[Airdate
late February, 2001]
SCENE
ONE: SALEM; VARIOUS CHARACTERS.
Everyone is back in Salem. Despite being seriously
hurt both John and Greta are fine. Sami has the tape and
can use it to keep her son Will -- named for his grandfather
Bill Horton. Meanwhile, she plans to get Austin away from
Greta. Lexie is determined to keep the secret about Isaac.
The police are trying to find the identity of the body
that floated up from the river. It is Marlo, the real
mother of Hope's son JT. They have put an add in the paper,
and a couple notice the photo. He, Glenn Reiber, was married
to Marlo. He decides to come to town to tell the cops,
and to get his child, who she was carrying when she ran
off. He calls the police and identifies Marlo. Meanwhile
Stefano's men Rolf and Bart have stolen the body and have
dissolved it in acid. Victor faked his death to get back
at Kate, and with the help of Nicole and Philip is hiding
out.
SCENE
TWO: THE JAVA CAFÉ, SALEM; JACK, A WAITRESS, AND PRINCESS
GRETA.
At a table Greta is sitting and sipping her coffee. She
smiles and fades into a happy memory of her and Austin.
A few tables across from her is Jack. He is sitting alone
at a table, thinking. A waitress brings him his order, a very
large cup of coffee. He takes a a sip and makes a grimace
and coughs.
JACK:
Bleak.... What, you call this coffee.
WAITRESS:
(Smiling) It's our finest, yeah.
JACK:
(Being sarcastic and obnoxious) Really?
WAITRESS:
Yeah.
JACK:
Well they obviously are laughing from Rio to Saõ Paolo.
This stuff isn't only undrinkable, but unwatchable
-- I can't even look at it. (Motioning with his hand) Take
it away.
WAITRESS:
(Trying to be polite but Jack is trying her patience) I perhaps
you prefer our Costa Rican blend?
JACK:
(Being even more obnoxious) Perhaps I would. Perhaps this
time it won't take you 20 minutes to bring it
to me. Perhaps this time the coffee even will be warm.
WAITRESS:
(With a fake smile, disgusted with Jack) You know.... you're
really cute (beat) until you open your mouth.
 She
walks away. Jack is even disgusted with his behavior, and
feels guilty. Obliviously something is bothering him.
JACK:
(Talking out-loud to himself) She's right. I'm being a total
jerk here. And it's not because of the Brazilian. It's that
stupid stupid letter I gave to Jennifer. I can only
hope and pray that she doesn't read it.
SCENE
THREE: SALEM, ALICE'S HOUSE; JENNIFER AND ALICE.
Jennifer
is coming down the stairs, carrying her person. She searches
inside her purse for something, but finds the letter Jack
sent her. She takes it out and looks at it.
JENNIFER:
(Talking to herself) It's just another Jack attack. It's
all it is. And I've had enough of those to last a hundred
lifetimes.
She
stuffs the letter back into her purse. Then walks into
the livingroom. Alice is there and is preparing to go
shopping. Jennifer volunteers to go, after all she and
Abigail have been staying with her. Alice tells her it
is her pleasure, she loves having them around. She then
asks Jennifer about the apartment she was looking at.
Jennifer tells her she turned it down, and she is not
even sure that she wants to stay in Salem. Alice knows
right away why. She tells Jennifer that she should not
leave, just because Jack is in town. Jennifer says that
Alice knows her too well, she cannot lie to her. She wants
to get her and Abby as far as Jack as possible. Nothing
has changed with Jack. She wants peace and quiet and that
cannot happen with Jack. She loved the apartment, but
she saw Jack popping up to bug her, and it made her lose
interest. Alice wonders if she really wants to leave.
Yes, she has friends in Chicago, maybe se can go with
them and get away from Jack's radar. Alice berates her,
telling her that Jack is Abby's father and "he deserves
to be apart of her life." Jennifer agrees, "lying
low is just talk." Anyway Jack would find her if
she were in "Des Moines or Donagal," and drive
her insane.
