oldEpisode Four-hundred-twenty-six: Jack
Clears up Things with Everybody; Then
Discovers That Jennifer Has a Job Offer in
New York, and Has to Leave Immediately.

---

[Air date June 17, 1992]

 

SCENE ONE: IT IS MORNING, JENNIFER IS WEARING HER ROBE, SHE IS LOOKING VERY CONTENT. SHE WALKS INTO THE KITCHENETTE, AND CALLS TO JACK WHO IS STILL IN THE BEDROOM. IT APPEARS AS IF THEY HAVE BEEN ENJOYING EACH'S COME QUITE ABIT THE PAST FEW DAYS.

 

JENNIFER: WOULD YOU LIKE SOME BREAKFAST?

JACK: HOW ABOUT SOME EGGS , AND AHHH, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF BACON...

 

JACK WALKS INTO THE KITCHENETTE. HE IS WEARING HIS ROBE, NO SHIRT, AND PYJAMA BOTTOMS. HE TOO LOOKS *VERY* SATISFIED.

 

JACK (CONT.): ....some grits on the side and some order of hash browns, if you have some.

JENNIFER: How about a stale muffin (Laughing at Jack) and some juice?

JACK: Really? Stale? Only if it is really Rock hard stale.

JENNIFER: Uh, (They obvious are) Yeah!

JACK: And another thing, Jennifer;(Motioning with his hands) would you cut it up in those little, tiny, small pieces?

 

JENNIFER LOOKS AT JACK PERPLEXED.

 

JENNIFER: Why?

JACK: Because it's that hand action, with the wrist it's (Imitating a cutting motion).... Well, it's so sensual.

JENNIFER: (Stunned and laughing) Ex-cuse me, Jack?

JACK: I never told you that before?

JENNIFER: (Staring at him) No! I mean, can't believe that you would think something like that, much less say it out-loud.

JACK: (Melodramatic)Well, remember, I'm.... I'm a changed man. I'm a man that's been given a second chance; a new lease on life; a clean slate; clean bill of health;

JACK (CONT.) a chance to re-write his personal history, if you will. I mean, I've been given oppurtunites that few people every have. I have insights now that few people of history every had a chance to share.

JENNIFER: Really? And these new insights are?

JACK: Unfortunately the same sort of things you see on greating cards. But, that's no problem, because I'm a changed man.

 

JENNIFER IS ENJOY THE SHOW.

 

JACK (CONT.): I'm not afraid of clichés and moderation, and mediocrity. Because that sort of things are what describe the feelings I have now. The feelings I know all about.

JENNIFER: (Teasing) What do you know?

JACK: I know that life is too good to waste. I don't want to waste it another second.

 

JACK SENUSALLY HELPS JENNIFER CUT THE MUFFIN. HE PRETENDS TO FEED IT TO HER, BUT WHEN SHE IS ABOUT TO TAKE A BITE HE KISSES HER INSTEAD.

SHE RESPONDS, AND THEY CONTINUE TO KISS PASSIONATATELY, YET TENDERLY.

SCENE TWO: JACK AND JENNIFER ARE NOW SITTING ON THE SOFA. THEY ARE STILL KISSING EACH OTHER PASSIONATELY WHEN THE PHONE RINGS. THEY CONTINUE TO KISS.

 

JENNIFER: Maybe we'll just ignore it.

JACK: I intend to.

JENNIFER: Why isn't the machine picking it up though?

JACK: It will, in four rings.

 

JACK IS CONTINUING TO KISS HER BETWEEN TALKING.

 

JENNIFER: Oh four, that's right.

 

JACK KEEPS KISSING.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, I'm sorry but....

JACK: It's the fourth ring, I know.

JENNIFER: I know but maybe I should answer it.

JACK: No! No, no, no, I'll just pull the plug.

JENNIFER: No but what if it's someone from work?

JACK: Well that's why I want to pull the plug because it might be someone from work.

JENNIFER: Wait a minute, let me get this straight. You are avoiding work in order to....

JACK: Enjoy love in the afternoon, yes.

JENNIFER: (Surprised) I can't believe you said that without flinching.

