Keeping Up With The Deverauxes

by Jennifer-Lynn D'Anna

Episodes 6 - 10 

EPISODE 6

"WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS"

[IT IS A FEW DAYS LATER AND JENNIFER AND JACK ARE AT THE DOOR WAVING GOODBYE TO ABBY WHO IS CATCHING THE SCHOOL BUS. JACK IS DRESSED IN A CRISP BLUE SUIT AND JENNIFER IS STILL IN HER ROBE AND SLIPPERS. THEY ARE ALL SMILES WAVING TO ABIGAIL AND ARE TRYING TO TOP GOODBYES.]

JACK: Have a grand day, Abigail!

JENNIFER: Bye Baby! I'll be here when you get home!

JACK: As will I. (BEAT) Don't forget to write!

(JENNIFER JUST LOOKS AT JACK AS IF HE WERE CRAZY AND THEN SHUTS THE DOOR AND WALKS BACK INSIDE)

JENNIFER: Another day down. Forever to go. (SHE PLOPS HERSELF DOWN ON THE COUCH AND PICKS UP THE PAPER)

JACK: Ah. You make it sound so romantic. (CHECKING HIS WATCH AND SIPPING THE LAST OF HIS COFFEE) Well, I really must be off (LOOKING AT JENNIFER ON THE COUCH) No, no. Don't get up. Really, you musn't.

JENNIFER: (IGNORING JACK) I'm sorry, did you say something?

JACK: Nothing of importance. Now, I must be off. And if you don't mind (HE SNATCHES THE PAPER OUT OF HER HAND).

JENNIFER: (STANDING UP AND REACHING FOR THE PAPER) What do you think you're doing?

JACK: What does it look like I'm doing? As I recall, yes, I believe I do, that this living arrangement is for Abigail's sake and that we are to have, (BEAT) what was it? Ah, separate lives. Separate lives, separate bedrooms, separate newspaper subscriptions. (CHECKING HIS WATCH AGAIN) Now if you'll excuse me. I'm late for an appointment. (HE WALKS TOWARDS THE DOOR SINGING) I'm late, I'm late, I'm late for an important date..

(HE OPENS THE DOOR TO FIND JULIE THERE HOLDING NEWSPAPERS)

Julie.

JULIE: (DRIPPING WITH SARCASM) Jack...How wonderful to see you this morning.

JACK: (ALSO DRIPPING WITH SARCASM) Likewise. Now if you'll excuse me (HE GOES TO STEP AROUND HER)

JULIE: I'm here to see Jennifer. I suppose she is inside?

JACK: That she is.(BEAT) Oh, Julie, those wouldn't happen to be our newspapers, would they?

JULIE: Why actually, Jack, they are. I thought I'd bring them in for Jennifer. Are you looking for something in particular?

JACK: No, no. Allow me (HE TAKES THEM OUT OF HER HAND). I shall bid you adieu (HE BOWS AND WALKS OFF WITH THE PAPERS)

JULIE: (CALLING OUT TO JACK) But Jack...the papers! (ROLLING HER EYES EXASPERATED) Oh well. (SHE OPENS THE DOOR) Jennifer? Jennifer, are you here? (SHE HEARS DISHES BREAKING IN THE KITCHEN) What the-(SHE WALKS IN AND SEES JENNIFER PICKING UP DISHES OUT OF A BOX MARKED FRAGILE AND THROWING THEM AGAINST THE WALL) Jennifer, are you-- (JENNIFER DOESN'T HEAR HER AND KEEPS THROWING) Jennifer, JENNIFER!

(JENNIFER STOPS AND JUST STANDS THERE LOOKING AT JULIE. SHE IS UPSET THAT SHE LET JACK GET TO HER AND THAT JULIE SAW HOW ANGRY SHE IS)

JENNIFER: Julie! (BEAT) I didn't hear you walk in.

JULIE: I'd say. (SHE WALKS OVER AND PEEKS IN THE BOX OF DISHES) I guess I don't have to ask what or rather who put you in this great mood.

JENNIFER: (SHAKING HER HEAD) No, Julie, it's a no-brainer. Oooh, you know I could just kill him sometimes. (POURING COFFEE FOR HERSELF AND JULIE) He never knows when to quit.

JULIE: Jennifer, darling, this is Jack Deveraux we're talking about. You act as if you met him yesterday.

JENNIFER: I could only wish. (SHE SITS DOWN AT THE KITCHEN TABLE) It's so odd, Julie. No matter how far I think I've come, No matter how much I think I've gotten past, there he is. I travel half way around the world to get away from him and I wind up sharing a bathroom with him each and every morning. He just won't grow up, Julie.

JULIE: (SHE LOOKS AT JENNIFER WITH A QUESTIONING LOOK) He won't grow up?

Scene 3: Jack is in the car on his cell phone.

JACK: Yes, yes, no, no S-C-O. Say it with me. S-C-O. Yes, that's it. (HE REACHES FOR A PEN AND PAPERAND BITES THE CAP OFF. IT IS STILL IN HIS MOUTH SO HE IS SPEAKING VERY ODDLY) 555-1254. 51 Pleasant Lane. I got it. I got it. (HE PULLS THE CAP OUT OF HIS MOUTH) I got it. Thank you very much (BEAT) I'm sure I will. (HE HANGS UP AND PUTS THE PHONE DOWN AND LOOKS AT THE NUMBER AND ADDRESS HE JUST SCRIBBLED DOWN)

(TO HIMSELF) Fight I will. I can fight with the best of them, I tell ya. (BEAT) I just need a little help, that's all.

(JACK STARTS THE CAR UP AGAIN AND DRIVES OFF)

Scene 4: Julie and Jennifer are at the kitchen table. Julie has just accused Jennifer of being immature.

JENNIFER: Julie, are you accusing me of being immature?

JULIE: Jennifer, the last time I checked throwing plates against the kitchen wall was not a very adult like thing to do. Unless you're at a Greek wedding, that is.

JENNIFER: Julie, you don't understand-

JULIE: No, Jennifer, I don't. (BEAT) I'm also not sure that I want to either. All I know is that you and your ex-husband have got to start acting like the adults you are. And that means no more plate throwing and stealing of newspapers

JENNIFER: He stole all the newspapers--? That...

JULIE: Darling, this is not good for you. You need to get your mind off Jack Deveraux and onto livelier subjects.

JENNIFER: And just what do you suggest I put my mind on, Julie? I'm open to options, really I am (SHE GETS UP TO REFILL HER COFFEE).

JULIE: How about another man?

(JENNIFER PAUSES MID POUR)

Scene 5: Jack has gone to enlist some "help."

(THE SCENE OPENS TO JACK LOOKING UP AT AN APARTMENT BUILDING)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF) Well, it's now or never. (HE WALKS INTO THE BUILDING)

(THE NEXT SHOT IS OF A DOOR MARKED 3A. JACK KNOCKS ON IT. THERE IS NO ANSWER. HE KNOCKS AGAIN)

JACK: HELLO? IS THERE ANYONE IN THERE?

(A MAN'S VOICE FROM INSIDE CALLS "JUST A MINUTE" AND THE DOOR FLIES OPEN. IT IS VERN SCOFIELD, JACK'S OLD BUDDY FROM "THE SPECTATOR".)

VERN: (IN COMPLETE SHOCK AT SEEING JACK) Well wonders never cease!

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK LOOKING AT VERN AND SMILING NERVOUSLY)

Scene 6: Vern has just opened the door to find Jack. He is completely taken by surprise. Jack has missed Vern and it shows in his eyes.

JACK: Hehehehe. Well, don't just stand there, aren't you gonna invite me in?

VERN: (LOOKING AT JACK WITH A FATHERLY LOVE IN HIS EYES) Yes, yes. I'm sorry, Jack. It's just (MOTIONS FOR HIM TO COME IN). Come on in and make yourself comfortable.

(JACK WALKS IN AND ASSESSES VERN'S SMALL APARTMENT)

JACK: (SITTING DOWN ON VERN'S SOFA AND PUTTING UP HIS FEET ON THE COFFEE TABLE) I don't mind if I do.

VERN: (SCRATCHING HIS HEAD IN WONDER) Jack, Jack. I'm just so surprised. I never in a million years suspected that I'd see you. How did you ever find me?

JACK: Modern technology, Vern. (BEAT) I did what anyone else in dire straits would do, my friend...I called information.

VERN: I don't know what to say, Jack. I am so glad you did, though. My, how long has it been? Eight years now, hasn't it?

JACK: Yes, something like that. In fact, I have living proof of it (REFERRING TO ABBY). Speaking of which, how are your progenies? I take it that Brian and Tanner are doing well?

VERN: Yes, yes they are. Brian and Ginger are still in Vegas. Their pet shop is thriving. I actually paid them a visit out there last summer. No grandchildren there yet, but lots and lots of puppies. Tanner? Tanner's doing great. He and Molly got married four years back or so and had a baby, Jack. His name is Matthew Vernon Scofield and he is adorable. There are pictures of him right behind you. He's growing like a weed, Jack. I saw him last month and he's walking. Pretty soon he'll be off to college.

(JACK LOOKS BEHIND HIM AT THE PHOTOS ON THE TABLE. THERE ARE PICTURES OF BRIAN AND GINGER, PUPPIES, AND OF TANNER, MOLLY, AND THE BABY AS WELL AS PHOTOS OF HIM AND VERN AND JENNIFER FROM THE SPECTATOR, HE AND JENNIFER'S WEDDING PHOTO AND A BABY PICTURE OF ABBY WITH HER MOST RECENT SCHOOL PHOTO TUCKED IN THE CORNER. HE IS TOUCHED BY THIS AND RUNS HIS FINGER ALONGSIDE THE PHOTO OF HIMSELF AND JENNIFER)

Jack, Jack are you okay?

JACK: (REGAINING HIS THOUGHTS) Yes, yes. I was just admiring your wonderful family. They really are quite nice, you know.

VERN: Yes they are. I hope you don't mind, but I also keep a photo of Abigail up with them as well as you and Jennifer. You three really were special to me. I hope to see them soon. Did Jenny-girl and Abby come along on your visit?

JACK: Funny you should mention that, Vern. Jennifer and Abigail and I are back in town, but for more than a visit. In fact, that's the reason I came down here to see you today. (BEAT) I need your help.

Scene 7: Julie and Jennifer are still in the kitchen and Julie has just suggested to Jennifer to focus her attention on another man.

JENNIFER: (TURNING TOWARDS JULIE) Another man, Julie? Have you been talking to Hope? Did she suggest this to you? Because if she did..

JULIE: Jennifer, Jennifer, calm down darling. It was just a suggestion. I just thought it would be good for you to go out and maybe have a little fun. Hope didn't say anything to me about anything.

JENNIFER: Well, Julie, in case you haven't noticed, I am not in the best situation to be dating. I share a house with my ex-husband and have a daughter who thinks that her Mommy and Daddy will be getting back together soon. The last thing I need is to add another accomplice to this mess. What do you think I should say to him? Would you like to come back to my place? Just know that you have to be awake by seven a.m. Oh, and I hope you don't mind sneaking out the window. I'm sure that'll go over real well, Julie.

JULIE: Like I said, darling, it was only a suggestion. I did not get dressed and come over here this morning to argue with you or to pry---I will save that for a later date. I simply came down here to take you to the hospital today to see Hope.

JENNIFER: The hospital? Julie, is something wrong with J.T.?