SCENE
FOUR: JAVA CAFÉ; JACK, WAITRESS, AND GRETA.
Frustrated
the waitress brings Jack another coffee, expecting him
to complain.
He
lifts it to his mouth Jack takes a sip, grimaces slightly,
but tries to feign politeness.
JACK:
This coffee is.... (trying to find something polite to say)....
It's really.... it's very aahh (trying to find a word, then
flashing a fake smile) hot.
 The
waitress rolls her eyes, and then walks off disgusted. Greta
has been observing the show and stares over at Jack. As
Jack takes a drink he spots her and stares back. Greta,
embarrassed, looks away, and counts out her money. Jack
continues to stare back.
Greta
tries to ignore him. She goes to walk away.
GRETA:
(Shaking
her head). Ahh.... No, I don't think so.
Jack
gets up and walks over to her.
JACK:
I
do I was at wooooo--
Jack
trips and then bounces back shocking her.
GRETA:
Are you okay?
JACK:
(Acting suave) Never been better.
GRETA:
That was quite a move.
JACK:
I got a million of 'em.
GRETA:
I bet you do, but when you see one of 'em.... Ah, maybe
I should say two.
JACK:
(Confused) What?
GRETA:
After seeing your move with that waitress (shaking her head)
I doubt we have anything in common.
Goes
to walk away but stops when Jack starts to talk.
JACK:
Oh, oh tha... that.... that was just.... I'm just having
a bad day.
GRETA:
Right.... right and I'm leaving (Starts to walk way).
JACK:
Do you really have to go Princess von Amburg?
GRETA:
Who are you, and how do you know my name?
Jack
flashes her a roguish grin.
SCENE
FIVE: ALICE'S; JENNIFER, ALICE, AND ABIGAIL.
Alice
and Jennifer are continuing their conversation. She knows
Jennifer is upset that Jack is in town but wonders if
there is more to it than that. Jennifer says that Jack
wants to have a meeting with her, for some harebrained
proposal of his. Even if it is crazy, Jennifer is worried,
she knows Jack is smart in a legal way, and she is worried
that Jack would take Abby away from her.
ALICE:
Oh, darling, Jack would never do a thing like that!
He would never hurt you.
JENNIFER:
Gram, he has been hurting me since the day we met.
ALICE:
Never purposefully.
Abigail
is standing by the door, listening in on their conversation.
JENNIFER:
No never purposefully, Gran, but he has a way of
ruining everything -- f.... f.... for me, for Abby, for
everybody.
Walks
over to them, very hurt and upset.
ABBY:
Mommy, stop saying bad things about Daddy.
Jennifer
looks embarrassed, Alice watches on.
SCENE SIX: JAVA CAFÉ; JACK AND GRETA.
Jack
and Greta are in mid-conversation. Greta wants to get
away from Jack, but Jack does all he can to prevent her
from doing so.
GRETA:
You must have read about my coronation?
JACK:
Read about it? Oh, no, no, no, no.... I experienced
it (he dramatically places his hand on his chest).
GRETA:
(She is a little more interested) You were there?
JACK:
Quite the event.
GRETA:
Yes.... Yes it was.... (trying to leave) Well, good bye.
JACK:
Wa.... Wait a minute. You're going to walk away and leave
me after I told you I was there?
GRETA:
(Still unimpressed with him) There were a lot of
people at my coronation.
JACK:
(Trying a new tactic) Did a lot of people take a bullet
for you.
GRETA:
(Surprised, with renewed interest) What?
 JACK:
When a woman is about to be shot, what can a man do but
leap in front of her and suffer the consequences
-- or in this case (getting melodramatic, and touching his
shoulder) consequence right to the shoulder (he turns
slightly for dramatic effect).
GRETA:
(Slight gasp) I had no idea.... I thought only Austin tried
to protect me that way.
JACK:
(Rubbing is shoulder) There are many unsung heroes in the
world.