JACK: Well I can say a lot of things without flinching. I could....I could....read the poems of Rod McEwan out loud without flinching. I could speak from any number of romantic novels without flinching. I could....

JENNIFER: Alright Jack, I understand that you're a changed man, alright, but don't get carried away, alright. And besides, it's morning.

JACK: So?

JENNIFER: Well you said love in the afternoon and it's still morning and the phone is still ringing Jack.

JACK: Now listen, don't do it. Don't.

JENNIFER: But I think that I should answer it.

JACK: Why, it's probably just your boss trying to get you to work. Dan's always calling like that.

JENNIFER: OH MY GOD!

JACK: What?

JENNIFER: My interview.

JACK: Interview with what?

JENNIFER: I have an interview with Commissioner Samuels. He refused to see anybody and I convinced him to me.

JACK: When? When did you....

JENNIFER: Now, now. I have to get the phone.

JACK: Right now?

 

JENNIFER RUSHES OVER TO GET THE PHONE.

 

JENNIFER: Dan? Dan? I know, I know what you're going to say but I can explain....ah....

 

SHE HOLDS THE PHONE AWAY FROM HER EAR BECAUSE DAN IS RANTING.

 

JENNIFER: He's going to be like this for a while. Maybe you should get started Jack.

JACK: Get started with what?

JENNIFER: Well explaining what's been going on for the past three months. I mean Jo doesn't even know you're not dying and Brian and Ginger are probably going to have a few questions.

JACK: Wait a minute, you expect me to face all of them alone?

JENNIFER: Well Jack, you're a changed man. You no longer fear emotion remember?

JACK: Well I no longer fear my emotions but other people's emotions are another thing entirely.

JENNIFER: But Jack I gotta do this interview, I really do. And you....it's not fair to make them wait so you've got to go. You've got to go right now and talk to them.

JACK: I....I....

JENNIFER: Jack, go.

JACK: I'm having another insightful moment. This is not a good day for me to be a new man.

 

JACK GOES INTO THE BEDROOM TO GET DRESSED WHILE JENNIFER GETS BACK TO HER PHONE CALL.

 

JENNIFER: Yes I heard you Dan. Yes I heard every word you were just saying.

SCENE THREE: JACK HAS GONE DOWNSTAIRS TO ALICE'S RESTAURANT WHERE ALICE IS TALKING TO MAGGIE AND RELATING WHAT HAPPENED TO JACK.

 

ALICE: So Tom is singing Happy Birthday and I have the birthday cake and Jennifer falls apart. So naturally Tom and I insisted that she tell us what had upset her so much....

JACK: So the good doctor made his obligatory call to the hospital and....

ALICE: And here is Jack alive and well.

JACK: Yeah.

MAGGIE: Well Jack I'm really glad that you and Jennifer worked everything out. Will you excuse me? I have to check on something in the back.

 

MAGGIE WALKS AWAY AND JACK IS PUT OUT.

 

JACK: Well it's good to know that she's so happy to know that I'm going to be around for the next sixty years.

ALICE: Oh Jack, don't think anything about it. It was just all that birthday talk I guess.

JACK: What birthday talk? I don't understand.

ALICE: Well today is Maggie's birthday.

JACK: OH! I would have wished her a happy birthday. Why didn't you tell me?

ALICE: I did. Weeks ago to Maggie. I even offered to give her a birthday party but she didn't want it.

JACK: I don't understand.

ALICE: Well she's reached that age when she says I'm going to ignore all my birthdays. She wants it treated like any other day, she says.

JACK: Well judging by the way she just walked out of here I'd say she's had a change of heart.

ALICE: Oh, well there's only one way to find out. I'll go and ask her.

JACK: Well you just take your time.

ALICE: I thought you said you had a lot of people to talk to today.

JACK: Well actually Jennifer said I had a lot of people to talk to today and I will. But between you and me it's not something I'm exactly looking forward to.

ALICE: Well I have to go to work.

 

ALICE LEAVES.

SCENE FOUR: GINGER WALKS PAST WEARING A VERY SHORT ANIMAL PRINT SARONG DRESS.