JULIE: No, my dear, nothing is wrong. They are just having the blood tests delivered back today and Hope has to be there on technicality. Bo is off at work and Grandma thought it would be nice if you and I would go down there with Hope and maybe take her out to breakfast.

JENNIFER: Whew, you had me worried there for a moment. I mean, with all the problems with J.T. (BEAT) I know Hope would just die if anything were to happen to him.

JULIE: Well, nothing of that sort will happen. (BEAT) Now, my favorite short blonde cousin, run along and get dressed so we can make it to breakfast and not to lunch.

JENNIFER: Yeah. I'll be right down (SHE RUNS OFF TO CHANGE)

JULIE: (PICKING UP A PLATE OUT OF THE BOX) Hmmmm. (SHE THROWS IT AGAINST THE WALL) (TO HERSELF) I guess it really does make you feel better.

Scene 8: Jack is still visiting Vern, who has just asked about Jennifer and Abby.

VERN: (WORRIED) Help? (BEAT) Jack, I don't know what you mean by help but everytime you mentioned it in the past it involved some convoluted scheme of yours where I was always dressed up like a bear or a fireman or a police officer, for chrissake. Jack, I was a younger man then.

JACK: Vern, Vern. (BEAT) Tell me something. (BEAT) Why did you retire?

VERN: Why did I retire?

JACK: Yes, Vern. Retire. Why did you stop working at "THE SPECTATOR"? Surely you didn't do it to travel the world because you're still right here in Salem. Surely you didn't do it to write a novel because I have not seen it. Why did you ever retire then?

VERN: Well, Jack, it just...Well my pension came up and....

JACK: No, Vern, it wasn't like that. I think you (BEAT) I think you actually missed me.

VERN: Well, Jack, I mean...After you left, it just wasn't the

JACK: the same, was it, Vern?

VERN: (GIVING IN) No, Jack, it wasn't. When you and Jenny-Girl left, I guess my heart wasn't in it.

JACK: Well, the feeling's mutual, my friend. And today is your lucky day, Vern. Your lucky day. (STANDING UP) Now if you would, could you grab your coat, your keys, and quite possibly your old press passes? We have quite the day ahead of us, Vernon. I hope you're well prepared. VERN: (RELUCTANTLY STANDING UP) Jack, could you please tell me what this is all about?

JACK: (POINTING TO HIS WATCH) Time is money, my friend. I will fill you in on the way. Trust me.

VERN: (GRABBING HIS COAT) I was afraid of that.

(THEY EXIT AND CAN BE HEARD IN THE HALLWAY)

JACK: Oh and Vern? (BEAT) For the umpteenth time, I DID NOT make you dress up like a bear.

VERN: Here we go again.

Episode 7

Scene 1: It is later on that morning and Jennifer has gone with Julie to the hospital to see Hope and to take her out for breakfast. Hope is there with J.T. to get the results of the mandatory blood test done on all the babies born on the same day as Isaac, Lexie and Abe's son.

(THE ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN AND JENNIFER AND JULIE STEP OFF AND SEE HOPE WHO IS SITTING DOWN PLAYING PATTY-CAKE WITH J.T.)

HOPE: Patty-Cake, Patty-Cake, Make me a--

JENNIFER: (WALKING OVER TO HOPE WITH JULIE) Now, see Julie, this is one man I can afford to have in my life. He's adorable (SHE KNEELS DOWN TO GREET J.T.)

HOPE: (SMILING AT THE SIGHT OF JENNIFER AND JULIE) Hi. What are you guys doing here?

JULIE: Well, darling, Grandma said you would be down here and suggested that Jennifer and I join you and your very admittably adorable cohort for breakfast.

HOPE: You know, I got to say it, that woman is wonderful. Of course, I am biased...

JULIE: That she is, that she is. Now let me see that wonderful nephew of mine (SHE TAKES J.T. OUT OF HOPE'S ARMS AND WALKS HIM TOWARDS THE NURSES LOUNGE) You know what, John Thomas, your great-grandfather used to run this whole show here....

JENNIFER: Hope, are you okay? (BEAT) You look a little flustered.

HOPE: Yeah, yeah. I'm just a little...I guess I'm just a little tired, that's all (SHE RUBS HER TEMPLES). I really am glad to see you, though. I was actually going to have breakfast with Lexie but I can't get a hold of her.

JENNIFER: Did she say she was going to be here? I mean Isaac's already had his blood test and...

HOPE: No, no. I talked to her last night and she said she'd be here. I was here when Isaac's test came back and she said she'd come with me. I actually suggested that she come and we'd take the babies out to breakfast and make a day of it, but...(SHE TURNS AWAY FROM JENNIFER)

JENNIFER: (SHE TOUCHES HOPE'S SHOULDER) But what, Hope?

HOPE: It's probably nothing, but...Okay, Jenn, not a word about this, okay?

JENNIFER: Yeah. What's wrong, Hope?

HOPE: I got the feeling she was lying to me.

Scene 2: Vern and Jack arrive at "The Spectator" offices, their old stomping ground. Jack has just finished telling Vern that he needs his help to come up with a way to keep custody of Abby should a custody battle arise.

(WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR OF THE MAIN NEWSROOM)

VERN: I don't understand, Jack. And to be perfectly honest, I can't say I want to help you. No child (HE STOPS)

JACK: No child what, Vern?

VERN: No child should be taken away from her mother. Especially a mother as warm and caring as Jennifer.

JACK: (LOWERING HIS VOICE SO THAT THE EMPLOYEES WORKING CANNOT HEAR HIM) Is that...Is that what you think I'm trying to do here, Vern? Take Abigail away from her mother? (HE LOOKS PAINED THAT VERN WOULD EVEN THINK HE WOULD DO SUCH A THING)

VERN: Jack, I...

(JUST THEN THE PAPERS NEW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF WALKS BY THEM AND GOES INTO THE OFFICE. WHEN SHE SHUTS IT, JACK LOOKS AT THE DOOR. THE WORDS MARIANNE MONROE, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ARE ETCHED ON THE DOOR AND JACK LOOKS PAINED)

(HE FLASHES BACK TO HE AND JENNIFER'S FIRST ENCOUNTER AT THE SPECTATOR)

(JENNIFER AND JACK ARE IN DIANA COLVILLE'S OLD OFFICE AND SHE JUST CAME IN TO ASK IF SHE COULD DO A STORY FOR THE PAPER)

JACK : So, you want to write a story about a horse?

JENNIFER: Well not just one. You see I'd like to do a whole series. I would like to take this one horse's career and just follow it from the day she started training all the way up to her first win.

JACK: It doesn't sound like news to me.

JENNIFER: Well I know that it's not page one material but it's the kind of feature that people get caught up in, you know. And with the race at the end, the drama is built right in. And anyone who's ever taken Journalism 101 knows that the only thing that sells more papers than pictures of babies, is pictures of animals.

JACK: I'm not wild about either. But you've made your point. Go on.

JENNIFER: Um, well I don't know what else to tell you. I mean, it's a good story.

JACK: It's not a story. There's no angle. You've got this little....little horse who at some point or other is going to run a race.

JENNIFER: Um, what if I told you that this horse already ran and won?

JACK: What are you saying? They put him out to pasture and now he's going to make a comeback?

JENNIFER: You see, in a way. They kind of wrote her off the books when she hurt her leg but then someone came along who had enough faith to put her back in shape. Now he's ready to put that all on the line again. What do you think about that?

JACK: I think it's about the sappiest, most sentimental story I've ever heard. (BEAT) It'll work.

JENNIFER: Really? You're going to okay this?

JACK: No, no, no. Not so fast. You've got to think about something that 101 didn't prepare you for. The money.

JENNIFER: Yeah, er, I need some money for my trip.

JACK: Trip?

JENNIFER: Well the race track's in Florida.

JACK: (LAUGHING) Oh well you better be prepared to stay in some of the cheapest fleabag no-tell motels on the Eastern Seaboard.

JENNIFER: I don't care. I don't care. As long as we have a deal.

JACK: Okay. I'll put it in writing if you will. Cash on delivery of course. (BEAT) Now tell me, why are you so interested in horses?

JENNIFER: Ah....because it's very interesting.

JACK: Hmmm. To bookies and greasy old men maybe but most women aren't interested in sports unless there's a man involved. Of course I know you're an exception to the rule.

JENNIFER: Ah, thanks for everything.

JACK: No, no. One more thing. What's the horse's name?

JENNIFER: (BEAT) Ah....Jennifer's Beauty. (SHE RUSHES OUT OF THE OFFICE)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF, INTRIGUED) She certainly is.

(THE FLASHBACK ENDS AND JACK IS STILL STARING AT THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF'S DOOR. VERN HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET HIS ATTENTION)

VERN: Jack...Jack...JACK!?

JACK: (REALIZING HE WAS LOST IN THOUGHT, HE TURNS AROUND AND FACES VERN) You were saying?

VERN: I was saying that we can go now. I cleared it with Amanda in Archives and she said we could take a look around in there.

JACK: Yes, right...Amanda in Archives. (BEAT) Allright, what are we waiting on? Let's get a move on. I'm assuming that they are still down two floors, correct?

VERN: Yeah. (BEAT) Jack, are you allright? You look a little out of it right now.

JACK: I'm fine, Vernon, fine. A picture of health. (BEAT) Shall we?

(THEY EXIT THE NEWSROOM)

Scene 3: Back at the hospital. Hope has just told Jennifer that she thinks that Lexie lied to her.

JENNIFER: Hope, that doesn't sound like Lexie at all. I mean, why would she lie to you? I know that she's been under a lot of stress lately, but...but you're her best friend. It doesn't make any sense.

HOPE: That's right. It doesn't make any sense. But, Jenn, you've noticed how she's been acting as of late. Remember the other day at the restaurant with Brandon? Those two were acting very shady. And then the other day when she got Isaac's results in...you'd think she'd be ecstatic, but...but she acted very...very...cool about it. I mean, she cried in relief, but not as much as I think she should have. It's almost as if she knew what the results would be and then Brandon...

JENNIFER: Brandon what, Hope?

HOPE: Then Brandon came over to see her and they talked and then she made up a quick excuse and got out of here.

JENNIFER: Are you sure it was an excuse, Hope? Maybe she forgot she had to do something...

HOPE: You know, Jenn, you're probably right. Maybe my nerves are just working overtime here. I mean the hospital, the wait. I just hate waiting. I'm sure she'll be here. (SHE NOTICES CRAIG WALK BY) Oh look there's Craig. Craig? Craig?

CRAIG: Hope. I was actually just coming to see you.

HOPE: That's good. Listen, I know I've got to be here for the results and everything, but do you think there is any way we could maybe hurry this up? My cousins are here and I'd really like to get some breakfast and since J.T. is obviously not needed-

CRAIG: Hope, I'd really like to help you, but I can't. (BEAT) I was actually coming over here to talk to you about...Hope, I think you might want to call Bo here.

HOPE: Bo? Craig, what's going on? (BEAT) Tell me what's going on.

CRAIG: I wish I could. Listen, Hope, you go call Bo and have him come down here right away. (HE GOES TO WALK OFF) Call your Uncle Mickey, too. I'm sorry. (HE WALKS OFF AS HOPE CALLS AFTER HIM).

HOPE: Uncle Mickey? Craig? Craig. (SHE TURNS TO JENNIFER WHO HAS HEARD THE WHOLE EXCHANGE) What's going on? Jenn, what's going on?

