oldEpisode Four-hundred-three: In His
Mind Jack Continues to Freeze Time;
He Is Definitely Sure That Everyone
Is Hiding How Sick He Really Is.

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[Air late April 1992]

 

SCENE ONE: JENNIFER HAS DRAGGED JACK ALONG SHOPPING FOR ISABELLA'S BABY SHOWER.

 

JENNIFER: I can't believe all the wonderful things we got for Isabella's shower. And just a little bit more shopping and I'll be finished okay.

 

JACK GRABS A SEAT.

 

JACK: I'm resting Jennifer.

JENNIFER: You're still not feeling well are you?

 

JACK DOES NOT REPLY.

 

JENNIFER: I know what's wrong with you Jack.

 

SHE SITS DOWN NEXT TO HIM.

 

JACK: You do?

JENNIFER: Yes I do and you're never going to get better if we keep ignoring it. So we're going to do something about it and we're going to do something right now.

JACK: You know now that I think of it, we probably should finish this shopping of yours. We can talk later.

JENNIFER: No, we're going to talk about this right now Jack.

JACK: Right now, right here, in front of all these people? People everywhere?

JENNIFER: What difference does that make?

JACK: Well I thought it would make a difference to you, I mean in your present condition. Getting too emotional and such.

JENNIFER: What are you talking about Jack?

JACK: What are you talking about Jennifer?

JENNIFER: Well I'm talking about what's wrong with you.

JACK: Oh, what's wrong with me.

JENNIFER: Yes, I mean this sickness you have.

JACK: Yes, a life threatening sickness.

JENNIFER: I think it's all in your head.

JACK: What?

JENNIFER: I think that you're making yourself sick because you can't deal with the fact that we're going to have a baby.

JACK: You think that's all that this is?

JENNIFER: Of course and I think it's getting completely out of control.

 

SHE TAKES A PEN OUT OF HIS SHIRT POCKET.

 

JENNIFER: So I want you to talk to Marlena about it.

JACK: You want me to talk to the shrink?

 

SHE WRITES DOWN THE NUMBER FOR HIM.

 

JENNIFER: Yes. Here.

JACK: What's.... what's this?

JENNIFER: It's Marlena's number. I want you to make an appointment right away.

JACK: Look I really don't think it's necessary.

JENNIFER: Jack, you're going to do it. I really think it is necessary. You're going to do it for us. You're going to do it for the baby.

JACK: You had to bring up that baby. (Beat) Alright.

 

HE WALKS OVER TO THE PHONE.

 

JENNIFER: Here, change.

JACK: Thank you.... change.

 

JENNIFER LEAVES.

SCENE TWO: JACK GOES TO SEE MARLENA. MARLENA HANDS HIM A GLASS OF WATER.

 

MARLENA: Anything in particular that you'd like to talk about?

JACK: No, not really.

MARLENA: Anything you'd like some help with?

JACK: No, not really.

MARLENA: Good. Well lets talk about your relationship with Jennifer then.

JACK: Well this isn't really about Jennifer. I mean she did convince me to be here. I mean I'm only here to please her.

MARLENA: That must be important to you.

JACK: You don't know the half of it.

MARLENA: Why don't you tell me?

JACK: Tell you.... what?

MARLENA: Tell me about your relationship. Tell me how you feel about being here.

JACK: Well I feel that I would do whatever needs to be done to please Jennifer and make her happy and that includes.... being here.

MARLENA: Alright, well, then okay we've talked about Jennifer. Anything else you feel comfortable bringing up?

JACK: (Beat) No, not really.

MARLENA: Okay, well maybe that's enough for today.

JACK: Really? I mean, we're already finished. I thought this was a one hour session.

 

JACK STANDS UP.

 

MARLENA: Well it is. I didn't know if you'd want to spend the next 48 minutes staring at the walls.

JACK: Ah, no, however we should take at least one more minute and make another appointment. I'm sure Jennifer would want me to do that.

MARLENA: Alright, if you'd like to. This time we'll talk about you. Not about Jennifer.

JACK: We'll talk about me?

MARLENA: Huh, huh, yeah. You have a lot going on in your life and I thought you might want to learn to accept that and deal with what's happening.

JACK: De.... deal with what?

MARLENA: Jack a lot of people feel anxious when they learn they're going to be....

