KEEPING UP WITH THE DEVERAUXES
By Jennifer-Lynn D'Anna
EPISODE 43
SCENE 1: INT. JENNIFER'S BEDROOM-MORNING
IN on JENNIFER, who is sitting at her vanity and is brushing her hair. She is still in her nightgown and robe.
FADE into FLASHBACK
JACK: (INTO THE PHONE) Don't...don't you hang up on me. (BEAT) Yes, yes it is. (BEAT) Yes, I know what time it is there. (BEAT) We have to talk. Somebody showed up where they weren't supposed to.
OUT on JENNIFER, at the top of the staircase hearing the whole thing. SHE is concerned beyond belief.
FADE out of FLASHBACK
JENNIFER: (TO HERSELF) What is going on with you, Jack?
CUT TO
JACK, who is standing outside JENNIFER'S door, still clad in his pajamas, contemplating on whether to knock. Finally, he does.
CUT TO
JENNIFER: (BROUGHT OUT OF HER THOUGHT) Come in.
JACK: (OPENING THE DOOR SLIGHTLY AND POKING HIS HEAD IN) Is it safe to come in? (HE PRETENDS TO BE FRIGHTENED)
JENNIFER: (LAUGHING) Yes, it's safe to come in. (WALKING OVER TO HIM) No worry, I did most of that (WRINKLING HER NOSE) nasty girl stuff like exfoliating earlier.
JACK: (PULLING A FACE) Yuck-exfoliating!
JENNIFER: Is Abby up yet?
JACK: Nope. Sleeping like a bug in a rug.
JENNIFER goes to walk off, but JACK hooks his arm around her waist and pulls her towards him.
JENNIFER: (GASPING A LITTLE) Jack.
JACK: (LOOKING DEEP INTO HER EYES) Listen...I...I just want to talk about last night...about what went on here.
OUT on JENNIFER, hopeful that JACK will tell her what's going on.
SCENE 2: INT. JENNIFER'S BEDROOM
IN PROGRESS
JENNIFER: (HOPEFUL) You want to talk about what went on last night?
JACK: (READING HER FACE AND WEAKLY SMILING) Yeah. Why wouldn't I?
JENNIFER: (WONDERING IF MAYBE SHE WAS WRONG ABOUT JACK) Yeah, why wouldn't you?
JACK: (CONFUSED BY JENNIFER'S REACTION) Okay. Well, last night...all that went on...the whole princess bit... I just wanted to make sure there were no hard feelings... I was wrong, that's all... I was...(HE STOPS) I can't do this.
JENNIFER: (EXPECTING HIM TO COME CLEAN) What?
JACK: I can't do this. Not with you looking so... so amazing.
JENNIFER: (FLATTERED) Jack-
JACK: You do. You look absolutely amazing. I just... I just... absolutely... amazing... (HE LEANS IN AND KISSES HER SOFTLY)
JENNIFER looks wide-eyed at him and then melts into the kiss. JO, still in her nightgown and robe, walks by the open door and smiles warmly. She is happy for them. She then quickly runs to her room and waves frantically to someone. VERN steps out of the room, in his clothes from last night and carrying his suit jacket. He kisses her on the cheek and they both silently giggle. They then try to sneak by JACK and JENNIFER, who are still kissing softly.
JACK hears them outside and his eyes open wide in shock. JENNIFER, who is still kissing him, opens her eyes widely as well.
JACK: (WITH LIPS STILL CLOSE TO JENNIFER'MOUTH) Vern????
JACK and JENNIFER are amused and smile at each other. VERN and JO stop dead in their tracks.
SCENE 3: INT. JACK AND JENNIFER'S BEDROOM
IN PROGRESS
JACK and JENNIFER turn around to catch a very embarrassed VERN and JO.
VERN: (TRYING TO LIE) Um...Morning, Jack...Jo invited me over for...for
JO: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) For breakfast.
VERN: (WINKING AT JO) For breakfast.
JACK: (ENJOYING THIS) Really? (THROWING A LOOK TO JENNIFER) The kitchen's downstairs, Vernon.
JENNIFER playfully hits JACK.