JENNIFER: (CONCERNED. SHE GRABS HOPE'S HANDS) I don't know, Hope....I don't know.

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JENNIFER AND HOPE HOLDING HANDS WORRIED)

Scene 4: Jack and Vern are at the Archives department at "THE SPECTATOR" and are looking through old Irish newpapers. Vern is sitting at a desk and Jack is piling more and more papers in front of him.

JACK: I want everything relating to the isle of Erin here. I want every last paper, every last article, every last syllable. Anything that sounds remotely Irish. (HE PILES ANOTHER SET OF PAPERS ON THE TABLE)

VERN: Jack...Jack...Can you stop for a moment and maybe tell me what you are looking for exactly? I can't make heads or tails of this with at least some knowledge of what I'm looking for.

JACK: (STOPS LOOKING FOR PAPERS AND LOOKS AT VERN) Um...well, I don't really know. All I know is that Jennifer spent some time working at a pub in Ireland. (BEAT) Imagine that, a good reporter like her lugging mugs of ale. I could just see the drunken laddies now. (PUTTING ON A FAKE IRISH ACCENT) Say, Lass, could you pour me another?

VERN: (TAKING OFF HIS GLASSES AND RUBBING HIS EYES) Jack, are you sure you want to do this? Like I said earlier, no child should be-

JACK: separated from her mother. (BEAT) Honestly, Vern, do you think I'm that cold-hearted? I mean I know I've kicked a few dogs in my past and pushed a few old ladies across the street but to rip a child away from her mother?

VERN: Jack, I know you love Abby-

JACK: (SMILING AT THE MENTION OF ABBY) That I do, Vern. (BEAT) More than anything in the world. And contrary to what you may think, I AM NOT going to separate Abigail from her mother.

VERN: Then I don't understand what we're doing here. If you have no intention of using this information to your advantage-

JACK: Ah, but I do, Vern. And while my advantage doesn't necessarily mean that I will separate mother from child, it ensures that the same thing cannot be done to father and child. After all, turnabout is fair play.

VERN: Jack, Jennifer would never-

JACK: As far as I'm concerned she already did. She took away the one thing that mattered most to me that day she decided to set sail to the Emerald Isle with our daughter. Now, if you would (HE STARTS LOOKING FOR MORE PAPERS)

VERN: Jack, have you even thought about the consequences to this?

JACK: (LOOKING AT VERN WITH A COCKED EYEBROW) The consequences, Vern? Have you forgotten who you're talking to?

VERN: Yeah, yeah. Jack, I know you say you love Abby and that's the only reason you're doing this, but...Jack, are you not afraid of what might happen to you?

JACK: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) And what, prithee, might happen to me? I could get a paper cut and have to sue my former employer? Vern, really-

VERN: Jack, stop kidding around, will ya? What I'm trying to say, are you afraid of getting hurt? Of getting your heart broken?

(JACK STANDS THERE AND STARES AT VERN AS IF HIS HEART IS ALREADLY BREAKING)

Scene 5: It is a little while later and Jennifer, Hope, and Julie are sitting down at the hospital playing with J.T.

JULIE: I still don't understand. Why would we need Uncle (SHE NOTICES BO, WHO HAS JUST STEPPED OFF THE ELEVATOR AND IS FRANTICALLY LOOKING FOR HOPE. HE SPOTS HER AND RUNS OVER)

BO: (PUTTING A HAND ON HOPE'S SHOULDER) I got here as soon as I could. Fancy Face, what's going on?

(HOPE STANDS UP AND THROWS HER ARMS AROUND BO)

HOPE: I don't know. I don't know. (SHE CRIES AND HUGS HIM)

(JENNIFER AND JULIE TAKE J.T. AND WALK AWAY WHILE BO AND HOPE TALK)

JENNIFER: Julie, what do you think is going on?

JULIE: (BALANCING J.T. ON HER HIP) I have no idea. (SHE LOOKS AROUND ANXIOUSLY) I just wish Uncle Mickey would get here.

(MICKEY WALKS OUT OF THE ELEVATOR AND LOOKS AROUND)

Uncle Mickey, over here! Over here!

MICKEY: (WALKING UP TO JENNIFER AND JULIE AND KISSING THEM ON THE CHEEK) Jennifer. (BEAT) Julie.

(BO AND HOPE NOTICE MICKEY AND WALK OVER)

BO: (SHAKING MICKEY'S HAND AS MICKEY KISSES HOPE'S CHEEK) Mickey.

MICKEY: Bo. (BEAT) Hope.

HOPE: Uncle Mickey, we're so confused. What's going on?

MICKEY: Well, Hope I really don't know. But I intend to find out. (HE NOTICES CRAIG SPEAKING TO ANOTHER DOCTOR AND WALKS UP TO HIM) Dr. Wesley, I'm sorry to interrupt, but this is imperative.

CRAIG: (WAVING THE OTHER DOCTOR OFF) I'll meet with you later about this. (TURNING TO MICKEY AND THE OTHERS WHO HAVE FOLLOWED HIM) Mr. Horton, I'm glad you made it.

MICKEY: Let's get to the bottom of this, Dr. Wesley. You better have a good reason for scaring my niece out of her mind.

CRAIG: (EXASPERATED, BUT CONCERNED) I assure you, Mickey, I do. Now if we could just step into my office I'll gladly explain it to you.

MICKEY: This better be good, Wesley. Bo, Hope, will you follow me?

JENNIFER: Mickey, what's going on?

MICKEY: I don't know, Jennifer, but I will tell you one thing, it doesn't sound good.

(BO AND HOPE JUST LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND EXIT WITH MICKEY, LEAVING JENNIFER, JULIE, AND J.T.)

JENNIFER: (CALLING SOFTLY BEHIND THEM) Julie and I will take care of J.T. (TO HERSELF) I wonder what's going on.

Scene 6: Vern and Jack are still at the archive department at "The Spectator" and Vern has just asked Jack if he was prepared to get his heart broken. Jack has avoided the question and is frantically searching through files.

JACK: You know, one would think that there would be more about here on Irish pubs. Especially with all the Hortons and Bradys running around Salem..

VERN: Jack...

JACK: Well, I mean there's a lot on the Brady Pub here, but as far as abroad...

VERN: Jack...

JACK: What if you wanted to get a good glass of Guiness in Ire-

(VERN HAS GOTTEN UP AND WALKED OVER TO WHERE JACK IS STANDING AND GRABS HIM BY THE SHOULDERS)

VERN: (SHAKING JACK A LITTLE) Jack. Will you answer my question?

JACK: (ADJUSTING THE FILES IN HIS ARMS) Hehehe. And what question was that, old pal?

VERN: (TAKING THE FILES FROM JACK) Are you or are you not prepared to get your heart broken?

JACK: Broken? I don't really have an answer for that question, Vern (HE WALKS AWAY FROM VERN)

VERN: Jack, don't do this...(HE TURNS TO FACE JACK'S BACK)

JACK: (TURNING AROUND TO FACE VERN) Do what, Vern?

VERN: This, Jack.

JACK: I don't know what this is. Perhaps you could hand me a Scofield dictionary some-

VERN: I know you probably don't want to hear this, Jack, but I'm going to tell you anyway. I've always thought of you as a son, Jack, and like it or not, I care about you. The Jack Deveraux I knew was, well, I won't lie to you...he was pompous, arrogant, and totally over the top

JACK: (SMILING) Don't let me stop you, Vern-

VERN: But he was also loving, caring, and a closet optimist. All because of one thing...one person, rather...

JACK: (TURNING AROUND SO THAT VERN WON'T SEE HIS PAIN) Don't say it, Vern.

VERN: That person was Jennifer Horton. (BEAT) From the second Jennifer came into your life, you were a changed man, Jack. (BEAT) Not that you didn't have it in you already, Jack. She pushed you Jack. I watched...I saw it with my own two eyes. I watched you push her away, I watched her push you away, but I always knew how it would end. Through all your lame-brained adventures, through all the fights, through all the door slamming, I knew how it would end. Now you can lie to yourself if you want, you can lie to Jennifer all you want, but you cannot lie to me, Jack. You love her just as much as you did then.

JACK: Vern...

VERN: Jack, don't deny it. I just want to know if you are prepared to face this truth, if it is even true. I want to know how you are going to feel if you learn that Jennifer loved another man, someone who was not you.

(JACK LOOKS VERY PAINED AT THIS)

JACK: (TURNING AROUND ANGRY AT HIS ALLEGATION) HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THIS IS ABOUT ABIGAIL AND ABOUT ABIGAIL ONLY? WHAT JENNIFER DOES, WHO JENNIFER LOVES DOESN'T MATTER TO ME.. THE ONLY PERSON THAT MATTERS TO ME IS MY DAUGHTER. SHE IS THE ONLY ONE THAT...THAT

(QUIETLY) loves me. (HE IS ABOUT TO CRY) Now, if we could get on with this? (HE MOTIONS TO THE TABLE BRIMMING WITH PAPERS)

VERN: (NOTICING JACK'S PAIN AND ALSO KNOWING THAT THERE IS MORE THERE THAN JACK WANTS TO LET ON) I'm sorry, Jack, I didn't mean to pry. I just thought-

JACK: Well, you thought wrong. Now, can we just get back to the task at hand (HE GOES TO SIT DOWN)

VERN: Whatever, you say, Jack (SITS DOWN) Whatever you say.

Scene 7: At the hospital, Craig has just revealed to Bo, Hope and Mickey that J.T.'s DNA tests have come back as a positive i.d. with Glen's. The baby is now to be given back to the Barbers. Hope and Bo are visibly upset and are broken up. They also know that their baby is out there somewhere. They are leaving the office with Craig, Hospital Security, and Glen and Barb's lawyer. Jennifer and Julie are standing outside waiting with the baby for them.

(CRAIG'S OFFICE DOOR OPENS AND JENNIFER AND JULIE GET UP WITH THE BABY. BO, HOPE, AND MICKEY LOOK NUMBED)

JULIE: (FRANTIC) What's going on? Uncle Mickey, what's going on?

MICKEY: Julie-

HOPE: My baby. My baby. (SHE GRABS J.T. AND HOLDS HIM TIGHT TO HER CHEST)

(EVERYONE LOOKS PAINFULLY AT HOPE AND J.T.)

JENNIFER: Bo, what's going on?

MICKEY: It seems that J.T., um, J.T.'s samples came back as a positive match with Glen Barber's.

JULIE: (DEVESTATED) How could that be?

MICKEY: I don't know, I don't know.

JENNIFER: How could that be? She gave birth to him right here.

MICKEY: She gave birth to a baby right here, Jennifer.

JENNIFER: Do you mean?

MICKEY: Yes. There apparantly was some sort of switch done here. (BEAT) Craig is calling all the mothers of the babies born right here on that day to get to the bottom of this. In the meantime, Hope's going to have to give up J.T.

JENNIFER: (TURNING AND LOOKING AT HOPE AND BO, WHO ARE HOLDING J.T. CRAIG, SECURITY, AND THE LAWYER ARE STANDING BESIDE THEM TO TAKE THE BABY. GLEN AND BARB HAVE ENTERED BEHIND THEM) But...but...he's the only mother he's ever known. Uncle Mickey, we can't let this happen...

MICKEY: Jennifer-

(JOHN AND MARLENA HAVE JUST COME BACK FROM LUNCH AND HAVE WALKED IN ON THE SCENE. CRAIG HAS JUST HANDED THE BABY TO THE BARBERS AND HOPE HAS JUST DOUBLED OVER IN TEARS)

JOHN: We can't let what happen?