 

JACK: Good morning.

GINGER: Jack, what do you think of the outfit? Pretty great, huh? And cheap. You wouldn't believe how cheap. Guess how much....no don't guess. I have a copy of my column right here. Do you have a few minutes to talk to me?

JACK: Actually yes I do have a few minutes but no I don't want to talk about your copy. I need to talk to you about something else so if you'll please just sit down I can get to it. Actually it's a long story. (Beat)

SCENE FIVE: JACK IS STILL TALKING.

 

JACK: So I wanted to take this opportunity to apologize for the inconvenience and taking time out of your busy schedule. But I figure we can just look at this as an experience we've both gone through and just get on with our lives, right?

 

JACK LOOKS UP AND HE IS NOW TALKING TO BRIAN.

 

JACK (CONT.) Right, right. Well I'll just take that as a yes. You know I'm feeling a little parched. Would you care for a little water? I think I'm getting a little cotton mouth from all this public speaking.

BRIAN: Jack, hold on a second, hold on a second. Let me just see if I've got this straight right here in my mind. Now you fixed me up with Jennifer, right, so she'd have someone to be with when you checked out. Is that right?

JACK: Correct.

BRIAN: Okay, alright. I'm starting to make a little bit of sense here. And then you got Ginger the job at The Spectator so she wouldn't be in the way.

JACK: Also correct.

BRIAN: And then you let Jennifer and me believe that you had a thing going with Ginger so that we, you know, we would fall for you plan?

JACK: Well actually, it wasn't part of the plan that you fell for. But you how Ginger goes. Ginger....

BRIAN: Whoa, whoa, whoa. You don't have explain yourself Jack. I'm just glad that you're not dying.

JACK: Really? That's very generous of you.

BRIAN: Yeah, I'm really really glad that you're not dying. You know why I'm really glad that you're not dying Jack?

JACK: Why?

BRIAN: Because I get to kill you. I'm going to kill you.

 

HE GRABS JACK'S SHIRT.

 

JACK: Now wait a minute. Hold it a minute.

BRIAN: I'm going to kill you.

JACK: Hold it just a second. Wait....

SCENE SIX: AT THE APARTMENT, JENNIFER HAS JUST FINISHED GETTING DRESSED WHEN THE PHONE RINGS AGAIN. SHE HURRIES OUT TO ANSWER IT.

 

JENNIFER: I'm on my way, I'm on my way.

 

SHE PICKS UP THE PHONE.

 

JENNIFER: I'm on my way. (Beat) What do you mean where? Who is this? What? (Beat) Oh Calliope, oh my god. Calliope.

SCENE SEVEN: BACK WITH JACK AND BRIAN. BRIAN STILL HAS HOLD OF JACK.

JACK: Easy on ther violence, your a police officer.

BRIAN: Yeah, I'm going to plead temporary insanity buddy.

JACK: Well you remember this. You and Ginger were broken up before I even came into the picture. I am not to blame.

BRIAN: You're right. Look what I've done to your suit. I'm sorry. I can't blame you for something I screwed up myself. I wanted to get back together with Ginger and now the chance is gone.

JACK: Well I've seen a lot of worse things get back together. I'm sure you can fix it up.

BRIAN: Jack, it's too late.

JACK: And why is that?

BRIAN: Because I said things, okay. I said things to her that she's just not going to forgive or she won't forget.

 

JACK LEAVES.

SCENE EIGHT: JACK HAS RETURNED TO ALICE'S RESTAURANT FOR COFFEE.

 

ALICE: Did you talk to Brian?

JACK: Before or after he flipped out on me?

ALICE: You mean he got angry?

JACK: Ah yes I think you could say that but it worked out alright. Tell me have you seen Jo around here?

ALICE: No, no I haven't.

JACK: Well I hope she shows up soon. If I drink anymore of this coffee I'll probably just flip out myself.

ALICE: Have you heard from Jennifer?

JACK: No, she's probably still busy with Samuelson.

ALICE: Ah, I'm awfully glad she's getting a scoop but I really wish it wasn't today because I could really use her help right now.

