SCENE ONE: THE NEXT DAY AND JACK IS WALKING FAST THROUGH THE SALEM MALL AND WHISTLING LOUDLY. JENNIFER IS SITTING AT JOHNNIE ANGEL'S HAVING COFFEE AND HE SITS DOWN OPPOSITE HER.

 

JACK: Hello.

 

SHE SEEMS VERY SURPRISED.

 

JENNIFER: Hi.

JACK: I just called your place and they said you were down here and I said I'm going to go down and meet her for lunch. Isn't that romantic?

JENNIFER: Here?

JACK: You don't think it's romantic.

JENNIFER: No I mean I'm happy that you're here. I just....

JACK: This is.... this is kind of a spur of the moment thing, isn't it?

JENNIFER: Yeah I'm glad you thought of it.

JACK: Oh yes. I was thinking I could go to a bistro with you but you know those rich fancy sauces, they'd be counter-productive to an afternoon at the office or the studio, right?

JENNIFER: I'm sure you're right.

JACK: I'm absolutely right. Right now my full concentration is going to be on you. Every single day there's going to be a little something. I'm going to be concerned, aware, sensitive to your needs.

JENNIFER: I do appreciate that Jack.

JACK: Oh, no, no, no, no. No need to thank me. I mean everything is going in this direction. I couldn't be happier. Just concerned and aware of you.

JENNIFER: That's great. I just wish it didn't sound like it was going to be so much work for you.

JACK: Oh, no, no, no, no. No work at all. This is all pleasure. I want to do this. I.... just remembered I have to make a phone call.

JENNIFER: A phone call? You just got here Jack.

JACK: I know. It's the bank I was trying to get a hold of this morning. He said get a hold of him before noon or, you know.... I'll be right back.

 

JENNIFER SHAKES HER HEAD.

SCENE TWO: JACK GETS ON THE PHONE TO THE BANK.

 

JACK: Circulation is going up, up, up. Vern Scofield and I are working very hard to give the whole paper and new look and we'll have no trouble repaying that loan. Yes I'll have the numbers for you tomorrow. Good.

 

HE HANGS UP.

 

JACK: I'm back.

JENNIFER: Well it took long enough. What did he say?

JACK: Good news. If things go well Mr. Vincent going to be able to supply me with a new loan and I'll be able to make another payment on The Spectator.

JENNIFER: You know Jack, I really hope this works out because you have been so preoccupied for so long now.

JACK: Hmmm.

JENNIFER: I mean it would be a relief for you not to worry and concentrate on other things.

JACK: You're telling me.

 

HE CHECKS HIS WATCH AGAIN.

 

JENNIFER: Getting something to eat?

JACK: What?

JENNIFER: You came here to have a romantic lunch with me remember. You haven't sat down for five minutes.

JACK: Yes I realize that. This is very poor planning on my part but I have to go again.

JENNIFER: What do you mean you have to go? Go where?

JACK: To the phone. I have to make another phone call but I will be right back.

 

JENNIFER SIGHS AS JACK GOES TO THE PHONE. JACK CALLS BILLIE.

 

BILLIE: Hello.

JACK: Hello, it's me. I wanted to know if we were on for tonight.

BILLIE: Yes, when?

JACK: 7 PM, Salem Inn, Room 296.

BILLIE: I will meet you there.

JACK: Good, so will I.

 

HE HANGS UP AND GOES BACK TO THE TABLE.

 

JACK: All right. I know that this has been poorly planned and I apologize but I'm going to make it up to you tonight at dinner.

JENNIFER: I won't be home for dinner.

JACK: You won't.

JENNIFER: No I have errands to run after work and we have to go to Abe and Lexie's anniversary party, remember?

JACK: Party, yes, yes, yes, yes. Aaaah, I tell you, why don't you go early and I will meet you there?

JENNIFER: Why won't you be there?

JACK: Well I think I already told you that I was going to meet a potential backer tonight.

JENNIFER: Oh, all right.

JACK: I'm going to make this up to you. I promise. Later, with flowers.

JENNIFER: Jack you cannot bring me flowers every five minutes. That is not what's important.

JACK: No, no, no, that's no problem. I mean there's this great flower vendor right.... you know right at the bottom level of The Spectator and I can just stop right in on the way in and way out and I can get all sorts of wonderful flowers. Any kind you like. Irises, your favorite, or anything. Isn't that great?

JENNIFER: Yeah, yeah that's really great.

JACK: Good, good.