Scene 8: Jack and Vern have decided to go over to Brady's Pub to get some food and ...information.

(JACK AND VERN HAVE JUST ENTERED THE BRADY PUB AND JACK IS SITTING DOWN IN A BOOTH)

VERN: Really, Jack, is there a reason we are going to a pub right now? I haven't even had breakfast yet.

JACK: Vern, Vern, when are you going to learn? We are not only here to fill up on potatoes (AN IRISH JOKE), but also to fill up on information, as well?

VERN: (PUTTING HIS MENU DOWN) Come again, Jack?

JACK: Well, who better to learn about Ireland than the Irish themselves? (SPOTTING SHAWN) Now, if you'll excuse me, I see an Irishman right now (HE SLIDES OUT OF THE BOOTH AND VERN SHAKES HIS HEAD). Mr. Brady?

SHAWN: Oh, Jack (PUTTING HIS ARM AROUND HIM) It's so nice to see you again. (NODDING TO VERN) I see you left the little lassie at home.

JACK: Yeah, that I did. Actually I was wondering if I could have a word with you.

SHAWN: Well, you know, Jack, I'd normally love to shoot the breeze with you, but I'm on my way out.

JACK: Well, actually it's about Ireland... Jennifer's time in Ireland, to be exact.

(SHAWN LOOKS DISTURBED BY JACK'S QUESTION)

SHAWN: Jack, I really am on my way out...

JACK: It would really only take a minute. You see...

SHAWN: No, Jack, I really cannot talk to right now. I'm on my way to the hospital.

JACK: The hospital? Is something wrong?

SHAWN: Well, something is wrong with our grandbaby...Bo and Hope's son...I don't know what it is, but Mickey Horton just called and said Caroline and I better get down there right away.

JACK: (WORRIED) Jennifer's probably down there. (TO VERN) Vernon, you better bag those eggs, we've got to get out out of here. I'll meet you in the car.

(JACK AND MR. BRADY EXIT)

VERN: (GETTING UP) Eight years. Eight years and I'm back to where I was. (HE SHAKES HIS HEAD AND WALKS OUT)

Scene 9: John has just walked in on the scene at the Hospital.

MICKEY: John, Marlena. (BEAT) I bet you're wondering what's going on.

JOHN: (LOOKING OVER AT J.T. WHO IS NOW WITH GLEN AND BARB AND IS CRYING LOUDLY) I'd say. What the hell are they doing with my so-- (CORRECTING HIMSELF), my godson?

MARLENA: (SHOOTING A LOOK AT JOHN AND THEN TO MICKEY) Mickey, what's going on? Why do they have J.T.?

MICKEY: Well, I guess you're going to have to hear it sometime. It seems that the blood tests done on the Carvers' baby, Isaac, they came back neg-

JOHN: Just spit it out, Mickey. What the hell are they doing with J.T.?

JULIE: John, John, calm down....What Uncle Mickey is trying to say is that J.T. is Glen's son. There was a switch of some sort.

JOHN: But that can't be.

MICKEY: I'm afraid so, John. I looked at the DNA tests myself.

MARLENA: But Hope gave birth-

MICKEY: To a baby boy. We all know that. The staff is working on calling all of the mothers of children who were born that day and are going to run some tests-

JOHN: Going to run some tests?

MICKEY: Going to run some tests against Hope and Bo's DNA. (BEAT) All we can do now is wait.

(EVERYONE JUST LOOKS AROUND SADLY)

Scene 10: Back at the hospital. Glen and Barb are leaving with J.T. He is crying loudly and violently. Hope and Bo just look on confused and hurt.

CRAIG: (TO GLEN AND BARB) Now remember he is a special needs child. I want you both to stop by my office tomorrow so I can talk to you about making this transition easy for him and how to handle a child with his condition.

(HE WALKS OVER TO BO AND HOPE, WHO ARE SHAKEN) Mr. Brady, Mrs. Brady, you can be assured that we are doing everything in our effort to make this back to the lab sometime this week so that we can get samples from the two of you.

(HOPE AND BO LOOK AT EACH OTHER WORRIED)

JOHN: I'm going to get to the bottom of this (STEPPING OVER TO BO AND HOPE)

MARLENA: John? John, where do you think-(SHE GRABS HIM BY THE ARM TO TALK TO HIM)

(THE ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN AND MR. AND MRS. BRADY AS WELL AS JACK AND VERN ENTER. SEEING EVERYONE, THEY WALK OVER)

(MR. AND MRS. BRADY WALK OVER TO BO AND HOPE)

JENNIFER: (NOTICING JACK AND VERN). Jack? Vern! (SHE GIVES HIM A BIG HUG)

VERN: Jenny-Girl! (HUGGING HER AND THEN LOOKING AT HER) Let me take a good look at you. Uh-huh, just as I thought.

JENNIFER: What, Vern?

VERN: You. Gorgeous as ever.

(JACK SMILES AT THIS EXCHANGE AND IN AGREEMENT)

JACK: Jennifer, is everything okay? Vern and I were over at the pub having a little breakfast when Mr. Brady told us about the baby. (BEAT) He is okay, isn't he?

JENNIFER: (LOOKING OVER AT BO, HOPE, CRAIG, AND THE BRADYS) No, Jack, actually it's not okay.

Scene 10: At the hospital. Jennifer has just told Jack about J.T.

JACK: So they took him just like that? No goodbye, no (HE TRAILS OFF THINKING OF HIS OWN ADOPTION)

JENNIFER: No. (NOTICING HIS PAIN BUT TRYING NOT TO ACT CONCERNED) It's horrible, isn't it?

(THEY ALL LOOK OVER TO HOPE WHO IS HYSTERICAL)

JACK: (LOOKING OVER AT JOHN AND MARLENA) Is that John Black?

JENNIFER: Yeah. He's J.T.'s godfather. Jack, he's really taking this hard.

JACK: (LOOKING AT MARLENA AND JOHN WHO ARE HAVING A HEATED DISCUSSION) Yes, I guess he is. (HE THINKS JOHN IS ACTING TOO FATHERLY AND IS SUSPICIOUS) If you'll excuse me (HE LEAVES JENNIFER AND VERN TO TALK AND WALKS OVER AND HEARS THE TAIL END OF JOHN AND MARLENA'S CONVERSATION).

JOHN: (WHISPERING) Marlena, you've got to understand, he's my son!

(JACK CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT HE IS HEARING)

MARLENA: (WHISPERING) In name only. Look at them (ACKNOWLEDGING BO AND HOPE) Don't let this be any harder.

(BO, HOPE, AND THE BRADYS WALK OVER TO THEM)

Hope, Bo, is everything alright?

BO: (SPEAKING FOR HOPE, WHO IS TOO SHAKEN TO SPEAK) As best as they could be. We're just going to go on home right now and get a little rest.

JOHN: What about these DNA tests? When are they going to be done?

(MARLENA LOOKS AT JOHN DISAPPROVINGLY)

BO: Craig wanted to do them today, but I think that Hope and I need a day or so to deal with the situation. We have to tell Shawn-D still.

(EVERYONE ELSE HAS WALKED OVER TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON)

JENNIFER: This is going to kill him.

BO: (LOOKING AT JENNIFER) Yes, yes, it is. Now we're going to be going. Thanks to all of you for....for everything (THEY GO TO LEAVE)

JOHN: So these blood tests are going to be in a day or two?

BO: (ANNOYED AT JOHN'S INTERFERENCE) John, I told you already-

HOPE: (LOOKING AT JOHN AND KNOWING THAT SHE NEEDS HIM TO KEEP QUIET) We'll call you.

(THEY EXIT)

JENNIFER: (CRYING SOFTLY) I just don't understand.

VERN: (PUTTING HIS ARM AROUND HER) It's okay, Jenny-Girl. (BEAT) Listen, I'm going to get out of here. I'll stop by later this week to see you and Abby if you don't mind.

JENNIFER: (NODDING) I'd love that, Vern .

JULIE: (NOTICING JACK LOOKING AT JENNIFER WITH GREAT CONCERN) Vern, how wonderful to see you! You and your old boss have tons to catch up on (REFERRING TO WHEN SHE WAS OWNER OF THE SPECTATOR). What do you say I take you home? (SHE HUGS JENNIFER) Jennifer, I'm going to go to Grandma's right away and tell her about this. We'll see what to do for Hope then, okay? (SHE LOOKS AT JACK) Jack.

VERN: Jack, I'll see you tomorrow, okay? (BEAT) I really missed you. (TO JENNIFER) I hope everything is okay, Jenny-Girl. I really do.

JACK: Tomorrow it is, Vern. Tomorrow.

(VERN AND JULIE EXIT)

JENNIFER: (TURNING AROUND TO FACE JACK) I guess you'll have to take me home, Jack.

JACK: Come on now, I'm not that bad. (BEAT) My driving record is exceptional. (BEAT) Yours, on the other hand...

JENNIFER: Jack, not now, okay. Not now.

JACK: (PULLING OUT HIS WHITE HANDKERCHIEF AND WAVING IT AROUND LIKE A SURRENDER FLAG) As you wish.

(JENNIFER SMILES WEAKLY AT THE "FLAG")

(JACK HANDS HER THE HANDKERCHIEF)

Ah, you know I'm no expert at this, but...I mean...I think you could use a ...(HE TAPS HIS CHEST INDICATING A HUG) I know it's been awhile, but I think I could still...

(SHE FALLS INTO HIS ARM CRYING AND HE SLOWLY PUTS HIS HAND ACROSS HER BACK).

Well, you know what they say...Practice makes perfect.

(HE SMILES WEAKLY DOWN AT HER)

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK HOLDING JENNIFER WITH A LOOK OF IMMENSE LOVE IN HIS EYES)

Episode 8

Scene 1: It is still the same day. Both Jack and Jennifer are in an embrace at the hospital. Jennifer is upset because J.T., Hope's son has just been revealed to be Glen Barber's and has been taken away.

(JACK IS RUBBING JENNIFER'S BACK AND SHE BREAKS AWAY)

JACK: (UPSET) Wh-what? Did I do something wrong?

JENNIFER: (TURNING AWAY FROM HIM) No...yes....no... (BEAT) Jack, I think we should just go.

JACK: Jennif...Jennifer, I...

JENNIFER: (BLOWING HER NOSE) We really should go. (SHE ADJUSTS HER PURSE AND LOOKS AT HIM PLEADINGLY)

JACK: (UPSET THAT JENNIFER WON'T TALK ABOUT THEIR EMBRACE) Yes...yes we should. After you, my lady...(HE MOTIONS FOR HER TO GO AHEAD OF HIM AND THEN PAUSES AND LOOKS AT MARLENA AND JOHN, WHO ARE STILL IN A VERY HEATED DISCUSSION)

JENNIFER: Jack? Jack, the elevator's here.

JACK: (LOOKING AT THE ELEVATOR) Well, then...All aboard (HE HOLDS THE DOOR OPEN FOR HER AND ALLOWS HER TO GET ON. HE IS STANDING BEHIND HER AS THE DOORS SHUT. JENNIFER, WHO IS UPSET STILL, SMILES A LITTLE.)

Scene 2: Jennifer and Jack are in the car and are both very uncomfortable about their recent embrace.

