Episode Ten
SCENE ONE - INT. - JENNIFER'S OFFICE - TWO DAYS LATER - MORNING
JENNIFER is on the phone - ONE WAY
JENNIFER: Great honey. Oh I'm so glad we're gonna have you on board. Give your mom a kiss from me. We'll see you soon. Bye.
JACK enters the office and closes the door as JENNIFER is hanging up the phone. JENNIFER smiles.
JACK: A smile? Is that all the mighty king of the Spectator deserves?
JENNIFER: Mighty king? You're awfully sure of yourself this morning.
JACK: Hehehe (Pulls JENNIFER out of her chair and gives her a kiss) Did you see me in that meeting this morning? I was authorative, clear, concise --
JENNIFER: Concise, Jack?
JACK: Okay so not concise, but look at these. (Pulls some papers out of his jacket pocket and hands them to JENNIFER for her perusal)
JENNIFER: These are resignation letters Jack.
JACK: I know! (Grabs her and begins dancing with her) Isn't it wonderful?
JENNIFER: Have you been inhaling the ink again Jack?
JACK laughs but continues dancing with her.
JENNIFER: (struggling to read the letters as he twirls her around) The lifestyle editor, the metro reporter, two - we have two gossip columnists?
JACK: Nah, more than that.
JENNIFER: (wide-eyed) Two gossip columnists and an opinion editor - Jack!
JACK: His opinions were awful anyway. And the fashion reporter was thrilled by the meeting and said it would be a pleasure to work under a boss who dressed so ... smartly.
JENNIFER: Uh! She was flirting with you!
JACK: Flirting? (Stops dancing and pulls JENNIFER close to him) If she was, I didn't notice.
JENNIFER: (smiles and nervously pushes her hair behind her ear) Well, I still don't like it --
JACK: It doesn't matter if they dance around in front of me naked, I wouldn't notice. (BEAT) Okay, I'm a man, I'd notice, but I wouldn't care. Besides she said you had a nice sense of style too, it's just Vern who needs some work.
JENNIFER: (smiles as JACK resumes their impromptu dance) Well, I'm glad we still have a fashion reporter Jack, but we're short several positions now and it's been less than an hour since your "wonderful" meeting.
JACK: So we'll restructure. We need to anyway since everything is running amok around here with a dozen or more gossip columnists, ambulance chasers and the like.
JENNIFER: Great, so more work for Vern and me.
JENNIFER manages to get away from JACK, turns around and walks to her chair.
JACK: No, I'll take some of it. You know I will. (BEAT) What's with the gloom and doom Jennifer? Who was on the phone?
OUT on JENNIFER
SCENE TWO - IN PROGRESS.
JACK moves and stands in front of JENNIFER'S chair, leaning back on the desk.
JACK: Well?
JENNIFER: Oh that, that was just Stephanie. She just wanted to call and say that she's really excited to be interning this summer.
JACK: That's good. So what's the problem? (smiles at her)
JENNIFER: (Looking up at him) I'm just ... not looking forward to facing the family tonight.
JACK: (takes her hand) I thought you wanted to tell them.
JENNIFER: I do, but I was thinking maybe we could tell them that we made up because we've been living together and working --
JACK says nothing but gives her a look that says he has her figured out.
JENNIFER: Right, more lies. It's the lying that I hate and more lies aren't going to make me feel any better.
JACK: Uh huh.
JENNIFER: Okay. (Grabs a pen and pad of paper) So, first things first. We need to grab Vern and a list of reporters and editors and go through and figure out this restructuing plan. We should probably call personnel and get records so we'll have a better knowledge of their interests.
JACK: Sounds good.
JENNIFER: Then you and I are going to have a late lunch to figure out our plan for tonight.
JACK: Not so good, but it must be done. And on the bright side, I get to have lunch with you.
JENNIFER: (Smiles) Okay you go get Vern. I'll call personnel and have them send up the files. I'll meet you in your office in ten minutes.
JACK: (Bends down and plants a light kiss on her lips) I'll be waiting.
OUT on JACK walking out of JENNIFER'S office
SCENE THREE - INT. - JACK'S OFFICE - LATER
VERN: So we do away with the daily gossip section --
JENNIFER: (mumbles) No great loss there.
VERN: (smiles) -- and combine the arts and entertainment section with the lifestyle section for the daily papers.
JACK: That helps, but what about the metro position? We've got to cover local news.
JENNIFER: Why do we only have one reporter covering local news? Don't we have a metro section anymore?
VERN: (sheepishly) Well, it's more like a metro page --
JACK groans. There is silence as they all think.
JENNIFER: Why don't we send out an email to all the reporters and editors we still have, explaining the restructuing and asking for the three areas they would be most interested in working.
VERN: (Smacks the desk) And we plug in the holes from that. Is this gal not brilliant Jack?
JACK: (proudly) Brilliant, practical and efficient. Three of my favorite qualities.
JENNIFER: Well, it's only brilliant if people are interested in shifting. Otherwise, we're back to square one.
