oldEpisode Five-hundred-twenty-five:
Trying to Get Jennifer's Mind off Abby,
Jack Gives Her a Romantic Evening,
Including a Pedicure, and Speaking French.

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[Air date early June, 1993]

 

SCENE ONE: LATER THAT EVENING, JACK IS IN THEIR BEDROOM LOOKING OVER HIS AGREEMENT WITH KATE WHEN JENNIFER COMES IN.

 

JENNIFER: Okay, Abby's asleep.

JACK: Oh good, you.... you gave her the medicine?

 

HE PUTS THE AGREEMENT BACK IN HIS BRIEFCASE.

 

JENNIFER: Yeah so she should probably be out for a while.

JACK: Good.

JENNIFER: You know I'm thinking maybe we should bring her in here with us tonight and just have her here in with us.

JACK: Ah no, no. Then no one would get any sleep.

JENNIFER: Yeah like I'm going to sleep anyway.

 

JACK WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND HER.

JACK: Look please please stop it. It's all right. The crisis is over. It's dealt with. Done. She's going to be just fine. So why don't you.... just put it out of your head, just for tonight. And I have a surprise for you.

JENNIFER: A surprise? What kind of surprise?

JACK: A good surprise. A surprise that will surprise even you.

JENNIFER: Jack.... Jack.

JACK: I'll be right back. Don't leave.

SCENE TWO: A SHORT WHILE LATER, JACK RETURNS CARRYING A LARGE BASKET FILLED WITH STUFF.

JACK: I'm back.

JENNIFER: What in the world have you got there?

JACK: Well, you've heard of chicken in a basket. What you have here is relaxation in a basket.

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: We've got.... massage oil here. A little baby oil here if you should require that and something for the old aroma therapy. Kind of help the odor factory nerves. Those (sniff) senses if you will.

 

JENNIFER LAUGHS.

 

JACK: And now we have on cassette some very relaxing music.

JENNIFER: Can you tell me where you found the time to get all of this together?

JACK: Actually I had it prepared for the night of the dance.

JENNIFER: That's very sweet of you Jack. I'm sorry I'm just not in the mood to give myself away to some stranger right now.

JACK: Well that's understood. (Beat) Could I be strange enough for you?

JENNIFER: You?

JACK: Yes, me. (Beat) You'll have to excuse. I'm just a beginner but just go by the numbers. Please sit down.

 

SHE SITS ON THE BED AND HE SITS BEHIND HER.

 

JACK: Allow me to unbutton your shirt.

SHE PUTS HER HANDS OVER HIS EYES TO HIDE HIS VIEW AND HE LAUGHS.

JACK: Thank you.

 

HE TAKES SOME OIL ON HIS HANDS.

 

JACK: Aromatherapy.

JENNIFER: Aromatherapy.

 

HE SWEEPS HER HAIR ASIDE AND BEGINS TO MASSAGE HER NECK.

 

JENNIFER: Oooooh that feels good.

 

HE PUT HIS FACE AGAINST HERS AS HE MASSAGES.

 

JACK: It certainly does. I can think of something that'll feel better.

 

HE LAYS HER BACK AND KISSES HER PASSIONATELY.

SCENE THREE, A SHORT WHILE LATER, JACK HAS FINISHED THE MASSAGE; JENNIFER IS NOW WEARING A ROBE.

 

JENNIFER: You know what, I have an idea. Why don't we just put her porta-crib in our room tonight?

JACK: Jennifer....

JENNIFER: I know, better yet, let's just put her in the bed with us. I mean I know they say that's bad and you shouldn't do that to you children but I really don't think she's going to remember.

JACK: You have to remember she just wanted a bottle.

JENNIFER: But she never wants a bottle in the middle of the night Jack and she's been sleeping through the night until she got sick.

JACK: And she's going to sleep through the night again because she's well. She got over being sick. She's fine.

JENNIFER: I know, I know.

JACK: You know.... but?

JENNIFER: I just feel like I need to be in there. I just feel like I need to look at her and touch her that's all.

JACK: And you will touch her after she's gotten a good night's rest. Now I think you have to remember your good friend Carly's advice to all of us. The best thing for the child is for the whole family to get rest and relaxation.

JENNIFER: Are you telling me you can really relax?

JACK: I can certainly give it the good college try. Because I know that she's better. I know that we've done our best. I know that she's healthy again and she's going to stay healthy. Why wouldn't she?

JENNIFER: You're right, you're right. I mean why wouldn't she?

JACK: So.... the important thing now is to concentrate on her mother to make sure that she's alright because if she gets sick from worry she'll be no use to anyone.

JENNIFER: You're right. You know what sounds so great right now. I mean not that your massage wasn't wonderful but I would really love a cup of hot chocolate. Would that be too much trouble?

JACK: You know that just brought to mind something else that might be even more soothing and relaxing. Aaah, do you think you could be just slightly flexible on this?

JENNIFER: Sure, yeah. Why don't you surprise me?

JACK: Good. I'll do that. You just wait right here and I'll be right back.

 

JACK LEAVES THE ROOM.