GRETA:
Oh my god. I am sooo sorry. Where you hospitalized.
JACK:
(Not wanting to answer the question) Hmmmm.
GRETA:
Where exactly were you hit?
She
touches his arm. Jack sighs. She can feel no wound, and
it finally dawns on her that he is full of it.
GRETA:
Wait a minute. You look fine to me. You weren't shot.
JACK:
Technically, no.
GRETA:
(Get disgusted) So what was this all about so many "unsung
heroes?"
JACK:
I didn't say that I was one of them. I would have leapt
in front of a bullet to save you if I had been there.
GRETA:
I thought you said you were there.
JACK:
I was there, bbbb..... but I wasn't.
GRETA:
(Confused) You.... You're giving me a headache.
JACK:
I left the ball before the big shoot out began.
GRETA:
Ah, so all this stuff about being heroic?
JACK:
Just a little humor.
GRETA:
(Angered by his remark) Nothing that happened in
Europe is funny!
JACK:
Oh, lighten up. You didn't die, I didn't die, Austin
didn't die. All-in-all it was a bang-up coronation.
GRETA:
(Completely stymied by Jack) What bizarre world are
you from? Who are you? And how do you know me?
JACK:
You want the answers in that order?
GRETA:
I don't want them at all.
She
is about to leave; but Jack stops her.
JACK:
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.... You asked for it, you got it
(making a grand gesture with his arms), my whole
life story.
Greta
laughs and it is apparent she wants to get away.
JACK:
Chill.... Chill, just the Cliff Notes version.
Greta
shakes her head not knowing what to do; her eyes widen.
She is about to say something, but realizing it is futile,
says nothing.
SCENE
SEVEN: ALICE'S; JENNIFER, ABBY, AND ALICE.
Abby
is upset that Jennifer was talking about Jack. Jennifer
feels terrible that Abby heard. Jennifer looks at Alice,
and then walks over to Abby, she bends down to be at her
eye level.
JENNIFER:
Ahh, Honey, look.... look you don't understand.
ABBY:
You said bad things about Daddy.
JENNIFER:
Well.... I didn't mean it that way.
ABBY:
(Looking very hurt and sad) It made me sad!
JENNIFER:
Honey, (hugging her) I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. You're
right I shouldn't have said that. We shouldn't say anything
bad about anyone -- especially your daddy.
Jennifer
lets go of her and looks at her. Abby appears not to be
so positive about what Jennifer is saying.
ABBY:
So why did you?
JENNIFER:
(No knowing how to make her feel better) Well (beat) because
you know grown ups, they fight too sometimes.
ABBY:
Like Ken Miller and I did over the Pokémon card?
JENNIFER:
Yeah. You know.... something like that. (Slightly stuttering)
A.... And then we end up saying things that aren't very
nice.
ALICE:
Well, I think you two need to be alone.
She
is walking away. Jennifer is grateful that she understands.
JENNIFER:
(Talking to Alice) Thanks Gram
ALICE:
Bye.
Jennifer then turns back towards Abby
to help her understand.
JENNIFER:
Baby, you know (beat) that Mommy and Daddy we love
you more than anything in the world, and we always
will? Are you going to be okay now?
ABBY:
(Still not sure) Maybe, where's Daddy.
Jennifer
does not know how to answer that question.
JENNIFER:
(Sigh) Where is he right now?
ABBY:
Yes!
JENNIFER:
(Slightly stalling) I..... I don't know exactly.
ABBY:
I wanna see him. (Begging) Please Mommy, can I?
Jennifer
looks at her not knowing what to say or do.
SCENE
EIGHT: JAVA CAFÉ; JACK AND GRETA.
Jack
begins to tell her a truncated story of his life -- whether
Greta wants to hear or not. He recites this very rabidly
and practically without taking a breath. As he talks he
takes his drink and walks over to Greta's table. He eases
her down in a chair and sits next to her. Throughout the
conversation Greta is completely confused. She obviously
thinks Jack is very strange.
