oldEpisode Three-hundred-thirty-nine: Jennifer
Deveraux Birthday Week Continues, Jack
Has a Special Breakfast for Jennifer. Later,
at a Charity Horse Race, Hawk Cheats to
Make Himself Look Good, and Jack Look Bad.

---

[Air date mid-September 1991]

SCENE ONE: IT IS THE NEXT MORNING AND JACK IS TRYING TO MAKE IT ALL UP TO JENNIFER. HE HAS A BREAKFAST TRAY READY COMPLETE WITH A FLOWER AND A NAPKIN COVERING THE FOOD. AS HE IS ABOUT TO BRING IT TO HER, SHE WALKS OUT OF THE BEDROOM.

 

JACK: Oh Jennifer, you're already up.

JENNIFER: Yes, I'm up. I have to go to work.

JACK: Well you can't just go to work, you have to eat your breakfast.

JENNIFER: You forgot my birthday Jack, alright. It's over, it's done. You don't have to keep trying to make up for it.

JACK: You're saying that I can't make up for it no matter what I do.

JENNIFER: Well maybe if I felt like that's what you are doing. But you're doing this for yourself. You're doing everything so you don't feel so guilty.

JACK: That is not necessarily true.

JENNIFER: Yes it is true. You haven't even apologized to me. You haven't even said, you know what Jennifer, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I forgot your birthday.

JACK: Alright, I'm.... I'm.... (Sigh).... couldn't you just sit down here and eat your breakfast before it gets cold? Please?

JENNIFER: No, I don't want it.

JACK: Look you just can't go out without eating your breakfast, it's not healthy.

JENNIFER: I'm not hungry Jack. I DON'T WANT THE BREAKFAST!

 

HE CHASES HER WITH THE TRAY.

 

JACK: Wait, could you just.... could you just look at it, just.... just.... will you just....

JENNIFER: Why should I look at it? What is the point at me looking at it?

JACK: JUST LOOK AT IT! JUST LOOK AT IT!

 

JENNIFER PULLS OFF THE NAPKIN AND SITTING ON THE PLATE ARE TWO PANCAKES. JACK HAS PIPED "I'M SORRY" AND A SMILEY FACE CROSS THE TOP ONE. HER HEART MELTS WHEN SHE SEES WHAT HE HAS DONE.

JENNIFER: You just can't say those words can you?

JACK: I am Jennifer. I already am.

 

THEY SIT DOWN TOGETHER TO HAVE BREAKFAST.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER HAS EATTEN THE LAST PART OF "SORRY," JUST LEAVING "SOR." HAWK ENTERS.

 

HAWK: Hey, I'm sore.

JACK: What? Oh not again, please.

JENNIFER: What's the matter Hawk? Are you alright?

HAWK: Oh no, the pancakes, that's what's written on them.

JENNIFER: Jack did that for me. It was his way of telling me how he felt about what he did.

 

JENNIFER GOES TO GET HIS KEYS AND HAWK AND JACK FOLLOW.

 

HAWK: Jennifer, is he sore at you?

JENNIFER: No, no, Jack you can tell him what it said.

JACK: Well there's nothing really to tell. It, you know, it's the.... obvious, the R and Y were of course chewed off.

HAWK: What, the "RY?"

JACK: Yes, the R and the Y. You can spell can't you?

 

JENNIFER SMILES AT JACK. HAWK IS NOT HAPPY THAT JACK AND JENNIFER HAVE MADE UP.

 

JENNIFER: So Hawk what were you doing out so early? I thought you might still be in bed.

HAWK: Oh well, I couldn't sleep so I just got up and took a little walk.

JENNIFER: Oh!

JACK: Well that's very amazing. Feeling much better now, aren't we? I know you were just the life of the party last night. Out jogging at dawn. You're well on the way to recovery, aren't you?

JENNIFER: Jack, he wasn't really jogging. I think he was probably just walking.

JACK: Huh, huh.

HAWK: No, actually Jack's right. I'm feeling better.

JACK: And for that reason, I think it's time to call the doctor and have him give you a clean bill of health.

 

JACK PICKS UP THE PHONE.

 

HAWK: Well Jack actually I've already beat you to it. You see I've called the hospital up and I'm going over later to get myself checked. Hopefully I'm going to be fine so I can finally just get out of your hair.

JACK: And not a moment too so.... and the moment you do we're going to sorely miss you.

 

JENNIFER FROWNS AT JACK.

