KEEPING UP WITH THE DEVERAUXES
By Jennifer-Lynn D'Anna
EPISODE 49
IN on JACK and JENNIFER, inside the horse-drawn carriage. JENNIFER is full of glee and is beaming. JACK is just watching her in awe. They are sharing a blanket.
JENNIFER: Jack?
JACK: (COMING TO) Yes?
JENNIFER: You're staring again. And don't you dare tell me it's because I'm beautiful. You've seen me all dressed up before.
JACK: (SMILING) I know...I know...it's just...nevermind (TURNING AWAY).
JENNIFER: What?
JACK: It's just...you're always beautiful, Jennifer. Just a bit more so today.
JENNIFER: (EMBARRASSED) Come on now.
JACK: No seriously. There's something about you tonight. The way the moonlight is hitting your hair, the sparkle in your eyes...(BLUSHING) It's silly and storybook, I know, but....(GULPING) but it's true.
JENNIFER: (MOVED) You're beautiful, too.
JACK: I don't know about that.
JENNIFER: (QUIETLY) Well, I do.
JACK: Thank you...although I beg to differ.
JENNIFER: How surprising.
JACK: (DELIGHTED) You think you're funny, don't you?
JENNIFER: (SMILING. ENJOYING HERSELF. PINCHING HER FINGERS TO INDICATE AN AMOUNT) A little.
JACK: (IMITATING HER) A little?
JENNIFER: (LAUGHING) Yeah.
JACK: Well, Miss Funny Girl, you're in for a treat. (STANDING UP IN THE CARRIAGE AND PEERING INTO THE DISTANCE) Wh-what's that?
JENNIFER: (CONCERNED) Jack! Sit down..it's dangerous.
JACK: (IGNORING HER) Danger, schmanger! Why, it's a-bird, it's a plane-
JENNIFER: (MORE CONCERNED) Jack! You're going to give me a heart attack!
JACK: (LOOKING AT HER) Will you relax? It's not that bad. In fact....in fact, I'm going to need your help here on this one.
JENNIFER: (LOST) My help?
JACK: Don't look at me that way-I need your assistance.
JENNIFER: (LOST) Jack, I'm confused...
JACK: (HELPING HER UP) I...I can't quite make out what...(SCOOTING HER OVER IN FRONT OF HIM) I can't read what that says.
JENNIFER: What? Jack, I'm scared.
JACK: (STANDING HER UP) Scared?
JENNIFER: Of falling.
JACK: Falling? Please, Miss H. I'd never let you do that.
JENNIFER: You wouldn't?
JACK: (SMILING) I never have before, have I?
JENNIFER: (MOVED. NODDING) No, you haven't.
JACK: Good. (DIRECTING HIS ATTENTION AHEAD) Now use those young eyes of yours and kindly tell me what that says.
JENNIFER: (SQUINTING TO READ) It says....Happ....(SMILE BREAKING OUT) Happy Birthday, Jennifer! (THROWING HIM A LOVING LOOK) Jack-
JACK: Don't look at me-it must be another one of Abigail's surprises. She's full of them, you know.
JENNIFER: (SMILING) Just like her Daddy.
JACK: (BLUSHING) Well...
JENNIFER: I'll say it again, Jack, you're wonderful.
JACK: (CUPPING HIS EAR AND SHOUTING) What was that?!
JENNIFER: You're wonderful, Jack Deveraux (SHOUTING AND JUMPING UP A LITTLE) Wonderful!
JACK: (STEADYING HER) Careful there, Miss Horton, you'll frighten the horses.
JENNIFER: (SMILING) I mean it, Jack...you are.
OUT on JACK, smiling back, moved. CUT to the sign outside Tuscany, which is draped in white lights and is written in cursive.
SCENE 2: INT. TUSCANY
IN on JACK and JENNIFER, walking through the doors.
JACK: (REMEMBERING SOMETHING) Oh, the flowers (HE RUNS BACK OUT AND COMES BACK WITH A BOUQUET OF DELPHINIUMS WHILE JENNIFER SMILES AT HIM) Whew! That was close.
JENNIFER: You really did go all out, didn't you?
