oldEpisode Four-hundred-eight:
Bo and Carly's Wedding Is
Interrupted. Jack, Disguised
as Miranda Miller's Agent
Meets with a Possible Publisher.

---

[Air date mid-December, 1992]

 

SCENE ONE: IT IS BO AND CARLY'S WEDDING DAY. SHE AND JENNIFER HAVE FUN GETTING READY FOR THE WEDDING. JENNIFER WEARS A DEEP RED VELVET DRESS WITH AN ORGANZA BOW ON THE BACK. CARLY'S DRESS IS BIAS CUT SATIN.

SCENE TWO: JACK TAKES A SEAT NEXT TO ALICE AND TOM.

 

JACK: Evening all.

ALICE: Good evening, Jack.

JACK: Well I see a traditional theme is the order of the day.

ALICE: Well I can see that that would be a little foreign to you.... considering how unorthodox your wedding to Jennifer was.

JACK: Well there wasn't a choice. Let us remember one thing. Weddings have one thing in common. It's the place where all hearts and minds and inner passions meet.

TOM: Oh Jack, I know you are now a married man but hearts and minds and "inner passions"? Come on!

JACK: I'm sorry. I must have quoted something that Jo was reading from a book somewhere.

ALICE: That's all right. Don't you pay any attention to Tom. You know it was really a very good thought and very fitting.

 

JACK NODS.

 

JACK: Yeah.

SCENE THREE: THE WEDDING BEGINS AND JENNIFER WALKS DOWN THE AISLE WITH ADMIRING GLANCES FROM JACK. CARLY FOLLOWS.

 

SCENE ONE: CARLY AND BO ARE ABOUT EXCHANGE VOWS WHEN LAWRENCE WALKS INTO THE CHURCH. HE CALLS TO CARLY AND TELLS HER THAT VIVIEN HAS JUST KIDNAPPED NICKY. CARLY CRIES OUT THAT SHE COULD NOT HAVE TAKEN THEIR SON AND THEN BO REALIZES THAT NICKY IS LAWRENCE AND CARLY'S SON. CARLY RUNS OUT WITH LAWRENCE TO LOOK FOR NICKY LEAVING BO STANDING AT THE ALTAR.

SCENE TWO: JENNIFER TRIES TO MAKE BO UNDERSTAND THAT CARLY HAD TO GO TO FIND HER OWN SON. BO APOLOGIZES TO THE GUESTS AND TELLS THEM TO GO HOME.

SCENE THREE: JACK AND JENNIFER HAVE GONE TO THE BRADY PUB.

 

JACK: So, you knew and you didn't tell me.

JENNIFER: Jack, I knew that Carly had had a baby. In fact she and Bo did an extensive search to find out what happened.

JACK: All right, what happened?

JENNIFER: It's a long story but they were led to believe that baby had died. And that explains everything and why Carly was acting the way she was this morning. She obviously had this on her mind.

JACK: But she wasn't expecting this to happen.

JENNIFER: No, but I could tell it was more than pre-wedding jitters. I mean she was obviously worried about Nicky. Maybe she was afraid that something like this might happen.

JACK: That still doesn't explain why she didn't tell all this to her.... great love, Bo.

JENNIFER: Jack, I'm sure she had her reasons.

 

SCENE ONE: JACK IS TRYING OUT HIS DISGUISE AS PUBLISHING AGENT FOR THE FICTIONAL MIRANDA MILLER. HE HOLDS UP THE MUSTACHE TO HIS FACE.

 

JACK: I look like a cheap dime store detective.... like a penny story detective. Oh!

 

HE HEARS JENNIFER RUN DOWN THE STAIRS SO HE HIDES THE MUSTACHE.

 

JACK: Ah, you're all ready to go to the studio, I take it.

JENNIFER: Yes, I just need to get my notes together for today's show.

JACK: Huh, huh. (Beat) Oh the show, that's right. You're doing the big interview with....

JENNIFER: Suzanna Cooper, Jack.

JACK: Hmmm, the big publisher.

JENNIFER: She's one of the biggest publishers around. I can't believe she's going to be on my show.

JACK: Yeah and the fact that she's going to come all the way to this little pow-dunk town. I mean what.... what absolute fortune!

JENNIFER: Do you know what, did Carly call while I was in the shower? I tried to call her a while back and there was no answer.

JACK: Well I think that after everything that happened, I imagine she wouldn't want to talk to anybody.

JENNIFER: Jack, she's my best friend, her son is missing, Bo called off the wedding. She can't handle this by herself.

JACK: Gee, she probably went to the police. They handle that sort of thing. They find lost kids.

JENNIFER: No I called Abe. He said she went back to the hotel last night. I just can't believe this. I mean they should be in Mexico right now on their honeymoon.

JACK: Well listen, I.... we should all be in a lot of places. I'm sorry. You need to be with Philip.

JENNIFER: I have an idea. You call Philip and tell him I'm going to be a little bit late, okay.

JACK: Jennifer you can't....

JENNIFER: I'm going.

JACK: Jennifer you can't run away....