JACK: Of course they'll want to shift, opportunities for growth. (JACK picks up the phone) Vern, make a list of publications in which we would want to take out ads. (Into the phone) Mary, I need an email sent out to all our reporters and editors. Come in here and Jennifer will give you all of the details. (Hangs up)
VERN: You know we should see if any of our layout people are interested in making the jump. Most of them have journalism degrees.
JACK: (nods) With such brilliance at the helm, how can we fail?
JENNIFER: (laughing) Okay so a separate email to layout (Gathers her notes) I'll go take care of this with Mary. (Points at JACK) And don't you be late for lunch.
JACK: (Pointing back at JENNIFER) You either.
JENNIFER smiles at JACK as MARY rushes in.
MARY: Miss Horton?
JENNIFER: (turning) Mary. (JENNIFER walks over and puts her arm around the other woman's shoulder) How many times do I have to tell you, it's Jennifer.
MARY: Yes Mi- Jennifer. So what --
MARY'S voice fades as she and JENNIFER leave JACK'S office. JACK is still smiling as he settles into his chair.
VERN: Well, it almost feels like old times around here.
JACK: Almost.
VERN: (Smiles too and walks toward the door) Only you smile a lot more often now Jack and it's nice to see. (BEAT) I always knew you had it in you.
VERN walks out and shuts the door.
JACK: It feels pretty nice too Vern.
OUT on JACK beginning to work
SCENE FOUR - INT. - JENNIFER'S OFFICE - LATER
MARY is finishing the last of JENNIFER'S notes on the emails. JENNIFER stretches her arms skyward.
JENNIFER: You know I've been thinking Mary that I don't really know all that much about you and I think we should correct that.
MARY: (Slightly flustered) Oh - okay, Jennifer. Sometime after work or over --
MARY starts to stand, but JENNIFER places her hands on the woman's shoulders and sets her back down.
JENNIFER: I think that those emails can wait a few seconds, but this really can't. Tell me a little about yourself. You look to be about my age or a little younger. Do you have any family here in Salem? And how long have you been working at the Spectator?
MARY: (Places her notepad on the edge of JENNIFER'S desk) I just turned 30 last December. I have a brother who lives here in Salem with his wife and their two children. My parents live in Georgia.
JENNIFER: Georgia! How nice. (Sits in the seat next to MARY) And what about the Spectator? Have you worked here long or did Jack hire you?
MARY: Oh no, Mr. Scofield hired me about six years ago.
JENNIFER: (shocked) Six years ago? You've been here -- how did you ever manage to work for Kate and Victor that long?
MARY: Well, most of the time they weren't around, to be honest. They weren't hands on like Mr. Deveraux is and for a time they even had some hot shot here from New York running the place. He's the one who turned it into what you see today. (BEAT) When I started here this place was still a good newspaper and people were excited to work here.
JENNIFER: What changed?
MARY: I don't know. I guess it was the format change and then fewer and fewer people remembered what this newspaper once was. I don't mind telling you that when I saw Mr. Deveraux stroll in here his first day, my heart leapt with excitement.
JENNIFER: Excitement?
MARY: Of course. When I first started working here his name was still on everyone's lips. They would say things like, he wasn't the best boss but he put out a paper that we could all be proud to work for.
JENNIFER: Yes he did. You know someday I should tell you exactly how he stumbled into this business. (She smiles) But it doesn't really matter because it was a natural fit. (BEAT) How did you know it was Jack when you saw him?
MARY: Oh that's easy. Mr. Scofield has a picture of you two with your daughter in his office. And Vern is always eager to tell stories about you and Mr. Deveraux.
JENNIFER: (wistful) That was a special time around here.
MARY: (smiles) So I have heard. (BEAT) You know you don't know much about me but I feel I know a great deal about you thanks to Vern's stories. I hope you won't think me too forward if I were to tell you something.
JENNIFER: (curious) What would that be?
MARY: Well it's just about you and Mr. Deveraux. I know you only work together ... but I can tell ... it's just - it's quite obvious that you're still in love with him and I just hope that the two of you can work things out somehow.
OUT on JENNIFER'S shock
SCENE FIVE - INT. - JACK'S OFFICE
JACK is staring at his computer screen, but isn't typing anything.
JACK: Well you're not getting very far, are you Jack? (BEAT) No, no, I'm not. (BEAT) And why do you suppose that is? (BEAT) Oh, I don't know, it might have something to do with my mind focused on Horton night. (BEAT) Gee, do ya think? (Without looking JACK grabs a clean sheet of paper, crumples it and tosses it toward the wastebasket -- it misses) Would you just shutup?
VERN is standing in the doorway.
VERN: (amused) Problems Jack?
JACK: Vern! How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me like that?
VERN: I wasn't sneaking. You bellowed for me about five minutes ago.
JACK: Then what the hell took you so long?
VERN turns to leave
VERN: I'll tell ya what Jack. You calm down a bit and I'll stop in later.
JACK jumps up from his chair and rushes over to VERN, ushering him back in the door and setting him down to sit on the couch.
JACK: I'm sorry, sorry. Please sit Vern. I need to run something by you.
VERN: Why do I get the feeling this isn't about work?