JACK: Only the best would do.
JENNIFER: Jack, you are enough.
JACK: Now, now, don't tell me you don't like this huge pomp and circumstance.
JENNIFER: (LAUGHING) Okay, I'd be lying if I said I didn't.
MAGGIE: (WALKING OVER AND SMILING) Ah, the guest of honor and her royal prince. Jennifer, you look amazing (LEANING IN TO KISS HER CHEEK) Happy Birthday.
JENNIFER: Thank you.
MAGGIE: Jack (LEANING IN TO KISS HIS CHEEK. WHISPERING) You owe me big time.
JACK: (WHISPERING BACK NERVOUSLY) I know.
MAGGIE: We have your party waiting in the grand ballroom.
JENNIFER: (EXCITED) The ballroom!
MAGGIE: I hope it's to your liking.
JACK: (NERVOUS) I'm sure it will be.
MAGGIE: This way. (SHE STARTS TO LEAD AS JACK AND JENNIFER FOLLOW)
OUTSIDE THE BALLROOM
JENNIFER: Jack, wait a minute.
JACK: (LOST) What? You do want to make your grand entrance, don't you?
JENNIFER: I do...but...
JACK: What?
JENNIFER: I want to spend a few more seconds alone with you.
JACK: You have your whole life alone with me, Jennifer. I'm not saying it's everyone's idea of happiness, but it's-
JENNIFER: You're wrong, Jack. It's my idea of happiness. I just forgot that for awhile.
JACK: (MOVED) But you see that now?
JENNIFER: (NODDING) I do. I'm just...Wait a minute, what's wrong with your tie?
JACK: (LOOKING DOWN AND SMILING) Abigail.
JENNIFER: Abby?
JACK: The child...the child tied it...she said you taught her.
JENNIFER: (LAUGHING) Not very well, I see. Come here. (PULLING HIM TOWARDS HER)
JACK: (LOOKING DOWN) Like old times.
JENNIFER: (MEETING HIS EYES AND TOUCHING HIS FACE SOFTLY) Like old times.
MAGGIE clears her throat.
JACK: (STRAIGHTENING HIS NOW TIED TIE) Yes...Let's run the gauntlet, Miss H.
JENNIFER: (SMILING) Let's. (SHE GRABS HIS ARM AND THEY PREPARE TO ENTER)
SCENE 3: INT. BALLROOM
MAGGIE: (ANNOUNCING) And now the lady of the hour...
JENNIFER and JACK enter and the crowd shouts "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" JENNIFER and JACK exchange nervous smiles and a lot of JENNIFER'S family come to wish her a Happy Birthday. JACK steps back and watches her in awe.
BO: (WALKING UP TO JACK AND HANDING HIM A DRINK) Great party, Jack.
JACK: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) Thank you. I try.
BO: And succeed. (WATCHING JENNIFER AND JULIE AND ALICE TALK) You haven't seen my wife, have you?
JACK: (LOST) She's not here with you?
BO: No. She said she'd meet me here but...
JACK: (IN DISBELIEF) I know she was mad at Jennifer, but this is ridiculous.
BO: Wait, did you say she was mad at Jennifer?
JACK: Didn't she tell you? (REALIZING NOT) She and Jennifer had some sort of a war of words the other day. Jennifer was pretty torn up. I can't say I was pleased myself.
BO: (FUMING) I see. (BEAT) I can't believe this.
JACK: Believe what?
BO: Nothing, nothing. Hope's just not been acting herself lately.
MARLENA overhears.
MARLENA: (CONCERNED) Are you saying she's been acting like someone else lately?
OUT on JACK, intrigued by what's going on between the two.
SCENE 4: INT. BALLROOM
IN PROGRESS
MARLENA: Bo, are you saying she's acting like Princess Gina?
BO: Marlena, you know what I don't like? I don't like people who make assumptions. You know what I don't like more than that? People who eavesdrop. I'd say you were guilty on both accounts right now.
MARLENA: (SHOCKED) I understand your anger, Bo, but as her former therapist and friend, I do have a right to be concerned.
BO: Why don't you go concern yourself with your husband? Where is Johnny boy anyway?
