[Air date May 1989]
SCENE ONE: EARL JOHNSON HAS JUST WALKED INTO
JO'S SURPRISE PARTY WITH JACK.
JO: I can't believe that you came here.
EARL: I'm sorry Josie. I didn't mean to upset
you. I thought you'd enjoy me showing up like this and wishing
you a happy birthday.
STEVE: Who are you?
EARL: Tell 'em who I am Josephine.
JO: It's is your father's brother, Earl.
STEVE: Earl?
EARL: You must be Steven Earl, eh?
JACK STOPS AND SEEMS TO BE MENTALLY THINKING IT OVER.
HE GETS AN EXPRESSION OF RECOGNITION ON HIS FACE. HIS EXPRESSION
TURNS IMMEDIATELY FROM GLOATING TO SHOCK, TO DISGUST WITH
HIMSELF.
JACK: Wa.... wa.... wait a minute. You're Duke Johnson's
brother?
STEVE WALKS OVER TO JACK AND SHOVES HIM IN THE CHEST,
FURIOUS.
STEVE: You brought him here! You didn't know
that?
JACK: Alright! No, I didn't.
STEVE: What the hell do you want here? What
do you want here?
EARL: I didn't come here to cause any problems.
STEVE: Oh, no. You showed up at a party you
weren't invited to. What do you call that?
EARL: I came here to say hello to an old
friend. Congratulate her on a happy occasion. If I'm not welcome
here then I'll beat it. Now tell me something. I'm Duke Johnson's
twin brother. Is that what's causing all this commotion? We look
alike and that's as far as it goes. Duke Johnson never did a thing
in his life that his family could be proud of and I'm sure he
caused you all kinds of grief.
SCENE TWO: EARL TELLS THEM THAT HE IS NOT DUKE,
HE JUST LOOKS LIKE HIM. DUKE HE KNOWS PROBABLY GAVE HIS FAMILY
ONLY GRIEF. AS HE TALKS ADRIENNE IS WATCHING HIM SHE THINKS
BACK OVER THE TIME THAT SHE SHOT DUKE HER FATHER WHEN HE RAPED
HER. JACK SEES HOW UPSET ADRIENNE IS UPSET AND SOBBING COLLAPSES
INTO JUSTIN'S ARMS. SHE ASKS JUSTIN TO TAKE HER HOME. EARL DECIDES
THAT HE IS THE ONE WHO SHOULD LEAVE. STEVE AND THE FAMILY THEN
TURN ON JACK. JACK IS HURT AND TRULY SORRY FOR WHAT HE DID.
HE REALIZES WHAT HIS DESIRE FOR REVENGE HAS DONE, THE
PAIN IT HAS COST JO AND ADRIENNE. HE CANNOT BARE TO LOOK AT
THEM.
STEVE: You've really gone to the limit now. WHY DID YOU
DO THAT? WHY DID YOU DO THAT?
HE GRABS JACK, AND SHAKES HIM.
JACK: I didn't know. I thought he was a friend of yours.
I had no idea who he was. I had no idea.
JO TRIES TO STOP THEM FIGHTING. TRYING TO APOLOGIZE.
BUT THERE HAVE BEEN TOO MANY TIMES, TOO MANY INCIDENTS WHERE
JACK DID THINGS TO HURT THEM, THAT STEVE CANNOT BELIEVE HIM.
JO: Steve please. Don't Steve, please. Please.
JACK: I tell you. I didn't know who it was.
STEVE GRABS JACK'S FACE.
STEVE: I'm not finished with you. You hear me
JO: You knew he was coming here to cause
trouble Jack.
NEIL: Jo are you alright.
JO: Yes, I'll be fine.
NEIL: (To Jack) That's one lady I don't
want to see get hurt. Ever!
JO APOLOGIZES TO ADRIENNE FOR NOT TELLING
HER ABOUT EARL. AS ADRIENNE IS LEAVING SHE STOPS TO TALK TO
JACK. JACK LOOKS TO ADRIENNE, HIS EYES PLEADING AND WITH DEEP
SORROW.