JENNIFER: Just tell him. He'll understand. I'm not running away from anything.

JACK: You are.... you're avoiding me.

JENNIFER: Just call Philip.

 

SHE RUNS UPSTAIRS. JACK FOLDS HIS ARMS AND SHAKES HIS HEAD.

SCENE TWO: A SHORT TIME LATER, JENNIFER COMES BACK DOWNSTAIRS.

 

JENNIFER: Did you get a chance to call Philip?

JACK: Yes I did.

JENNIFER: What happened to that pile of folders that was right there?

JACK: In the briefcase.

JENNIFER: Oh, thank you Jack.

JACK: Yes.

 

JACK HANDS JENNIFER THE CUP OF COFFEE HE WAS SIPPING.

 

JENNIFER: Oh thank you.

JACK: Yes. You know I was thinking. Unless you're willing to turn back the hands of time I don't think there is any way you can help your friend Carly. I think she's pretty much done it.

JENNIFER: I forgot to kiss Abby goodbye. I'll explain later.

 

SHE RUNS UPSTAIRS AGAIN.

 

JACK: Jennifer you are not listening to me.

JENNIFER: I am listening to you. I just.... Jennifer!

 

SHE KEEPS RUNNING AWAY AND JACK SIGHS AS HE TAKES THE COFFEE CUP OUT TO THE KITCHEN.

SCENE THREE: JO COMES IN THE BACK DOOR. SHE WALKS OVER TO THE COUCH AND IS TAKING OFF HER COAT AS JACK COMES BACK OUT.

 

JACK: Je.... what are you doing here? What are you doing here? Jennifer's still here.

 

JO GETS A FRIGHT.

 

JO: Well I'll tell her that I just came by to see my grand daughter She'll understand that.

JACK: Yeah, well let's hope she does.

JO: Jack, she hasn't caught on yet that I'm helping you with the house so why are you so jumpy?

JACK: I'm sorry. I have an important meeting today with Suzanna Cooper and I've got a lot riding on it.

JO: Ms. Cooper loves In the Midnight Hour, Jack. She loves it. She wants to publish it. That's why she came to Salem and she's going to love you just as much as she loves your novel.

JACK: Oh? JO: Yeah.

JACK: Well I certainly hope she loves J. Johnson, Miranda Miller's agent, just as much.

 

HE HOLDS UP THE CHEAP MUSTACHE TO HIS FACE AND JO KIND OF FROWNS.

 

JO: Jack, Jack, what are you doing?

JACK: With the mustache?

JO: Yes.

JACK: I'm going back to plan A. I'm going to meet Suzanna Cooper but I'm going to portray myself as the agent. I'm going to set up a six figure deal, get a lot of money for myself and my family and be back in time to open the door so you can get in here and clean this place up. JO: Well the other night at Salem Place that you were going to....

 

JACK PUTS HIS HAND UP FOR JO TO STOP TALKING BECAUSE HE HEARS JENNIFER COME DOWNSTAIRS.

 

JACK: Just.... not now.

JENNIFER: Jo, hi.

JO: Good morning.

JENNIFER: Abby's asleep.

JO: Yes.

JENNIFER: You know what, I'm sorry I can't stay and talk but I have to go.

JO: Oh that's alright. I know that you have to rush off.

JENNIFER: Oh great. I'll see you later. Goodbye Jack.

JACK: Yes.

JENNIFER: Oh you know we're having book publishers on our show today. I'll try and get you some copies of their new books.

JO: Thank you.

JENNIFER: Sure, bye.

 

JACK AND JENNIFER HAVE A QUICK KISS.

 

JENNIFER: I'll call you later.

JACK: Yes, yes, work hard. Just....

 

JENNIFER LEAVES AND JACK TURNS BACK TO SEE JO GIVING HIM A LOOK.

 

JACK: Okay, what's with the look? Why are you staring at me like that?

JO: I thought you were going to tell Jennifer the truth about your novel. Now what happened?

 

JACK DOES NOT ANSWER.

SCENE FOUR: A WHILE LATER, JO COMES BACK DOWNSTAIRS AND JACK IS NOW WEARING A KNITTED VEST, BOW TIE AND GLASSES.

 

JO: Abby's fine. She was just gurgling in her sleep.

JACK: Good. Get that tweed coat for me, will you?

JO: Not until you tell me what's going on.

JACK: I thought it was obvious what's going on. I'm getting ready for a meeting with Suzanna Cooper.

JO: Why didn't you tell Jennifer the truth about your novel?

JO: Why not? What happened since the other day?

JACK: I'll tell you what's happened since the other day.

JO: Okay.

JACK: I've had a change of point of view. I've realized that family comes first.

JO: I've realized that family comes first. That's why you have me here, cleaning your house, taking care of Abby. So that Jennifer can get on with her career. Now why don't you tell her that you're Miranda Miller?

JACK: Ah.... here. I want you to read this.

 

HE PICKS UP THE MANUSCRIPT.

 

JO: I've already read it Jack.

JACK: I want you to read....

JO: Jack, I've read it. I've read it. It's a wonderful book. It's going to make the best seller list.