MARLENA: He's not here yet. He's working late at the office.
BO: If you say so (SWALLOWS THE REST OF HIS DRINK AND WALKS OFF).
JACK throws MARLENA an I-don't-know look.
CUT to JENNIFER, dishing with ALICE and JULIE and her uncle MICKEY. HOPE comes rushing in, dressed in a blue gown, and runs over to JENNIFER and grabs her arm.
JENNIFER: (SHOCKED) Hope!
HOPE: (SMILING. IN A HURRY) We need to talk. (GRABBING HER AND DRAGGING HER OUT OF THE BALLROOM) Grandma, Julie, Uncle Mickey, we'll be right back.
OUTSIDE THE BALLROOM:
JENNIFER: (RUBBING HER ARM) Can you tell me what that was all about?
HOPE: I'm sorry if I hurt you, Jenn, really I am. I just needed to talk to you ASAP.
JENNIFER: (CONCERNED) About what?
HOPE: About..I'm such a jerk...I've been thinking about what I said to you the other day. I'm really sorry. Really I am.
JENNIFER: (CONFUSED) Okay. (BEAT) I am too. I know what finding out about your past means to you.
HOPE: (SMILING) I know. (SIGHING) Listen, you didn't say anything to Bo about our little spat, did you?
JENNIFER: No. Why?
HOPE: (LOOKING AROUND) Listen, it doesn't matter. Who knows?
JENNIFER: About our fight? Jack, I guess.
HOPE: Would he tell Bo?
JENNIFER: (LOST) No. Hope are you allright?
JOHN walks up.
JOHN: She's fine. Aren't you, Hope?
OUT on JENNIFER, finally realizing what's going on.
SCENE 4: OUTSIDE THE BALLROOM
HOPE: John.
JOHN: You are fine, aren't you, Hope?
HOPE: (NERVOUS) Yeah, I am. I was just wishing my cousin a Happy Birthday.
JOHN: (SMILING) Yes, Happy Birthday, Jennifer (KISSING HER CHEEK).
JENNIFER: (WEAKLY) Thanks John. (BEAT) I think I saw Marlena inside.
JOHN: Then I shall join my wife, just as you, Hope, should join your husband. (THROWING HER A LOOK AND HEADING INSIDE)
JENNIFER: (LOWERING HER VOICE) You were with him, weren't you?
HOPE: (SHAKEN) Jenn, it's not what you think.
JENNIFER: The heck it isn't. You are really putting your marriage in jeopardy, Hope.
HOPE: I know. I know. (BEAT) Listen, one last favor?
JENNIFER: (CROSSING HER ARMS) Should I even ask?
HOPE: (SMILING) Jenn-
JENNIFER: (FINALLY BREAKING AND SMILING) If it involves lying when you sneak out of Grandma's house, forget it-
HOPE: Aw, come on now...You loved lying for me. You were good at it.
JENNIFER: I was, wasn't I? (BEAT) I won't mention it to Bo. And I'll get Jack to do the same.
HOPE: (SMILING) Good. Thank you. And I do really want to wish you a Happy Birthday, cuz (HUGGING HER AND THEN WALKING BACK INTO THE BALLROOM WITH THEIR ARMS AROUND EACH OTHER LAUGHING)
INSIDE THE BALLROOM:
JACK: (NOTICING JENNIFER AND HOPE) Paradise regained.
JOHN AND MARLENA: What?
JACK: Oh nothing. Toodles (HE WALKS OFF AS JOHN AND MARLENA CONTINUE TO SPEAK ABOUT JOHN'S LATENESS)
SCENE 5: INT. BALLROOM
It is a short while later. Everyone is having a good time. BO and HOPE are fighting though. JACK and ABBY are standing next to JENNIFER and they are laughing when "All I Have" begins to play.
You can say you love me
And I'll believe that's true
JACK: (TO JENNIFER) I believe they are, as the saying goes, playing our song.
JENNIFER: (SMILING UP AT HIM) They are, aren't they?
Trusting you is easy
'Cause I believe in you
ABBY: (JUMPING UP AND DOWN) Dance, dance!