 

JACK DOES NOT EVEN NOTICE HOW UPSET SHE IS. HE GIVES HER QUICK KISS.

 

JACK: I'll see you later.

 

HE LEAVES.

 

JENNIFER: Oh I must be doing something wrong.

SCENE THREE: LATER THAT DAY JENNIFER STOPS BY TO SEE CARLY AND TELLS HER THAT JACK IS TRYING BUT HE STILL HAS NO IDEA ABOUT ROMANCE.

SCENE FOUR: LATER SHE GOES TO THE STUDIO AND FINDS AUSTIN THERE SHOWING PHILIP A HUMAN INTEREST STORY HE'S DONE THAT MIGHT BE GREAT FOR THE SHOW. JENNIFER IS VERY ANGRY ABOUT HIM TRYING TO HORN IN ON HER SHOW AND TELLS HIM SO.

SCENE FIVE: JACK MEANWHILE IS WAITING FOR BILLIE AT THE SALEM INN.

 

JACK: Billie where have you been?

BILLIE: I had something to do.

JACK: The game started half an hour ago.

BILLIE: I know. Quit flapping your jaw and open the door.

JACK: No, before we go in there I want to let you know that I've checked these gentlemen out. They are high rollers. They make those losers over at the Cheat'n'Heart look like pikers. If we can beat these guys, we'll make enough money to pay off your friend Tony and make a couple of payments on The Spectator besides.

BILLIE: Good.

JACK: Let's just take it easy and not blow it.

BILLIE: Don't make me nervous. Just open the door and let me at 'em.

JACK: Be cool.

 

JACK OPENS THE DOOR AND THEY GO IN THE GUYS DEAL HER IN WHILE JACK SITS ON THE SIDE ADDING UP HER WINNINGS.

SCENE SIX: HALF WAY THROUGH THE NIGHT SHE WANTS TO CHANGE THE GAME TO SEVEN CARD STUD. THE PLAYERS AGREE BUT JACK IS NOT SO SURE.

SCENE SEVEN: AT THE STUDIO, PHILIP LOVES AUSTIN'S STORY AND JENNIFER RELUCTANTLY LOVES IT TOO. SHE WANTS TO EXPAND IT AND AUSTIN IS VERY HAPPY. PHILIP THEN SUGGESTS THAT AUSTIN COMES ON AS A CO-HOST BECAUSE THE MAIL IS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND ALL THE VIEWERS THINK THEY HAVE GREAT CHEMISTRY.

SCENE EIGHT: AT THE GAME, BILLIE CONTINUES TO WIN. THEN THE PLAYERS BRING IN A NEW PLAYER WHO LOOKS REMARKABLY LIKE BO.

 

SCENE ONE: BILLIE IS DISTRACTED BY THE NEW GUY AT THE TABLE AND JACK SEES THE LIKENESS TO BO AS WELL.

 

JACK: It's unbelievable.

SCENE TWO: BILLIE CONTINUES TO WIN HOWEVER AND DECIDES TO TAKE A BREAK.

 

JACK: Excuse me but where do you think you're going?

BILLIE: You see that guy over there? Do you see how much he looks like Bo? I think he's the one who beat up Cash.

JACK: What guy are we talking about?

BILLIE: The guy who looks exactly like Bo. Gee some newspaper man you are.

JACK: I know exactly who you're talking about. Yes he does bear a certain resemblance but he doesn't look exactly like Bo.

BILLIE: Jack, he does. Just keep an eye on him till I get back.

JACK: Billie.

BILLIE: Just do it.

 

THE GUY NOTICES JACK AND BILLIE TALKING AND JACK GIVES HIM A HALF SMILE. OUTSIDE BILLIE CALLS BO BUT ONLY GETS THE ANSWERING MACHINE WHERE SHE LEAVES A MESSAGE.

SCENE THREE: EANWHILE BO IS ABE AND LEXIE'S ANNIVERSARY PARTY AT THE LOFT. JENNIFER IS THERE TOO WAITING FOR JACK.

SCENE FOUR: BILLIE COMES BACK TO THE GAME AND ONE OF THE PLAYERS WANTS A LOAN FROM BILLIE. SHE REFUSES WITHOUT SOME KIND OF GUARANTEE AND THE GUY SIGNS OVER HIS BUSINESS TO HER. BILLIE WINS. THEY TAKE A BREAK AND CALL FOR FOOD.

JACK: Excuse me, could I see you for a moment?

