SCENE ONE: A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER,
JACK ARRIVES AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER TO MEET MARCUS.
JACK: I've got a lot to do today.
MARCUS: Alright. Well I think I've hit on a great idea
to help deserving people in this area.
JACK: I thought that's what the Community Center was supposed
to do.
MARCUS: Well will you just listen to me Jack, please?
I want to tell you about a woman named Charlene who happened to
be on welfare and she happened to be an excellent cook. So we
saw the opportunity to utilize that skill. We also saw an opportunity
for me to invest in some venture capital. The response has been
excellent Jack. The result is a thriving catering service.
JACK: So you think I should have her cater my next party?
MARCUS: No Jack. We feel we can help others if we get
some Federal funding from the government.
JACK: It's not going to work.
MARCUS: What are you talking about? This is a proven way
to get people off welfare and back working and paying taxes where
they belong.
JACK: You give me one example. That's not enough to go
on Marcus.
MARCUS: I can't believe you Jack. You know for a while
there, like for a split second, I thought you actually cared about
the people down here. You reopened the center, didn't you?
JACK: I reopened the center for Kayla.
MARCUS: No, no, no. I think you reopened the center because
you come from a family of compassionate people. The Johnsons have
a heritage of helping other people.
JACK: I think you're a little off there, Tiger.
MARCUS: No it's true. The Johnsons care about people.
JACK: Look maybe I share a few genes with the Johnsons
not to mention a kidney. But overall I'm a dyed in the wool Deveraux.
The only reason I reopened the center was for Kayla. Now you....come
on, we both know that.
MARCUS: No. So everyone else who benefits from your assistance
can just go to hell. Is that it?
JACK: You said that. Not me.
MELISSA WALKS IN BEHIND JACK.
MARCUS: I can't believe you.
JACK: What do you mean you can't believe me? The only reason
anybody is working here now is because I cared enough about Kayla
to reopen the center and keep it running. I did it for her. So before
you go handing out any Nobel Peace Prizes for my kind actions please
re-examine my motives.
MELISSA WALKS OUT WITHOUT HEARING THE REST.
MARCUS: I don't care about your motives, Jack. I don't care.
What I care about is that these people get a chance to put some
dignity back into their lives, that's all.
JACK: I appreciate your civic consciousness, I do.
MARCUS: Would you just think about it, please? We need
your help to get this project off the ground.
JACK: Look, we're talking about miles and miles of red
tape here Marcus.
MARCUS: Yeah, red tape that you could easily slice through
no problem, Jack.
JACK: Okay, look, I'll think about it.
MARCUS: Thank you, thank you. I appreciate it.
JACK: I gotta go. No harm in thinking.
JACK LEAVES AND MELISSA HIDES OUTSIDE BECAUSE SHE
IS HURT.
SCENE TWO: LATER ON JACK
ARRIVES AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER WHERE MELISSA IS WORKING. SHE
HAS HAD HER HAIR CUT SHORT.
JACK: Melissa?
MELISSA: Hi.
JACK: Look at your hair! That's wonderful. That's why
you wanted me to come down here, to look at your new haircut.
MELISSA: No, not exactly.
JACK: Well what is it?
MELISSA: I know you turned down Marcus and Vanessa's request
for help.
JACK: I didn't turn it down. I said I'd think about it.
MELISSA: No lies Jack. I want you to be honest with me.
JACK: Melissa, wait a minute, what is this?
MELISSA: I want us to tell the truth to each other.
JACK: Of course I tell the truth. I was telling you the
truth about my conversation with Marcus.
MELISSA: Then tell me the truth about why you reopened
the center Jack.
JACK: What do you mean?
MELISSA: Come on. You reopened the center because of your
feelings for Kayla. You did it for her.
JACK: Did Marcus tell you I said that?
MELISSA: He didn't have to. I was standing in the doorway
when you said it.
JACK: Melissa, I've never lied to you.
MELISSA: You still have feelings for Kayla, don't you?
JACK: Well she was my wife.
MELISSA: I'm not talking about the past Jack. I'm talking
about your feelings for her now. I'm talking about us. You haven't
gotten over Kayla.
JACK: I'm trying.
MELISSA: Are you?
JACK: Yes I am. I'm trying very hard to put her in the
past. Haven't I proved that to you by now? Haven't we shared any
kind of.... any kind of moments in the past couple of days that
might give you that kind of indication?
MELISSA: Yes, we have.
JACK: I care about you Melissa. I care about you a lot.
MELISSA: Look I know you care about me.