ADRIENNE: (Sobbing) How could you?
JACK: (Self-conscious, realizing what he
did and how it hurt people) I'm sorry. (Beat) Well, it looks like
everybody is going, so I'll be going too.
STEVE GRABS JACK AND PREVENTS HIM LEAVING.
 JACK:
Look you said you wanted me to leave, I'm leaving.
STEVE: I'm not finished with you. You can't
break my family. You may not care a damn thing about them but
you can't ruin them.
JACK: I want you to believe me when I tell
you I didn't know who Duke Johnson was.
STEVE: Oh, no. Just some stranger you picked
up off the street huh?
 JACK:
Look I've never seen a picture of Duke Johnson in my life. How
do you expect me to know who he is?
STEVE: You could've asked.
JACK: I thought.... you know who I thought
that guy was? I thought he was somebody from your past. Some old
bum that you owed money to. I was just trying to embarrass you
in front of him. I was just trying to embarrass you in front of
your family, that's all. And it.... it.... I blew it alright.
I blew it. I blew it.
STEVE: You ruined my mother's party. You
freaked my sister out and all you can say is I blew it.
JO: Would you stop it! Other people can hear.
STOP IT!
JACK: I want you to know. I didn't mean....
I didn't know who he was. I want you to know that.
JO: Well, not that it matters now, does it?
 JACK:
Look I have....
JO: Now I have never ever turned you away.
But this is Steve's house and there's been enough pain as it is
tonight already.
JACK: Just....
JO: No, you want to give me a birthday present?
Let me tell you what to do. You leave, please.
JACK: I'll leave.
STEVE: Don't come back.
STEVE PUSHES JACK OUT THE DOOR.
STEVE: Don't come back.
JO SOBS IN STEVE'S ARMS AND HE APOLOGIZES FOR HER PARTY
BEING RUINED.
OUTSIDE JACK IS STILL BY THE DOOR, HE THINGS
FOR A MOMENT, THEN, DISGUSTED WITH HIMSELF, HE WALKS OFF.
SCENE THREE: MEANWHILE NICK HAS BOUGHT
BLONDIE'S FROM NEIL AND RENAMED IT WINGS AFTER THE SONG THAT
EVE SINGS FOR HIM. IT IS THE GRAND OPENING AND THERE IS A
TALENT CONTEST FOR SINGER, EVE IS TRYING OUT AND IS
THERE KIM WHO IS GIVING HER SUPPORT -- EVE HAS FINALLY COME
TO TERMS WITH KIM. NICK ANNOUNCES THAT HE WON. JENNIFER
IS THERE WITH MIKE. JACK IS THERE DRINKING AFTER LEAVING THE
PARTY, AND IS DRINKING. JENNIFER NOTICES THAT JACK IS
HURTING, AND WALKS OVER TO HIM.
 JACK:
Jennifer. Ah.... would you care for a drink?
JENNIFER: No, I wouldn't. And I don't think
if you drink that, you're going to feel any better.
JACK: It shows uh?
JENNIFER: Big time.
IT SEEMS NATURAL FOR JACK TO TALK TO JENNIFER
ABOUT HIS PROBLEMS. HE SEEMS COMFORTABLE WITH HER AND TO VALUE
HER OPINIONS AND ADVICE, SHE HAS BECOME HIS MORAL COMPASS.
JACK: Yeah, well.... it hasn't exactly been one of my best
nights. I think I've really screwed up this time.
JENNIFER: (Caring and concerned for him.)
It sounds serious.
JACK: Big time.
JENNIFER: Well, instead of feeling sorry
for yourself, can you undo whatever it is?
JACK: No, I don't think so. Not this time. (Something
comes to him) Ah.... maybe I could do something. Excuse me.
JACK LEAVES.
JENNIFER HAS A HALF SMILE ON HER FACE.
SCENE FOUR: JACK GOES TO SEE JO WHO
IS LOOKING AT FAMILY PICTURES. HE TOUCHES THE DOOR AND IT
OPENS.
JO: Jack.
JACK: Look, er, I don't have anybody with
me, this time.
