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An ALT.DAYS Production,
A Division of Peel Productions, Inc.
Air Date: December 20, 1994
Time: Several Days After #81,
Afternoon to Evening
Copyright 1994
SALEM PLACE. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE EXITING BALLISTIX. JACK IS BARELY VISIBLE BEHIND THE BOXES AND BAGS HE IS CARRYING.
JACK: I think we may have overdone the long lunch hour.
JENNIFER: Don't worry about it, Jack. I know the boss and he won't mind a bit.
JACK: I don't know. I hear he can be a Scrooge and might dock us for the extra time.
JENNIFER: Nonsense. The boss is kind and generous... and sexy.
JACK: Aha... I think I'm beginning to see how you get so many of these long lunch hours.
JENNIFER: (GIVING HIM A DAZZLING SMILE) Whatever works.
JENNIFER SPOTS A VENDOR SELLING HOT CHOCOLATE FROM A CART.
JENNIFER: (CONT'D) Hey, let's get some hot chocolate. I love hot chocolate when I go Christmas shopping.
JACK: Can we sit down while we drink it?
JENNIFER: Of course...
JACK: Good. I could use the rest. I think you only brought me along so that I could play pack mule for you.
JENNIFER: Ah come on... I brought you along because you're the best looking man in Salem...
JACK: Bah humbug!
JENNIFER: Jack, you sit. I'll go get the hot chocolate... my treat...
JACK AND JENNIFER STOP. JACK FINDS A TABLE AND SETS DOWN ALL HIS PACKAGES WITH A LOUD CRASH. JENNIFER QUICKLY RETURNS WITH TWO CUPS OF HOT CHOCOLATE.
JENNIFER: (CONT'D) Christmas is going to be so much fun this year. Now that Abby is older, she understands some of what is going on.
JACK: You're certainly doing your best to make it memorable.
JENNIFER SPOTS A VENDOR SELLING HAIR ORNAMENTS AND OTHER ACCESSORIES.
JENNIFER: Oh, Jack, look at that cart over there. See. The one full of hair ribbons.
JENNIFER FORGETS ABOUT HER HOT CHOCOLATE AS SHE HEADS TO THE CART TO LOOK AT THE ASSORTED RIBBONS AND HEADBANDS. JACK SIGHS, TAKES A QUICK DRINK OF CHOCOLATE, PICKS UP THE PACKAGES AND FOLLOWS JENNIFER.
JENNIFER: (CONT'D) Look at this headband, Jack. Wouldn't Abby look cute in this. The color is perfect for her.
JACK: Uh-huh...
JENNIFER: Come on, Jack, you can do better than that. What do you think?
JACK: Me? Jennifer, you know I don't know anything about this girlie-stuff.
JENNIFER: "Girlie-stuff"? Jack Deveraux...
JACK SEES MARCUS APPROACHING. REALIZING TOO LATE THAT HE HAS HIT A NERVE WITH JENNIFER, JACK FLAGS DOWN MARCUS.
JACK: Marcus. Marcus Hunter, ol' friend. How are you? What a surprise to see you here.
JENNIFER GIVES JACK A LOOK INDICATING THAT SHE KNOWS HE'S TRYING TO DISTRACT HER.
JENNIFER: Hello, Marcus.
MARCUS: (DISTRACTED) Jack... Jennifer... Great to see you.
JACK: You look like a man on a mission.
JENNIFER: Yeah, Marcus, what has all of your attention?
MARCUS: Mine? Oh, I just have to go pick up something.
JACK: Need any help? I'm pretty good at picking things up...
JACK HOLDS UP HIS VAST ARRAY OF PACKAGES TO ILLUSTRATE.
MARCUS: (OBLIVIOUS TO JACK'S JOKE) Nah. Thanks. I got it. It's kinda... private...
JENNIFER: Ohhh... this sounds secretive. Maybe you should leave the spy stuff to Shane.
MARCUS: Shane? No. I haven't seen Shane. I'll tell him you're looking for him, if I see him.
JENNIFER AND JACK EXCHANGE BEWILDERED LOOKS.
JACK: Okay... Well, thanks. We don't want to keep you from your appointed task.
MARCUS: (MARCUS LOOKS AT HIS WATCH) Ummm... Okay... thanks... Gotta run. See you later.
HOLD ON JACK AND JENNIFER AS THEY WATCH MARCUS DASH OFF.
GO TO: SALEM PLACE/JOHNNY ANGEL'S. BO AND BOB, ON THEIR LUNCH BREAK, SIT AT A TABLE WITH BURGERS AND FRIES SPREAD OUT IN FRONT OF THEM.