JACK: Oh really, with what?

ALICE: With Maggie.

JACK: Oh yes, the birthday girl. Have you talked to her yet?

ALICE: Yes, very subtly. I hope. But I think what she really needs right now is a birthday celebration.

JACK: Well what do you plan to do about it?

ALICE: Heh, that's where you come in, hopefully.

JACK: Me?

ALICE: Hmmm. I've been trying to get Mickey but he's not in his office.

JACK: Well I suppose I could take time out of my busy day and go look for him. But first I require another cup of coffee.

ALICE: Now listen Jack, you said you'd had too much already.

JACK: Yes and that's true but I'm telling this not-so-near death story so many times I'm afraid I'm going to nod off between first I looked at the medical files and then they came in with the birthday cake.

ALICE: Keep the pot.

JACK: Thank you.

 

ALICE GIVES HIM A FULL POT OF COFFEE AND GOES BACK TO WORK JUST AS JO ENTERS.

 

JO: Jack, oh Jack, hi. I'm sorry that I kept you waiting. I just got home and I got your note. What do you want to see me about son.

 

WE FOCUS ON THE FULL POT FOR A SECOND; THE SCENE FADES TO BLACK.

SCENE NINE: SOME TIME LATER, THE POT OF COFFEE IS ALMOST EMPTY.

 

JACK: And then they came in with the birthday cake and rest is history.

JO: Oh Jack.

JACK: So, I know, you're all choked up, speechless. Here let me...let me make it a little easier for you.

JO: Make it easier for me?

JACK: Yes, yes, well I know that you're overwhelmed, you're happy. Tears welling in the eyes and you want to say son I'm so happy....

 

JACK THINKS THAT JO WILL BE SO EMOTIONAL; BUT JO HITS HIM ON THE ARM.

JACK: Oh what was that for?

JO: For being a jerk.

JACK: I beg your pardon.

JO: Oh I'm relieved. God knows I am relieved and I am grateful and I am everything. But now that you are going to live young man I have got a bone to pick with you. Do you know how people have been worried about you. All the things you've been doing, the way you've been acting, the things you've been saying.

JACK: I guess you're trying to say I made a royal mess out of everything?

JO: Huh, huh.

JACK: Well I can say in this one instance I can agree with you.

JO: What?

JACK: I said I can agree with you. You're right. It's something I've learned with Jennifer is that I've made a lot of mistakes but I'm ready to atone for them. What you're looking at is a new and improved Jack Deveraux who's ready to atone for his sins and make a fresh new start.

SCENE TEN: JACK HAS NOW GONE TO THE SPECTATOR TO SEE JULIE AND TELL HER THE NEWS. HE CANNOT HELP BUT NOTICE THAT HIS NAME IS NO LONGER ON THE OFFICE DOOR.

 

JULIE: Jack, that was my grandmother on the phone.

JACK: Yes.

JULIE: Now she said to tell you not to bother looking for Uncle Mickey. She has talked with Uncle Mickey and Uncle Mickey had another plan all along.

JACK: Good, good.

JULIE: Dare I ask what that meant?

JACK: No, no, it really wasn't important compared to what I'm prepared to do here.

JULIE: Well go ahead and do it.

JACK: I would like to apologize for dumping Ginger and her so-called fashion column on you. I took advantage of a bad situation and manipulated it to my own needs and it was wrong.

JULIE: Yes it was. However I was very pleased with her first column effort. I ran it and I'm seriously considering keeping her on as a writer for the paper.

JACK: Oh.

JULIE: Now about you Jack. When are you going to learn? It's just better to use the direct approach.

JACK: Well I did learn that albeit the hard way. However I'm prepared to put it into practice now.

JULIE: I beg your pardon.

JACK: The direct approach. I'm prepared to say some things that I've been meaning to say for some time. (Beat) I want to edit The Spectator again.

JULIE: That's certainly the direct approach.

JACK: Yes, well I mean you know that I can do it. I've done it so I can do it again. So I know I've got my health back I can put myself into it 100%, body, mind and fingers.

JULIE: Fingers?

