SCENE ONE: JENNIFER IS AT THE LOFT WITH HANNAH SHOWING HER THE NEW TOY SHE BOUGHT FOR HER. SHE THEN DECIDES TO TAKE HANNAH TO SEE HER MOTHER SALLY AT THE PRISON.

SCENE TWO: MEANWHILE JACK IS IN HIS OFFICE DECIDING HOW TO TELL JENNIFER THAT THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE HANNAH AWAY.

JACK: (To himself) Jennifer, did I happen to tell you that Sally's parents are going to take Hannah? That's right, that's right, just forget all about motherhood. I mean it's really over rated anyway. I don't think she's going to take that. No. Jennifer I'm going to tell you something.It's probably the hardest thing I've ever had to tell anyone. I'm pregnant. I'm losing it. What am I doing? Come on, get a grip, you can do this. Okay.

SCENE THREE: JENNIFER IS AT THE PRISON SEEING SALLY. SALLY IS THRILLED THAT JENNIFER BROUGHT HANNAH WITH HER. SHE CANNOT BELIEVE HOW MUCH HANNAH HAS GROWN.  SALLY TELLS HER THAT IT IS A BIG THING TO DO TO TAKE IN A BABY, CARING FOR HER, LOVING HER. JENNIFER TELLS HER THAT "LOVING HER" WAS SO EASY TO DO, "WHO COULDN'T HELP BUT LOVE HER."  SALLY IS SO GLAD THAT JENNIFER FEELS THAT WAY; SHE ADDS, "I JUST HOPE MY PARENTS FEEL THE SAME WAY." ALL THIS TIME JENNIFER IS LOOKING DOWN AT THE BABY WITH GREAT LOVE. SHE IS CONFUSED BY SALLY'S REMARKS AND WONDERS WHAT SHE MEANS. SALLY THEN REPLIES, "YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY TAKE HER HOME TO LIVE WITH HER." HANNAH IS CONFUSED, SHE TELLS JENNIFER THAT MRS. SIMMS TOLD HER SHE WAS GOING TO CALL AND HER (JENNIFER) AND TELL HER. SHE TELLS JENNIFER THAT HER PARENTS CAME BY AND THEY ALL TALKED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME, ABOUT THE PAST AND THE FUTURE -- HERS AND HANNAH'S. SHE CONTINUES, HER PARENTS WANT TO TAKE HANNAH, AND THEY ALSO HIRED A LAWYER AND SHE WILL BE GETTING OUT EARLY. JENNIFER'S VOICE CRACKS AS SHE AGREES WITH SALLY THAT THINGS ARE WORKING OUT WELL. SHE NOTICES THAT JENNIFER DOES NOT LOOK HAPPY. JENNIFER TRIES TO HIDE HER FEELINGS AND TELLS HER SHE IS HAPPY FOR HER. IT IS TIME FOR HER TO GO BACK TO HER CELL, SHE TELLS JENNIFER THAT NOTHING SHE CAN SAY CAN  THANK HER FOR HOW THANKFUL SHE IS FOR ALL SHE HAS DONE.  SALLY LEAVES AND JENNIFER RISES TO GO, JUST THEN JACK  ARRIVES.

SCENE FOUR: JACK ARRIVES JUST AS JENNIFER IS LEAVING THE PRISON.

JENNIFER: (On the verge of tears.) You knew?

JACK: Ah.... listen.... er--

JENNIFER: How could you.... how could you Jack? How come you never told me?

JACK: I...  I tried.... t... t... to tell you.

JENNIFER: Oh, really? When? Were you going to tell me after they already took Hannah away from me?

JACK: Look.... let me explain....

JENNIFER: No, save it Jack.

JACK: Please, if you just.... .

JACK IS WOUNDED BY HER WORDS. JENNIFER RUNS OUT.

SCENE FIVE: JACK FOLLOWS JENNIFER BACK TO THE LOFT AND UNLOCKS THE DOOR AFTER SHE HAS GONE IN.