JACK: Oh, this is what I was afraid of.

MARLENA: Afraid of what? Why are you afraid?

JACK: You're going to tell me that I'm sick. That I really do need help. That I really am sick, right. I knew it.

MARLENA: Oh Jack, Jack.

JACK: Marcus knew it, Jennifer knew it, everybody knew it. Nobody would tell me.

MARLENA: No, no, no. You've got to mutter a little louder. I can't hear you.

JACK: I have a hypothetical question. Is it possible that a doctor would not tell a patient everything about their condition?

MARLENA: Well I suppose in some cases that might happen, depending upon the doctor.

JACK: What if the doctor didn't think the patient could handle the truth?

MARLENA: Well I don't necessarily believe that is ever true. But some doctors might and they might withhold something from a patient, sure.

JACK: Thank you. That's just what I thought.

MARLENA: Jack, I....

 

JACK WALKS STRAIGHT OUT THE DOOR.

SCENE THREE: HE GOES DOWN TO FISHERMAN'S WHARF AND MEETS JENNIFER.

 

JENNIFER: I finished all the shopping for Isabella's shower and I managed to stay within our budget and only bought four more boxes of crackers.

 

THEY SIT DOWN TO TALK.

 

JACK: Well I managed to make my appointment with Dr. Evans.

JENNIFER: Good, I'm glad. That means a lot to me.

JACK: You don't want to hear about it?

JENNIFER: Well you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to talk about it.

JACK: No, I just thought that you might be.... ah.... interested.

JENNIFER: Well I am interested Jack, only if you want to talk about it. If you don't want to talk about it....

JACK: I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. I.... I don't want to hear anybody else talk about it.... either.

 

HE HEARS THE BELL TINKLE AND JENNIFER FREEZES. HE WAVES HIS HAND IN FRONT OF HER BUT SHE DOES NOT RESPOND.

 

JACK: I don't.... I don't believe this. I don't.

 

HE STANDS UP AND WAVES HIS ARMS AROUND TO MAKE HER MOVE.

 

JACK: Hello.... Hello. I do not believe this. I thought this was a fluke the other day. I have somehow found a way to break through time and space and.... control people. I have developed some kind of super human powers. This is amazing. I could become a very wealthy man if I.... if I live....

JACK (CONT.) if I live long enough. Which I won't. (Beat) What am I doing telling you all this. You already know. You've had your little talk with Marlena and Marcus and everybody knows and.... that's why you just sent me to the doctor. Well that's just fine. If you want to play your little games with each other, that's fine. Just go ahead, be happy.

 

SUDDENLY JENNIFER MOVES AGAIN.

 

JENNIFER: We'll just talk about it over dinner.

JACK: I said I didn't want to.

JENNIFER: I know but you change your mind so much Jack so maybe you will. You know I'll whip up a surprise for dinner, how's that?

JACK: No, no, I.... forget about it.

JENNIFER: Why not?

JACK: Why not? Because I.... because I.... because I don't want you to. That's why. That's why not.

JENNIFER: Okay, if you just tell me one more time that you don't want to talk about it....

JACK: That's it.... the magic word.

JENNIFER: What magic....

JACK: I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!

 

THE BELL TINKLES AND JENNIFER FREEZES AGAIN.

 

JACK: I don't believe this. If I could find a way to package this.... no, no, I will just use this as a way to find out the truth about my health. I mean they can all play their little charades, have all the fun they want. I'll get to the bottom of this, find out the truth. (Beat) You can.... you can talk again. (Beat) Well what are you waiting for? You want me to wiggle my nose like Elizabeth Montgomery [Another one of Jack's/Matt's pop references, this time to the TV show Bewitched].

 

JACK HESITATES FOR A MINUTE THEN BRUSHES HIS FINGER OVER HIS NOSE. JENNIFER IMMEDIATELY COME TO LIFE.

 

JENNIFER: What magic word Jack?

JACK: I'm sorry, I....

JENNIFER: You were saying something about magic words.

JACK: I.... I don't recall any.

JENNIFER: Are you sure you're alright?

JACK: Yes, certainly I'm alright. Let's.... let's go home and get some rest. Tomorrow's a big day for me.

JENNIFER: What are you doing tomorrow?

JACK: Whatever needs to be done.