That's the final offer. Take it or leave it.
HAWK: Well if you really think it will work.
JACK: I think I'll have the lawyer draw up the release papers and have you sign them before.... before you move in.
JACK WALKS OUTSIDE TO JENNIFER.
JACK: Come on, let's go.
JENNIFER: What, what happened?
JACK: I'll explain on the way home.
JENNIFER: What?
JACK: I'll explain on the way home.
INSIDE THE HOSPITAL ROOM, HAWK IS SMILING.
SCENE ONE: IT IS THE NEXT DAY AND JACK IS ON THE PHONE IN THE PENTHOUSE.
JACK: Vern I don't know who you call but whoever you call, I want a safe in this penthouse. (Beat) Yes, a safe! You know, a big box, metallic.... (Beat) To.... to keep my things in Vern! To keep them safe. That's where the name came from. Now did.... just.... (Beat) Yes, Jennifer's things, my things.
JENNIFER: JACK!
JACK: Look I don't care. I want it here by 12 noon and get that discount, you here. Get it!
JENNIFER: JACK!
JACK QUICKLY HANGS UP THE PHONE BEFORE JENNIFER HEARS HIM.
JENNIFER: Were you just on the phone?
JACK: Ah, yes I was. Actually I was talking to Vern about some newspaper things. You know, journalism.
JENNIFER: Oh I was worried it was the hospital calling. I'm on my way over there right now okay. I barely got any sleep last night.
JACK: Well I....
HE GRABS HER AS SHE HURRIES PAST.
JENNIFER: What?
JACK: Don't worry about that. I mean we can worry about that together. I was a little concerned about Hawk myself.JENNIFER: You were?
JACK: Oh yes, yes. But the important thing is that you don't have a thing to worry about. It's all taken care of.
JENNIFER: Well, what are you talking about?
JACK: Well.... I woke up this morning, my heart flowing with the milk of human kindness, with this refreshed determination to help my fellow man. Then I realized this is what we're going to do. We are going to open up our penthouse to You-Know-Who-the-Third.
JENNIFER: Are you serious Jack?
JACK: Oh, yes I am serious. As soon as Mr. Hawkness gets out of that hospital he's going to come right over here and we are going to.... well we're just going to watch him like a hawk. Just to make sure he recovers.
JENNIFER SMILES.
SCENE TWO: JACK IS TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT MEDICAL EQUIPMENT FOR HAWK TO USE IN THE PENTHOUSE. HE IS FLIPPING THROUGH THE YELLOW PAGES.
JACK: Oh here's one. Okay, one more Mercury Medical Supplies. Okay the number for Mercury....
JENNIFER: Jack this is the fifth one that you have given me.
JACK: I know. We have to make sure we have all the supplies that are needed as soon as Hawk moves into his little room. Okay, I think....
JENNIFER: I want to know the real reason why you are doing this Jack, because I know that you're not being helpful. So you either tell me or....
JACK: Alright, alright, alright, you don't have to threaten. Alright. I mean the fact is we are married and we should share everything and I might as well share the truth with you.
JENNIFER: The truth about what?
JACK: It lapsed! (Beat) Accidentally you understand. It was just one of those things that just happen from time to time. It just lapsed, pop, voom, it was gone!
JENNIFER: Lapsed? What are you talking about? (Beat) insurance ! We don't have any insurance Jack!
JACK: No, no, no. We do have insurance now. It was just for a couple of days that we didn't have insurance. Unfortunately it was the couple of days that mattered.
JENNIFER: You think Hawk's going to sue us! That's what you think.
JACK: Heheheh. I know Hawk's going to sue us. I mean just think about it, the financial drain, the emotional drain. Think of the emotional drain on myself as I have to start cashing in those CDs.
JENNIFER: Let's go, let's go Jack.
JACK: You don't.... wait a minute. What is....
JENNIFER: No, you're being ridiculous.
JACK: Where are we going?
JENNIFER: I'm taking you to the hospital so that you can talk to Hawk yourself and stop believing the worst of everybody. Now let's go.
JACK: Good luck!
JENNIFER: Come on.
SHE DRAGS HIM OUT THE DOOR.
JACK: Whoa!
SCENE THREE: AT THE HOSPITAL, MARCUS IS TELLING HAWK THAT HE NEEDS PHYSICAL THERAPY. JACK AND JENNIFER WALK IN WHILE THEY ARE TALKING.
JENNIFER: Well he's not going to have to worry about that Marcus.
HAWK: Jennifer.
JENNIFER: Hi Hawk. He's going to be staying with us.
MARCUS: Us?
JENNIFER: Yeah, just as soon as he's released. Jack's been on the phone all morning. We're setting up the guest bedroom for you.