SCENE FOUR: JENNIFER CREEPS ALONG TO LOOK AT ABBY AGAIN. JACK COMES BACK CARRYING A TRAY WITH CHAMPAGNE AND A FEW OTHER THINGS.

JACK: Alright.... Jennifer?

 

SHE IS NOT THERE BUT HE CAN HEAR HER ON THE BABY MONITOR NEXT TO THE BED.

JENNIFER: My little angel. Momma will always be right by your side looking out for you. I hope you know that. I love you so much. There is nothing in this world that means anything if you're not okay because you're the best thing that ever happened to me and don't you ever forget that. Sleep tight my sweetheart.

 

JACK IS VERY MOVED BY JENNIFER'S WORDS TO ABBY. JENNIFER COMES BACK TO THE BEDROOM.

 

JENNIFER: Hi.

JACK: Well hello.

JENNIFER: I just wanted to check on Abby real quick. I'm sorry.

JACK: No, no, I'm sorry. You have no reason to be sorry.

JENNIFER: Well I said that I wasn't going to worry and.... but I feel much better now. I mean she's sleeping really well, she's nice and cool. She's not even fidgeting.

JACK: Good. That's very good. That's.... that's cause to celebrate. Shall we?

JENNIFER: Well so much for hot chocolate. Where did we get this?

JACK: Actually this is an old housewarming gift from Carly and Bo.

JENNIFER: Oh that's right. I forgot they gave that.

JACK: You're not in the mood. I'll just....

JENNIFER: No Jack, I just.... I'll just have a little bit you know in case Abby wakes up.

JACK: Jennifer that's....

JENNIFER: I mean I just want to be alert. Not that she's going to wake up but if she does I'll....

 

JACK IS A BIT FRUSTRATED.

 

JACK: Fine.

JENNIFER: I'll just have a little bit okay.

JACK: Right I'll just pour a little bit then.

 

JENNIFER CANNOT KEEP HER EYES OFF THE DOOR.

 

JACK: How about a little toast?

JENNIFER: Yes a toast.

JACK: AprØs vous.

JENNIFER: To our beautiful daughter who makes everything worthwhile and who's going to be healthy and strong from now on expect for an occasional case of the sniffles. Um, to our future, all three of us.

JACK: Or.... four, five or six of us.... if we decide to get ambitious.

JENNIFER: I'm not ambitious right now Jack. I mean let's just enjoy a few years with Abby and then maybe we'll talk about being ambitious.

JACK: Well I believe we'd have to do a bit more than talk.

JENNIFER: I believe so. Back to my toast.

JACK: Back to your toast.

JENNIFER: There's nothing in this world that can stop us from doing anything what we want to do.

JACK: Right.

JENNIFER: And even though you've given up the newspaper that doesn't mean there isn't a world of opportunities right around the corner waiting for us Jack.

JACK: Ah, let's just forget about the toasts. Um that's not important and neither is the world of business. Obviously this is not working. I have another idea.

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: Please, to the bed.

JENNIFER: Well you certainly don't like to mince words do you Jack Deveraux?

JACK: No, ah, if you could just lie on the bed, under the covers, whatever you prefer. Just allow your feet to stick out.

JENNIFER: My feet stick out?

JACK: Yes, I'm going to give you a pedicure.

JENNIFER: What?

SCENE FIVE: JACK HAS JUST TOLD JENNIFER HE PLANS ON GIVING HER A PEDICURE, JENNIFER IS SURPRISED AND THRILLED BY JACK'S ODD BEHAVIOR. JACK IS TRYING TO DO ALL HE CAN TO RELAX HER AND KEEP HER MIND FEAR FROM WORRY FOR ABBY.

 

JACK: A pedicure. I overheard you talking with Carly or Jo, I don't know which, saying that you enjoyed pedicures and you never have time to get one and I thought.... I thought I would give you one here and now in the house and on the bed.

JENNIFER: That's very strange Jack. It's also very very sweet.

JACK: Well strange though it may be, here we are. Yes, so after the pedicure you'll be needing a little deep heating cream which will be applied right here on your feet and that will take care of the.... the temporary pain.

JENNIFER: What?

JACK: Well I realize you got the oil rubbed on earlier but you need the deep heating cream to take care of the temporary pain from the.... nerve endings.

JENNIFER: Oh.

JACK: You know, the nerve endings from the foot massage.

JENNIFER: Oh.

JACK: Right, if you'll see. Watch this.

 

HE PICKS UP HER FOOT AND TWISTS IT SO THAT HER WHOLE BODY ROLES OVER ON THE BED.

 

JENNIFER: AAAARGH! Jack that hurts. Don't do that.

JACK: Now, just take it easy. Yes I know that and it will stop hurting in just a minute. You don't realize that all your nerve endings for your entire body end up here in your foot. Observe.

HE BEGINS TO PUT GENTLE PRESSURE ON PARTS OF HER FOOT.

 

JENNIFER: Ooooh.

JACK: Now, if you keep it quiet, it won't wake the child and you'll really get relaxed.

JENNIFER: Yeah.