JACK:
I use to live in Salem my father was Harper Deveraux
-- have you heard of him?
GRETA:
No.
JACK:
Oh, no no matter no matter at all he was a senator before
he became a serial killer -- but that's another story, never
mind anyway -- (not pausing he shouts for the waiter) MORE
TEA PLEASE (again without missing a beat he continues with
his story) actually, the fact is, he wasn't my father after
all.
GRETA:
He wasn't?
 JACK:
No, no my real father was a wife beater and I had a brother
and sister who I didn't know about until I was an adult
-- but that's another story for another time ---I use to
own a newspaper here in Salem -- I admit that was after
I ran for assembly and lost but these are other stories
I for other times.
Jack
finally stops and takes a breath, then loses his train of
thought.
JACK:
Where am I?
GRETA:
I'm sure I have no idea.
JACK:
Oh.... oh.... I saw you sitting all by yourself, all alone
-- and I thought how nice to walk over and say "hello."
GRETA:
Well, you've done a lot more than say "hello."
JACK:
Maybe it's the news hound in me, it's not every day you
get to chat with a princess -- a bona fide
princess -- unless of course she's pushing some kind of
diet program, then of course you can't get rid of 'em [a
pop cultural allusion to Princes Fergie].
Greta
cannot help but laugh at this joke. She seems to be slightly
charmed by Jack's quirky personality. Jack is pleased that
he won her over.
GRETA:
(Cannot stop laughing) Okay, can you stop.
JACK:
See, see, I am funny.
GRETA:
Yeah, but I'd work on my routine before heading to Vegas.
JACK:
Ouch.
GRETA:
Oh....
JACK:
Oh a double threat, a princess and a critic.
GRETA:
(Laughing) Well, I hardly call myself a critic.
JACK:
What would you say about yourself? Did you grow up in a
castle
Greta
smiles and rolls her eyes.
JACK:
And what did you do before you became a princess, Princess?
GRETA:
(They laugh. Jack raises his eyebrows) Another tale for
another time (raising her eyebrows).
JACK:
Oh.
She
laughs and Jack is rather impressed.
SCENE
NINE: ALICE'S; JENNIFER AND ABBY.
Abby still is not sure that Jennifer was not talking
badly about Jack. Abby has asked about Jack, and Jennifer
does not know how to answer her. Not know what to say or
do Jennifer fusses over Abby, adjusting her sweater.
JENNIFER:
Well Sweetie, I am.... not really sure how to get ahold
of your daddy right now. Okay, I'm sure he'll call you very
soon.
Abby
does not seem to believe her and is slightly hurt and angry.
ABBY:
You don't want me to see him!
JENNIFER:
Honey, no! It is not like that, okay. I never
want you to stop loving your daddy like that. I never
want that to change.
ABBY:
(Somewhat relieved, yet still not sure) Promise?
JENNIFER:
Yes.... yes (hugging Abby tightly) I promise....
I promise.
Jennifer
continues to hold Abby tightly, and she seems worried
about something.
SCENE
TEN: JAVA CAFÉ; JACK, GRETA, AND WAITRESS.
The
waitress brings Greta her tea.
WAITRESS:
Here you go.
GRETA:
Thank you.
JACK:
(Reaches out his hand) Hmm.
The
waitress ignores him and leaves before he can tell her
what he wants.
JACK:
So, your past is off limits?
GRETA:
Hmm.
JACK:
You're the mysterious type?
GRETA:
Maybe I am.
JACK:
I can relate.
GRETA:
Really?
JACK:
Yes I can be very mysterious myself.
GRETA:
I think the ship sailed on that one.
JACK:
(Pretending to be offended) What?
GRETA:
I'm so.... you've already told me more about yourself than
I ever will want to know.
JACK:
But I haven't told you the most important thing of
all.
GRETA:
Which is?