Jack tries to explain why he did not tell Jennifer about Hannah; 2 Min; 4.6 Meg

JACK: I still have a key remember.

JENNIFER: Give me the key.

JACK: Look Jennifer we....

JACK RELUCTANTLY HANDS JENNIFER THE KEY.

JENNIFER: Jack, get out, right now!

JACK: We still have to talk, Jennifer.

JENNIFER: I have nothing to say to you.

JENNIFER WALKS PAST JACK AND HE SHUTS THE DOOR.

JACK:

JENNIFER: Oh, Jack, my heart bleeds for you.

JACK: A couple of days ago when you were out, Social Services called and told me about Sally's parents.

JENNIFER: Haven't you heard Jack? They've invented these new clever things called a pen and a piece of paper. You could have left me a message.

JACK: Teah, I could have left you a message. What would I have written? Jennifer, your brother called, your laundry's due, it's all ready and by the way, they're going to take the baby on Monday. I wanted to tell you in person Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Why didn't you?

JACK: (Trying to explain) I tri.... I.... I tried.

JENNIFER: Oh, I know. At the last minute you thought it would be more fun if I found out as they were taking Hannah out of my arms.

JACK: (Hurt that she thinks he did it on purpose) No, th.... that is not true Jennifer.

JENNIFER: How could you do this to me Jack? You know how much Hannah means to me.

JACK: Yes, I know what she means to you and maybe that's why I didn't want to be the one who was going to hurt you like this.

JENNIFER: I guess none of this really matters anymore.

JACK: I guess not.

JENNIFER: I just wish that I'd known sooner, you know. Maybe I could've talked to someone. Maybe I could've talked to Mrs. Simms, to Sally's parents.

JACK: It wouldn't have done any good Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Jack it's just not fair. Where were they when Hannah was born? Did they even go to see her at the hospital? Did they even call to see if they were alright? They never cared about this baby. Why should I think it will be any different now?

JACK IS AS EMOTIONAL, HURTING FOR JENNIFER, AND WISHING HE COULD DO SOMETHING FOR HER.

JACK: It doesn't matter what you think anymore Jennifer. What's important is what.... is what Sally wants. Sally's the mother.

JENNIFER: I know. It doesn't make it hurt any less though. (Beat) When are the Wales coming to pick up Hannah?

SCENE SIX: A SHORT TIME LATER JACK AND JENNIFER ARE WAITING AT THE LOFT FOR SALLY'S PARENTS TO ARRIVE. JENNIFER IS SAYING HER GOODBYES TO HANNAH. JACK IS COMING DOWN THE SPIRAL STAIRCASE THAT LEADS UP TO JENNIFER'S ROOM. HE STOPS UPON HEARING JENNIFER. HE LEANS AGAINST THE BRICK WALL. AND HIS HEART IS BREAKING FOR HER. JACK SEEMS DEVASTATED THAT HE DID THE ONE THING HE DID NOT WANT TO DO, HURT JENNIFER.

THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR. JACK IS DRAWN BACK TO THE PRESENT AND GOES TO ANSWER THE DOOR.  JENNIFER OBSERVES THEIR CONVERSATION AND HIS FACE SHOWS HOW HE IS HURTING FOR JENNIFER.

MR. WALES: Hello, we're looking for Jennifer Horton.

JACK: Hi. Yes, you must be the Wales. Yes. Ah.... look come on in please. Ah.... Jennifer, this is the Wales.

JENNIFER: Yes, I heard. Hi.

MR. WALES: This is my wife Margaret.

MRS. WALES: And that adorable creature must be Hannah.

JENNIFER: Yes, this is Hannah.

MR. WALES: Well, I guess we should be going.

JACK: Yes, Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Jack, um, did you pack all the diapers that I bought?

JACK: Yes.

JENNIFER: What about all of her new toys?

JACK: All of them, right here.

JENNIFER: Are you sure? Are you sure you have everything?

JACK: Everything.... is right here.... Jennifer, they have to go.

JENNIFER HANDS THE BABY TO MRS. WALES.

MRS. WALES: Thank you.