JO: Why did you take him there tonight?
JACK: I honestly didn't know who he was.
JO: You wanted to hurt Steve.
JACK: Maybe I did.
JO: Why, why?
JACK: Maybe.... I was a little unhappy that
I wasn't invited to that party too.
JO: You would have come?
JACK: Yeah. I would've come.
JO: Thank you for coming by to apologize.
JACK: Well, actually that's not the only
reason I came. I left before I had a chance to give you this.
JACK HANDS JO A PRESENT.
JACK: Happy birthday.
JO OPENS THE BOX TO SEE A PAIR OF EARRINGS. EXAMINING THE
EARRINGS SHE REALIZES THAT THEY MATCH THE GIFT THE MYSTERIOUS
SANTA GAVE HER AT CHRISTMAS: *JACK* WAS SANTA. MAYBE JACK IS READY
TO FORGIVE HER AND TO BECOME PART OF THE FAMILY.
JO: Oh, they're lovely. Wa.... they match the brooch
that Santa.... my god.
JACK HAS BEEN WATCHING, BUT CLOSES THE DOOR JUST AS SHE
TURNS TO LOOK TOWARDS HIM.
JO: Billy.
SCENE FIVE: THAT SAME NIGHT, DIANA, UNDER EXTREME
STRESS BECAUSE OF THE SITUATION WITH CAL, ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTS
ROMAN IN THE NECK. SHE HAS A BREAKDOWN AND HAS NO MEMORY OF DOING
IT. LATER CAL TAKES RESPONSIBILITY AND IS ARRESTED.
[Air date
mid-May 1989]
SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS AT THE LOFT
ARRANGING FLOWERS WHEN THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. SHE IS EXPECTING
SOMEONE.
JENNIFER: (Disappointed) Hi, Jack.
JACK: (Feigning disappointed at her lack of excitement.
[Could it be that he knows who see is waiting for?] That's right.
Now once again with a little more enthusiasm.
JENNIFER: I was looking for someone else. I thought you
were someone else.
JACK: That's very obvious. Let's see. It's too late for
girl scouts and it's too early for Halloween. Who could this be?
 JENNIFER:
Mrs. Simms.
JACK: Hmmm. The latest member of the Jack Attack Fan Club.
JENNIFER: Don't you think you're being a little too sensitive?
JACK: Yes I am being sensitive. Just remember that I did
this whole thing for you. I mean you're the one who's so hell bent
on taking care of this baby.
JENNIFER: Look Jack, I still am, so if you don't mind could
you leave?
JACK: What?
JENNIFER: Look I had to do a lot of sweet talking to explain
your lies to Mrs. Simms and I don't want to blow it by her seeing
you here.
THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.
JACK: (Smugly) Too late!
JENNIFER: Jack get out of here. Get out of here now.
JACK: How can I get out? That's the door.
JENNIFER: Jack go! Hide. Just hide somewhere.
 JACK
SEEMS TO BE GETTING ENJOYMENT FROM LEADING HER ON, TEASING HER.
HE SEEMS TO BE IN HIS ELEMENT.
JACK: Hide? Hide where? Where can I hide? There's.... under
the couch?
JENNIFER: Jack, hide, go on, hide.
JACK: You owe me.
HE WALKS UP BEHIND THE STAIRS.
JACK: I'm hiding.
JENNIFER: Will you hurry up?
JACK: I.... I'm hid.
JENNIFER: Hi Mrs. Simms. I'm sorry. I was dusting, cleaning.
MRS. SIMMS: That's quite alright. May I come in?
JENNIFER: Of course. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Can I get you
some coffee, some tea or something?
MRS. SIMMS: No thank you. I won't be that long.
JENNIFER: So. I can't stand the suspense. Do I get Hannah?
MRS. SIMMS: It wasn't an easy decision Jennifer. I mean
with the way this all got started. With Mr. Deveraux' interference,
the fact that you're single.
JENNIFER: I understand. I see. How did I do?
MRS. SIMMS: But with much consideration and with your sincere
interest in the baby we have decided to let you be Hannah's foster
parent.
