oldEpisode Four-hundred-fifteen:
Jack Tells Jo That He Plans
to Find a Husband for Jennifer
for After He Is Dead.

---

[Air early May 1992]

 

SCENE ONE: IT IS THE DAY OF ISABELLA AND JOHN'S WEDDING. EVERYBODY IS ARRIVING AT THE CHURCH. ISABELLA IS VERY VERY PREGNANT AND WANTS TO GET MARRIED BEFORE THE BABY IS BORN.

SCENE TWO: JACK AND JENNIFER ARRIVE AND SHE'S WEARING WHAT JACK SUGGESTED AND HER HAIR IS DOWN AND FLOWING.

 

JENNIFER: Come on.

JACK: Yeah.

JENNIFER: Oh wait, here's the guest book. Let's sign in. And you know what, I want to find Julie because I think that we should sit with her. Maybe we can talk about the paper a little bit.

JACK: Good idea. You go find Julie alright and I'll sign us in, alright?

JENNIFER: Wait a minute, what are you talking about?

JACK: I'm talking about you go finding us a good seat up front where we can see everything and I'm going to take care of everything back here, alright. Go ahead, go ahead. Good.

 

JENNIFER IS SUSPICIOUS OF HIM. JACK RETURNS TO THE GUEST BOOK AND SCANS IT QUICKLY.

 

JACK: Come on, there's got to be available men in here somewhere. I just have to get out of the picture so Jennifer can talk to some of them, somebody.

 

MARCUS AND GLYNNIS ARRIVE.

 

MARCUS: Jack. How are you doing man?

GLYNNIS: Hi Jack. Where's Jennifer?

JACK: She's.... ah.... she's hopefully inside talking to some guests.

MARCUS: You alright Jack?

JACK: You have to ask?

 

JACK WALKS INSIDE THE CHURCH.

 

GLYNNIS: Whoa, what's wrong with him?

MARCUS: I have no idea.

GLYNNIS: Maybe he's sick or something.

MARCUS: Well not physically. I tell you that much.

SCENE THREE: INSIDE JULIE IS HUGGING JENNIFER AND FEELING HER STOMACH AND JACK LOOKS ON. JACK TAKES HIS PLACE NEXT TO JENNIFER AND HE STARTS TO GET RESTLESS. HE BEGINS BY LOOSENING HIS TIE.

 

JACK: Oooooh.

JENNIFER: Jack, are you alright?

JACK: Ah, no I'm just feeling.... it's a little stuffy in here.

JENNIFER: I don't feel that stuffy. Julie does it feel stuffy to you in here?

JULIE: No, no, I'm perfectly comfortable.

JENNIFER: Well maybe you're coming down with something Jack.

JACK: No I tell you what, I think it's this suit. I think it's a winter suit and I shouldn't have worn it.

 

HE STARTS TO STAND UP.

 

JENNIFER: Wait, where are you going?

JACK: Ah, I'm going.... I'm going to work. Vern needs me at work for something.... some work we didn't do. I.... really.... I have to go.

 

JACK GETS UP AND LEAVES THE CHURCH BEFORE THE CEREMONY HAS EVEN BEGUN.

 

JULIE: Jack's strange, isn't he?

JENNIFER: Oh you noticed, really.

JULIE: Jennifer, what is going on with him anyway? And are you getting anywhere with him? Has he opened up to you at all?

JENNIFER: No he hasn't. But I really wish that he would.

SCENE FOUR: THE CEREMONY BEGINS AND JUST AS ISABELLA GETS DOWN THE AISLE SHE GOES INTO LABOR. THE CEREMONY STOPS WHILE SHE GIVES BIRTH IN THE BRIDE'S ROOM. THEN SHE IS WHEELED BACK UP THE AISLE ON THE GURNEY WITH HER BABY BOY BRADY. SHE AND JOHN ARE MARRIED.

 

SCENE ONE: A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER AND STAYING TRUE TO FORM, JACK HAS MADE IT HIS MISSION TO SET JENNIFER UP WITH A SECOND HUSBAND FOR WHEN HE IS GONE. HE IS AT THE APARTMENT AND IS DAYDREAMING AS HE WATCHES THE TOASTER AND HOW THE BREAD GOES UP AND DOWN.

