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. END OF EPISODE 6

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