JACK:
Why I have come back to this town.
GRETA:
Okay?
JACK:
It all has to do with my ex-wife.
GRETA:
Oh, well that's not so mysterious.
JACK:
It also involves a certain girl.
GRETA:
(Disgusted) That's not mysterious, that's just disgusting!
I don't want to hear about your mistress!
JACK:
I said "girl." She's my daughter.
GRETA:
(Embarrassed) Oh.... you have a little girl?
JACK:
She's perfect! She's adorable! (Sounding not
so sure) And she loves me very much.
GRETA:
(Picking up on this) You don't sound so certain about the
last part.
JACK:
Well, my ex-wife is trying to drive a wedge between us.
But it's not going to happen. You see, because I'm
her father. I always will be.
GRETA:
Well, I hope it works out for you.
JACK:
(With a knowing look) Oh, it will.... It will. You
see, I have a plan, a perfect solution for the whole problem.
GRETA:
What's your solution?
JACK:
Well, that's the mysterious part. I have a secret plan that
I can divulge to no one -- well.... I can divulge it to
you, but then I will have to kill you.... and you've already
been shot... and that would be a waste and it wouldn't be
fair in the first place.
GRETA:
(Even
more befuddled by Jack) Are all your conversations
this convoluted.
JACK:
Always.
GRETA:
(Laughs) Whatever floats your boat.
JACK:
I tell you what (beat) I want my daughter back in my life.
And when I sell my ex-wife on this plan -- and I will
-- she's going to fall for it, and then I'll have her just
where I want her.
[Airdate
late February, 2001]
SCENE
ELEVEN: ALICE'S AND SALEM PLACE; ABBY, JACK, AND JENNIFER
-- AND GOD.
Later
that night, Jennifer comes down the stairs, she stops
when she hears Abby's voice, Abby is by the phone waiting
for her daddy to call.
ABBY:
(Begging) Daddy, call us, call us, call us, please!
(Now talking to God) God, I know I shouldn't ask for things,
but.... this isn't really a thing, if you get Daddy to
call I'll really, really try to be better.
Jennifer
watches sadly, her heart is about to break.
JENNIFER:
(Thinking to herself) Oooh, how could you be better.
You're perfect already, Baby.
ABBY:
(Still hopeful) Please!
Abby
is looking up towards heaven. Jennifer starts to walk
towards her. just then the phone rings. Abby is all excited,
she knows it his her daddy.
ABBY:
(Thanking God) Thanks! (She answers the phone) Daddy!
Jack
is at a pay phone at Salem Place.
JACK:
(With a faux-British accent) Hello, is this Hortons' House
of Holistical Holography?
ABBY:
(Excited) Daddy!
They
both are extremely happy and emotional hearing each other's
voice.
JACK:
(Continuing with the accent, slight laugh) I am calling
to inform you, a Miss Abigail Deveraux, that she has won
a lifetime subscriptions to Molar Monthly, the
magazine dedicated to lovers of back teeth.
ABBY:
When am I going to see you.... I miss you soo much?
JACK:
(Affected by her love for him) Tout de suite, mon
sweet. I'm bringing along your first issue along with
a complimentary hot fudge sundae with no icky whipped
cream and extra cherries, right now.
ABBY:
Daddy, can I ask you something.... for real?
JACK:
Sure.... (His voice cracks a little) sure.
ABBY:
Are you going to stay in Salem.... can we be a family
again?
Abby
is hopeful that he will say yes, but slightly worried
too. Jennifer listens on sadly, it obviously breaks
her heart seeing Abby so hopeful; yet, knowing that
it will never be, she and Jack will probably never reunite
and Jack will just leave again.
SCENE
TWELVE: PRINCESS GRETA AND SAMI BRADY'S APARTMENT; GRETA,
AUSTIN REED, SAMI BRADY, AND HER SON WILL.
