oldEpisode Four-hundred-seventeen: Jack
Seems to Have Found the Near Perfect Choice
for Jennifer's Future Husband, Brian Scofield.
Jack Writes a Special Letter for the Baby.

[Air date mid-May 1992]

 

SCENE ONE: JACK AND JENNIFER HAVE GONE HOME FOR LUNCH. JACK IS MUNCHING DOWN A SANDWICH WHILE JENNIFER IS STILL UPSET ABOUT HIS LYING.

 

JENNIFER: Slow down Jack. We still have 45 minutes. We'll get back to court in time.

JACK: I'm not going back.

JENNIFER: What do you mean, you're not going back?

JACK: I mean I am not going back. I didn't tell you I have some other things to take care of this afternoon.

JENNIFER: Other things? More important than this trial?

JACK: That's right.

JENNIFER: Like what Jack? Like another meeting?

JACK: You know for your information I have a whole line of meetings going all afternoon.

JENNIFER: Alright, well let's go over them one by one. Where's your first meeting Jack?

JACK: My first meeting? With Mr. Webster from the bank.

JENNIFER: Really, didn't you tell me that you already had a meeting with Mr. Webster this morning at the bank? JACK: Yes I did. I did say that and I do have another meeting with him.

JENNIFER: Hmmm, here in town?

JACK: Here in.... yes of course here in town.

JENNIFER: Really?

JACK: Yes. You know this is taking too long. I really have to go. We can't keep Mr. Moneybags waiting, right? See you later lamb chop.

 

HE KISSES HER.

 

JENNIFER: Lamb chop? Since when do you call me lamb chop, Jack?

JACK: Well you know I always have to try something new. I'll see you later. Tell the jurors hello.

JENNIFER: Later? Jack I want to talk to you about....

JACK: Later.

 

HE RUNS OUT THE DOOR.

JENNIFER SLAMS IT AND GOES BACK INSIDE. SHE GETS OUT HIS HANDKERCHIEF AGAIN AND LOOKS AT THE LIPSTICK.

 

JENNIFER: Lamb chop, huh.

SCENE TWO: LATER SHE GOES BACK TO THE COURT HOUSE WHERE JULIE CAN SEE THAT JENNIFER IS VERY UPSET.

 

JULIE: Jennifer darling?

JENNIFER: What? Oh I'm sorry Julie.

JULIE: Something wrong? Or is it someone? Is it someone named Jack? Where is he Jennifer?

JENNIFER: Oh he's probably with someone named lamb chop. That's where he is.

 

MAGGIE THEN COMES OVER AND THEY ALL TAKE THEIR SEATS.

SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE, JACK IS AT ALICE'S RESTAURANT INTERVIEWING MORE APPLICANTS FOR HUSBAND.

 

JACK: Well that's 99 questions down.

 

APPLICANT NUMBER 4 IS DISTRACTED BY WOMEN IN THE RESTAURANT.

 

JACK: Excuse me. If you do as well on the last one, you may just.... find yourself a job.

APP 4: You still haven't told me what this job is.

JACK: We'll get around to that. Last question. (Beat) Do you like children?

APP 4: What, you mean like kids, children?

JACK: Is there any other kind?

APP 4: Huh, I hate 'em. I hate 'em. I mean kids, marriage, huh, nobody likes it. You know why people end up getting married? The media. It's everywhere you look. TV, the movies. Everybody's married. And the newspapers, don't even get me started on the newspapers.

 

JACK LEANS ACROSS TO SHAKE THE GUY'S HAND.

 

JACK: Thank you. Thanks for the tip. I won't. Very good of you to come in and answer these questions. Our people will talk to your people.

APP 4: I don't have people.

JACK: I'm not surprised. Thank you again. Your check's in the mail.

 

JACK ESCORTS THE GUY OUT AND SITS DOWN AGAIN.

 

JACK: I never knew it would be so hard to find a replacement for me. I feel like Sally in the Dick Van Dyke Show [A reference to the fact that the character always had problems trying to find "Mr. Right."].

 

AT THAT MOMENT, GINGER WALKS PAST AND BRIAN COMES OVER TO TALK TO HER. HE IS CHARMING AND GIVES HER FLOWERS. HOWEVER IT'S OBVIOUS THAT IT IS OVER BETWEEN GINGER AND BRIAN. JACK IS OBSERVING ALL THIS AND STARTS TO THINK OF BRIAN AS A POSSIBLE CONTENDER FOR HUSBAND.