(THE SCENE OPENS TO JACK'S CAR. JENNIFER IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW AND WIPING HER EYES. JACK KEEPS THROWING LOOKS HER WAY. HE CAN TELL SHE IS UPSET AND IS BOTHERED THAT SHE CAN'T EVEN TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT. A FEW SECONDS OF SILENCE PASS. JACK CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE AND HE PULLS OVER AND STOPS THE CAR)

JENNIFER: Jack, what are you doing?

JACK: What does it look like I'm doing? I'm stopping the...Jennifer, we need to talk.

JENNIFER: About what, Jack?

JACK: About what happened back at the hospital....about our embrace...about that moment...

JENNIFER: About our moment, Jack? What moment? I was upset, that's all. People tend to do that when their family gets hurt. People with hearts, that is.

JACK: You're doing it again.

JENNIFER: Doing what again, Jack? Speaking the truth? Well, you know what they say, Jack. The truth hurts.

JACK: You're baiting me.

(JENNIFER'S MOUTH JUST DROPS OPEN)

JENNIFER: I'm baiting you?! Jack, I cann-

JACK: And I'm not going to take it. I'm not going to let you do it. I am just going to chock it up to the fact that you have tons of...tons of ...displaced anger.

JENNIFER: Displaced anger? Jack, I assure you, this anger is anything but displaced.

JACK: Fine, fine. Have it your way. I just, I just wanted to tell you that I am here for you...

JENNIFER: That's a first (SHE LOOKS OUT THE WINDOW)

JACK: (IGNORING HER AND LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD) I am here for you if you want to talk. (BEAT) Contrary to popular belief, I am not the spawn of Satan here ...although Harper and Duke come pretty close.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING OVER AT JACK WITH GREAT CONCERN) Come on, Jack. You know me better than that....(BEAT) (QUIETLY) I do not hate you.

JACK: (STILL LOOKING AWAY FROM JENNIFER) You could've fooled me.

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JENNIFER LOOKING AT JACK AND WANTING HIM TO LOOK AT HER)

Scene 3: Jennifer and Jack are still in the car and Jack has just accused Jennifer of hating him.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT JACK, WHO STILL REFUSES TO LOOK AT HER) Jack, is that what you think? (BEAT) You think I hate you?

JACK: (FINALLY LOOKING AT JENNIFER) You don't?

JENNIFER: Jack, I...

JACK: Jennifer, you don't have to ans-

JENNIFER: I don't hate you, Jack. I mean, I don't hate you anymore. (LOOKING OUT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD) Do I understand you? No. Do I want to understand you? No. I may have said I hated you, Jack and I'm sure that somewhere along the line I did, but I don't hate you anymore...I don't think so, anyway.

JACK: Then why...why can't you talk to me? After everything we've been through, why can't you just talk to me?

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT JACK WITH GREAT SADNESS IN HER EYES) That's why, Jack. Because of everything we've been through. (BEAT) You think you can just swoop back in and fix everything with a joke or a stupid disguise or some flamboyant gesture. It won't work anymore, Jack (SHE TURNS AWAY)...It won't work.

JACK: And at the hospital? When you fell into my arms?

JENNIFER: (SMILING TO HERSELF) You were there, Jack. (SHE TURNS TO HIM) You were there and I was upset. I would've hugged anyone at that moment. It was nothing....It was nothing. (JACK JUST LOOKS AT HER WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES BECAUSE HE KNOWS SHE IS LYING)

JACK: (CLEARING HIS THROAT) Ahem...(HE STARTS THE CAR) Well, we better get out of here before the good 'ole Salem PD decides to give us a ticket.

JENNIFER: Yeah, we should (SHE LOOKS OUT HER WINDOW)

(JACK STARTS UP THE CAR AND THEY PULL AWAY, MORE CONFUSED THAN EVER)

Scene 4: Jack and Jennifer arrive home.

(JENNIFER AND JACK WALK THROUGH THE DOOR OF THEIR HOME. JENNIFER PUTS HER KEYS ON THE TABLE BY THE DOOR AND JACK FOLLOWS SUIT. JENNIFER THEN WALKS INTO THE LIVING ROOM AND PLOPS DOWN ON THE COUCH AND SIGHS)

JACK: (SORTING THROUGH MAIL) You know, one day they're going to spell my name right. I mean, D-e-v-a-r-o-w-e...What the hell is that? (HE HANDS SOME MAIL TO JENNIFER)

JENNIFER: (TAKING THE MAIL) Thanks. (SHE LOOKS AT THE MAIL AND THEN SETS IT ON THE COFFEE TABLE)

JACK: You're not going to open it?

JENNIFER: I'll get to it in a minute.

JACK: (KNOWING THAT SOMETHING IS UP) It's from your father.

JENNIFER: (ANNOYED) Yes, Jack, I know who it is from. I'll open it in a bit. (SHE AVOIDS HIS EYES)

JACK: I remember a time when a Jennifer Horton Dever, um, Jennifer Horton, would tear through mail...Postcards, catalogs, forget about 'em. I think she even beat the speed of light whenever the package was marked from a Mr. Bill Horton.

JENNIFER: It's probably nothing, Jack.

JACK: (SITTING DOWN) You're probably right. (HE OPENS HIS MAIL AND BEGINS TO READ)

JENNIFER: (GROWING UNCOMFORTABLE WITH JACK'S ACTIONS) I'm going to get something to eat. I know I'm going to regret this, but do you want anything? (SHE GETS UP)

JACK: (LOOKING OVER THE LETTER HE WAS READING) Mmmm. I am feeling a bit peckish now that you mention it. How about some caviar and champagne? Ooh, and a spot of pate, if you will.

JENNIFER: (SMILING) How about ham and cheese sandwiches and potato chips, Jack?

JACK: (SMILING SARCASTICALLY BACK AT HER) Mmmm...Even better.

(SHE GOES TO LEAVE)

Oh, and Jennifer?

JENNIFER: Yes, Jack?

JACK: Can you be sure to cut the edges off mine? You know how I hate them.

JENNIFER: (UNDER HER BREATH) I'd like to cut something, allright. (SHE GOES TO LEAVE)

JACK: What was that?

JENNIFER: Nothing, Jack, Nothing.

(SHE GOES INTO THE KITCHEN. AS SOON AS SHE LEAVES JACK WALKS OVER TO THE COFFEE TABLE AND PICKS UP THE LETTER FROM BILL)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF) Now, why hasn't she opened you?

(JENNIFER, AS IF SHE KNEW THAT JACK WOULD TOUCH THE LETTER, WALKS IN, GRABS THE LETTER, AND WITHOUT SAYING A WORD, WALKS BACK INTO THE KITCHEN, LEAVING JACK STANDING THERE DUMBFOUNDED)

Scene 5: Jack and Jennifer are finishing up their lunch when the doorbell rings with a not so mysterious package.

(THE SCENE OPENS TO JACK AND JENNIFER SITTING ON THE FLOOR EATING THEIR SANDWICHES ON THE COFFEE TABLE AND WATCHING T.V. JACK HAS TAKEN OFF HIS JACKET AND HAS ROLLED UP HIS SLEEVES. HE HAS JUST TAKEN A BIG SIP OF MILK AND HAS A MILK MUSTACHE WHEN THE DOORBELL RINGS. HE GETS UP TO ANSWER IT)

JACK: We don't want any religious material (HE OPENS THE DOOR TO A MESSENGER) Yes?

MESSENGER: Are you a Mr. Jack Dever...Dever... (HE RUBS HIS MOUTH TO INDICATE THAT JACK HAS MILK ON IT)

JACK: (CONFUSED ABOUT THE MESSENGER'S RUBBING OF HIS MOUTH) Deveraux. Jack Deveraux. In the flesh.

MESSENGER: You have a delivery. (HE RUBS HIS MOUTH AGAIN)

JACK: (SARCASTICALLY) I should hope so. (LOOKING AT HIM RUBBING HIS MOUTH AGAIN WITH GREAT CONFUSION)

MESSENGER: Huh?

JACK: Never mind. Where do I sign? (HE GRABS THE CLIPBOARD AND SIGNS HIS NAME AND GRABS THE PACKAGE AND RUNS BACK INSIDE) Thank you, have a good day. (HE SLAPS THE MESSENGER'S HAND THAT IS OPENED FOR A TIP).

JENNIFER: (COMING INTO THE FOYER) Who was that, Jack?

JACK: Nobody. (HIDING THE PACKAGE BEHIND HIS BACK) Wrong house.

JENNIFER: (KNOWING SOMETHING IS UP) Wrong house, Jack? (SHE TRIES TO PEEK AROUND HIS BACK)

JACK: Yes...wrong house...I mean, they were trying to sell encyclopedias and I said that they had the wrong house...because...because...well, because, there were two skilled journalists residing here and that we...we have a set of our own already.

JENNIFER: Jack, we don't have a set of encyclopedias.

JACK: We don't? I could've sworn that we did.

JENNIFER: You're lying. (BEAT) Why are you lying, Jack? (SHE STEPS FORWARD TO HIM AND STRETCHES OUT HER HAND)

JACK: Jennifer, what are you-

JENNIFER: What does it look like I'm doing, Jack?

JACK: Well, it looks like you're...you're.

(SHE WIPES OFF HIS MILK MUSTACHE)

JENNIFER: I'm wiping off your milk mustache, Jack. (SHE TURNS AWAY AND WALKS BACK INTO THE LIVING ROOM)

(JACK IS LEFT STANDING AGAINST THE DOOR. HE PULLS OUT THE PACKAGE AND KISSES IT)

JACK: Shane Donovan, you are a Godsend!

Scene 6: It is now later on that evening. Jennifer is sitting in the living room, watching the news and combing Abby's hair.

TV NEWSCASTER: And in a bizarre twist of fate, Salem's own Police Officer Bo Brady and his wife Hope Williams-Brady have been victims of a coldhearted baby switch. Their infant son, John-Thomas Brady, was

ABBY: Look, Mommy, it's J.T.

JENNIFER: Yeah, Baby, it is. (SHE NERVOUSLY FUMBLES FOR THE REMOTE AND TURNS OFF THE T.V.)

ABBY: Why did you do that, Mommy? J.T. was on t.v.

JENNIFER: Well, Baby, why don't you sit down? (BEAT) I have to tell you something about J.T.

(JACK STANDS IN THE DOORWAY AND WATCHES, UNBEKNOWNST TO JENNIFER AND ABBY)

Scene 7: Jennifer has just told Abby about J.T. and Jack has watched them from the doorway.

ABBY: So, J.T. was adopted like Daddy?

JENNIFER: Well, sort of.

ABBY: Will I see him anymore?

JENNIFER: Um, well, Baby, I don't think that will be possible. We'll see what we can do on that, though. (BEAT) Are you okay? I didn't know what to tell you. ABBY: I'm okay.

JENNIFER: Are you sure? Mommy knows how hard this is.

ABBY: No, I'm okay. I'll miss seeing him. I know he'll grow up good.

JENNIFER: I'm sure he will. Abby, how did you get so smart?

ABBY: Well, Daddy was adopted and he grew up to be great. Didn't he, Mommy? Didn't Daddy grow up to be great?

(JACK LOOKS AS IF HIS HEART HAS GROWN AT THIS STATEMENT AND JENNIFER LOOKS AT ABBY WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES)

JENNIFER: Yeah, he did grow up to be pretty great. (BEAT) You want Mommy to read you a story tonight?

ABBY: I'd like that. I'll go get a book and meet you upstairs, okay?