There is nothing I would miss
As long as we're in love like this
JACK: (LOOKING TO ABBY AND THEN TO JENNIFER) I think she wants us to dance.
JENNIFER: (LAUGHING) Ya think?
JACK: (LOOKING AROUND) There seems to be no one else on the dance floor, though.
JENNIFER: That's never stopped us before.
THEY join hands and walk to the center of the room and begin to dance. The crowd oohs and aahs as JACK flashes them a nervous smile.
All I have is all I need
And it all comes down
To you and m
e
How far away this world becomes
In the harbor of each other's arms
OUT on the two of them lost in each other.
SCENE 6: INT. BALLROOM
IN on JACK and JENNIFER, still dancing and beaming at one another.
I feel like I've known you
Forever and ever
Baby, that's how close we are
JENNIFER: (RESTING HER HEAD ON JACK'S CHEST) I could get used to this.
JACK: Being treated like a princess?
JENNIFER: (LAUGHING) No. Staying in your arms forever.
JACK: (MOVED) I could...I could kinda get used to it as well
ABBY walks over and tugs JACK'S jacket to cut in.
Right here with you is where
My life has come together
And where love has filled my heart
JENNIFER: Uh oh. It looks like I have competition.
ABBY: Can I cut in?
You know I'd go anywhere
As long as I have you to care
JACK: That's up to Mommy (LOOKING AT JENNIFER).
JENNIFER: Certainly. I can't have Daddy all to myself. (LAUGHING, SHE PICKS ABBY UP AND PLACES HER IN JACK'S ARMS AND STANDS BACK WITH THE CROWD, WATCHING)
The crowd oohs and aahs again and JACK throws them a look.
All I have is all I need
And it comes down to you and me
How far away this world becomes
In the harbor of each other's arms
JENNIFER is enjoying watching them when a hand is placed on her shoulder. She turns around suddenly. It is Colin, dressed in khakis and a pullover.
JENNIFER: (PULLING HIM AWAY FROM THE CROWD) Colin, what are you doing here?
Behind her, JACK begins to search the room with his eyes for Jennifer. Where did she go?
Oh, and with the love you bring
I don't want for anything
I've found what I've been searching for in you
All I have is all I need
And it all comes down to you and me
How far away the world becomes
In the harbor of each other's arms
CUT to JENNIFER and COLIN.
COLIN: It's your birthday, isn't it? Lovely party.
JENNIFER: (SMILING NERVOUSLY) It is. Wh-what are you doing here?
COLIN: (HANDING HER A SMALL WRAPPED BOX) I came to give you this.
JENNIFER: (LOOKING AT THE PACKAGE AND BACK TO MAKE SURE JACK IS NOT WATCHING) You shouldn't have.
Behind them, JACK sees what he thinks is JENNIFER and looks on with curiosity.
All I have is all I need
And it all comes down to you and me
How far away the world becomes
In the harbor of each other's arms.
COLIN: Go on. Open it.
JENNIFER: Colin-
COLIN: From a friend to a friend. Kind of like me stethoscope.
JENNIFER: (NERVOUS) Okay. (OPENING IT AND SHOCKED BY ITS CONTENTS) Colin-
COLIN: It's from the party we gave the kids in Africa. I thought we looked like quite the happy coup-(CORRECTING HIMSELF) friends.
JACK puts down ABBY and tries to cut through the crowd to them. He keeps getting stopped though.
JENNIFER: (PULLING OUT A FRAMED PHOTO OF THE TWO OF THEM, ARM IN ARM, LAUGHING. SHE IS NOT HAPPY AT ALL) It's very....it's nice, Colin.
COLIN: I knew you'd like it. (LEANING IT TO KISS HER CHEEK JUST AS JACK SEES THEM) Happy Birthday, Jennifer Rose.
JENNIFER turns away slowly and touches her cheek. She feels guilty. JACK sees her touch her face and reads it as much more. JENNIFER nervously looks at him. JACK'S eyes flash to the picture she is holding and to COLIN. He walks out, upset. JENNIFER looks at COLIN with tears in her eyes and runs out after JACK.
END OF EPISODE 49