HAWK: Oh no, no, I don't want to put you folks to any trouble.
JACK: Oh, no, no, no. No trouble at all. Whatever it takes to get you well.
MARCUS GIVES JACK A WRY SMILE.
JENNIFER: Yeah, we worked out a whole schedule. One of us is going to be there day and night for anything you need Hawk.
JACK: Right, with that special kind of treatment you're going to be up and around.... I mean a full recovery in one, two days, maybe a week at the most. Right Marcus?
MARCUS: Well.... no actually I think Hawkins is going to be on his back for quite some time.
JACK: Ah.... did you.... did you hear that Jennifer? (To Hawk) I know you heard that.
HAWK: Yeah.
JACK: Well in view of this situation, perhaps it'd be better if we didn't move him at all. If he just stayed right here. That would be for the best, wouldn't it Marcus?
MARCUS: Oh no, no, no. The man does not need to be in a hospital to get what he needs.
JACK: Ah, what exactly does the man need?
MARCUS: Plain old bed rest. And your place is perfect, I'd say. That's awfully nice of you to offer there Jack.
MARCUS PATS JACK ON THE SHOULDER AS HE LEAVES THE ROOM.
JACK: Don't mention it.
JACK IS NOT AT ALL HAPPY ABOUT HAWK STAYING WITH THEM FOR A LONG TIME. JACK DECIDES TO GO SEE MARCUS AND FIND OUT MORE.
SCENE FOUR: JACK MEETS MARCUS IN THE THE DOCTORS' LOUNGE.
JACK: I don't know. Are you sure that he can't just stay at the hospital? I mean....
MARCUS: Jack, Hawkins does not need hospital care right at this particular time. What he needs is to go home, to anybody's home, somebody's home.
JACK: I'll tell you what he needs.
JENNIFER COMES IN WITH DAN, HER BOSS.
JENNIFER: Jack, you're not going to believe this.
JACK: You know something? At this particular moment, I would believe just about anything.
JENNIFER: No you're not. Dan got me the interview of the year, the interview of a lifetime.
JACK: Don't tell me, don't tell me! The Dahli Lama is setting up a tent down by the pier.JENNIFER: Julia Roberts! I am going to spend a week in Chicago with Julia Roberts, interviewing her.
MARCUS: Julia Roberts?
JACK: Wow!
IT IS OBVIOUS JACK HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS.
MARCUS: Do you think you can get me a picture, huh?
JENNIFER LAUGHS. SHE IS VERY EXCITED.
DAN: Now look, you've got to be on a plane no later than dinner time tonight if this thing is going to work.
JENNIFER: Tonight? You didn't say it was tonight.
DAN: Yeah. The station's already got you a suite right next to hers so it'll be more convenient.
JENNIFER: Dan, I can't go.
DAN: What?
JENNIFER: This is just really bad timing. I can't go tonight. Jack would have to take care of Hawk all by himself and....
JACK: Oh no, no, no. Don't worry about a thing. It's all taken care of.
JENNIFER: No, it's not all taken care of and it's not alright. I can't....
DAN: Jennifer, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
JACK: "Once in a lifetime opportunity."
MARCUS: "Once in a lifetime."
JENNIFER: Well, ah, only if you're absolutely sure.
MARCUS: Oh yeah, he's sure.
DAN: He's sure.
MARCUS: He's positive, absolutely.
JACK: Oh sure, I'm sure. Believe me.... believe them!
JENNIFER: Alright! (Beat) Alright, I'll go.
DAN: Ah, you are sure about this Jack?
JACK: Oh I'm.... I'm as sure as if I'd set the whole thing up myself.
MARCUS IS CALLED OUT TO SEE ROMAN. JACK HAS A VERY SMUG SMILE ON HIS FACE BECAUSE HIS PLAN HAS WORKED. JENNIFER GETS ON THE PHONE TO BOOK HER FLIGHT WHILE DAN FOLLOWS JACK OUT ONTO THE BALCONY.
DAN: Alright Jack, look Jennifer may be too excited to see it, but I'm not.
JACK: Whatever you're about to accuse me of, I deny it with every fiber of my being.
DAN: Well word is at the station that your paper had the exclusive rights to this Robert's interview until this morning. Why did you throw it away?
JACK: Dan, I really resent this off handed accusation that I'm insane. I mean you know me, I'm a publicist. I would never throw away this kind of opportunity. It doesn't make sense.
DAN: Alright Jack, have it your way. I won't tell anybody.
DAN LEAVES. JACK IS FINDING IT A BIT HARD TO ACCEPT THAT HE HAD TO GIVE AWAY SUCH A GREAT INTERVIEW.