JENNIFER: Please spend a lot of time with her. I think that's what Sally might have needed you know.

JACK HANDS THE BAG TO MR. WALES.

JACK: Mr. Wales, here.

JENNIFER PICKS UP THE TOY RATTLE SHE JUST BOUGHT FOR HANNAH AND GIVES IT TO MRS. WALES.

JACK SHOWS THE WALES TO THE DOOR WHILE JENNIFER STARTS TO CRY.

JACK: Take care.

Jennifer falls into Jack's arms, Jack does not know what to do; 20 sec; 850K

UNABLE TO WATCH, OR ALLOW HERSELF TO BE SEEN JENNIFER'S BACK IS TURNED FROM THEM. SHE NO LONGER CAN HOLD BACK HER PAIN AND BEGINS TO SOB. JACK WALKS TOWARDS HER. HE IS ABOUT TO PUT HIS HAND ON HER SHOULDER FOR SUPPORT, BUT IS RELUCTANT.

SHE TURNS TO HIM AND FALLS SOBBING INTO HIS ARMS. HE WANTS TO PUT HIS HAND ON HER SHOULDER TO COMFORT HER. HE HESITATES FOR AN INSTANT, BUT SEEING HER PAIN, HE GENTLY PLACES HIS HAND ON HER SHOULDER, BARELY TOUCHING HER.

SCENE SEVEN: A SHORT TIME LATER STILL AT THE LOFT. SHE IS PUTTING THINGS AWAY. JACK IS HOVERING BY HER. THE LOOK ON HIS FACE INDICATES THAT HE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO, WHAT TO SAY. FINALLY HE DOES.

Jack talks how his & Jo's situation was similar; 1:25 Min; 3.1 Meg

JACK: (His voice is emotional) Jennifer, I know you must be feeling pretty rotten right now.

JENNIFER: (Lashing out at him) Oh, really Jack? How do you know how I feel? How could you possible know what I'm going through?

JACK: (Stung by her words.) I lived it.

JENNIFER: (Realizing what she said. Her expression is apologetic and sympathetic.) I'm sorry.

JACK: My mother, Jo, has been trying to tell me for a long time how hard it was for her to give me away and I never really knew what she meant. Until now.

JENNIFER: I don't know how she ever got through it.

JACK: (His voice cracking.) She got through it with strength, just like you will.

JACK: (Slight smile) By thinking about how much that she and...um, how much she cared. Not how little time they spent together.

JENNIFER: Is that how you feel? Does it matter that you only had a short time with your mother?

JACK: (Emotional, he turns away) No, it really wasn't the same thing.

JENNIFER: (Hoping it matters) Jack, I need to know.

THOUGH IS IT REALLY THE CASE? IT SEEMS BY HIS EXPRESSION THAT HE WANTS TO, BUT IS SCARED THAT IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN. JENNIFER LOOKS AT HIM, UPSET BY WHAT HE SAID.

SCENE ONE: A FEW DAYS LATER, KIMBERLY AND DIANA ARE BACK AT ROMAN'S, WHERE ROMAN WAS SHOOT; ROMAN AND ABE ARE THERE AS WELL. KIMBERLY IS TRYING TO HELP DIANA REMEMBER. DIANA'S MEMORY RETURNS AND SHE IS HORRIFIED TO LEARN THAT SHE WAS THE ONE WHO SHOT HIM. BECAUSE OF THIS, SHE IS ARRESTED.

SCENE TWO: JACK HAS ARRIVED AT THE OFFICE AND ASKS HIS SECRETARY IF SHE HAS HEARD FROM JENNIFER. BECAUSE OF HIS CONCERN FOR JENNIFER HE IS GIVING HIS SECRETARY A HARD TIME. [HE ALSO HAS A COLD]

SECRETARY: Oh, no, Mr. Deveraux and this is the second message I've left her on her answering machine. She's got the cutest message....

JACK: Did you try her grandparents?

SECRETARY: I've contacted everyone you asked me to.

JACK:  (Glaring at her) Try them again.