JACK: Fingers for typing, yes.

JULIE: Oh yes. (Beat) Well Jack I'm very glad you've got your health back and I'm happy to see that glitter of good health in your eye and I appreciate your dedication. But....we have a problem here.

JACK: Well I'm sure it's something that we can work around.

JULIE: Well I'm not sure about that at all. You see I've been studying the financial statement for the paper. I've been pouring over it. The only possible way I can put you back in your desk as the editor is to dump Vern.

 

ALARM BELLS RING IN JACK'S HEAD.

JACK: Vern? Well I'm sure there is something else that we can do.

JULIE: No, I'm afraid not. Trust me. So you have a choice. You make the call Jack. It's you or Vern. What's it going to be?

 

JACK THINKS IT OVER FOR A FEW MINUTES KNOWING THAT THERE REALLY IS NOT A DECISION TO BE MADE.

 

JACK: (Heavy sigh) Vern. I said, I think you should stick with Vern. He's got years of experience over me and besides that I really....I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing I took the man's job away from him.

 

JULIE SMILES.

 

JULIE: Well, will wonders never cease? What happened to the Jack Deveraux I'd sell my grandfather for a dollar that I used to know?

JACK: He gained a different perspective.

JULIE: Which is?

JACK: It's the kind that one gets when one has life threatening experiences and one develops a whole new appreciation for life. I realize that now I have a lovely young wife, a baby on the way and quite frankly I have everything that I could ever wish for. I'm very thankful.

JULIE: I agree. But you don't have a job.

JACK: No, but I am thankful that you gave me a shot at one. (Beat) Good day.

 

JACK WALKS TO THE DOOR AND IS ALMOST GONE WHEN JULIE CALLS HIM BACK.

 

JULIE: Jack, Jack? What if....I put you on as a reporter?

JACK: A reporter? Is there really room in your new tight little budget for a reporter?

JULIE: Well if I examine my tight little budget I'm sure I could tighten it a bit more and perhaps have enough room for you to come in at....level 5.

JACK: Level 5. I never even paid any of my reporters at level 5. That would mean that you had to give me some kind of familial....consideration....to pay me more than anyone else.

 

JULIE SHRUGS HER SHOULDERS.

 

JACK: I'll tell you what I'll do. I will be a reporter if you'll take me. But I will not be paid at level 5, 4, 3, 2....or 1. I'll be paid at entry level because I'm a....brand new reporter and that's what a brand new reporter deserves.

JULIE: Can you and Jen live on that?

JACK: Well I'd say with this job and Jennifer's news spots and our little Crossfire piece, we'll do....we'll do just fine.

 

JACK THINKS ABOUT IT FOR A FEW SECONDS AND NODS.

SCENE ELEVEN: JACK HAS RETURNED HOME AND FINDS THAT JENNIFER HAS A SPECIAL DINNER PLANNED. SHE IS IN THE BEDROOM.

 

JACK: Aaaaah, you won't believe the day I've had.

JENNIFER: Jack is that you?

JACK: Yes, who else? How did it go with Samuels?

 

HE OPENS THE FRIDGE AND CRINGES BUT TAKES OUT AN ORANGE JUICE.

 

JENNIFER: What, I can't hear you. Did you say something?

JACK: Yes, I said how did it go with Samuels?

JENNIFER: WHAT?

JACK: I SAID HOW DID IT GO WITH SAMUELS AND BEFORE THAT I SAID WHO ELSE AND BEFORE THAT I SAID YOU WON'T BELIEVE THE DAY I'VE HAD.

JENNIFER: I won't believe what?

JACK: THE DAY I'VE HAD. YOU WON'T BELIEVE THE DAY I'VE HAD. YOU WON'T BELIEVE THE DAY I've had.

 

JENNIFER ENTERS THE ROOM, BUT JACK DOES NOT NOTICE, SHE IS ALL DRESSED UP IN A WHITE LACE MATERNITY DRESS.

 

JENNIFER: You don't have to scream anymore.

 

JACK ADMIRES HER.

 

JACK: Obviously. (Beat) So what's going on?

JENNIFER: Oh, you mean my dress and....

