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Keeping Up With the Deverauxes
By Jennifer-Lynn D'Anna
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 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)


Scene 8: Jennifer reluctantly buys Jack's story. Alice tells them news about Hope.

(THEY ARE ALL STILL OUTSIDE THE HOUSE AND VERN HAS JUST BACKED JACK'S STORY. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF SILENCE, ALICE TELLS THEM THAT MICKEY CALLED)

ALICE: (EYEING JACK AND JENNIFER) Well, now that we have that cleared up, I really should be going. Jennifer, darling, your Uncle Mickey called while you were upstairs.

(JACK'S EYES LIGHT UP AT THE MENTION THAT JENNIFER WAS UPSTAIRS. HE KNOWS SHE WAS NOT IN HER ROOM)

JENNIFER: Grandma, what did he say? Is it news about Hope?

ALICE: Actually, Mickey said that it was about Lexie Carver. He also said that I should get down there right away.

JENNIFER: Let me get my bag and we'll go.

ALICE: Jennifer, dear, Mickey said I should get down there.

JENNIFER: (HURT) You don't want me to go?

ALICE: No, dear, it's not that. Mickey just wants to talk to me about what's going on first, that's all. Before he tells Hope. I'll call you as soon as I know something.

JENNIFER: Well, someone has to drive you...

VERN: I'll drive you, Mrs. Horton. That is, if you don't mind?

ALICE: Oh, Vernon, I'd be delighted, but you have no car.

VERN: No problem. (BEAT. HE LOOKS AT JACK) I'll just take Jack's.

(JACK LOOKS AT HIM ANGRILY)

JACK: Hehehehehe. Certainly. (HE RELUCTANTLY DIGS OUT THE KEYS FROM HIS POCKET) Here you go. (BEAT) Bring her home in one piece...the car, not Mrs. Hor, the car and Mrs. Horton.

(VERN AND ALICE SAY GOODBYE AND THEY WALK TO THE END OF THE DRIVE AS JACK AND JENNIFER CALL AFTER THEM).

JENNIFER: Call me!

JACK: Remember, in one piece!


Scene 9: Alice and Vern have just left. Another embrace.

(JENNIFER AND JACK WALK BACK INTO THE HOUSE AFTER SAYING GOODBYE TO VERN AND ALICE. JENNIFER WALKS INTO THE LIVING ROOM AND TURNS TO JACK)

JENNIFER: You gave Vern the keys, Jack.

JACK: Hehehe. Yes, that's what one usually needs to start up a car. I wouldn't put it past Vern though to have hotwired one or two back in the day, tho-

JENNIFER: You gave Vern the keys, Jack.

JACK: I seem to be hearing an echo in here. Do you hear it? (HE LOOKS AROUND)

JENNIFER: You gave him the keys. Jack, if he borrowed your car, he would have had your keys. (BEAT) He would have had your keys, Jack.

JACK: Well....well....you know Vern....that memory of his...

(THE PHONE RINGS)

Aren't you going to answer that?

JENNIFER: I'm waiting for an answer from you first.

JACK: Jennifer, it might be your Uncle Mickey.

JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT THE PHONE) Yeah. You're right. I'll get back to this in a minute (SHE GOES TO ANSWER THE PHONE) Hello? (BEAT) Mickey? (BEAT) Yes, she already left. (BEAT) No, I'll be down there. (BEAT) What?

JACK: (WATCHING JENNIFER INTENTLY) (TO HIMSELF) Saved by the bell.

(JENNIFER HANGS UP AND COMES OVER, SHAKEN)

JACK: (CONCERNED) Jennifer, is everything okay?

JENNIFER: (ABOUT TO CRY) No, Jack, it isn't...


Scene 10: Jennifer has just got off the phone with her Uncle Mickey with news about Hope. She is upset and Jack wants to help her.

JACK: (CONCERNED) Did they find the baby? (BEAT) Jennifer, Jennifer, don't just stand there. Say something.

JENNIFER: Jack, they...they found the baby. (BEAT) He was...it's Isaac, Lexie and (SHE COVERS HER MOUTH)...Lexie and Abe's son. (SHE CRIES)

JACK: I can understand that you're upset but Jennifer, Jennifer, this is good news for Hope and Bo.

JENNIFER: Jack...Jack...

JACK: This is good news, Jennifer. Why...why are you so upset?

JENNIFER: Jack, Lexie's been in a car wreck with Isaac.

(JACK STANDS THERE STUNNED)


Scene 11: Jennifer has just told Jack about Lexie and Isaac being in a car wreck.

JACK: Oh my...Jennifer, are they okay? (HE GRABS HER ARMS)

JENNIFER: (SHE LOOKS AS IF SHE COULD DIE) No (SHE FALLS INTO HIS ARMS)

JACK: (HOLDING HER TIGHT) Jennifer, I...Jennifer. (HE MAKES HER LOOK AT HIM) You go and get your stuff together. I'll pull your car around. (BEAT) Where are your keys?

JENNIFER: They're...they must be upstairs.

JACK: In your room? I'll go get them (HE STARTS FOR THE STAIRS)

JENNIFER: (KNOWING THAT IF THEY WERE ANYWHERE, THEY WOULD BE IN HIS ROOM) No, I'll go get them. (SHE PASSES HIM AND GOES UP THE STAIRS)

(THE NEXT SHOT IS OF JENNIFER OUTSIDE JACK'S DOOR. SHE SIGHS, GOES IN, AND FINDS HER KEYS ON HIS FLOOR. SHE HEARS JACK COMING UP THE STAIRS, SO SHE RUNS OUT, SHUTS THE DOOR BUT IT DOESN'T SHUT COMPLETELY UNBEKNOWNST TO HER.JENNIFER THEN PRETENDS LIKE SHE WAS COMING OUT OF HER ROOM)

JACK: (SEEING JENNIFER COMING OUT OF HER ROOM) Jennifer, I was thinking...

JENNIFER: (HOPING HE DIDN'T SEE HER) Yes?

JACK: I was thinking that maybe we should maybe pick Abigail up from school today instead of letting her take the bus. I want to make sure that she hears this news from us.

JENNIFER: You're right, Jack. We should do that. (BEAT) I got my keys (SHE HANDS THEM TO JACK).

JACK: (GRABBING THE KEYS AND PAUSING WHEN HIS HAND BRUSHES HERS) We should be going then.

(JENNIFER WALKS TO THE STAIRS AND STARTS GOING DOWN AND PAUSES)

JENNIFER: Jack?

(JACK IS LOOKING AT HIS DOOR, WHICH IS SLIGHTLY AJAR IN WONDERMENT. HE KNOWS SHE WAS IN THERE, BUT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE SHE IS UPSET)

JACK: (LOOKING AT THE DOOR ONE LAST TIME BEFORE HEADING TO THE STAIRS) I'm right behind you....I'm right behind you.

END OF EPISODE 9


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