 

SHE PULLS A FACE AS HE APPLIES THE PRESSURE THEN FINDS THAT IT RELAXES HER TOTALLY AND SHE SINKS BACK ON THE PILLOW.

SCENE SIX: A WHILE LATER, JACK HAS FINISHED WITH HER FEET AND HE'S MASSAGING HER LEGS AS SHE LAYS BACK ENJOYING EVERY MINUTE OF IT.

 

JENNIFER: Mr. Pedicurist?

JACK: Madam?

JENNIFER: You know you did such a wonderful job on my pedicure.

JACK: Hmmm.

JENNIFER: And you definitely worked my every last nerve ending so I was just wondering if I could give you a kiss?

JACK: Un messeur?

JENNIFER: Just a little one.

JACK: J'est comprende. Mais non. C'est professionnel maintenant.

JENNIFER: So why don't you just knock off work for a while.

JACK: Ne c'est pas finis tout de suite.

JENNIFER: No, it's not okay. I cannot wait. I cannot wait even one more second.

 

SHE SITS UP AND BEGINS TO KISS HIM AND THEY BOTH FALL BACK ON THE BED.

 

JACK: Mais oui.

JENNIFER: Oui, oui.

SCENE SEVEN: SOME TIME LATER, THEY ARE BOTH IN BED, UNDRESSED AND QUITE CONTENT AND PRETENDING TO SMOKE CIGARETTES.

 

JENNIFER: Monsieur Deveraux, you did it.

JACK: No.... we did it, ma cherie.

 

SHE GIGGLES.

 

JENNIFER: Not only did you give me the most fabulous pedicure. I mean do my toes look beautiful or what?

JACK: Oh magnifique.

 

HE SNUGGLES IN AND KISSES HER NECK AND CHEEK.

 

JENNIFER: But you made me feel perfectly and utterly relaxed.

JACK: Hmmm.

JENNIFER: For the first time since Abby got sick. Perfectly relaxed and so much in love with you.

JACK: Et j'avec IOUs.

JENNIFER: You know as strange as it may seem I'm beginning to like this accent. I mean do you think you you could hang onto it for a while?

JACK: Absolutement.

 

JENNIFER GIGGLES AGAIN AND HE KISSES HER.

SCENE EIGHT: THEY ARE STILL KISSING WHEN THE PHONE STARTS TO RING.

 

JENNIFER: Oh the phone.

JACK: No, no, let the machine get it.

JENNIFER: No, the machine's not on Jack.

JACK: Then let the phone ring.

JENNIFER: No it could be important. I mean what if it's the hospital calling with results.

JACK: The hospital, yes, yes.

JENNIFER: Hello. (Beat) Kate, hello. Um, yes, yes. Hold on one second.

 

SHE HANDS THE PHONE TO JACK.

 

JACK: Hello. (Beat) Yes. (Beat) Yes, yes, I will be there first thing in the morning. Thank-you very much. Yes. HE HANGS UP.

JENNIFER: Where will you be first thing in the morning?

JACK: I believe you can hazard a guess.

JENNIFER: The Spectator?

JACK: Absolutement.

JENNIFER: But I thought that you told Kate that you turned down her offer to be the editor.

JACK: I did tell Kate that.

JENNIFER: Why, what happened?

JACK: This is what happened. I.... I went to have that meeting with Kate, the second meeting and.... I didn't want to upset you with all that was going on here but I just.... I changed my mind. I changed my mind and I decided to accept Kate's offer and return to The Spectator.

JENNIFER: Wait a minute Jack. You changed your mind. You made this whole 180 degree turn without even consulting me. That doesn't make any sense. Wait a minute.... yes it does.

JACK: What do you mean, it does?

JENNIFER: I know exactly why you did it.

 

JACK GETS OUT OF BED.

 

JACK: I don't know what else I can say. I just changed my mind. It's as simple as that.

JENNIFER: Jack nothing is that simple with you.

JACK: Is that good or is that bad?

JENNIFER: Look I know that you didn't change your mind because you want to work for Kate or that your hatred for Victor Kiriakis miraculously disappeared.

JACK: Hatred isn't.... well it's a yes and no.

JENNIFER: You did it for Abby. You did it because you wanted to keep up our health insurance.

JACK: I suppose you're really onto me this time.

JENNIFER: Yeah I am and I really believe that you are the most incredible wonderful person there is. I mean to sacrifice that much Jack.

JACK: No, no, no, no, no. I am not sacrificing a thing. This is an opportunity. I have seized the opportunity to protect me and mine. That's all it is.

JENNIFER: I love you. I love you very much.

JACK: You're not going to be upset later that I didn't discuss this with you?

JENNIFER: No, no, I'm just upset about one little thing.

JACK: And what is that?

JENNIFER: I just keep thinking that maybe you got this insurance because you think that Abby's going to get sick again.

JACK: NO! Not at all. I've got this insurance to ensure that nothing happens. It's the same reasoning that you have when you carry an umbrella all the time. It ensures that it never rains. Simple as that.

 

THEY HOLD EACH OTHER AND NEITHER BELIEVES WHAT JACK IS SAYING ABOUT ABBY'S HEALTH.

 

JACK: Simple as that.