JO: Well, I was just showing Vern my new-
JACK: Perhaps you should be showing Vern the way to a clothing store considering he is wearing the same clothes he was wearing last night.
VERN and JO blush.
JENNIFER: (TRYING TO SMOOTH OUT THE SITUATION) Vern, why don't you and I go downstairs and get that breakfast started? We can wake up Abby on the way.
JENNIFER throws JACK a look and then steps out of the room and takes VERN'S arm as they exit.
JACK: (EYEING JO) You, young lady, have a lot of explaining to do.
OUT on JO'S nervousness.
SCENE 4: INT. JACK AND JENNIFER'S KITCHEN
IN on JENNIFER, getting out eggs from the fridge. VERN is sitting at the table reading THE SPECTATOR'S news section and ABBY is sitting next to him reading the comic section.
VERN: (SHAKING HIS HEAD) You know, sometimes I miss it.
JENNIFER: (LOOKING OVER) The paper? (SMILING) You know, sometimes I miss it, too.
VERN: Remember the good 'ole days?
JENNIFER: When I spent every waking moment arguing with Jack? Wait, that's now. (LAUGHING) I guess that was then, too, huh?
VERN: (SMILING FONDLY) Yeah. You know The Spectator is probably going back on the market, don't you?
JENNIFER: (CRACKING EGGS INTO A BOWL. INTRIGUED) It is? I thought Titan was running it.
VERN: Into the ground.
ABBY: Is that Daddy's paper?
VERN: (TO ABBY) Yes, it is. It's where your mommy and daddy first met, well, fell in love, anyway.
ABBY: Maybe we can buy it for him for Christmas.
JENNIFER: (LAUGHING) Baby, I don't think we can afford it.
ABBY: Sure we can. It says right here it's thirty-five cents. (HOLDING UP THE COVER)
JENNIFER and VERN smile at each other and then laugh.
ABBY: Well it does.
JENNIFER: (PICKING ABBY UP AND PUTTING HER ON HER LAP) Yeah, Baby, it does. What Uncle Vern and I were talking about wasn't just the paper. It was the business and that costs a whole lot more than thirty-five cents, I can tell you.
ABBY: Oh, so we can't buy it for Daddy? (BEAT. SADLY) He'd love it.
JENNIFER smiles sweetly at ABBY and then looks at VERN, who shares her belief that it would be a great idea if they could get the paper back. They wonder if it is at all possible.
SCENE 5: INT. JACK AND JENNIFER'S BEDROOM
IN PROGRESS
JO: Oh no you don't. I am a grown woman, I can make my own decisions.
JACK: I know you can, I never said you couldn't.
JO: Then what's this little discussion about?
JACK: (UNCOMFORTABLE) Well, it's not about what you can and cannot do. It's about...okay, I'll just come out and ask it...how long...how long have you and Vern...how long have you been showing Vern your room?
JO: (EMBARRASSED) Well, I'll be...What kind of a question is that? I'm your mother.
JACK: I know you are and it was a simple question. I'm just asking because...because I have an impressionable young daughter-
JO: If you think I'd do anything to taint Abigail's mind, then...
JACK: I didn't say that. I know you wouldn't. I was just trying to look out for her and...(SOFTLY) and...and you.
JO: (NEAR TEARS) Oh, son. (SHE GOES TO HUG HIM)
JACK: (HUGGING HER SLIGHTLY AND THEN WIPING HER TEARS) Oh no. Now don't get all weepy on me.
JO: (BREAKING THE HUG) It's just that it's so sweet. You caring for your mama.
JACK: Of course I would...I am your...your son, after all. I just want to make sure that things are going according to...according to... well, how relationships go. Is he treating you well?
JO: (SMILING) Of course he is. And for the record, last night was the first night I showed him my room. After watching "Cinderella", we popped in "Casablanca", and-
JACK: (STOPPING HER) Whoa, way too much information...
JO: (GETTING SERIOUS) I love him, son. And he loves me.