JACK: I.... made love to you. We made love. Doesn't that
prove anything to you about the way that I feel? (Hug) Look
I am not good with my words right now. That's my way of showing
you that I want us to be together.
MELISSA: Jack, did the other night mean anything to you?
JACK: Of course it did. The more that we share, the more
that it.... the more.... the more it confirms to me that I want
to share my future with you.
MELISSA: I can't believe you're saying this.
JACK: What, that surprises you?
MELISSA: Yes. I guess it shouldn't. You're just saying
what I've been wanting to hear for a long time.
JACK: It's the truth, Melissa. I want to rebuild.... I
want to build us a relationship together. With your help I can
forget all that....all that unhappiness in my past.
MELISSA: Jack I want to help you forget the unhappiness.
But on one condition.
JACK: Well what is that?
MELISSA: You have to prove to me that you're willing to
change.
JACK: Well tell me what can I do to prove it to you?
MELISSA: Help Vanessa with her project.
JACK: Oh Melissa!
MELISSA: Jack you have everything to gain.
JACK: Look you....you don't understand the system here.
MELISSA: I understand that people are hurting and you
can do something wonderful to help them.
JACK: It's not that simple.
MELISSA: And you're just being stubborn Jack. You're over-reacting.
You want to make sure that you don't help Steve or any of his
friends. That's ridiculous. Look it doesn't matter if you are
a Deveraux or a Johnson. The main thing is that you are an Assemblyman
with responsibilities to the people you represent and in this
case you can start with Vanessa. Help her to help others. Is that
so difficult Jack? I want you to help Vanessa, please.
JACK: Is that what you want?
MELISSA: Yes, that's what I want.
JACK: Okay.
MELISSA: Okay? You'll do it?
JACK: If that's what you want.
MELISSA: Jack I knew you would. Thank you. You don't know
what this means to me.
THRILLED, MELISSA HUGS JACK, BUT HIS EXPRESSION IS HARD TO READ
WILL HE HELP MARCUS AND VANESSA, AND HOW MUCH OF WHAT HE SAID ABOUT
HIS FEELINGS FOR MELISSA ARE TRUE. 
SCENE THREE: JACK AND MELISSA
ARE WORKING IN SHENANIGAN'S WHEN ADRIENNE COMES OVER.
JACK: I think it's important that we disassociate ourselves
here from....
ADRIENNE: Jack, could I have a word with you?
JACK: Actually I'm a little busy right now Adrienne.
ADRIENNE: It would just take a minute of your time please.
JACK: Okay, go ahead, speak your mind.
ADRIENNE: Thank you. I know why you've been keeping your
distance from the family and I can understand that it's
going to take a while for you to get used to everything. But Steve
and Kayla are coming back from their honeymoon today and I was
wondering....
JACK DOES NOT SEEM HAPPY BY THE IDEA. IT ALSO STILL HURTS
HIM THAT KAYLA AND STEVE ARE HAPPILY MARRIED, NOR IS HE COMING
AROUND TO ACCEPTING THAT HE IS A JOHNSON, AND ACCEPT THEM AS
HIS FAMILY.
 ADRIENNE:
(CONT.) ....no I was hoping that maybe we could get the whole
family together, you know. Start fresh. It would mean so much
to everyone.
JACK: Look Adrienne, let me tell you something. I mean, nothing
personal between us, you know, and I (Clears his throat) know that
you never meant me any harm and you're probably as innocent in this
whole thing as I am. But I want you to understand something right
now. Although I'm not a Deveraux by blood, I'm a Deveraux in my
heart. I am not a Johnson, nor will I ever be a part of the Johnson
family. (Beat) Adrienne, you've got to be kidding, right? I mean
me, a Deveraux! You're kidding right? You are joking?
ADRIENNE IS HURT AND UPSET BY JACK'S CALLOUS REMARKS.
JO WALKS UP.
MELISSA: Jack, don't you think you've said enough?
JACK: No! I don't think I've said enough. I don't think we need to shield
Mrs. Johnson from the truth. She needs to hear the truth. Last
thing I want to do is let her go on with some false hopes.
MELISSA: Jack.
JO: No please Melissa, it's alright. Jack has the right
to say what he feels.
JACK: That's right. I should say what I feel and that's
exactly what I'm going to do.
MELISSA: Jack stop it. You're hurting their feelings.
 JACK:
What a lamentable pity! That's a big word isn't it. Lamentable.