 

JENNIFER: You know what Hawk, this is ridiculous. I mean you don't have anyone to take you to the hospital. You don't have a nurse anymore.

HAWK: Well I was just planning on making it on my own.

JENNIFER: Well you know what, we can get you another nurse. I'm sure we can find someone.

JACK: Oh, no, no, no, no. I don't think we have to worry about that. Let's not put the cart before the horse. Heheheheh. You know if Hawk is doing as well as he looks, I'm sure the doctor is going to give him a clean bill of health and we won't even have to bother with a nurse. Isn't that right?

HAWK: Just as right as rain, Jack, right as rain.

SCENE THREE: A BIT LATER JACK IS READY TO LEAVE.

 

JACK: Jennifer, you're still here.

JENNIFER: Yeah, I'm waiting to take Hawk to the hospital for his appointment.

JACK: I thought you were too busy, had to get to work.

JENNIFER: Well that was when I was mad at you.

JACK: Well I'm glad you're not so mad anymore.

 

SHE PUTS HER HAND ON HIS ARM.

 

JENNIFER: I'm not that mad anymore.

JACK: Well Dan is going to be very mad if you're late. What is it your working on today?

JENNIFER: Well it's the story of my grandparents so it doesn't matter if I'm a little late.

JACK: Oh really. What are your grandparents doing in the news today?

JENNIFER: Well you know that grandma's holding that fund-raiser at the restaurant.

JACK: Oh right, right.

JENNIFER: And it has to do with the big race at the track today and one of the members of the board has a horse running in it and if the horse runs he's going to donate the whole purse to grandpa's Trauma Center.

JACK: You know that's a much bigger story than you realize.

JENNIFER: What, you really think so?

JACK: Ah...yes, I really think so. As a matter of fact I think you better get down there right away.... and I think I should take you. I really do.

JENNIFER: I think you're being suspiciously jealous.

JACK: Oh, no....

JENNIFER: Now what about Hawk, how is he going to get to the hospital?

JACK: Well he can.... I'll get him a cab, thank you.

JENNIFER: What....

JACK: I'll get him.... I'll get him a limousine if that'll make you happy.

JENNIFER: What would make me happy Jack is if we stop playing these games.

JACK: I'm not playing any games here. And to show you that I'm not playing any games here, just to prove it to you, I'll go without any plans to report for The Spectator. I'll just go as your husband.

JENNIFER: No Jack, that's not what I meant. I.... I....

JACK: No it doesn't matter what we mean. The important thing is Hawk can very well be out of our lives as of today. Now come on, let's get out to these races.

JENNIFER: Alright.

JACK: Come on, I'm beginning to feel very lucky.

JENNIFER: Oh, oh.

SCENE FOUR: JACK AND JENNIFER ARRIVE AT ALICE'S RESTAURANT WHERE THEY ARE SETTING UP THE BETTING BOARD AND GRAPH TO SHOW HOW MUCH IS DONATED.

 

ALICE: Well for heavens sake, look who's here. I thought you two would still be celebrating.

JACK: Well you know what they say, the best laid plans.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER EXCHANGE GLANCES.

 

JENNIFER: I came to cover the fund-raiser for WATB grandma and I'm going to do a little early broadcasting before the race, okay.

ALICE: That's wonderful. Maybe we'll get phone contributions.

JENNIFER: Well that's part of what I had in mind.

JACK: This is quite a little operation you've got going on here Mrs. Horton.

ALICE: Well Trevor Grant, a director, has a horse who's running in the race tonight so he donated all of this. He even got us a big screen so we could watch the races on closed circuit.

JENNIFER: Well grandma that's great. Why don't you tell me how all of this is going to work.

ALICE: Alright, people bet their money on the horses and the money goes straight to the Trauma Center.

 

JACK FROWNS.

 

JENNIFER: You know what I heard. I heard that some local businesses were involved in all this too grandma.

ALICE: Well they are. They're going to match our winnings and then present us with the check.

JACK: Uh, no, no, wait, wait, let me get this straight. People are going to be calling in and coming in, giving you their money and betting but not getting anything in return. So tell me, what is so fun about gambling and betting if you don't get anything back?

JENNIFER: Jack, the bets are donations. It's for charity.

ALICE: And hopefully everyone will have fun.

JENNIFER: I'm going to make a few bets, what about you?

JACK: Well maybe later. But my reason for being here is to be with you.

JENNIFER: And stay away from Hawk.