SECRETARY: Yes, sir (leaves).

AS SHE LEAVES. CAL BURSTS INTO THE OFFICE. JACK RETURNS TO HIS SARCASTIC, SOMEWHAT SLIMEY SELF WITH CAL.

JACK: Well, Lieutenant, welcome back to work.

CAL: Just what are you trying to do to Diana?

JACK: I don't know what you're talking about.

CAL THROWS A NEWSPAPER ON JACK'S DESK.

CAL: Yeah, I'm talking about the trash you wrote about Diana and me.

JACK: I thought it was something I said.

CAL: I can't believe you would write such twisted lies.

JACK: Lieutenant, I wrote what I wrote, with your best interests at heart.

CAL: The hell with my best interests. Man I confessed to you that I shot Roman and then you turn that whole story around and you point the finger at Diana and you make it look as if she forced me to shoot Roman.

JACK: Well?

CAL: Well, I told you I was guilty.

JACK: Lieutenant, I write the truth as I see it and unfortunately we didn't see things eye to eye.

CAL: Yeah, well, you are nothing but scum Deveraux.

JACK: (Affected by his words. A little ashamed.)The truth hurts, right? Well, the truth is in today's paper. The headlines: "Diana Confesses." So I guess this "scum" was right all along. What really amazes me is that she actually fired that gun.

CAL: Oh, yeah I just bet it does. What are doing? Just waiting around here to pick up Diana's share of the paper. Is that it? You're nothing but a vulture Deveraux. You destroy them and then you sit around to pick up the garbage. I don't know how you look at yourself in the mirror man.

JACK: Just a brave soul I guess.

CAL WALKS OUT THE DOOR AS JENNIFER COMES IN. JACK TRIES TO ACT SOMEWHAT ALOOF, BUT HE IS VERY GLAD TO SEE HER.

JACK: (Glad to see her( Jennifer. Ah.... yes, the same man.

JENNIFER: What was he so mad about?

JACK: Someone canceled his subscription.

JENNIFER: Jack, what did you say to Lieutenant Winters?

JACK: I have no idea what you're talking about.

JENNIFER: The man's obviously upset and in your office. It's not too hard to figure out.

JACK: Cal Winters cannot handle the truth.

JENNIFER: He must really love Diana if he's willing to risk jail in order to protect her. I mean having someone so in love with you that they'd give up their life for you has to be incredible.

JACK: Well, I guess we'll find out the real story when we go to the arraignment. You are going to the arraignment with me, you know that. So I hope you brought a change of clothes.

JENNIFER IS QUIET, AND JACK NOTICES SHE IS THINKING ABOUT HANNAH.

JACK: (Cont.) Ah, Jennifer are you alright?

JENNIFER PICKS UP ONE OF HANNAH'S TOYS FROM JACK'S DESK. AS JENNIFER TALKS ABOUT MISSING HER JACK'S EXPRESSIONS SHOWS HOW FEELINGS FOR WHAT SHE IS GOING THROUGH. HE SIGHS.

JENNIFER: (Trying not to cry.) Um yes. I found this toy of Hannah's under the bed this morning. It just makes me feel like a part of me was taken away. The first night was the worst. I mean I'd wake up in the middle of the night thinking that I heard her crying and when I'd go to the room to check on her, she wasn't there. There was no Hannah.

JACK: (Hurting for Jennifer, his voice is cracking and he clears his throat to hide how emotional he is) Um.... yes, (walking away) but you're going to be okay now, right?

JENNIFER: Look, Jack what do you want me to do with loft? I mean there's no reason for me to be there without Hannah.

JACK: Well, I wouldn't worry about that. Just stay there. I mean payroll's going to pick up the rent.

JENNIFER: I can't do that Jack.

JACK: Look, you were hired for this job, for this assignment and it's not that you're.... I mean it's not your fault that the whole thing fell through.

JENNIFER: But it's not a problem. I can handle it.

JACK: How?

JENNIFER: I don't know. I'll move in with my granma and grandpa again or Mike, if I have to.