JACK: (MOVED AT SEEING HER SO HAPPY) That's wonder--... I'm... I'm happy for you. (BEAT) Now that that's settled, why don't we go downstairs and have some of that breakfast Jennifer is making. (PUTTING HIS ARM AROUND HER SHOULDERS TO WALK) I just hope it's better than that eggplant... (RUBBING HIS STOMACH)
JO: (LAUGHING AND WALKING WITH HIM) You're so bad...Do you and Jennifer have any favorite movies?
JACK: (DESCENDING THE STAIRS) Hmmm.... we do like "The Thin Man", but I wouldn't call it an amorous flick, though.
THEY laugh and make small talk and exit.
SCENE 6: INT. JACK AND JENNIFER'S KITCHEN
IN PROGRESS
JENNIFER: Vern, do you really think the Spectator is going back on the market soon?
VERN: No doubt about it. Titan's been suffering a lot as of late and wants to pull out of the publishing biz. It's all over, the stocks been plummeting since Kiriakis let Kate Roberts go a few months ago. She oversaw most of the publishing, you know.
JENNIFER: Isn't she joining John's new company? Basic Black?
VERN: That's the rumor. Titan itself is expected to go head to head with Basic Black.
JENNIFER: Wait, Titan's into fashion?
VERN: Well, yes and no. You remember "Bella", don't you?
JENNIFER: Yeah... the magazine named after Isabella. Grandma would send me copies when I was over in Africa.
VERN: Despite all the other publishing venues Titan had, "Bella" is the only one that seemed to generate quite a profit.
JENNIFER: So they drop off all the other venues and invest their money into the fashion world that "Bella" covers? And Nicole Walker, Lucas' ex will be heading that up I suppose?
VERN: That's right, Jenny-Girl. Kate ruled the newspaper world and Nicole did wonders for the magazine. Smart cookie, that one.
JENNIFER: Well, it does help that she's slee-(REALIZING ABBY IS THERE), she's really friendly with the boss. Hmmm...(SHE SETS ABBY DOWN, WHO HAD BEEN WATCHING BOTH OF THEM WITH WONDER)
JENNIFER continues to make breakfast and mull this information over. VERN watches her curiously.
VERN: What are you thinking, Jenny-Girl?
JENNIFER: I'm just thinking about how Jack needs a job and how Abby's right, the Spectator would be perfect.
VERN: But how would you afford it?
JENNIFER: That I don't know, but we could work on that one. Victor would never sell the paper to Jack, though. Not after all he did to take it away from him.
VERN: You think? Victor's mellowed with age, Jennifer.
JENNIFER: Maybe with his family but not with his business affairs. Never in a million years would he sell it to Jack. It would be too much like defeat.
VERN nods while JENNIFER begins to cook the eggs.
JENNIFER: (CONT.) How long before it's expected to go on the market, Vern?
VERN: Well, they have some other businesses to get rid of first, so I'd say 2, maybe 3 months. You're seriously considering jumping on this thing when it hits the market, aren't you?
JACK and JO enter, laughing.
JACK: (CURIOUS) When what hits the market?
OUT on JENNIFER'S surprised face.
SCENE 7: INT. JACK AND JENNIFER'S KITCHEN
IN PROGRESS
JACK: (LOOKING TO VERN AND JENNIFER) What's hitting the market? Do you have a hot stock tip you're keeping from me?
JENNIFER: (COVERING) No, no...Vern and I were just talking about how we need to hit the market after we visit Marlena.
JACK: (KNOWING THEY'RE LYING) But I just picked up groceries yesterday.
VERN: You forgot the prune juice.
JACK: (CONFUSED) Prune juice? Who drinks (PULLING A FACE) icky prune juice?
ABBY laughs.
VERN: (SMILING) I do. And considering I'm going to be here a lot more, I figured we'd put some in the fridge. (THROWING JO A LOOK)
JO giggles as JACK makes an unamused face.
JACK: Are you serious?
JENNIFER: (SMILING) And I told Vern that it would be okay. It's okay, right Jack?
OUT on JACK making another face.
SCENE 8: INT. JACK AND JENNIFER'S KITCHEN
IT IS A LITTLE WHILE LATER AND BREAKFAST IS FINISHED. EVERYONE IS GETTING UP FROM THE TABLE.
JO: Mmmm...that really hit the spot. (THROWING JACK A LOOK INDICATING IT WAS NOT THAT GOOD)
JACK: Yes, wonderful.