JACK: If we're lucky, yes. And, if we we're really lucky, he won't pop up tonight.

SCENE FIVE: MEANWHILE BACK AT THE PENTHOUSE, HAWK CALLS DESIRÉE AND ORGANIZES FOR HER TO TURN UP AT THE FUND-RAISER AND USE HER "PSYCHIC" POWERS TO PICK THE WINNING HORSES; SOMEHOW THEY HAVE IT RIGGED THAT THEY KNOW THE WINNERS BEFOREHAND. HE TELLS HER TO STAY HIDDEN BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT JENNIFER OR JACK TO SEE HER.

SCENE SIX: THE RACES ARE ON AND JACK GETS HIMSELF A PRIME POSITION RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE BIG SCREEN.

 

JENNIFER: Come on Jack.

JACK: Go horse! What the hell is this?

JENNIFER: I've finished with my broadcast. We can go if you want.

JACK: But we're in the middle of having some fun here aren't we? I mean....

JENNIFER: I thought you said gambling wasn't any fun unless you win money.

JACK: Well no, I'm just getting into the spirit of things, you know.

JENNIFER: You're just avoiding seeing Hawk.

 

JACK TURNS TO TALK TO HER.

 

JACK: There is nothing wrong with giving the man a little bit of time to get his things together and get out of the place, alright. So just hold on.

 

HE TURNS BACK TO WATCH THE SCREEN.

 

JACK: Oh, look at that, look at that.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER ARE CONCENTRATING ON THE NEXT RACE WHEN THEY HEAR A LOT OF COMMOTION OVER NEAR THE BETTING AREA.

 

JENNIFER: I wonder what's going on over there.

JACK: I don't know. It must be Stormin Norman Schwartzkof showed up with his troops or something.

 

THE CROWD CLEARS AND THEY BOTH SEE HAWK.

 

JACK: I don't believe it, I don't believe it! Jennifer didn't you say something about time to leave?

JENNIFER: Yes but you wanted to stay Jack.

JACK: That was until Howie showed up. Now let's just have one minute alone without the guy.

JENNIFER: Maybe he just came to say goodbye to us. HAWK?

JACK: NO, NO! I think we should....

JENNIFER: Hawk, come here.

JACK: No, no, no, eeeeeeee!

 

HAWK WALKS OVER TO THEM.

 

JACK: Well Howie, you must have been saying something over there to cheer everybody up. You tell them about your traveling plans perhaps?

HAWK: Well actually I just recommended a couple of horses to bet on here and they happened to win.

JENNIFER: Well how long have you been here anyway?

HAWK: Just for a little while.

JENNIFER: Well why didn't come over and see us?

HAWK: Well I didn't want to disturb you two.

JACK: Oh no, no, no, good news never disturbs anybody. The doctor did give you your walking papers didn't he?

HAWK: Well I'm afraid not Jack.

JACK: Come on, what's the matter with him? What kind of a doctor is he? Any fool can see that you're alright, even me.... I mean.... ah....

HAWK: Well you see I told him too, the same thing. That I said that I really didn't want to stay and impose on you folks any longer but he said that if I didn't wait until I was absolutely 100% that this could get worse. Even worse than before.

JACK: Somehow that doesn't surprise me. I tell you what you're going to do now. You're going to go home right now and get some rest. That's what you're doing. Right now!

HAWK: Well I'd like to but you see I've bet on a couple of other horses here and everybody wants me to stay. Including your grandfather.

JENNIFER: Jack if Hawk is on a role it can really help my grandfather. He should stay and keep doing this.

JACK: Well it was just luck. That's all it was. It's going to end. Now!

 

AT THAT MOMENT THE WINNER OF THE NEXT RACE IS ANNOUNCED AND HAWK'S HORSE WON. EVERYBODY CONGRATULATES HIM BUT JACK IS SUSPICIOUS.

SCENE SEVEN: AS THE NIGHT CONTINUES, HAWK'S CHOICES CONTINUE TO WIN.

 

JACK: I don't believe it.

JENNIFER: Hawk had another winner, can you believe that?

JACK: NO I CAN'T! (Beat) I can't.

 

HAWK LOOKS ACROSS AT JACK AND SMILES SMUGLY.

SCENE EIGHT: THE NIGHT KEEPS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE FOR JACK, WITH PEOPLE LISTENING TO EVERY WORD HAWK SAYS.

 

JACK: Are they talking about me?

