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)