SCENE FOUR: AT ALICE'S RESTUARANT, JACK HAS BEEN INTERVIEWING FUTURE HUSBANDS FOR JENNIFER. NONE HAVE WORKED OUT, BUT HE HAS BEEN OBSERVING BRIAN SCOFIELD WITH INTEREST. WHEN BRIAN LEAVES, JACK GOES OVER TO GINGER.

 

JACK: Excuse me. I couldn't help but overhear you and Mr. Scofield talking.

GINGER: Yeah, what about it?

JACK: Just curious. Why did you dump him?

GINGER: Well that is none of your business Mr. Deveraux.

JACK: That maybe true but I'm still curious. Why did you cut him loose?

GINGER: Maybe we weren't meant for each other.

JACK: Maybe. Then again maybe something was wrong with him. What?

GINGER: You know for your information Brian Scofield is a wonderful man. If you were to go down a list of all the things that a woman looks for in a husband, he'd have every single one of them.

JACK: Really? Care to give me a for instance?

 

JACK GETS OUT A PEN AND PAPER.

[Air date mid-May 1992]

 

SCENE ONE: IT IS THE NEXT DAY. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE SITTING AT A TABLE AT ALICE'S RESTAURANT. BRIAN IS AT THE NEXT TABLE.

 

ALICE: There you are.

JACK: Perhaps you'd like to join us.

ALICE: No thank you. I have a lot of work to do out there in the kitchen. I just wanted to see Jennifer and ask if she could help me out with the carnival for the hospital.

JENNIFER: Oh yeah grandma. If you need me I'll be there.

 

JACK GETS DISTRACTED AS THEY TALK. HE HAS HIS EYES ON BRIAN AGAIN. HE DOES NOT HEAR A WORD THEY SAY BUT NOTICES THAT ALICE IS LEAVING.

 

JACK: Yes.

JENNIFER: My grandma's so cute. You know she really looks forward to these annual carnivals.

 

JACK IS DISTRACTED AGAIN.

 

JACK: Yes.... I'm sure she does.

JENNIFER: And you wouldn't mind if I donated some of my time. It would probably just be one afternoon and.... Jack?

JACK: (Beat) Huh, I'm sorry, excuse me.

JENNIFER: Ah, what are you thinking about?

JACK: I'm not really thinking. (Beat) I'm just.... I'm just wondering.

JENNIFER: Oh well what are you wondering about?

JACK: How do you feel about Brian Scofield.... as a man?

 

JENNIFER IS PUZZLED BY JACK'S QUESTION BUT THEN AGAIN, IT IS JACK. HE INSISTS ON AN ANSWER.

 

JENNIFER: Yes of course I like him, you know that.

JACK: No I don't know that. It's not something I think about all the time.

JENNIFER: Well, why are you thinking about it right now?

JACK: Now? I just see him sitting over there, a single man with a long face. I just wondered if you feel sorry for him.

JENNIFER: Well I certainly feel sorry about his breakup with Ginger. I mean it's never easy breaking up with anybody.... is this leading somewhere Jack?

JACK: Huh? (Beat) No I just meant other than the general sympathy people feel, do you feel anything else?

JENNIFER: I think that he's a terrific guy and I think Ginger made a very big mistake by letting him get away.

JACK: You do?

JENNIFER: Yes I do. I think that any woman would be very lucky to have a guy like Brian.

JACK: Well, I must say it's very interesting what women find attractive in a man.

JENNIFER: I don't think that you can make blanket statements about it. I mean different women like different things.

JACK: That certainly is true. Tell me, in your case, what do you find attractive in a man? Paint me a picture.

JENNIFER: Well I can't paint you a picture but I can show you a picture.

 

SHE LOOKS THROUGH HER PURSE UNTIL SHE FINDS A PICTURE OF JACK HOLDING HER. SHE SHOWS IT TO HIM.
oldEp417A
JENNIFER: Here, this is my ideal man. So why don't you tell me what his qualities are and I'll tell you which ones I admire the most.

JACK: Heh, I didn't know that you were carrying this around.

JENNIFER: Well now you know. But I'm sure you have one of me too, right?

JACK: Well.... yes. Not in my wallet but yes.... I do have one.

JENNIFER: Well just wait until the baby is born. You're going to have a ton of pictures Jack and you're going to have them all in your wallet and you are going to bore everybody to death by talking about them and....

 

AS SHE IS PUTTING THE PICTURE BACK SHE FINDS THE HANDKERCHIEF WITH THE LIPSTICK ON IT.