(JENNIFER NODS AND ABBY RUNS TO THE STAIRS WHERE SHE RUNS INTO JACK)

JACK: (WITH TEARS IN HIS EYES) Why, hello, Abigail! Leaving so soon?(HE SCOOPS HER UP IN HIS ARMS)

ABBY: I love you, Daddy. (SHE KISSES HIS CHEEK)

JACK: And Daddy loves you very much. Did he ever tell you how much he loves you, Abigail? I love you more than anything...anything in this world.

ABBY: And Mommy?

(JACK LOOKS OVER AT JENNIFER WHO IS SMILING AT THEM. HE LOOKS AT ABBY)

JACK: (HE PLAYS IT OFF TO APPEASE ABBY, BUT IT IS TRUE) And Mommy, too. More than anything. (HE SETS HER DOWN) Now, you go on to bed and Daddy will be in to tuck you in.

(ABBY RUNS OUT LEAVING JACK AND JENNIFER WITH EACH OTHER AND UNCOMFORTABLE)

JACK: I take it she saw the newscast.

JENNIFER: Yeah. She seems okay with it, though.

JACK: I know you don't want me to ask, but how about you? Are you okay with it?

JENNIFER: (TURNING AWAY SO THAT JACK CAN'T SEE HER TEARS) I don't know, Jack. The logical part of me...the reporter side of me says that it's better that it happened now, not when the baby was eight or older and that Glen really does deserve to be with his son. But the mother side of me....the mother side of me...it says that Hope must be dying. And the more I look at Abby, the more I know how it would kill me if she was ever taken away from me, Jack. If she was taken away from us...

JACK: (GRABBING JENNIFER AND TURNING HER TO FACE HIM) Jennifer, nobody, NOBODY is ever going to take our daughter away from us. Do you hear me? I will...I will die before I let that happen.

(JENNIFER JUST LOOKS AT JACK WITH WONDER IN HER EYES. SHE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT AND IS A LITTLE SCARED)

JACK: (BREAKING HIS HOLD ON HER AND TURNING AWAY) I'm sorry...I guess...I guess..I just let my emotions get a hold of me.

JENNIFER: Well, um...I'm going to go read to Abby. (BEAT) You'll be in to tuck her in, won't you? (SHE GOES TO WALK UP THE STAIRS)

JACK: Yeah...in just a moment.

(JENNIFER EXITS AND JACK GRABS THE PACKAGE HE HAD HIDDEN IN A DRAWER IN THE TABLE BY THE DOOR)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF) And Shane Donovan and the good 'ole IS of A will help us make sure of that. (BEAT) No one...no one..will ever touch Abigail.

Episode 9

"Don't Leave Home Without It"

Scene 1: It is a couple of days later. Jack and Jennifer are both at home and are coming back inside. They have just said goodbye to Abby, who has boarded the school bus. Both are already dressed.

(JENNIFER WALKS BACK INTO THE LIVING ROOM AND IS GOING THROUGH HER PURSE AND GETTING READY TO LEAVE. JACK WALKS BACK IN WITH THE NEWSPAPERS AND NOTICES WHAT SHE IS DOING)

JACK: (LOOKING JENNIFER UP AND DOWN) Aren't we getting out early these days?

JENNIFER: Actually, Jack, I'm going out early for a reason. Not that it means anything to you, but I'm going to go to my grandma's to see if we can do anything for Hope.

JACK: Understandable. (BEAT) Will you be back before the child returns from school?

JENNIFER: Yes, Jack. (NOTICING HE'S UP TO SOMETHING) Are you going to be here when "the child" (SHE HOLDS HER FINGERS UP IN QUOTE SYMBOLS) returns from school?

JACK: Yes, yes, I should be.

(THERE ARE A FEW SECONDS OF UNCOMFORTABLE SILENCE BECAUSE EACH OF THEM SUSPECT THE OTHER IS UP TO SOMETHING)

JENNIFER: Well, I better be going. (SHE GOES TO WALK OUT)

JACK: As should I (HE GOES TO WALK OUT WITH HER)

(THE NEXT SHOT IS OF THEIR DRIVEWAY. JACK AND JENNIFER HAVE GOTTEN INTO THEIR RESPECTIVE CARS AND ARE WAITING FOR THE OTHER TO PULL OUT. NEITHER ONE OF THEM IS BUDGING. THEY ARE LOOKING AT EACH OTHER WITH FAKE SMILES ON THEIR FACES WHEN WE HEAR THE VOICES IN THEIR HEADS)

JENNIFER: (SMILING AT JACK) Okay, Jack. I thought you were leaving.

JACK: (WAVING ANNOYINGLY BACK AT JENNIFER) C'mon, Jennifer, let's use that lead foot of yours.

(NEITHER ONE OF THEM MOVES)

JENNIFER: Dammit, How am I ever going to get a look at that package if he sits hear all day?

JACK: Jennifer, just go ahead and leave already. (BEAT) I've got to see what that letter from your father was all about.

(AT THE SAME TIME)

JACK: I just hope she didn't lock her door.

JENNIFER: I just hope he didn't lock his door.

(FINALLY JENNIFER SIGHS AND STARTS UP HER CAR AND BACKS OUT, SMILING SMARMILY AT JACK. JACK SIGHS ALSO AND TO KEEP UP THE RUSE, STARTS HIS CAR AND BACKS OUT. WHEN HE PULLS OUT IN FRONT OF JENNIFER, HE WAVES SARCASTICALLY INTO HIS REAR VIEW MIRROR. JENNIFER ROLLS HER EYES AND THEY TAKE OFF IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS)

Scene 2: It is a short while later. Jennifer has picked up Alice and they are walking back to the house.

ALICE: Jennifer Rose, do you mind telling me why we had to park the car around the corner?

JENNIFER: I told you grandma (SHE LOOKS INSIDE THE WINDOWS TO SEE IF ANYONE IS HOME), I don't want Jack to know I'm here.

ALICE: Jennifer, I don't understand. Jack is obviously not here.

JENNIFER: That's the point, Grandma. (SHE OPENS THE FRONT DOOR AND THEY WALK IN) Now, remember what I was saying in the car?

ALICE: About Jack getting some sort of mysterious package. Yes, I do believe that I remember that part. My question though, darling, is why does it matter so much to you?

JENNIFER: (PONDERING THIS FOR A MOMENT) Well...well...Grams, you remember what Hope and I told you about Jack and-

ALICE: Greta? Yes, dear, I remember. I still believe there is no truth to it, but I do remember. Now, tell me why is this so important to you?

JENNIFER: Well, you remember what I said about Jack threatening for custody of Abby? This might be a way to make sure he doesn't get it. Whatever's in that package is important and he doesn't want me to know about it.

ALICE: Jennifer Rose, stop it right now. You know that that is not the reason you are doing this.

(JENNIFER STANDS THERE LOOKING AT ALICE IN SHOCK)

Scene 3: Vern and Jack are in Jack's car. Jack has just parked it two blocks away from the house.

VERN: Jack, I thought you said the house was on Willow Street?

JACK: (LOOKING OVER AT VERN) It is, Vern. (HE OPENS THE DOOR AND GETS OUT)

VERN: Correct me if I'm wrong, Jack, (GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND POINTING), but Willow Street is that way.

JACK: No need in correcting the correct (HE SHUTS THE CAR DOOR AND WALKS OVER TO VERN'S SIDE). Now, Vernon, let's put on those walking shoes of yours. (HE SEES A CAR DOWN THE STREET THAT LOOKS LIKE JENNIFERS AND RUBS HIS CHIN) Nah, it couldn't be. (HE SHRUGS IT OFF AND PROCEEDS TO WALK)

VERN: Jack. Jack, what are we-- (HE RELUCTANTLY FOLLOWS HIM).

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH JACK AND VERN WALKING DOWN THE STREET AWAY FROM THE CAMERA)

Scene 4: Back at the house, Alice has just accused Jennifer of wanting more than custody of Abby.

JENNIFER: Grandma, I-

ALICE: I don't want to hear it. (SHE PUTS HER HAND UP) And don't you dare give me that look, Jennifer Rose. You know I have plenty of reasons to think that you're up to something. Valid ones, too. (BEAT) I also have enough reason to know that you have a good reason for doing it, although I know it is not for Abigail's sake (JENNIFER GOES TO TALK, BUT ALICE DOESN'T LET HER)Shhh! Now run along and do what you must, just know that I do not approve.

JENNIFER: Grandma-

ALICE: I'll keep an eye out down here. Now go (SHE MOTIONS FOR JENNIFER TO HURRY)

(JENNIFER SMILES AND RUNS UP THE STAIRS. THE NEXT SHOT IS OF HER STANDING IN FRONT OF JACK'S DOOR)

JENNIFER: C'mon, Jack, let this be the one time that you didn't lock the (SHE TRIES THE DOOR BUT IT IS LOCKED) Okay, off to Plan B (SHE OPENS HER PURSE AND FINDS A CREDIT CARD AND OPENS THE DOOR) You know, I knew that would come in handy someday (SHE STEPS INSIDE AND SHUTS THE DOOR BEHIND HER).

(MEANWHILE DOWNSTAIRS, ALICE IS KEEPING WATCH WHEN HER CELL PHONE RINGS)

ALICE: (ANSWERING THE PHONE) Hello? (BEAT) Mickey. (BEAT) Mickey, hold on, I can barely hear you. Let me see if I could get better reception (SHE EYES THE DOOR AND IS CERTAIN THAT SHE WILL ONLY BE A MINUTE, SO SHE WALKS INTO THE KITCHEN) Mickey, that's much better.

(JACK AND VERN HAVE ARRIVED BACK AT THE HOUSE AND JACK IS PUTTING HIS KEY IN THE FRONT DOOR)

VERN: So, we're no longer just spying, Jack. We're now theiving and plundering.

JACK: Plundering, maybe. But we are not thieving, Vern. (OPENING THE DOOR) Now, if you'll excuse me. (HE GOES TO WALK IN BUT STOPS WHEN HE SEES VERN FOLLOWING HIM) What do you think you're doing?

VERN: C'mon, Jack. You don't expect me to stay out here, do you?

JACK: I most certainly do. What kind of a lookout goes into the scene of the crime as well?

VERN: Crime, Jack?

JACK: Not literally, Vern. Now I'm going to be going in. If you happen to see Jennifer or any other members of the Horton clan, ring the doorbell three times. You got it?

VERN: Three times. Got it, Jack. I still think that it would be better if I-

(JACK GOES INSIDE AND CUTS VERN OFF. HE THEN LOOKS AROUND TO MAKE SURE NO ONE IS THERE AND RUNS UP THE STAIRS TO JENNIFER'S DOOR)

(THE NEXT SHOT IS OF JACK OUTSIDE JENNIFER'S DOOR. HE BRIEFLY GLANCES AT HIS DOOR AND THEN GOES TO OPEN HERS. IT IS LOCKED)

JACK: Locked! Hmmm...(HE OPENS HIS WALLET AND TAKES OUT A CREDIT CARD AND OPENS THE DOOR) Well, you really should never leave home without it (HE STEPS IN AND CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND HIM).

Scene 5: Jack and Jennifer are each sneaking around in the other's room and they both find something very interesting.

JENNIFER: (SEARCHING THROUGH JACK'S DRAWERS) Where would you hide something, Jack? Where could it be? Leave it to me to marry and divorce the only man who loved secret compartments.