Austin has dropped by and Greta is happy, she feels
that especially after their time in the virtual Garden
of Eden and the Coronation that she and Austin have
grown close. However, Sami drops by and is able to use
her son Will -- also the son of Lucas Roberts, Bill
Horton's son with Kate Roberts -- to have an excuse
for Austin to go with her. She is determined to take
him away from Greta. Austin believes her rouse about
Will and goes with her. Greta is depressed and upset
with Sami, she fears she lost another man. Later Sami
is successful in seducing Austin, and the have sex.
SCENE
THIRTEEN: SALEM PLACE AND ALICE'S; JACK, ABBY, AND
JENNIFER .
Jack and Abby are on the phone, Jennifer watches
from the doorway.
ABBY:
Please Daddy, say you'll stay?
JACK:
(Very emotional) Sweetheart I.... I want us to be
a family again more than anything.
ABBY:
Me too!
JACK:
I miss you so much it's like I'm.... I'm missing a
piece of my own heart (beat). (Speaking with profound
love) I love you Abby.
ABBY:
I love you too Daddy.
Jennifer
walks closer to Abby, she is practically in tears.
JACK:
So Toots, ahh.... is your mommy around?
ABBY:
Just a second.
Jennifer
tries to walk off so Abby does not know she was listening
near by. Abby calls to her.
Pretending
she just came because Abby called her, and feigning
ignorance to what Abby wants.
JENNIFER:
Yeah, hi Baby, what's up?
Abby
is hopeful that when Jennifer talks to Jack things
will get better for them.
ABBY:
Daddy's on the phone.
JENNIFER:
(Trying to sound glad, trying hide the fact that she
is not that happy) Oh, Great, great. (Picking up the
phone) Ahh, hello, Jack.
JACK:
(Trying to sound unemotional) Jennifer.
Abby pleads with Jennifer, and as she talks to Jack
Abby grabs her arm.
ABBY:
Tell him to come right over, that we can't wait to
see him.... Tell him Mommy! Tell him.
JENNIFER:
(Not thrilled but trying to make Abby happy) Okay, okay
Baby J....
SCENE
FOURTEEN: SALEM PLACE AND ALICE'S; JACK,
JENNIFER , AND ABBY.
Jennifer is reluctantly on the phone with
Jack, who wants to come over and see Abby.
Abby is listening and looking towards heaven,
expectantly hoping Jack will come over and
that he and Jennifer will make up.
JENNIFER:
Eh, uh.... Abby's been waiting for you to
call.
JACK:
(Angry) I've been waiting to call her.
You told me to wait, that you had to talk
to her first!
JENNIFER:
And you have no idea why you think
that I may have doubted you do what
you said you'd do!
Abby
listens on, unnoticed. She is sad hearing
hear parents argue.
JACK:
Like I'd ever not call Abby, I wanted
to see her as soon as we landed.
JENNIFER:
Out of the blue, with no warning!
JACK:
But you said you had to have time to decide
when I could see my own daughter. That
it would happen on your schedule, with
your permission.
JENNIFER:
(Angry, speaking softly so Abby' will not
hear) Listen I am not going to do this
right now in front of Abby. Do you understand
me. (Calling Abby) Abby, Sweetie...
Turns
around to see that Abby is no longer there.
JENNIFER:
(Talking to Jack) Oh great she is not even
in the room anymore, Jack. So I am sure that
she just heard us fighting.
Abby
is hiding in the hall, still listening in
sadly to her parents arguing.
JACK:
Then let me come over, let's work this out.
JENNIFER:
(Not wanting him to come over, tries to make
up excuses) You know Jack, it's late. Abby
has a swimming lesson in the morning. Ah I--
JACK:
(Interrupting) I have a proposal to make.
JENNIFER:
Oh really, what kind of "proposal"
do you have?
JACK:
I'll be there, I'll tell you in person.
JENNIFER:
NO,
I--
JACK:
(Interrupting) So I can't see Abby?
JENNIFER:
I didn't say that you couldn't see
Abby, alright. You know, I have a life. Do
you think that you can just pop over whenever
you feel like it?