(Jack gets up, mockingly pretending to find the right word to insult
them) What would the Johnson's equivalent of lamentable be? Downright
shame! You know it seems to me nobody took hurt feelings into account
when they got into this whole sordid ordeal. Melissa, do you think
this woman really cared about me when she barged back into my life
and turned it all upside down? No I don't think anybody in this
room could talk about hurt feelings! Especially this maid here who
did her best to destroy my life years ago. Then when she found out
that everything was just going fine she couldn't stop. She had to
come back and finish the job off! 
JO IS CRYING.
JACK: (CONT.) Why couldn't you have just stuck to your cleaning
and left me alone?
ADRIENNE: That's enough Jack. You can't talk to my mother
like that.
JACK: That's right. Your mother, not mine. Now if you'd be
so kind as to tell this pedestrian little char woman to stay out
of my life, I'd really appreciate it. Perhaps you need some help
with all these polysyllabic words. Or better yet, get yourself a
dictionary.
JACK WALKS OUT.
SCENE FOUR: MELISSA FOLLOWS JACK
TO THE PARK.
MELISSA: Jack would you wait for me please?
JACK: Melissa, I'm sorry. I did not realize you were following
me.
MELISSA: Why did you say all those terrible things back
there?
JACK: Careful! You're starting to sound like a mother.
And the last thing I need is another mother!
MELISSA: I'm sorry Jack but I don't see why you have to
go on hurting your family. Do you enjoy causing them pain?
JACK: I don't know. Do they enjoy hurting me? Do you have
any idea what it feels like to have your life going on just fine
and dandy one day and the next day find out you're not the person
you thought you were? It's a tad disorientating. Not to mention
the fact that I hate the idea of being related to that family.
 MELISSA:
Believe me Jack. I know what it's like to be ashamed of where you
come from. But you have no reason to. The Johnson's are good people.
They care about you. They're not trying to cause you pain.
JACK: But they do. Every time I run into a member of that
clan, I just cringe.
MELISSA: I'm sure you do Jack. But it has nothing to do
with your so called pain. You're a snob. You hate the idea of
being a Johnson because you don't think they're on a social par
with you.
JACK: Don't be absurd Melissa. That has nothing to do
with it.
MELISSA: No Jack, I'm right. There's no point in turning
away from me. The truth is, you look down on the Johnsons.
JACK: Alright Melissa. I'll admit it. I like the way I
am. I like the idea of having the culture and the style that other
people only aspire to. Now maybe they can take away my pedigree
but they can't take away what I am. And what I am is not a Johnson.
MELISSA: Jack, I'm sorry you feel that way but I hate
seeing you in so much pain. Sooner or later you're going to have
to accept the fact that you really are Billy Johnson.
JACK: Wrong Melissa! Dead wrong! I'm never going to accept
that.
MELISSA: Jack you're not going to change just because
you're a Johnson.
JACK: I'm not a Johnson. I'm a Deveraux. Don't you understand
that by now? I mean that's all I have left is that name. They've
taken everything else away from me. All I have left is this link
to my identity, which is Deveraux.
MELISSA: Jack, think about it. After everything that's
happened, what does the Deveraux name  mean
anymore? What does it stand for?
JACK: Alright, yes, a lot of things have happened but
it doesn't make any kind of difference. Nothing can destroy the
name of Deveraux. Yes Harper was sick and it caused him to do
some very deranged things. But that in no way detracts from the....
from the.... the aura.... the aura that surrounds the Deveraux
heritage. Now why would I want to give up on all.... on all that
that name signifies and take up on the Johnson appellation. I
mean one denotes power and graceful living, the other calls to
mind drinking beer and.... and.... pool and blue collars. Now
I don't need to toss a coin to decide which one I'd rather have.
MELISSA: Jack I really thought you were bigger than this.
When is the day going to come when you'll be able to stop defining
yourself by your name and start living your life as your own person?
Do you think that day will ever come Jack?
JACK: There's never been any pretense between us Melissa.
You always knew what you were getting yourself in for when you
got involved with me. I never lied to you about the kind of man
that I am. Power and position are very important to me and if
you're going to wait around for me to change, you're making a
big mistake because I'm not going to change. This is way I am.
Love it or leave it and any other colloquial saying that you wish.
MELISSA: Well if it's a choice between taking you and
leaving you Jack, I don't have a choice. I love you. I would love
you if you were a Deveraux or a Johnson.
JACK: Well then love me as a Deveraux. Leave it at that.
Will you do that?
MELISSA: Of course I will. I just hate seeing you like this.
I hope somehow that I can help you get rid of all this resentment
so you can be truly happy again. So that both of us can be happy.
JACK WALKS TOWARDS MELISSA AND WRAPS HIS ARMS AROUND
HER.