JACK: Yes, well I noticed it was a little dark in here.

JENNIFER: Oh, um I'll light the candles. It's easier to see that way.

JACK: Huh, huh. (Beat) You know I was just thinking. It's not my birthday anymore.

JENNIFER: No.

JACK: No. And it's not your birthday. But it is a special day, right?

JENNIFER: Right.

JACK: So June 17th. What's so important about June 17th?

JENNIFER: Well I....

JACK: Let's....let's, let's just think about this a minute. June 17th, June 17th, June 17th is....Watergate.

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: June 17th 1973, Hunt and Liddy broke into Democratic Headquarters. Yes!

JENNIFER: You remember that?

JACK: Absolutely. I used to have big anniversary parties, every year.

JENNIFER: Oh you're not serious Jack.

JACK: I am deadly serious. The hearings, Sam Irvine, Rosemary Woods, the missing minutes on the secret tape. Oh the cancer in the Presidency. (Jack imitates Nixon) Oh I am not a crook. (Beat) Oh it was wonderful. I loved it. It was so great. It was the most wonderful summer I ever experienced. I cried like a baby when it was over.

JENNIFER: Well I'm really sorry but you know Jack I don't think you understand. That's not exactly why I.... JACK: Oh give yourself a little bit of credit. Come now let's break into this fine week.

 

HE OPENS A BOTTLE OF WATER.

 

JACK: Okay a toast if we can.

JENNIFER: Thank you.

JACK: To those wonderful days of scandal at the White House.

JENNIFER: Okay, we need to talk and it has nothing to do with history or politics or Washington DC. It does have to do with another city.

JACK: Another city?

JENNIFER: Yes, New York.

JACK: New York.

JENNIFER: Yeah. (Beat) Sit down Jack.

 

HE IS NOW SUSPICIOUS.

 

JENNIFER: You see, I got a phone call today and I bet you'll never guess in a million years who it was.

 

JACK: Well I know it's not Sam Irvine, so please tell me who.

JENNIFER: Calliope.

JACK: Calliope?

JENNIFER: Yes, she's in New York right now.

JACK: Oh well that's wonderful. That's one more person walking around New York talking to themselves.

JENNIFER: No Jack, you know she only does that when she has a great idea and she probably has a lot of them right now.

JACK: And why is that?

JENNIFER: She got a TV show.

JACK: Really?

JENNIFER: Yes she got this great network TV show. She's going to have guests and a band and a live audience and she wants me to be her sidekick.

JACK: She wants you to be her sidekick.

JENNIFER: Huh, huh. I'd actually be I think more than a sidekick. I think I would actually be a.... like a co-host.

JACK: A co-host? Well that would be great I mean if you were going to do it, which you're not.

 

SHE DOES NOT REPLY.

 

JACK: You mean....Jennifer, you're not really considering doing it are you?

JENNIFER: Well you know what, the thing is Jack, it would only be six weeks. I mean just to get the show off the ground. And Calliope, she doesn't really trust the network that much and she knows my background with television and....

JACK: But....but you're....you're pregnant.

JENNIFER: No I know but I would be back in plenty of time.

JACK: Huh, well, that's the last thing I expected when I got up this morning.

 

HE IS BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED.

JENNIFER: Jack, I know that you don't want me to go, alright and I don't want to go myself but let me just tell you that salary for this job is incredible. I mean I could make in six weeks what both of us pull in in six months.

JACK: Really? No kidding.

JENNIFER: I'm serious. I mean think of all the things that we need. We need baby clothes. We need baby furniture. We need a new apartment. I mean this is like the job we've been looking for. It's like an answer to our prayer Jack.

 

HE SWALLOWS HARD.

 

JACK: Yes it certainly is. So this is what you're going to do. You're going to pack up and you're going to go to New York?

JENNIFER: No, I'm not. Not unless you agree to it. I'll either stay or I'll go but it's completely up to you.

SCENE TWELVE: SOME TIME LATER, JACK AND JENNIFER ARE EATTING DINNER. HOWEVER, JACK IS REALLY DEPRESSED. HE IS LOOKING DOWN AT THE TABLE AS SHE TALKS.