JENNIFER: (CONFUSED) They're just eggs.
JACK: But good eggs. (TO ABBY) Alright Miss-I-Like-My-Eggs-Scrambled, time to get ready for day camp. What are you doing today anyway? Solving world peace?
ABBY: (LAUGHING) No. Today we're building birdhouses.
JACK: Well, it's not world peace, but it'll do. Now go on...(HE SWATS HER SOFTLY ON THE BEHIND) (TO JENNIFER) And you, too...we have our own things to build (HE SWATS HER BEHIND)
ABBY runs up the stairs.
JENNIFER: (SMILING WIDELY) But I've got to clean up.
JACK: (WAVING HER OFF) No mind. Vern and I will do that. Won't we, Vern? (THROWING VERN A LOOK)
VERN: We'll be happy to. Why don't you girls go get ready for your day?
JO giggles at being called a girl.
JENNIFER: Alright. (WHISPERING) Be good, Jack. (SHE THROWS VERN A REASSURING LOOK AND SHE AND JO EXIT, LAUGHING)
JACK looks to VERN, who is very apprehensive.
JACK: (BEGINNING TO CLEAR THE TABLE) So, I hear...I hear you and my moth...my Jo...have become quite close.
VERN: (CLEARING THE TABLE AS WELL) I think she's wonderful, Jack.
JACK: Oh. (BEAT) And so what are your intentions?
VERN: My intentions? My intentions are, well, quite frankly, none of your business.
JACK: (STOPPING TO LOOK AT VERN) Look, I just worry about her...she's been through so much for someone who...
VERN: (MEETING JACK'S EYES) Who deserves a lot more. Jack, I know you're worried about her and I know that you love her. She is your mother. I understand that. But you have to understand that I love her, too. Jo is the first person in a long time that makes me feel alive, she understands me, and she accepts me. I haven't had that since my wife died and she's never really had that before. I plan on being with her for a long time. She makes me happy. I just hope I do the same for her. You understand what it's like to love someone with every fiber of your being, don't you-body, heart, and mind, don't you?
JACK: (THINKING OF JENNIFER) I do. (MOVED BY VERN'S WORDS ABOUT JO) And you... you do.
VERN: I'm sorry?
JACK: You... you do. She told me. What you said, that goes double for her, tit for tat, ditto. She feels the same way about you.
VERN: She does? (SMILING. OVERWHELMED) I'm glad.
JACK: And so... and so am I...
VERN: Thanks, Jack.
JACK: (SMILING) You're welcome. And for the record, I think she's right... for feeling that way about you. You're a good man, Vernon.
VERN: And you are too, Jack.
THEY both look at each other fondly. After a few seconds, they grow uncomfortable and then they laugh and resume cleaning.
SCENE 9: INT. JACK'S CAR-AN HOUR OR SO LATER
JACK and JENNIFER, both dressed (JACK in a suit, of course), are in the car waving goodbye to ABBY.
JENNIFER: (OUT THE WINDOW) Bye, Baby, have a good day!
JACK: (WAVING) Make a delightful abode for our winged friends!
JENNIFER throws him a look.
JACK: (CONT.) What?
JENNIFER: Winged friends?
JACK: You do not like? Birds, then. (STARTING UP THE CAR AND PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC) Geez, try to be a little colorful.
A few seconds of silence ensue.
JENNIFER: Jo and Vern are really cute, don't you think?
JACK: (MAKING A FACE) If you like that sort of thing, yes...
JENNIFER: (LAUGHING) Come on.
JACK: Okay, they are "cute". (BEAT) So is Vern going to be your new little cohort?
JENNIFER: (CONFUSED) What?
JACK: Partner-in-crime? I mean, you two were obviously lying to me this morning.
JENNIFER: (INDIGNANT) We were not.
JACK: The man does not like prune juice that much. No man or woman could. Now are you going to tell me what that was all about or not?
JENNIFER: I'll tell you... when you tell me who you called last night.
OUT on JACK'S shock over being caught. He pulls over and stops the car while JENNIFER gloats at him.
END OF EPISODE 43