JACK IS HIDING ON THE STAIRS. AND HE IS DELIGHTED FOR JENNIFER.
MRS. SIMMS LEAVES AND JENNIFER CALLS SALLY AND TELLS HER THE
GOOD NEWS.
SCENE TWO: A SHORT TIME LATER.
 JACK:
Well you certainly seem happy about things.
JENNIFER: No, no. You should have heard Sally. She was so
happy Jack.
JACK: Huh, uh. You know what you're getting yourself in
for. It's not going to be like bringing a puppy home from the pound.
JENNIFER: Jack I know what I'm getting into.
JACK: Well it's not going to be easy taking care of a baby
especially by yourself.
JENNIFER: I know it's going to be hard. I'm just going to
have to make a few sacrifices and figure out a way to balance my
schedule.
JACK: Right! Sure. Cut out the weekly manicure and everything's
going to fall right into place.
JENNIFER: Don't make fun of me. I'm serious.
JACK: I know you're serious. I just hope you're being realistic.
JENNIFER: I know it's going to be hard. I have a lot of
time to get ready for this.
JACK: Huh, uh. Kind of like getting psyched up for the big
game, right?
JENNIFER: Yeah right.
THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR.
JENNIFER: I wonder who that is. I'm not expecting anybody.
JACK: Well there's one way to find out. I'll go....
JENNIFER: Jack I'll answer the door. This is my house.
MRS. SIMMS IS STANDING AT THE DOOR HOLDING HANNAH.
JENNIFER: Mrs. Simms. Hi.
MRS. SIMMS: Hi Jennifer. I'm sorry about this. D
JENNIFER: Sorry about what?
MRS. SIMMS: Well it seems that Hannah's present foster mother
has just been hospitalized for an appendectomy. So we had to move
up your rotation.
JENNIFER: So you want me to take her now?
MRS. SIMMS: Is that a problem?
JENNIFER: No, no, no. Of course not. That's fine.
MRS. SIMMS: Oh great. Here. Any questions now you just call.
JENNIFER: I will. Thanks.
MRS. SIMMS WALKS AWAY LEAVING HANNAH IN JENNIFER'S
ARMS. JENNIFER IS OVERWHELMED.
JACK: (Really enjoying her predicament). Jennifer....welcome
to motherhood.
JENNIFER LOOKS DOWN AT THE BABY AND SIGHS. SHE THEN LOOKS OVER
TOWARDS JACK AND SMILES, TRYING TO COVER UP HOW SURPRISED AND
OVERWHELMED SHE ACTUALLY IS AT THE REALITY OF HAVING TO CARE FOR
A NEWBORN.
SCENE THREE: A SHORT TIME
LATER JENNIFER IS PACING BACK AND FORTH, CARRYING HANNAH, AND TRYING
TO CALM HER DOWN. BUT NOT SUCCEEDING.
JENNIFER: Hi, Honey.... that's okay.... Yeah, that's okay....
haaaa.... What do you want? Haaa.... Come on honey, Uncle Jack's going
to be here....
JACK STUMBLES INTO THE LOFT, LOADED DOWN WITH PACKAGES,
AND A BOX OF DIAPERS IS DANGLING FROM HIS MOUTH. JENNIFER IS RELIEVED
TO SEE HIM, YET IS FRUSTRATED WITH HIM AS WELL.
JENNIFER (CONT.): Jack, where have you been?
JACK: (Grabbled because of the package dangling from his
mouth.) Iffaa... I'ffve been out shoppin'.... aargh.... (Taking
the handle of the box from his mouth.) You know where I've
been!
JENNIFER: (Somewhat angry) Jack I told you....
 JACK:
(Interrupting her) I've been shopping in every little
store in Salem.
JENNIFER: Jack, I told you to get diapers and formula; not
an entire nursery.
JACK: (Raising his hand, to get her to shut up.) Look, I
have better things to do than go shopping for you. If you don't
appreciate this I can definitely go somewhere else with my....