JENNIFER: Jack, what are you doing?

JACK: Ah nothing, I'm just.... I'm just watching the toaster.

JENNIFER: What's wrong with the toaster?

JACK: Nothing, nothing at all. It's wonderful. It just.... it just made me realize how much we take for granted in everyday life.

JENNIFER: Toasters?

JACK: It's.... I mean it's a marvelous piece of machinery. When you begin to think about it, in ancient times we had to invent the fire before one could get a decent piece of toast. And now.... it's so simple. I mean we're so fortunate, so blessed. We just take it all for granted.

JENNIFER: You know what Jack I am really glad that you are starting to appreciate our appliances. I really am.

JACK: I.... I'm just taking a little time out to smell the roses, that's all.

JENNIFER: You mean to smell the toast, don't you?

JACK: I'm taking time to look at things and think of things like the toaster or.... or this apartment for instance. I mean it's served us well but the time is coming when it will be too small for you.

JENNIFER: Well I imagine too small for the both of us especially when I'm walking around with a baby in my arms. (Beat) Sort of like Isabella's doing right now.

JACK: Alright, you've made your point. You're still perturbed with me.

JENNIFER: For what?

JACK: For walking out before the wedding started.

JENNIFER: Jack, I'm not mad. I never was. I just wish that you'd tell me where you went, that's all.

JACK: I told you where I went. I went to The Spectator. I worked with Vern and....

JENNIFER: Well that's certainly not very specific.

JACK: Jennifer I can...I am spec....

JENNIFER: Look I know you and I know when something is going on with you. Now sooner or later you're going to have to tell me.

 

HE DOES NOT ANSWER HER SO SHE CHANGES THE SUBJECT.

 

JENNIFER: So I bet you're sorry you missed the wedding after you heard about what happened, uh?

JACK: Yes it was a quite a moving experience I understand.

JENNIFER: Well a little surprising. Imagine having your baby in the middle of your wedding ceremony at a church.

JACK: Well at least Rom.... ah, John was there with Isabella and....

JENNIFER: Yeah, well it would have been terrible if he would.... Jack!

JACK: Huh?

JENNIFER: The baby.

JACK: Isabella's baby?

JENNIFER: No, our baby. I think our baby just kicked for the first time.

JACK: It.... it did.

JENNIFER: Yeah it did. Give my your hand. Put it right there.

 

SHE PLACES JACK'S HAND ON HER STOMACH AND HE CONCENTRATES HARD TO FEEL THE BABY MOVE.

 

JACK: I don't feel anything.

JENNIFER: No, just give it a minute. It'll kick again.

JACK: I imagine that you're imagining it.

JENNIFER: No, I know what I felt.

JACK: Well if that's the case it's not going to be much of a Rockette.

 

JENNIFER LAUGHS.

 

JENNIFER: No, especially if it's a boy. Wait, there it is.... oh Jack, it just did it over here. Here, put your hand there.

SHE MOVES HIS HAND TO THE OTHER SIDE OF HER STOMACH.

 

JACK: Wait, this isn't quite fair. My hand was over here and it just....

JENNIFER: I know but it did it over here. Just wait, it will do it again. Hold on.

 

THEY WAIT FOR A FEW MINUTES BUT NOTHING HAPPENS.

 

JACK: Well I don't feel anything. I think I'm going to stick to watching toasters.

JENNIFER: No Jack, you'll feel it eventually. I mean it's going to be going on till the end now.

JACK: Well maybe we can get it on a bit of a regular schedule, perhaps.

JENNIFER: Oh, alright, I'll try. Speaking of schedules, I got to get to the court house.

JACK: Again? Is the TV station going to send you day after day to cover this thing by yourself?

JENNIFER: Well I'm not by myself. I mean I have an assistant. I have the camera man.

JACK: I'm just saying that I think it's a bit much for you in this.... condition.

JENNIFER: Jack, I'm fine. I'll probably be sitting the whole time. And what about you? Aren't you covering this for The Spectator?

JACK: Ah.... no. Actually, I have an important meeting.

JENNIFER: Oh what?

JACK: What?

JENNIFER: What meeting?