JACK: Because it isn't? (smiles) This is about Jennifer and --
VERN: (stands) Oh, no Jack. You can count me out!
JACK: (grabs his arm) No, no, no! No wooing or kidnapping is involved here Vern. This is a confession of sorts and I need to run it past a friendly face first.
VERN: (settles back down) I know I'm going to regret this, but go ahead.
JACK: Okay (JACK begins to pace around the room) What would you say if I were to tell you that Jennifer and I are not broken up, but rather that we have been pretending to be for a rather insane reason for the last six months. That we're happily together, planning our long and happy future.
VERN: (matter of factly) I'd say, no kidding.
OUT on JACK'S surprise
SCENE SIX - JENNIFER'S OFFICE - IN PROGRESS
JENNIFER: (flustered) Me and Jack (laughs) in love? That's a good one Mary.
MARY: I mean it's just you two are obviously smitten. It just fits with what Vern has told me.
JENNIFER: Uh ...
MARY: I know you fight, but Vern told me a lot of stories about how you two fought constantly about everything and now I just feel as though I'm caught up in the middle of one of those stories. Plus, your fighting doesn't really seem like fighting.
JENNIFER: It doesn't?
MARY: No. Besides why would he hire you here, if he didn't want you around?
JENNIFER: (purses her lips) The thing is there's a very good reason for that and I might as well share it with you because I need the practice.
MARY: You're still in love with each other?
JENNIFER: No, I mean, yes, we are, but the reason is we're still very much a couple.
MARY looks at JENNIFER in confusion
JENNIFER: (cont.) I'm a bit confused by it all myself, so I can understand why you would look at me like that. Let's just say it was all a charade and leave it at that.
MARY: So then you're still married?
JENNIFER: Oh no. We divorced a long time ago. It's a very long story, one which I will explain to you when we have more time. (BEAT) But Jack and I are together and we're happy and we're building our future here in Salem.
MARY: Well that's wonderful. I'm very happy for you.
JENNIFER: Yeah?
MARY: Yes.
JENNIFER: Thank you. And Mary, I hope you'll --
MARY: Not a word. There's no need for me to be gossiping around the newsroom. I promise you that.
JENNIFER: Thank you again.
MARY: (standing) And now I think that the best thing I can do is to go out there and send out these emails so that I can do my part to help you both rebuild this newspaper. I'll talk to you later.
JENNIFER smiles as MARY leaves.
JENNIFER: See Jennifer, that wasn't so bad, now was it?
OUT on JENNIFER smiling
SCENE SEVEN - INT. - JACK'S OFFICE - IN PROGRESS
JACK: No - no kidding? That's all you have to say?
VERN: (crossing his arms) Yep.
JACK sinks down into the couch next to VERN and looks at him making a face.
JACK: I know! In your old age you're having trouble hearing things. It's probably a little bit my fault - all of those years with me yelling at you. I apologize for my part in it Vern.
VERN: I heard you fine Jack. You and Jenny-girl are together. I knew that.
JACK: (flabbergasted) Did -- you spoke with Mrs. Horton, didn't you?
VERN: (rolls his eyes) Since you so kindly pointed out my advanced years, allow me to remind you that I have been in this business as long as you've been alive. I can pick up on clues, especially when it comes to you and Jennifer. There are few who know you both as well as I do.
JACK: So we didn't fool you?
VERN: Not for a second. But it was amusing watching you two fly apart and start arguing whenever I would come in the room. I appreciated the effort. (grins)
JACK: (annoyed) Well I am so glad we could keep you entertained Vern.
VERN: (changing the subject) So how is the editorial on rezoning south of Water Street coming along?
JACK: (He gets up and walks nonchalantly to his desk, sits and looks at the computer) Swimmingly.
VERN: Oh really? (walks over) Can I get an idea of the length?
VERN tries to look at the screen put JACK covers it with his hands.
JACK: Vern! You know I don't like anyone to see my work before it's finished.
VERN: Ah, but I'm the editor.
JACK: I'm the boss.
VERN: I need to see it Jack. (Tries again to pull JACK'S hand off the screen)
JACK: No, no, no. (Loses the battle)
VERN: (Smirks as he looks at the blank screen) Swimmingly, Jack?
JACK: (dejectedly) I was a little distracted.
VERN: (knowingly) So I was your guinea pig with this confession thing.
JACK: Uh ... yes, yes Vern you were.
VERN: Telling your mother the truth?
JACK: (groans) No, I'm not ready for that just yet. We're telling the Horton clan tonight.
VERN: (chuckles) That explains it all. (He slaps JACK on the back) Now that I know what you're in for tonight, I'll be a little more lenient on you. (Laughs again as he walks out)
JACK: (rolls his eyes) Oh thanks Vern.
VERN: (at the door) I still want it on my desk tonight by seven sharp.
JACK crumples up another piece of paper and tosses it at VERN, which makes VERN laugh even more.
VERN: (closing the door) After you finish up that editorial, you might want to work on your aim, boss.
OUT on JACK, seemingly annoyed
END EPISODE TEN
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