JENNIFER: (Interrupting him) Okay, Jack, just give me a
diaper. Give me a diaper now.
JACK: Okay, hopefully I got the diapers. (Opening up the
box.) Here (taking out a diaper from the box.) Here's your diaper
right here (Unfolding it and handing it to her; but it is way too
big).
JENNIFER: (Reacting to Jack's mistake.) Jack, you bought
the wrong kind. That's for toddler's! Does this baby look
like a toddler to you?
JACK: (Not seeing what the problem is.) Infants toddle.
What's the big difference? Come on, let's try.... look.... here
(handing it to her again).
JENNIFER: Jack.... Just give me the diaper! Give it to me
right now.
JACK: Here. 
JENNIFER: (Grabbing it.) Thank you....(Grimacing) Oh no! (She
looks down to her shirt. There's a stain. She then looks over at
Jack).
JACK: Too late? Hmm?
JENNIFER: (Nodding her head). Yeah (Speaking softly).
JACK: Maybe we can get a sponge.
SCENE FOUR: LATER STILL. JENNIFER IS TRYING
TO GIVE HANNAH A BOTTLE AND SHE'S KEEPS SPITTING IT OUT. JACK
IS SITTING NEXT TO HER. GETTING A KICK OUT OF HER DISCOMFORT.
 JENNIFER:
Come on baby, just try it. It's yummy I promise you. It's really
good.
JACK: The nipple goes in the mouth.
JENNIFER: Come on Hannah. Just a little bit. Come on.
HANNAH KEEPS CRYING.
JACK: Did anybody ever tell you that you really have a way
with children?
JENNIFER: Shut up Jack!
JACK: (Still getting pleasure from the whole situation,
but good naturedly.) It's not as easy as you thought it was going
to be, is it?
JENNIFER: It'll be fine. She just has to get used to me
that's all. It's going to be fine.
JACK: Hmmm. You better hurry up and get acquainted or she's
going to starve to death.
JENNIFER: Jack get me milk. It's in the kitchen alright.
It's warm. It'll work.
JACK GOES TO GET THE BOTTLE.
JACK: I'll get you some nice warm milk and we'll see what
that will do.
JENNIFER: We're going to get you some nice warm milk. Uncle
Jack's going to bring it over. It's going to work out fine okay? Sssshhh
Hannah. Don't cry.It's okay.
JACK SNIFFS THE BABY'S MILK AND PULLS A FACE. HE WATCHES HER
AND SMILES, IT SEEMS PARTIALLY BECAUSE HE IS HAPPY FOR HER AND
HANNAH, BUT ALSO BECAUSE HE IS GETTING A KICK OUT OF HER HAVING
A HARD TIME.
HE WALKS OVER AND SITS NEXT TO HER HE SITS NEXT TO HER.
JACK: (Handing her the bottle.) Here's the milk.
JENNIFER: Okay. Here we go. Yes, okay. Have a little bit.
Come on Hannah. Come on.
JACK: Yes it certainly must have been that nasty cold water.
The milk is definitely helping it.
JENNIFER: Alright Jack. Let's see if you can do this. Come
on, you feed the baby . I want to see you. Come on Jack.
JENNIFER HANDS HANNAH TO JACK.
JACK: (Jack tries to protest) Wha... ah....
JENNIFER: Here you go. Here you go mom, you try it.
JACK: Well like I say, you take the nipple and you put it
in the mouth like.... like that! And you suck on it like.... that!
HANNAH TAKES THE NIPPLE AND BEGINS TO SUCK. JENNIFER'S
MOUTH IS AGAPE.
JACK: It's easy as pie.
JACK FLAUNTS HIS SUCCESS. JENNIFER POKES HER TONGUE
OUT AT JACK AND LAUGHS.
JACK: Even a child could do it.
JACK CRACKS JENNIFER UP, SHE LAUGHS, AND LOOKING AT
EACH OTHER THEY BOTH BREAK OUT INTO A CHUCKLE.
JACK: You're draining that puppy aren't you?
JENNIFER SMILES LOVINGLY AT JACK AND HANNAH. |