 

JACK: Is something wrong?

JENNIFER: No, I just realized I'm going to be late for my doctor's appointment. I really have to run. Do you have to go back to the office?

JACK: No, I mean not yet. I'm going to stay here and finish my lunch and then I'll go.

JENNIFER: You're going to stay here?

JACK: Yes, I'm going to stay right here.

JENNIFER: Alright, um, well don't forget to thank my grandmother for lunch.

 

JENNIFER LEAVES AND JACK STAYS TO THINK ABOUT BRIAN.

SCENE TWO: A BIT LATER BRIAN GETS UP TO LEAVE.

 

ALICE: I want to make sure that you don't forget our hospital carnival.

BRIAN: Oh no, I won't.

ALICE: Well we have to have a record crowd this year and I want you to bring you to bring somebody with you. We have to sell as many tickets as we can.

BRIAN: Okay, I'll try to think of someone to bring.

 

JACK IS LISTENING INTENTLY.

 

ALICE: Good and spread the word all around the station.

BRIAN: I will.

 

BRIAN PAYS ALICE AND IS LEAVING WHEN JACK STOPS HIM.

 

JACK: Brian Scofield, could I have a moment of your time?

BRIAN: Well Jack, I'm really on my way out. I have an appointment.

JACK: Please, please just a moment. Please sit down right here.

BRIAN: I've got a root canal thing.

JACK: No problem. This will just take a moment.

BRIAN: Alright, what's up?

JACK: Tell me, what are your nights like?

BRIAN: Excuse me?

JACK: Well I don't want to be too insensitive but....what are your nights like now that you and Ginger Dawson aren't seeing each other any more?

BRIAN: Well, my average night lasts about six months.

JACK: How do you feel at the time?

BRIAN: Jack, I really don't think this is any of your business.

JACK: Well be that as it may, I wouldn't be asking if I didn't have a reason.

BRIAN: Well if you must know, lately I've been alone a lot and I haven't really been doing much of anything. I've been renting movies of which I watch part of and I've been going bowling with my dad and ah, I did a crossword puzzle in ink once and I've been shining a lot of my shoes Jack.

JACK: Terrific.

BRIAN: What is so terrific about being dumped by someone you care about? You ought to try it, it's not fun.

JACK: Don't be over sensitive, please.

BRIAN: I'm not being over sensitive Jack. Why don't you just tell me what you want to talk to me about

 

BRIAN TAKES A BIT OF JACK'S SANDWICH.

 

JACK: What would you say if I told you that I know something you could do every night....all night....that will take your mind completely off Ginger Dawson?

 

BRIAN IS INTRIGUED.

SCENE THREE: JACK AND BRIAN AND GO BACK UPSTAIRS TO JACK AND JENNIFER'S APARTMENT THEY ARE BOTH IN THE KITCHEN AND WHEN JACK OPENS THE FRIDGE TO GET BRIAN A DRINK, THE DOOR ALMOST KNOCKS BRIAN OVER.

 

JACK: Oh sorry.

BRIAN: That's alright.

 

JENNIFER COMES HOME RIGHT AT THIS TIME.

 

JENNIFER: Hi Jack. Brian? Hi. I didn't know we were having company.

JACK: It's a surprise.

BRIAN: Hey Jennifer, how are you doing?

JENNIFER: I'm doing fine. Getting more and more pregnant every day.

JACK: I invited Brian Scofield over for dinner. As a matter of fact he'll probably be here for dinner every night from now on.

JENNIFER: Ah, excuse me?

BRIAN: Well if you don't like the idea, I can grab something before I come.

JENNIFER: I just don't have any idea what's going on.

JACK: It requires a little bit of an explanation but please allow me to try.

 

JACK GOES ON TO EXPLAIN.

 

JACK: That's the long and the short of it. I've asked Brian Scofield to volunteer his nights to be your bodyguard.

JENNIFER: Jack, this is ridiculous. Why do I need a bodyguard?

JACK: It's very simple when you think about it. Think about all the negative editorials I've been doing. I mean, don't be so surprised to find out that I have people making threats against me....and you as well.

JENNIFER: Threats? What are you talking about? Why didn't you tell me?

JACK: It just started to happen and I didn't want to scare you.

BRIAN: Yeah you know there's a lot of crazies in the world these days, Jennifer.

JACK: Add to that the fact that I'm going to be working late at the paper....a lot. I mean now that Julie is going to be cracking the whip it makes me feel a lot better to know that you'll be home and protected.