JACK: Let's not talk about this anymore.
SCENE FIVE: JACK IS SITTING IN THE DEVERAUX LIVING ROOM
WITH HIS SHIRT UNDONE. ANJELICA COMES DOWN TO TALK TO HIM.
ANJELICA: Sweetheart, you better get a move on.
JACK: I know.... I know.
ANJELICA: Honey, are you okay?
JACK: Okay?....Yeah, sure, why?
ANJELICA: Are you nervous?
JACK: No. I'm not nervous. Why?
ANJELICA: Well this is your first social appearance since
your father was put in jail.
JACK: It doesn't bother me. I'm just going to go on with
my life and go on with my career as if nothing's happened.
ANJELICA: I like your attitude. Now let's get a move on.
We'll both gonna be late.
JACK: Alright.... Anjelica, wait a minute, wait a minute,
look at this.
THEY BOTH WATCH THE TV WHERE HARPER IS GIVING A
PRESS CONFERENCE. THEY BOTH CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT THEY HEAR AND
SEE.
HARPER: Thank you for coming. My actions of the
past several months prove that I have been very ill. Now thank god
I am in a state of recovery. But because of the harm I inflicted
on many families in this community, I am making a charitable gift.
A gesture of my deep.... deep remorse. I am announcing today that
my attorneys will be handling the disbursement of my entire fortune
which will go directly to victims' rights organizations as a gesture
of my heartfelt regret.  JACK:
Wha.... what the hell does he think he's doing?
ANJELICA: I know exactly what he's doing.
JACK: Why would he want to give away all of his money?
ANJELICA: Simple. He doesn't want my baby to get a dime.
JACK: You think that's his real motive?
ANJELICA: Oh you bet I do. And I am not going to sit back
and watch what's coming to me get given away to a bunch of strangers.
I worked very hard for my share. I gave many stellar performances
as the happy devoted Mrs. Deveraux.
JACK: How are you going to contest the decision? I mean....
I mean.... I'm sure he's got all the bases covered to protect
his charity.
ANJELICA: Well....this is one ball game he's going to
lose.
JACK: I don't know how you're going to be able to do anything.
ANJELICA: Watch me!
SCENE SIX: LATER THAT NIGHT MELISSA
ARRIVES AT THE DEVERAUX MANSION ALL DRESSED UP FOR A DATE.
JACK: Just a minute. I'll get it. I'll be right there....
Melissa!
MELISSA: Hi.
JACK: Look at you. You look beautiful.
MELISSA: Thank you. I was hoping you'd like it.
JACK: But....wait a minute. I thought I was supposed to
come pick you up?
MELISSA: Well I wanted to come by early and see how you
were doing after your father's announcement today. I saw it on
the news.
JACK: (Beat) Yeah.... yeah. It was kind of a surprise
wasn't it?
MELISSA: Yes.
JACK: Well he's giving all of his money to a good charity.
That's the important thing.
MELISSA: Yeah. I suppose.
JACK: Well look I better get dressed then we can go. Look....er....you....you
keep yourself entertained. I'll be right back.
JACK TURNS ON THE TV AND HANDS MELISSA THE REMOTE
CONTROL. MICKEY'S VOICE BLARES OUT OF THE TV AS HE DENOUNCES HARPER'S
DONATION AS DESIGNED TO MISLEAD THE PUBLIC. HE SAYS THAT HARPER
IS A CONVICTED KILLER AND IT IS POISON MONEY THAT MAKES A MOCKERY
OF THE WORD CHARITY.
JACK: Damn. DAMN HIM!
[Air
date 8-15-88]
SCENE ONE: JACK AND MELISSA COME HOME TO FIND MICKEY
MEETING WITH ANJELICA.
JACK: Anjelica would tell me what's going on here?
ANJELICA: Hi Jack, Melissa. How was your dinner?
JACK: Fine. Just fine.
MELISSA: Hi dad.
MICKEY: Hi Melissa, Jack.
JACK: Anjelica. Why don't you tell me what the DAs doing
here in my house?
ANJELICA: Jack, it's our house and I invited him here.
We have to discuss a matter concerning your father.
JACK: I don't know what you think you're doing but this
man is trying to put Harper away for good and you're inviting
him over for tea.
MELISSA: Jack. You're talking about my father.
JACK: Melissa, I know precisely what I'm talking about
and who I'm talking to.
ANJELICA: Jack. Please calm down. Get hold of yourself.
JACK: No! I will not get a hold of myself. I don't care
why he's here. I want him out! (Beat) Did you hear me? I want
you out of here.