BILLIE: Sure. Excuse me.

JACK: This is no time to be preoccupied. I want to show you something.

 

BILLIE: What?

 

HE HOLDS UP A NOTE PAD.

 

BILLIE: You're kidding me. I won that much so far?

JACK: Yes, yes, yes. Almost enough to pay off your friend Tony and make a couple of down payments on The Spectator IF you don't lose your concentration.

BILLIE: Well Jack I can't help it. I'm waiting for Bo to get here.

JACK: What do you mean you're waiting for Bo to get here?

BILLIE: I left him a message and told him to get here.

JACK: I don't believe this. You do not invite the police to a poker game.

BILLIE: Jack, that is the guy on the tape. That is him.

JACK: I don't care if thinks England thinks he's the guy on the tape or they think he's the man on the moon, if the police come here we are going downtown.

BILLIE: Jack, Bo has been suspended. If he comes here it's not going to be official, okay.

JACK: What if he brings one of his official friends with him. Look this is too risky, okay. We cannot....

BILLIE: Oh Jack, just relax.

JACK: Billie?

BILLIE: What?

JACK: We cannot do this.

BILLIE: Yes.... I'm not going anywhere Jack. And let's hope he doesn't go anywhere either.

SCENE FIVE: THE GAME CONTINUES AND BILLIE CONTINUES TO WIN.

 

JACK: Excuse me, can I have another moment of your valuable time?

BILLIE: Sure. Deal me in guys. I'll be right back.

JACK: I think you should forget about them. We're through.

BILLIE: What?

JACK: I say you cash the chips and we get out of here.

BILLIE: Jack, I'm still winning.

JACK: And that's why we're going to get out of here now, while you're still winning.

BILLIE: No, I can't.

JACK: Yes you can. You just say adios and we vamoose.

BILLIE: Where's Bo?

JACK: Just forget about Bo. I am very sorry that we cannot help him at this time. We cannot afford to lose this. We have to go.

BILLIE: Jack, I am so sick of all this. I'm sick of it. I want my simple life back. I don't want any problems with you. I don't want problems with Cash. I don't want problems with Bo. I don't want money problems. I don't want anything okay. And I need to sit here and win the money to take care of that okay.

JACK: Billie, I'm sorry. We have to be gone when Bo gets here. We're going.

BILLIE: No we're not.

JACK: Billie....

PLAYER: Billie are you in this hand or not?

BILLIE: Ah, yeah I'm in.

JACK: She's out.

BILLIE: I'm in.

JACK: She's out. We have to go. Very sorry. I'll get the door.

BILLIE: Jack....

 

JACK OPENS THE DOOR AND OUTSIDE IS TAYLOR A COP WITH SALEM PD. SHE IS ACTUALLY THE ONE WORKING FOR LAWRENCE..

SCENE SIX: TAYLOR ARRESTS EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM INCLUDING JACK AND BILLIE.

 

JACK: I wasn't really playing, you understand.

TAYLOR: Deveraux, save it.

 

SUDDENLY THE LIGHTS GO OUT.

SCENE SEVEN: WHEN THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON, THE BO LOOK ALIKE HAS GONE. THE BACKUP POLICE ARRIVE AND THEY CLEAR UP THE EVIDENCE WHICH IS ALL THE MONEY THAT BILLIE HAS WON.

 

JACK: Ah, now wait a minute. I'm sorry that's money that.... I'm sorry you don't understand. That money belongs to.... BILLIE: Me.

 

THEY CLEAR IT ALL UP AND TAKE IT IN FOR EVIDENCE. JACK IS DEVASTATED AS HE IS HANDCUFFED.

 

JACK: This is great. This is just great. We lose our money. We get arrested. Jennifer's going to kill me of course.

BILLIE: Jack, shut up.

 

BO ARRIVES AND WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE GUY LOOKED LIKE. BILLIE TELLS BO THAT SHE CAN RECOGNIZE HIM AND SO CAN JACK.

 

JACK: It's all over Billie. Don't you understand, it's over. The house, the money, everything. It's over.

BILLIE: Jack, tell Bo what you saw.

JACK: Tell him what? What can I say?

BO: Jack, did you see anyone in this room who looked like me?

JACK: Bo I'm very sorry. You have to understand that I can't say another thing without an attorney being present.

BILLIE: Oh man.

 

BO LEAVES AND TAYLOR TAKES THEM ALL DOWNTOWN TO BE BOOKED.