JENNIFER: So you're saying I'm going to be spending my nights all alone, is that it?

JACK: No, your nights are going to be spent with Brian.

BRIAN: Right, and I'll try to be very good company.

JENNIFER: Brian, no offense, but it's not going to be the same. (Beat) Oh, wait a minute.

 

JENNIFER GRABS HER STOMACH.

 

BRIAN: What's the matter?

JENNIFER: The baby just kicked again.

BRIAN: Really....the baby? Can I feel it?

JACK: It doesn't matter. It only kicks for her.

 

JENNIFER TAKES BRIAN'S HAND AND PUTS IT ON HER STOMACH.

 

JENNIFER: Oh here, just try. (Beat) OH!

BRIAN: Oh that's great. I felt that.
oldEp417B
JACK: Wait a minute, get out of there, get out of there. Let me.

 

JACK RUNS AROUND AND PUTS HIS HAND ON THE SAME SPOT.

 

JACK: Nothing!

BRIAN: Oh.

JACK: Why the hell doesn't it ever kick for me?

JENNIFER: I don't know. It's funny. He's never felt it.

BRIAN: I felt it.

JACK: Not that it won't in the future but....please let's get back to the subject at hand. Will you allow Brian to be your bodyguard for the baby's sake and for your own?

JENNIFER: Alright, alright, fine. You know if this going to go on then I need to go to the store. I need to get more food if there's going to be three of us for dinner.

BRIAN: Well listen I'll come with you and get started on my job right away.

JENNIFER: Well Brian, that's not necessary. The store is not that far.

JACK: No, it IS necessary.

BRIAN: Yeah, it is. I'll come with you.

JACK: Go please.

JENNIFER: Alright. I still think this is crazy. (Beat) What do you want for dinner?

JACK: Surprise me.

BRIAN: Brisket. I like brisket.

JACK: Brisket, whatever. Whatever you'd like.

BRIAN: I'd love a juicy brisket.

 

JENNIFER LEAVES WITH BRIAN AND SHE STILL CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHY JACK WANTS BRIAN AROUND.

SCENE FOUR: JACK IS DEJECTED WHEN SHE LEAVES AND A FEW MINUTES LATER THERE'S A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

 

JACK: Brisket. Surprise me. I don't care.

 

HE RUNS TO THE DOOR AND IT IS JO.

 

JO: I saw Jennifer leaving with Brian just now. What were the police doing here? Is anything wrong?

JACK: No, as a matter of fact you could say that....something went right, for once.

 

JO INSISTS ON KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT JACK MEANS AND HE TELLS HER WHAT HE IS UP TO.

 

JACK: So that's the deal. I've asked Brian to be Jennifer's bodyguard so they get a chance to know each other so that when I'm gone she has someone to turn to.

JO: Jack I am really losing my patience with you this time.

JACK: Why is that?

JO: Because this plan you have cooked up is just plain crazy. Interviewing husbands, hiring candidates. You can't force one person to fall in love with another one, son. It just happens.
oldEp417C
JACK: I'm well aware of that. I just intend to make sure that it just happens.

JO: You can't possible make two people fall in....

JACK: Please don't fight me on this. It's bad enough that I'm going to lose my wife but when I realize that I'm never going to see my child, I....(Beat) I just need to have you on my side. So even if you don't believe in what I'm doing at least try to support what I'm doing.

JO: Son, oh son I'll always be on your side, even if it's the wrong side.

 

SHE WRAPS HER ARMS AROUND HIM.

 

JACK: Thank you. You have to go home now.

JO: Go home?

JACK: Yes, home. I have something I need to take care of before Jennifer gets back.

JO: More scheming?

JACK: More planning.

JO: Alright, alright. If you need me for anything you just let me know. JO LEAVES.


SCENE FIVE: JACK SEARCHES THROUGH HIS PAPERS FOR A LETTER HE IS WRITING.

oldEp417D

JACK: (Reading) "Dear baby, I've never been especially good at putting my feelings into words but I'm going to try very hard this time because it is so important. (Beat) Believe me I wish it didn't have to be this way. I'd give anything if I could change it. But there are things in this world that no one can change and this is one of them. So please, just try to accept this as a natural part of living and know that I cared about you and loved you and stayed with you just as long as I could. But in the end....there was just nothing I could do except....say goodbye."

 

JACK LOOKS UP WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES.
oldEp417E

 

[Transcribed by Carol Vaughan
added material by Sally A. Wilson]