JENNIFER: I meant what I said you know.

JACK: About going to New York, yes.

JENNIFER: About not going if you don't want me to.

JACK: No, no, no, it's not about what I want. I can't ask you to give up an opportunity like that.

 

HE SOUNDS SO DOWN AND DEPRESSED.

 

JENNIFER: Jack, it's not just about my career. It's about our future.

 

HE DOES NOT MOVE HIS HEAD AN INCH BUT JUST LIFTS HIS EYES TO LOOK HER AT HER INTENTLY. HE KNOWS SHE IS LYING.

 

JENNIFER: Alright, maybe it has a little bit to do with my career. But I'm telling you right now that I would be just as happy staying here and continue working for WATB.

JACK: No, I mean this....this is a network show we're talking about.

JENNIFER: There will be other shows.

JACK: Not like this one. Not with this kind of profile. I mean there are people who have waited their entire lives for this sort of opportunity and this one is just....it's just dropped in your lap. I can't ask you to turn away from it. I can't.

JENNIFER: Yes, you can and I'm telling you right now that I will.

JACK: No, no, I've decided. You said I could decide and I have. You will get up, you will pack your things, you will leave Salem and you will go to New York.

JENNIFER: Jack, thank you so much. Thank you for making this so easy for me.

 

SHE GIVES HIM A BIG HUG.

 

JACK: It's the kind of fellow I am....now.

JENNIFER: I guess you changed just in time, huh?

JACK: I sure hope that Calliope appreciates it.

JENNIFER: You know what, I should probably call her and tell her when to meet me tomorrow.

JACK: Tomorrow?

JENNIFER: Yeah that's when I fly out. (Beat) I forgot to mention that, didn't I?

JACK: (Beat) Yes.

JENNIFER: Oh I'm sorry.

JACK: No that's alright. Please, it's fine. Just go ahead and call her, please.

JENNIFER: Are you sure? Because if you're not sure Jack, I can just cancel.

JACK: No I am sure. I am thrilled for you and I am thrilled for us.

 

SHE KNOWS HE IS LYING.

 

JENNIFER: I mean New York is not that far away.

JACK: You're right.

JENNIFER: I mean you could come on the weekends and we could talk on the phone all the time.

JACK: Yes, absolutely.

JENNIFER: So you're really okay?

JACK: I'm perfectly fine. Please just call her, please.

JENNIFER: Alright, I'll just be a second.

 

SHE GOES TO THE PHONE AND JACK TURNS AWAY. HE IS BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED BUT DOES NOT WANT HER TO KNOW. HOWEVER SHE DOES SEE THE EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE AND PUTS THE PHONE BACK DOWN.

 

JACK: I thought you were going to call her.

JENNIFER: No, I decided to wait until after dinner.

JACK: I thought that we'd finished dinner.

JENNIFER: Well we did but we didn't have dessert and I have something very special.

JACK: Oh really, something very special.

JENNIFER: Huh, huh.

 

SHE PICKS UP A PLACE OF CRUMBLED BRAN MUFFIN.

 

JENNIFER: Bran muffin.

JACK: Is it our old friend, the bran muffin from this morning?

JENNIFER: Yes it is.

JACK: Just as stale as ever, huh?

JENNIFER: Oh just as stale but you know what? You won't even taste how stale it is with whipped cream on it.

 

SHE SQUIRTS CREAM ALL OVER IT. SHE DIPS HER FINGER IN THE CREAM AND GETS A DOLLOP. SHE IS ABOUT TO LICK IT OFF WHEN JACK TAKES HER HAND.

 

JACK: Allow me.

 

HE SUCKS THE CREAM OFF HER FINGER SLOWLY.

THEN HE KISSES HER AGAIN AND AGAIN.

 

JENNIFER: Jack?

JACK: No, no, no, you don't have to say a word. I know how much you're going to miss me. (Beat) I tell you something, I'm going to miss you just as much. You get plenty of whipped cream and you don't need a bran muffin.

 

HE KISSES HER PASSIONATELY.