JACK: (SEARCHING UNDER JENNIFER'S BED) She should really clean under here. Magazines (PULLING OUT A WHITE PUMP) shoes. You know, I'm going to buy her a shoe rack (HE IS REFERRING TO THE TIME HE WAS HIDING UNDER HER BED WHEN SHE WAS LEAVING TO MARRY EMILIO. SHE SAID THEN THAT SHE ALWAYS KEEPS HER SHOES UNDER THE BED) Jennifer, when did you get so sneaky?

JENNIFER: (OPENING JACK'S CLOSET AND LOOKING UP AT THE SHELVES) Jack, do you even own a pair of jeans? (SHE PUSHES SOME OF THE SUITS TO THE SIDE AND THEN SEES SOMETHING THAT CATCHES HER EYE AT THE TOP OF THE CLOSET) Boots, Jack? You would never wear boots. (SHE JUMPS UP AND GRABS THE BOX. IT IS MARKED "DURANGO BOOTS. MADE BY REAL MEN FOR REAL MEN." SHE NOTICES THE SLOGAN AND SMILES) Real mean? Please. (SHE OPENS THE LID AND PEERS INSIDE) Voila!

JACK: (GOING THROUGH JENNIFER'S DRAWERS) Could you have any more clothes? (HE NOTICES HER DIARY AND SMILES) No, no...we wouldn't want to do that, would we? (BEAT) She probably has the key around her neck anyway. (HE LOOKS OVER TO THE HOPE CHEST THAT HE BOUGHT HER) Could it be? (HE KNEELS DOWN AND OPENS IT) Well, what's th (HE PULLS OUT A SMALL VELVET JEWELRY BOX AND OPENS IT REVEALING THE LOCKET HE BOUGHT HER) She doesn't throw anything away, does she? (HE OPENS THE LOCKET AND LOOKS AT THE PICTURE OF HIM AND JENNIFER IN IT. THE OTHER SIDE IS A PICTURE OF ABBY). Oh well. (HE PUTS IT BACK) Well, well, what do we have here? (HE PULLS OUT A STACK OF LETTERS FROM AFRICA ALL ADDRESSED TO JENNIFER IN IRELAND AND SALEM. NONE ARE OPEN) Why hasn't she opened these?

JENNIFER: (PICKING THE PACKAGE OUT OF THE BOOT BOX) What the? Shane Donovan, I.S.A.? Jack, what are you doing with Shane? (SHE GOES TO PULL THE DOCUMENTS OUT OF THE PACKAGE)

(MEANWHILE DOWNSTAIRS, ALICE HAS FINISHED HER CONVERSATION WITH MICKEY AND WALKS BACK INTO THE LIVING ROOM. THROUGH THE FRONT WINDOW SHE SEES A FIGURE PACING BACK AND FORTH WHISTLING. IT IS VERN, BUT SHE DOESN'T KNOW THAT. SHE WALKS OVER TO THE DOOR AND OPENS IT AND HITS THE STRANGER WITH HER CANE)

Scene 6: Jack and Jennifer are still looking through each other's things when they hear Vern and Alice outside.

ALICE: Take that (SHE HITS VERN WITH THE CANE)! And that (SHE HITS HIM AGAIN)!

VERN: Owww! Owww! (HE TURNS AROUND TO FACE ALICE)

(MEANWHILE, JACK AND JENNIFER HEAR VERN AND ALICE OUTSIDE)

JACK: (STILL FINGERING JENNIFER'S UNOPENED LETTERS FROM HER FATHER) What the--?! (BEAT) Vern! (HE TOSSES THE LETTERS BACK INSIDE THE HOPE CHEST AND RUNS OUT, SHUTTING THE DOOR BEHIND HIM) JENNIFER: Grandma?! (SHE LOOKS AROUND QUICKLY AND TOSSES THE PACKAGE INTO THE BOOT BOX AND TRIES TO PUT IT BACK IN THE CLOSET. ON THE THIRD JUMP SHE FINALLY GETS IT ON THE SHELF, BUT BACKWARDS. SHE RUNS OUT AND SHUTS THE DOOR, MISSING JACK BY A FEW SECONDS)

(MEANWHILE ALICE REALIZES THAT IT IS VERN SHE IS HITTING)

VERN: (COVERING HIS HEAD) Mrs. Horton!

ALICE: Vernon Scofield! (SHE STOPS HITTING HIM) What ever are you doing here?

VERN: I'm here...I'm here...I'm here to see Jack. He wouldn't happen to be home, would he? (HE NERVOUSLY JUMPS AROUND HER AND RINGS THE DOORBELL THREE TIMES, JUST AS JENNIFER COMES AROUND THE CORNER. THEY ARE ALL SURPRISED TO SEE ANOTHER)

JACK: (CONDESCENDINGLY) Vern!

ALICE: Jack!

JACK: Mrs. Horton!

VERN: (SEEING JENNIFER COME DOWN BEHIND JACK) Jennifer!

JENNIFER: Vern!

JACK: Jennifer? (HE TURNS AROUND TO SEE JENNIFER)

JENNIFER: Jack?

JACK: Jennifer.

JENNIFER: (CONDESCENDINGLY) Grandma!

(THE SCENE ENDS WITH ALL OF THEM LOOKING AT EACH OTHER SUSPICIOUSLY)

Scene 7: Jennifer, Jack, Alice, and Vern have just come face to face.

JENNIFER: (CROSSING HER ARMS AND LOOKING AT JACK) I thought you were going out for the day, Jack?

JACK: (CROSSING HIS ARMS) And I thought you were going to be at your grandmother's all day?

JENNIFER: We decided to come back over here and visit. Didn't we grandma?

ALICE: (RELUCTANTLY AGREEING WITH JENNIFER) Yes, yes, we did. I wanted to see how the place was coming along and...

JACK: Well, then, where is your car?

JENNIFER: Um, well...well....Grandma...Grandma wanted to walk.

(ALICE NODS IN AGREEMENT)

JACK: She has a cane!

VERN: And a mighty hard one, if I must say (HE RUBS HIS HEAD).

JENNIFER: (CHANGING THE SUBJECT) Where is your<?I> car, Jack?

JACK: (STAMMERING) Why, it's, why....Vern borrowed it.

VERN: I did? (LOOKING AT JENNIFER AND ALICE) I mean, I did.

JACK: Something, something was wrong with his...something with the carbor--

VERN: Sparkplugs-

JACK: With the sparkplugs. So I let him borrow my car (HE SMILES GLOATINGLY AT HER). (TURNING TO VERN) Vern, I told you Willow Street. You must've parked the car on another block and came looking for the house. (TURNING TO JENNIFER AND ALICE) Classic sign of old age. Vern here...Vern here is just forgetting things all the time. Why, I had to show him where he kept his...his sweatervests just this morning.

JENNIFER: (KNOWING HE IS LYING. LOOKING AT VERN) Is that true, Vern? Did you borrow Jack's car and drop him off here this morning?

VERN: (SMILING) I don't know what to say, Jenny-Girl. (BEAT) I just don't know where my mind is these days.

(JACK MOVES BEHIND VERN AND JUST SMILES NERVOUSLY HOPING THAT SHE BUYS IT)

Episode 10

Scene 1: JACK AND JENNIFER HAVE JUST ARRIVED AT THE HOSPITAL AFTER FINDING OUT THAT LEXIE CARVER AND HER "ADOPTED" SON, ISAAC HAVE BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT. IT HAS BEEN REVEALED THAT ISAAC HAD BEEN SWITCHED AT BIRTH AND WAS REALLY BO AND HOPE'S SON.

(THE ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN AND JACK AND JENNIFER RUSH IN TO FIND BO, HOPE, ABE, MICKEY, MAGGIE, AND ALICE)

JENNIFER: (RUSHING OVER TO HOPE) Hope! (SHE THROWS HER ARMS AROUND HER AS JACK LOOKS ON)

HOPE: Jenn! (SHE FALLS INTO JENNIFER'S ARMS AND CRIES) I'm so glad you're here.

(JACK IS LOOKING ON UNCOMFORTABLY AT BO AND ABE. HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY)

ABE: Jack (TEARING UP OVER THE NEWS OF LEXIE AND ISAAC). It's been a-

JACK: (INTERRUPTING HIM, KNOWING HE IS UPSET) No, Abe...don't worry about it. I'm...I'm sorry for your loss. I..I know how...how much she meant to you. (HE GLANCES OVER AT JENNIFER WITH DEEP LOVE IN HIS EYES).

ABE: Yes, she is...she was...I'm sorry, I can't do this .(HE COVERS HIS EYES TO HIDE HIS TEARS AND WALKS AWAY).

(BO AND JACK ARE LEFT STANDING TOGETHER)

JACK: Go...go be with him (HE GLANCES OVER AT JENNIFER AND HOPE)...I'll..I'll hold down the fort here.

(BO SMILES A LITTLE AT JACK AND SQUEEZES HIS SHOULDER BEFORE WALKING OFF TO FIND ABE)

(THE ELEVATOR DOORS OPEN AND JOHN AND MARLENA COME RUSHING IN. THEY JUST HEARD THE NEWS)

JOHN: (RUNNING OVER TO HOPE) Hope! Hope, what's going on?

(JENNIFER AND HOPE BREAK THEIR EMBRACE AND LOOK AT JOHN AND MARLENA. JACK NOTICES HOW INTENSELY HOPE AND JOHN ARE STARING AT EACH OTHER)

Scene 2: John and Marlena have just rushed in the hospital and want to know what's going on. Jack thinks John and Hope are acting strangely.

JOHN: They found the baby, right? Where is he-where is my so-my godson?

HOPE: John-(SHE TRIES TO SPEAK BUT JUST BREAKS DOWN)

JENNIFER: It's okay, it's okay (SHE PULLS HOPE TO HER AND HUGS HER)

JOHN: Jennifer, where's the baby? Is he alright?

(JENNIFER IS TOO BUSY COMFORTING HOPE TO SPEAK)

MARLENA: (GRABBING JOHN'S ARM) John...John, she's upset right now. Give her a moment.

JOHN: Right. I'm just...(NOTICING JACK) Jack, do you know anything?

JACK: Well, actually...all I know is that Lexie and Abe's baby, Isaac, I think it is turned out to be..to be...your godson.

JOHN: Where is he?

JACK: Um,...(LOOKING AT JENNIFER FOR SUPPORT) John, I think...I think you might want to sit down.

MARLENA: Jack-

JACK: You might...you really might want to sit-

JOHN: Spit it out Deveraux!

JACK: They're dead, John. Lexie and the baby are (TEARING UP) dead.

(JOHN JUST LOOKS AS IF HIS WHOLE WORLD HAS ENDED. THE OTHERS JUST LOOK ON IN AWE AT HIS REACTION)

Scene 3: Jack has just delivered the news about Lexie and Isaac's death to John and Marlena.

JOHN: Dead? That can't be. We just saw them the other day.

MARLENA: Jack, how did this happen?

JACK: I really don't know. I mean I know that Lexie was missing for a few days and that there was some sort of car accident, but, but the rest is sketchy.

MARLENA: And Abe?

JENNIFER: He's with Bo. I think they went to the nurses' lounge.

(JOHN IS WALKING AROUND TRYING TO HOLD ON. MARLENA HUGS HIM)

MARLENA: John, John. Oh, my sweet John. It'll be okay. (SHE RUBS THE BACK OF HIS HEAD AND LOOKS OVER AT HOPE WITH TEARS IN HER EYES. HOPE RETURNS HER GAZE)

JOHN: (CRYING) I just loved him so much.