JACK:
(Frowns, concerned) Is someone there?
JENNIFER:
What? Oh, (laughs) okay Jack, that's fine.
That's just fine. (Reluctantly she
gives in) Alright, why don't you come
over.... come over in an hour.
JACK:
I'll be there, but Jennifer, we have to stop
doing this dance, tonight for Abby's sake
we make some decisions.
Angry
he shuts off his cell phone. Jennifer holds
on to the receiver, looking worried as to
what Jack has planned.
SCENE
FIFTEEN: SALEM PLACE: JACK AND GRETA.
Sami
has just been able to get Austin away from
Greta. Greta is now walking around Salem placing,
carrying a coffee, and muttering to herself,
not looking where she is going.
GRETA:
Manipulative little bimbo (shaking her head
in frustration).
Jack
is also walking around Salem Place, and is
also carrying a cup of coffee, muttering to
himself, angry over his recent conversation
with Jennifer. He is not looking where he
is going.
JACK:
Controlling, judgmental, moral arbiter (he
shakes his head in frustration).
Just
then they both bump into each other, and both
spill their coffees on the other. Both are
irritated.
GRETA:
Aaahhh.
JACK:
Ohh. Why don't you look where you are
going?
GRETA:
Why.... do y--
They
finally see each other, and are surprised
-- they were just talking together earlier
that evening.
SCENE
SIXTEEN: ALICE'S LIVINGROOM; JENNIFER AND
ABBY.
Jennifer is straightening out magazines
on Alice's coffee table. Abby, shuffles
into the room walking over towards her mother.
ABBY:
You're mad at Daddy, aren't you?
Jennifer
sits down, and then takes Abby by the hand
bringing her towards her.
JENNIFER:
No Sweetie, I am not mad.... at Daddy. He just
caught me by surprise.
ABBY:
(Hopeful, yet not quite convinced) That's it?
JENNIFER:
(Trying to persuade her, though it's obvious
it is not quite the truth) That's it.
ABBY:
(Happier) That's great, because I hear he say
he had a proposal.
JENNIFER:
(Flashes a worried look, not knowing how to
answer the question) That's right.
ABBY:
So when he asks you to marry him, you're gonna
say yes (beat) aren't you (hopeful)? Aren't
you?
Jennifer
does not know how to answer that. She looks
very worried.
SCENE
SEVENTEEN: SALEM PLACE; JACK, GRETA, AND A REPORTER.
Jack and Greta have just literally bumped into
each other, and spilled the coffee they each were
carrying on the other. Jack is frantically trying
to clean Greta.
GRETA:
So we meet again.
JACK:
Yeah, at least this time I didn't fall down
Continues
trying to clean her up. She is short tempered
because of the run in she had with Sami who was
able to get Austin to leave her (Greta) and go
with her.
GRETA:
You know what, it's alright. I said, "It
is alright!"
They
look at each other and Jack stops.
JACK:
Sorry Princess.
GRETA:
You know what I'm sorry. I am. I'm just in
a horrible mood.
JACK:
(Imitating the Queen) "We are not amused,"
right?
Jack
smiles and she cannot help but smile back.
GRETA:
Yes, something like that.
JACK:
Well hey, I'm in a terrible mood too. Us running
into each other and spilling coffee was actually
an improvement on the rest of my day.
GRETA:
Yes, I heard right before our little collision,
you were muttering something, ex-wife again?
JACK:
Yes, a Jennifer inspired mutter. But I wasn't the
only one muttering, was I, what's bugging you?
GRETA:
Nothing, just the nicest, best looking guy just
gave me the.... "See you around?"
JACK:
(Looking at her horrified) I did not!
They
both sit down on a bench.
GRETA:
(Laughing) You're not lacking in self-esteem now,
are you?
JACK:
Now listen I have a question for you.
GRETA:
(Not sure if she wants to be asked the question)
Hmmmm.....