JACK: You really want that?

JENNIFER: No, I mean I like being on my own. I like having my own schedule.

JACK: So, you need.... another resident paying rent.

JENNIFER: Jack you're right. That's it. I'll get a roommate and then I can afford it and I won't have to move back home. That's a great idea.

JACK: Where do you think you're going?

JENNIFER RUSHES TO THE DOOR.

JACK: How about me?

SHE TURNS AROUND IN SHOCK.

JENNIFER: You?

JACK FLASHES HER A LOOK.

 

SCENE THREE: JACK HAS JUST SUGGESTED THEY BE ROOMMATES. SHOCKING JENNIFER.

JENNIFER: Are you serious about us living together Jack?

JACK SAYS HE IS JOKING, BUT HIS FACIAL EXPRESSION SEEMS TO REVEAL THAT DEEP DOWN HE WOULD NOT MIND IF IT WERE SO. BUT THAT WOULD BE TOO MUCH TO HOPE FOR. SO HE PRETENDS TO BE JOKING TO HIDE HOW HE REALLY FEELS, WHAT HE REALLY WANTS.

AS SHE READS JACK LOOKS AS IF HE IS TRYING TO MUSTER UP THE COURAGE TO ASK AGAIN.

 

AGAIN TRYING TO BE NONCHALANT, HOPING SHE MIGHT AGREE, BUT WHEN SHE DOES HE PRETENDS THAT IT WAS A JOKE, NOT WANTING TO REVEAL HIS TRUE FEELINGS, AND THE FACT THAT HE IS DISAPPOINTED SHE DID NOT TAKE HIM SERIOUSLY. THOUGH THERE ALSO IS A HINT THAT JACK IS TESTING HER AS HE ALWAYS DOES TO HER.

JENNIFER: Um.... I'm.... um.... going to finish this and I'm going to put it on the office bulletin board, okay.

JACK: Bad move. Instead, let's put it in the newspaper since that's where we work and millions of people will see it every day. Besides I won't charge you.

JENNIFER: Oh, thanks.

JENNIFER SMILES.

Jack offers some wise advice about finding the right person; 2 Min; 4.4 Meg

JENNIFER: You know Jack, you're okay sometimes.

JACK: I know that.

JENNIFER: No. I really mean it. You know I never got a chance to thank you for all your help with Hannah.

JACK: No, you didn't.

JENNIFER: I really wanted to take Hannah, Jack. And I'm not sorry for one second that I did, even though it was a lot harder than I thought it would be. But I would never have made it without you.

JACK: (Not wanting to see her upset, and not wanting to show that he misses Hannah too he tries to change the subject.) Look we.... we've got a lot of work to do.

JENNIFER: I miss her.

JACK: I know you do.

JACK HAS DISPENSED WITH HIS JOKING, AND LISTENS INTENTLY TO WHAT SHE HAS TO SAY.

JACK: Oh, really. What's that?

JACK WOULD NOT ADMIT IT, BUT HIS EXPRESSIONS REVEAL THAT DEEP DOWN HE DREAMS OF THE SAME THINGS.BUT BECAUSE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE, HE CAN NEVER HOPE TO SEE HIS DREAMS FULFILLED.

JACK: There's nothing stupid about wanting to have the right person in your life.

JENNIFER: Where do you find them?

JACK IS PENSIVE. AND DROPPING HIS DEFENSES HE IS ABLE TO GIVE JENNIFER SOME GOOD ADVICE. [ADVICE WHICH EVENTUALLY WILL BE PROPHETIC SINCE HE AND SHE WILL GROW AND DISCOVER THEMSELVES, AND WILL THEN DISCOVER THEIR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.]

JENNIFER:

JACK: (Smiling back at her.) Oh, we wouldn't want that to happen.

 

 

 

SHE SEEMS TO BE MORE AND MORE TAKEN BY HIM. SHE IS ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO SEE THROUGH JACK'S DEFENSES AND BEYOND HIS PAST. AND SHE KNOWS WHY HE ACTS THE WAY HE DOES.