JACK: All right, all right, I will read you a little passage that will assert my point. (Beat) And I quote. "She beckoned to him with her eyes. Those languid pools of deep desire and suddenly...." oh come on. This is trash.

JO: No it's not.

 

JACK: This is garbage. This is.... this is.... I don't want anyone even slightly connecting my name in even the slightest remotest way with this drivel, especially Jennifer.

JO: That is nonsense. Oh Jack, Jennifer would love anything you wrote. You know that. Son, what is it that you're keeping from me?

 

JACK GIVES HER A LOOK AND DOES NOT ANSWER.

SCENE FIVE: JACK HAS PUT ON ALL OF HIS DISGUISE. HE IS NOW WEARING A BROWN TWEED JACKET WITH AN OLD FASHIONED GOLFER'S HAT AND HE'S HOLDING A PIPE. HE HAS A WILTED RED CARNATION IN HIS LAPEL.

 

JACK: I'm sorry but I do need your input here. How do I look so far?

JO: Like someone who is trying to hide something.

JACK: We have become very suspicious today.

JO: Well you are very evasive today.

JACK: Unfortunately not evasive enough.

JO: Listen, what is the real reason you won't put your name on that novel. I mean if I wrote something, anything, and somebody wanted to publish it, I would scream it from the rooftops.

JACK: Exactly. That's exactly what you would do. Unfortunately, we're different. I'm much too humble to do something like that.

JO: Oh boy, now I know you're hiding something from me. Jack, what's the real story?

JACK: You are like a dog with a bone. I'm going to get you off my back once and for all. This is the story. There is no story.

JO: I beg your pardon.

JACK: There is no story. I never wrote it.

JO: Hahahah. Okay, okay who did?

JACK: I'll tell you who did.

JO: Okay.

JACK: Lesley Morgan.

JO: Lesley Morgan.

JACK: Lesley Morgan, the old tenant in this place. She wrote a journal and she left it up in the attic in a pile of trash. I found it, brought it down here, wrote it and voila! We invented Miranda Miller and In the Midnight Hour.

JO: Wait a minute. Some woman spent all this time writing a novel and she just left it in the attic?

JACK: Huh, huh. If you'd seen it you would have left it there too. However I didn't. I brought it down here, worked on it and made it into a novel.

JO: Jack, how could you do that? That's dishonest.

JACK: No, it isn't. That's the American way!

JO: No, it's plagiarism and if this woman ever finds out what you've done....

JACK: She's not going to find out. She's dead!

JO: Have you tried to find her?

JACK: Yes, I tried to find her. I couldn't find her. She wasn't in the phone book. She wasn't anywhere, so she is dead! (Beat) But I tell you something. If she is alive she is no writer so she's not going to recognize what I did with that little journal of hers. But let us remember one thing. Jennifer is a writer so I don't want her to know about any of this.

JO: Because you know she would disapprove.

JACK: Nooo! Because I know she wouldn't understand, the same way you don't understand. That's my point exactly. I don't want Jennifer or anyone else in this town to know how I did this.

JO: She will if this Lesley Morgan finds out who you are.

JACK: She won't find out anything. She's dead as far as we're concerned. Dead, finished, finito! You know something, I think something's on TV. Jennifer's show on TV. You like to watch TV. You watch....

JO: Jack! You're playing with fire son.

JACK: I really don't have any choice.

SCENE SIX: ON TV, JENNIFER'S SHOW BEGINS WITH HER INTRODUCING SUZANNA COOPER WHO HOLDS UP JACK'S MANUSCRIPT AS AN EXAMPLE OF FINDING NEW AUTHORS. JACK AND JO SIT AND WATCH WHILE JENNIFER INTERVIEWS SUZANNA COOPER WHO SAYS THAT SHE'S IN SALEM TO MEET THE NEWEST AUTHOR IN TOWN, MIRANDA MILLER.

 

JO: Oh she's talking about you.

JACK: Ssssh.... ssssh. Just.... let's just listen here.

 

JENNIFER SAYS SHE HAS NEVER HEARD OF MIRANDA MILLER AND SUZANNA SAYS THAT SHE'S GOING TO BE HEARING THAT NAME A LOT FROM NOW ON.

 

JACK: There, there you have it. You heard that right there. Thank you very much, thank you very much. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to have a meeting with that woman.

 

JACK GETS HIS COAT WHILE JO TELLS HIM TO BE QUIET. HE GATHERS UP ALL THE BITS OF HIS DISGUISE AS HE HEARS JENNIFER ASK SUZANNA IF FINDING AN AUTHOR THAT WAY IS UNORTHODOX.

 

JACK: What's unorthodox?

 

SUZANNA SAYS THAT SHE RARELY GETS A GOOD MANUSCRIPT JUST SENT TO HER BUT SHE WOULD NEVER EVER SIGN AN AUTHOR UNTIL SHE SAT DOWN WITH THEM FACE TO FACE.

 

JO: Face to face. Face to face, Jack!

 

JACK STARES AT THE TV.

 

JACK: Face to face.

 

HE SITS DOWN SLOWLY.