JACK:
Is this guy blind, comatose, because point of fact,
you are.... a quite a nice looking princess.
GRETA:
Well, first of all, he is not my boyfriend; secondly,
I don't even know that he even knows that I think
of him like that.
JACK:
Is he among the living, because if you are
even thinking of thinking about like that, he'd
be lucky if you were thinking about thing about
like that, I think.
GRETA:(Trying
to follow Jack's babbling) And I think I know what
you're talking about, which scares me (laugh)
Just
then a reporter with a camera pops up.
Jack
posses with Greta, he puts his arm around her and
smiles.
REPORTER:
Thanks, Princess.
JACK:
(Looking at the reporter) Hey, who are you calling
a "Princess?" Oh..... oh..... oh. (Greta
smiles, he looks at her) Price of fame.
REPORTER:
This will make great copy, "Princess Greta
back in the States." (He takes off)
JACK:
(Looking wistfully) Now that's something I really
miss.
GRETA:
What, having your picture taken with coffee all
over (looking at her blouse) your blouse?
JACK:
No, that's something I hardly ever will miss. I'm
talking about being a reporter.
GRETA:
(Cannot believe that) You, a reporter?
JACK:
One of the best, the Michael Jordan of journalists.
GRETA:
(Still cannot believe him) You talk like you talk
and make your money with words?
JACK:
You know, no one likes a sarcastic princess.
But maybe it'll give me an exclusive "The sardonic
princess."
GRETA:
(Laughs
again) I hate to tell you this, but journalistically....
I don't see you having much of a future.
JACK:
"Oh, future?" (Looking at his watching)
Speaking of futures, I better see if I have one
at Chez Horton. Now If you excuse me au revoir.
It's very nice to run into you again.
GRETA:
Bye. (Thinking, something dawns on her) HEY....
WAIT! "Jennifer." "At Chez Horton."
Jennifer Horton is your ex-wife.... Hmmmm...
SCENE
EIGHTEEN: ALICE'S; JENNIFER AND ABBY.
Abby is excited having heard Jack use the word
"proposal" she is sure that he is going
to ask Jennifer to marry him again. Jennifer does
not want her to get her hopes up. Jennifer sits
Abby next to her.
JENNIFER:
Ah Sweetie, sit down. When he was talking about
a "proposal," I don't think he was talking
about marriage.
ABBY:
But he could have been, couldn't he? (Hopeful) Couldn't
he? O, Mommy please say yes, please....
Please!
SCENE
NINETEEN: SALEM PLACE; JACK AND VENDER.
Jack has just bought a stuffed tiger from
a vender.
JACK:
Thank you.
VENDER:
(Talking to vender) Thank you very much. Have a
good night.
Jack
walks off for his meeting with Abby and Jennifer.
He is admiring the stuffed tiger he bought Abby,
and is talking to himself. Though optimistic about
meeting Abby, he is less so about Jennifer's reactions.
JACK:
Oh, Abigail's gonna love you -- course she has and
always will love me. It's just her mother
that needs convincing.
SCENE
TWENTY:
ALICE'S; JENNIFER, ABBY AND GOD.
Jennifer and Abby are on the couch,
Jennifer is trying to get Abby not to
get her hopes up about Jack wanting
for them to marry again. Jennifer is
lovingly caressing Abby's cheek.
JENNIFER:
I just don't want to your hopes, okay
Sweetie.
ABBY:
I'll gotta go change before Daddy gets
here.
Jennifer
sighs. She does not want Abby to be
hurt. Abby walks up the stairs and stops
on the first landing. She looks up towards
heaven, and talks to God again.
ABBY:
You can see what I'm up against, can't
you. So if we want to get them back together
I'm really going to need your help.
Thank you
Abby
walks up the rest of the stairs.
It is not clear if Jennifer has heard
her or not. However, her heart seems to
be breaking for Abby. Her feelings for
Jack are unclear.
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