JENNIFER: No, Hawk. He hasn't missed a pick yet Jack.

JACK: Well excuse me, excuse me. I think it's about time I made my first pick of the evening.

JULIE: Oh Hawk will choose a horse for you and it'll win.

JACK: No, no, no, no thank you. I can make my own choices. Thank you very much though. EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME, BIG SPENDER COMING THROUGH!

 

JACK WALKS OVER TO ALICE TO PLACE HIS BET.

 

JACK: I would like to put.... yes I would like to place my bet on "Front Page Edition," number 3 horse.

HAWK: Oh I think "Front Page Edition" does look good. I take that back instead of betting on "Diligent Dan." JACK: In that case I would like to put my bet for "Diligent Dan."

ALICE: Well are you sure because Hawk has been right everytime so far Jack.

 

JACK HOLDS UP HIS MONEY.

 

JACK: And this says that his streak is over.

ALICE: Alright, if that's what you want.

 

JACK WALKS BACK TO JENNIFER AND THE RACE BEGINS.

 

JACK: I bet on the one he didn't choose and he's going to be very sorry he changed his mind. COME ON, COME ON. (Beat) DILIGENT DAAAAAAN! YESSSS, YESSSS!

 

THE RACE ENDS AND DILIGENT DAN WINS. JACK CHEERS AND SHOUTS BUT EVERYBODY TURNS TO HAWK AGAIN AND PRAISES HIM.

 

MICKEY: (To Hawk) You did it.

JACK: NO HE DIDN'T! (Beat) HE DIDN'T, HE DIDN'T.

 

PEOPLE TAKE NO NOTICE OF JACK AND CONTINUE TO SAY THAT HAWK CHOSE THE RIGHT HORSE.

 

JACK: WAIT A MINUTE, WAIT A MINUTE, HE DIDN'T DO IT. I DID IT. I WAS THE ONE WHO WENT FOR DILIGENT DAN.

MICKEY: He chose it.

JACK: But he got it wrong. He chose.... he CHANGED HIS MIND!

HAWK: Yeah Jack's right. I went for Front Page Edition. If there's really a hero here it's my good friend Jack, over there.

JACK: Why.... thank you.

 

EVERYBODY APPLAUDS HAWK FOR BEING SO KIND TO JACK AND THE CROWD TURNS TO HAWK FOR HINTS AGAIN.

 

JACK: WAIT A MINUTE, WHAT ABOUT ME? I PICKED THE WINNER LAST TIME. (Beat) I CHOSE THE LAST TIME, WHAT ABOUT ME?

HAWK: JACK, WHO DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO WIN THIS TIME?

JACK: Well it sure won't be the old nag you picked. I think.... ah..... FLAKEY FLOYD....FLAKEY FLOYD. FLAKEY FLOYD NUMBER ONE HORSE, FLAKEY FLOYD.

ALICE: Are you sure about that because Hawk's been right everytime tonight.

JACK: Yeah, that means everybody else is wrong and Flakey Floyd is right.

 

THE RACE BEGINS.

 

JACK: There he is.... FLOYD.... FLAKEY.... FLAKEY.

JENNIFER: COME ON RUN! EVERYBODY SCREAMS LOUDLY THROUGH THE WHOLE RACE AND JACK CANNOT BE HEARD.

 

HOWEVER JACK'S ORIGINAL CHOICE AND HAWK'S SECOND CHOICE WINS AND EVERYBODY CONGRATULATES HIM ON WINNING AGAIN. JACK IS LEFT IGNORED.

 

HAWK: Wait, wait, wait, I'd like to give more if I can. What I'd like to do is just take all of my winnings and match them and donate the entire kit and kaboodle to the Trauma Center.

 

EVERYBODY CHEERS HAWK BUT HE STOPS THEM.

 

HAWK: Wait, providING Jack here releases some of my funds. What do you say Jack?

JACK: I'M NOT THE EXECUTOR OF YOUR WILL. I'M NOT....

CROWD: COME ON JACK, COME ON....

JACK: I'M NOT....I'M NOT THE....

CROWD: COME ON JACK.

TOM: We are now almost 25% near our goal.

JENNIFER: Good on you Hawk, good on you.

 

JACK IS IN THE BACKGROUND FROWNING ACROSS AT HAWK. HE KNOWS THAT HAWK HAS SUCCESSFULLY MANIPULATED THE CROWD AND ESPECIALLY JENNIFER, *ONCE AGAIN*.