ANJELICA: Jack, knock it off.
MICKEY: Mr. Deveraux, your tone is very offensive. Don't
talk to me that way. You understand?
JACK: I'll talk to you anyway I want as long as you're
in my house. Now get out of here Mr. DA's before I call the police.
MELISSA: Jack please. Dad I'm sorry. Jack doesn't mean
that.
JACK: I most certainly do mean it Melissa.
ANJELICA: Listen here Jack. I invited Mickey here....
MICKEY: It's alright Anjelica. We've finished with what
we were discussing but I'm going to need some evidence if we're
going to locate Harper's private funds which he took out of the
country to keep away from you. I'm going to need some cold hard
facts.
ANJELICA: If I come across any evidence I will call you
immediately and thank you again so much for (To Mickey) stopping
by!
MICKEY: It's no problem but I must warn you that even
if we do locate the funds there is no guarantee they'll go to
you.
ANJELICA: I understand that Mickey but I'm willing to
take that risk. You see I'm entitled to that money and that's
the only chance I've got to give my baby a good life, the life
my baby deserves.
MICKEY: I'll do what I can but....
JACK: ALRIGHT I....THAT'S IT.... I'VE STOOD HERE LONG
ENOUGH LISTENING TO YOU TWO PLOTTING AGAINST HARPER BEHIND HIS
BACK. NOW GET OUT!
MICKEY WALKS OUT AND MELISSA GOES AFTER HIM.
JACK: Anjelica, what do you think you're doing? This is consorting
with the enemy. You know that.
ANJELICA: Mickey Horton is not the enemy and what I'm
trying to do is protect my future and the future of my unborn
child. In order to do that I need to get the money Harper is hiding.
I'm entitled to my share of that money and I intend to get it.
JACK: I just don't understand how you can act this way?
I don't understand how you can just turn your back on Harper after
all the years that.... you.... that you have been together with
him.
ANJELICA: Jack I don't understand you. You keep vacillating
back and forth between hatred and loyalty to this man that you
once thought was your father. You've got to stop. You've got to
face facts. Your father is a murderer. The sooner you accept that
fact, wash your hands of him, the sooner you can get on with your
life and be happy.
JACK: I don't know whether I can do that Anjelica. If
I stop thinking of myself as a Deveraux then all I've got left
is to be a.... a Johnson. (Crying) I don't think I can live with
that.
SCENE TWO: MELISSA FOLLOWS
MICKEY AND EXPLAINS WHY JACK WAS SO UPSET. MICKEY SAYS HE IS SICK
OF MELISSA MAKING EXCUSES FOR JACK AND SAYS HE HAS A COMPLETE
LACK OF CHARACTER. SHE SAYS SHE LOVES JACK NO MATTER WHAT.
SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE,
EVE IS RUSHED TO HOSPITAL AFTER ATTEMPTING SUICIDE. JENNIFER IS
VERY DISTRESSED AND THINKS THAT IF SHE HAD BEEN A BETTER FRIEND
TO EVE SHE MIGHT NOT HAVE DONE THIS. FRANKIE COMES TO THE HOSPITAL
TO BE THERE FOR JENNIFER AND EVE.
SCENE FOUR: MELISSA RETURNS
TO TALK TO JACK.
MELISSA: Jack.
JACK: Melissa. I didn't think you'd be coming back here.
MELISSA: You were way out of line Jack.
JACK: What do you mean?
MELISSA: What do I mean? The rude and unfair way you talked
to my mother. You had no right to talk to him like that.
JACK: Your father's the enemy Melissa. I'm just protecting
my father. Standing up for him. Protecting him. Fighting for him
MELISSA: Jack, when are you going to open your eyes? Harper
is guilty of murder. My father is only doing his job. I can't
believe you. Do you really want Harper free, so he can roam the
streets and kill again? Sorry Jack I don't want to hurt you but
I think it's time you realized that Senator Deveraux is a very
dangerous and disturbed man. He's a killer and sooner or later
you're going to have to accept the truth Jack. The man you admire
so much is a murderer.
JACK: You know I'm very sick and tired of everyone telling
me to face the facts about Harper Deveraux. Here's a fact for
you Melissa. He's the only father I've ever known.
MELISSA: But he isn't really your father Jack. All things
considered I think you'd be relieved to know that your natural
father isn't a murderer.
JACK: No. He was too busy committing incest with his daughter.
Take a look at the Johnson heritage Melissa. Is it supposed to comfort
me? I don't think so. No. I don't want to be a Johnson. I can't
be. |