JACK: What meeting? Oh.... I have an important meeting with Mr. Webster from the bank.

JENNIFER: Why?

JACK: Why?

JENNIFER: Yes, why. Are these questions too hard for you?

JACK: No, no, they're not too hard. I'm just a little surprised by your inquisitiveness. I'm meeting with Mr. Webster from the bank to discuss Julie's coming in as the financial manager of The Spectator.

JENNIFER: Well Jack, that's great. I mean I'm glad to hear it because you know we have to make sure we do everything so that Lawrence doesn't get his hands on The Spectator, right?

JACK: Right, absolutely right. So why don't you run along and I'll meet you later down at the court house.

JENNIFER: Alright, alright. Great, great. I'll do that. I'll see you later. Have a good meeting.

JACK: Yes, yes, and you take care. Keep those legs elevated.

 

SHE RUNS OUT SMILING AND JACK RUSHES TO THE PHONE.

 

JACK: Hello, yes this is me. This is Jack Deveraux calling. I wanted to make sure everything is set up for this morning. (Beat) Good, one more thing. Just make sure that no one who knows me finds out about this. (Beat) Yes. I'll be right over.

SCENE THREE: JACK IS JUST WALKING OUT THE DOOR WHEN JO CATCHES HIM.

 

JACK: Oh I'm sorry. I really can't talk. I have to go.

JO: Oh, you going to the trial?

JACK: I wish I could but I have to interview several prospective husbands for Jennifer.

JO: Wait a minute, wait a minute.

 

JO PUSHES HIM BACK INSIDE.

 

JO: Prospective husbands?

JACK: Yes, prospective husbands. I put an ad in the paper. I have several people who have called me back about it and I'm going to interview them now. I don't want to be late. There's no point in being the late Jack Deveraux any sooner than I have to.

JO: Stop.... talking that way.

JACK: Please, please, let's keep our voices down. We don't want to wake any of the neighbors if they are trying to sleep in this morning.

JO: I just don't understand why you are so grim all the time. I need a tissue.

JACK: Are you going to start crying? I really don't have time.

JO: Don't you remember what we went through with Steve? You are my only living son and this has a bit more to do than just you and Jennifer.

JACK: Yes. I'm sorry.

JO: Are you?

JACK: Yes I am.

JO: Well then talk to Jennifer and we'll work this out together.

JACK: I can't. I'm saying I won't until I get everything set up. I have to be able to show her that her life will be rosy without me.

JO: Oh you're not going to convince her of that anymore than you can convince me of that.

JACK: Look I am going to this my way, for better or worse.

JO: Trust Jennifer.

JACK: You're both going to have to trust me. I'm going to do the best I can to find the best person for her to lean on after I'm gone.

JO: You're not going to find the best person in a newspaper ad Jack. Now if.... when the time comes that Jennifer is without you, she's not going to want anybody else. (Beat) But, if she does, I bet she'd like to interview the applicants for the job.... herself.

JACK: NO! No, I'm.... I'm just saying that I know that she's a young woman. She's going to be on her own with a young child. I'm just trying to spare her all the anxiety possible.

JO: Don't you know the Hortons and I and all of Jennifer's friends will stand by her if anything does happen.

JACK: When something happens and I certainly hope everyone does stand by her.

JO: I won't believe you're going to die. I won't believe it.

JACK: Well you have to believe it because I am. Because nothing works. That little herbal potion, the promises and the prayers. Now I have forsworn my oath to be mean. I'll be mean as much as I want for the rest of my life to get done what has to be done. For better or for worse. For Jennifer. (Beat) Now I have three applicants waiting for me. They may not be as bright, or chipper, or as funny, or intelligent, or sophisticated as myself but Jennifer is just going to have to lower her standards and live with it, so to speak.

JO: You are such a fool. But you're such a sweet fool.

 

SHE GIVES HIM A BIG KISS ON HIS LEFT CHEEK AND LEAVES A BIG LIPSTICK MARK WHICH SHE PROCEEDS TO WIPE OFF WITH HER TISSUE.

JO: Now listen, don't you go signing anybody up because I don't care what anybody says. You're going to get through this and you're going to beat this disease and you're going to be around for a long long time.