MARLENA: I know you did, I know you did. (BEAT) Listen, I'm going to call Roman. (SHE STEPS BACK)

JOHN: (NOT LIKING WHAT HE IS HEARING) You're going to call Roman?

MARLENA: For Abe, John. He needs someone right now.

JOHN: (STILL JEALOUS BUT RELENTING) Yeah, yeah, you're right.

(MARLENA NODS AND WALKS OFF AND JOHN WALKS SLOWLY OVER AND EMBRACES HOPE. JACK AND JENNIFER STEP BACK AND WATCH THE TWO WITH GREAT CURIOSITY)

Scene 4: It is a while later. Jack is returning from finding out more about the situation. John and Hope are still embracing.

(JACK IS WALKING BACK TO THE LOBBY WITH COFFEE FOR HIMSELF AND JENNIFER. JENNIFER WALKS OVER TO HIM. SHE IS STILL SHAKEN, BUT IS DEALING)

JENNIFER: Jack. Jack, where have you been?

JACK: I....(LOOKING DOWN AT THE COFFEE) I brought you coffee (HE HANDS IT TO HER) Light and sweet. (BEAT) Your grandmother left?

JENNIFER: Yeah..yeah. Mickey and Maggie brought her home. She and Julie want to start making (TEARING UP) arrangements.

JACK: Yes. (HE NODS TO HOPE AND JOHN WHO ARE STILL EMBRACING) And those two?

JENNIFER: (LOOKING OVER TO HOPE AND JOHN WITH CURIOSITY AND THEN TURNING BACK TO JACK) She's upset, Jack.

JACK: I understand that. But...Jennifer, don't you think it's a little odd?

JENNIFER: That she's with John, Jack? He was very special to her. When Bo was in Ireland, John and Hope got close. He was J.T.'s godfather.

JACK: (STILL LOOKING AT THEM) I think I heard that once or twice. I just think that...I just think that the father should be there. I mean, if anything were to happen to Abigail...

JENNIFER: (PLEADINGLY) Jack, don't. I don't even want to think about that.

JACK: Okay. (BEAT) Listen, I did more than just get coffee when I was gone...I found out a little more about this situation...the accident.

JENNIFER: Jack, Jack, what did you find out? (BEAT) I hope Lexie and the baby didn't suffer much.

JACK: Actually, Jennifer, I'm not sure they suffered at all..

(JENNIFER'S EYES FLY WIDE OPEN AT THIS STATEMENT)

Scene 5: Jack tells Jennifer what he knows about the accident.

JENNIFER: (DROPPING HER VOICE TO A WHISPER) What do you mean, Jack?

JACK: What I mean is...(DROPPING HIS VOICE TO A WHISPER) What I mean is (LOOKING OVER AT JOHN AND HOPE AND THEN GRABBING JENNIFER AND LEADING HER AWAY FROM THEM) What I mean is...(HE GLANCES AT A STORAGE CLOSET AND PULLS HER IN THERE) What I mean is we shouldn't talk about this out there.

JENNIFER: Jack Deveraux, you tell me what's going on right now!

JACK: No need to get so snippy. Geez. Jennifer, I've been doing a little toiling around here and

JENNIFER: Can we just forget the opening and closing paragraphs here, Jack? Just get to the subject.

JACK: (SMILING) You always were my favorite reporter.

(JENNIFER SMILES A LITTLE AT THIS)

Okay, we know that Isaac and J.T. were switched at birth, that much is a given, right?

(JENNIFER NODS)

And we know that was the reason that Isaac's blood test came back negative as a DNA match to Glen's, right?

(JENNIFER NODS. SHE IS GETTING ANGRY AT JACK)

So here we are. A tale of two babies. Hehehehe. Now the question is why or rather who would switch these babies? What would he have to gain?

Scene 6: In the supply room, Jack tells Jennifer his theory on Lexie.

JENNIFER: Jack, I don't follow you.

JACK: Stay with me here, Jennifer (HE PACES AND PUTS HIS FINGERS UP TO CHECK OFF EACH POINT HE IS MAKING). Lexie and Abe happened to want a baby, right?

(JENNIFER NODS AND FOLLOWS JACK AS HE PACES)

JACK: And after numerous attempts at conception, it turns out that either Abe or Lexie is not playing with a loaded gun....

JENNIFER: You're disgusting, Jack.

JACK: (CONTINUING TO PACE) Hehehe. So they conveniently find a baby to adopt. A little too conveniently, if you ask me.

JENNIFER: Hope told me the adoption was arranged by Stefano, Jack. He is Lexie's father..

JACK: And also a mastermind criminal with a penchant for bizarre sidekicks with even more bizarre accents.

JENNIFER: Are you saying?

JACK: What I'm saying is that Stefano DiMera is probably the culprit of this and probably numerous other crimes. In fact, I think I saw him in the study with the poker..

JENNIFER: Why would he switch the babies, Jack? Hope said that when she was locked with him in Princess Gina's castle he seemed like a changed man.

JACK: Seemed is the operative word here, Jennifer. Seemed. Now we all know that seemed isn't worth its weight in gold. And we also know that DiMera, DiMera..he hates one thing more than cheap wine and off-the-rack clothing and that's-

JENNIFER: the Bradys

Scene 7: Jack has just revealed to Jennifer who he thinks is behind the whole baby switch.

JENNIFER: Okay, Jack, that makes sense. Stefano would do anything to get back at the Bradys, but how do Lexie and Isaac's deaths fit in here?

JACK: (LOOKING DOWN AT JENNIFER AS IF SHE WERE STUPID) Have you been slinging ale for so long that you've lost all of your reporter's instinct?

JENNIFER: (MAD AT THIS COMMENT) Jack, I-

JACK: (WAVING HER OFF AND RESUMING PACING) Now, if I shall. So here we have a demented villain who has a little Brady of his own and dear departed Lexie who, ironically, has no idea that she is raising her best friend's child-or does she?

JENNIFER: Jack, that's ridiculous. Lexie would never-

JACK: Would never what, Miss Horton? Would never do anything for her child? (BEAT) As I recall, some people go to great measures for their children (REFERRING TO JENNIFER AND HIS LIVING ARRANGEMENT)...even if it hurt them.

JENNIFER: (KNOWING HE WAS TALKING ABOUT HER) So you're saying that Lexie found out that Isaac was Hope's somehow and faked her own death to keep her son. Jack, she wouldn't, she's

JACK: She's a DiMera, Jennifer.

JENNIFER: But Jack, she wouldn't-I mean, she couldn't--

JACK: She did. (BEAT) I bet my-our--house that Little Miss Lexie Carver isn't as good as we think she is. In fact, I bet she somehow found out that Isaac and J.T. were switched when the blood tests were done for Glen and called Stefano on it. Then, fearing for her baby she took off with nary a trace. And it just so happens that two "unidentifiable" bodies-a woman and a child--were found in a burned car right outside Salem a few days after Dr. Wesley called all the mothers back to the hospital. Coincidence? I think not.

JENNIFER: (PONDERING HIS THEORY) Jack, this is good news. I mean, it's a little shaky, but it's hopeful. I'm going to go out there and tell Hope now. It's not much, but...(SHE GOES TO LEAVE AND JACK GRABS HER ARM)

JACK: Oh no you don't.

Scene 9: Jack and Jennifer agree to keep mum for now.

JENNIFER: (BREAKING FREE OF JACK'S ARM) Where do you think I'm going, Jack? I'm going to tell Hope.

JACK: You most certainly are not.

JENNIFER: Why not, Jack? This is a good thing. It means--

JACK: It's a good theory, yes, but a truth it's not...not yet at least.

JENNIFER: But Jack, you said yourself-

JACK: I said, I did not prove. (BEAT) She just lost a son, Jennifer. I don't want her to get her hopes up just in case...

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT JACK WITH GREAT SADNESS) Just in case the theory doesn't pan out. (BEAT) What should we do then, Jack? Should we tell the police?

JACK: And tell Commander Carver his wife is a kidnapper?

JENNIFER: You're right, Jack (TURNING AWAY FROM HIM) You're right. (TURNING BACK TO HIM) What do we do then?

JACK: I was thinking that I can do a little snooping around and then-

JENNIFER: Oh no you don't, Jack...not without me.

JACK: Jennifer, I really don't need your help. You have enough on your plate as it is.

JENNIFER: This is my family, Jack. I will do anything-

JACK: You will not. Stefano DiMera is a dangerous man, Jennifer...a dangerous man. I don't want you getting hurt. (BEAT) You mean too much...too much to Abigail (HE LOOKS AT HER WITH GREAT LOVE IN HIS EYES)

JENNIFER: (KNOWING THAT JACK STILL LOVES HER) You're right, Jack. (LYING) I'll let you handle this. It's way too dangerous for me.

JACK: (SIGHING) Now that that's out of the way, what do you say we go and pick our daughter up from school?

JENNIFER: Yeah, we should (GLANCING AT HER WATCH). I didn't realize how late it had gotten.

JACK: (SMILING) Yeah, well, sleuthing does that to you. So, we're agreed, I snoop, you mother (HE HOLDS OUT HIS HAND TO SHAKE).

JENNIFER: (SHAKING HIS HAND) Agreed.

(THEY TURN AND EXIT. JUST THEN ROLF, STEFANO'S HENCHMAN COMES OUT FROM BEHIND SOME BOXES IN THE STORAGE ROOM. HE HAD DUCKED IN THERE TO AVOID JOHN SEEING HIM EARLIER. HE IS NOT PLEASED WITH WHAT JACK AND JENNIFER WERE SAYING)

ROLF: (TO HIMSELF) Stefano's not going to like this...he's not going to like this at all.

Scene 9: Jack and Jennifer leave the hospital. Jack still thinks John is too involved.

(JACK AND JENNIFER ARE GOING TO SAY GOODBYE TO HOPE, BUT SHE IS STILL IN AN EMBRACE WITH JOHN. MARLENA AND BO COME UPON THEM AND ARE NOT HAPPY AT WHAT THEY SEE)

(JACK AND JENNIFER ARE STARING AT HOPE AND JOHN AND THEN TURN AND SEE BO AND MARLENA)

JENNIFER: Bo...um...we just wanted to say goodbye. We've got to go get Abby.

BO: (LOOKING AT HOPE AND JOHN STILL) Yeah, Jenn. Thanks for everything. We'll call you. (SHAKING JACK'S HAND) Thanks, man, for earlier.

JACK: (SMILING) No problem.

MARLENA: Jack. Jennifer.

JACK: Goodbye Marlena.

JENNIFER: Call us if you need anything.

(THEY GO TO GET ON THE ELEVATOR. WHILE THEY ARE WAITING THEY WATCH BO AND MARLENA WATCH JOHN AND HOPE)

JACK: (TO HIMSELF) I just wonder how he fits in here.

JENNIFER: What, Jack? (STEPPING ON THE ELEVATOR)

JACK: Oh nothing....nothing at all (HE STEPS ON THE ELEVATOR AND THE DOORS CLOSE).

Chapters 1 - 5 *** Chapters 6 - 10 *** Chapters 11 - 15 *** Chapters 16 - 20 *** Chapters 21 - 25     Chapters 26 - 30 *** Chapters 31 - 35 *** Chapters 36 - 40 *** Chapters 41 - 45 *** Chapters 46 - 50  Chapters 51 - 55 *** Chapters 56 - 60 *** Chapters 61 - 65 *** Chapter 66 

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