BO: Remind me to go check in with Peters when we get back to the station house. I want to see how we're doing with the Toys for Tots Drive.
BOB: (GESTURING WITH A FRENCH FRY) This is going to be our best year ever! I was down in the storeroom yesterday and you should see all the toys.
BO: (LAUGHING) I just hope that nobody throws their back out this year trying to be Hercules.
BOB: (RUEFULLY) All right, all right, I've learned my lesson. Many small trips instead of one big one. (BEAT) But a sore back was worth it, just seeing all those happy kids.
BO: Yeah. It feels good to help kids who might not have a Christmas otherwise.
JOHN WALKS UP BEHIND BO AND BOB.
JOHN: Hey, is this where my tax dollars are going? Don't you two have any criminals to catch?
BO AND BOB SWING AROUND READY TO DO "BATTLE" BUT GRIN WHEN THEY SEE THAT IT'S JOHN.
BO: John, hi! What are you up to?
BOB: How 'ya doing, John.
JOHN HOLDS UP THE SHOPPING BAG HE IS CARRYING.
JOHN: Just trying to get some Christmas shopping done. (LOOKING AROUND) Me and the rest of the free world, it seems.
BO: Tell me about it, I haven't even started mine yet. Shawn-D has a list about a mile long, too.
BOB: And I'll bet that all of them will be hard to find, too!
JOHN: It won't be long before Brady is writing out lists. (LONG BEAT) I was hoping I'd run into you, Bo. I've got something to tell you...
BOB: (STANDING) I could use a coffee refill. Anyone?
BO: No thanks.
JOHN: Thanks, Bob. I'll just be a minute.
BOB: No problem.
BOB DEPARTS AND JOHN SLIDES INTO THE SEAT HE HAS JUST VACATED.
BO: What's up? Sounds kinda serious.
JOHN: It is, but in a good way. (DEEP BREATH) Shane called me; he found out what that key is for.
BO: That's fantastic! Now maybe you'll get some real answers.
JOHN: It's even better than that. The key is to a safe deposit box in a bank in Brookville. Brookville, Bo! My past could be just a few hours away!
OUT ON JOHN'S EXCITEMENT.
SALEM PLACE. JACK HAS SEVERAL SHOPPING BAGS AT HIS FEET, AND ONE IN EACH HAND. HE IS LEANING HIS RIGHT SHOULDER AGAINST THE OUTSIDE WALL OF "THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD," SALEM PLACE'S HOBBY SHOP. JACK IS STARING LONGINGLY AT THEIR DISPLAY WINDOW WHEN RICHARD COMES UP BEHIND HIM. JACK DOESN'T NOTICE WHEN RICHARD COMES AROUND AND STANDS BESIDE HIM.
RICHARD: Planning to run away on the Orient Express?
JACK: (STARTLED) Richard! (REGAINING HIS COMPOSURE) No, I would never run away from the life I have made here. (BEAT) I was just... daydreaming.
JACK PUTS THE BAG IN HIS LEFT HAND DOWN, AND USES THAT HAND TO POINT TO THE TRAIN SET THAT DOMINATES THE WINDOW DISPLAY.
JACK: (CONT'D) I always wanted a train set like this, but my fath... uhm, Harper would never let me have one. (BEAT) He thought it was just another hollow request; that I'd play with it when I got it and then forget about it once the holidays were through.
JACK TURNS TOWARD RICHARD.
JACK: (CONT'D) Do you think that my daughter might like it?
RICHARD: (CHUCKLING) Well, I don't really know Jack... I'm not up on what two-year-old girls want for Christmas. But you, my friend, sound like a typical dad... You say the toy is for the kids, but it's really for you.
JACK: (INDIGNANT) Now wait just a minute... I would never do such a thing. (CHANGING TACTICS) And what are you doing here anyway? Shouldn't you be handling Midsummer's latest crisis?
RICHARD: Sorry to disappoint you, Jack, but my desk is remarkably crisis-free this morning. (INHALING THE COLD, CRISP AIR DEEPLY) It is so nice to be outside at this time of day. (BEAT) Anyway, to answer your question, I'm doing exactly what you're doing... working on my Christmas shopping during my lunch hour.
JACK: What makes you think I've been Christmas shopping?
RICHARD POINTS TO THE BAGS AT JACK'S FEET.
JACK: (CONT'D) Oh, yes... I'm just watching these for Jennifer. (BEAT) She said she had one more shop that she wanted to dash into... (LOOKING AT HIS WATCH) I wonder what's taking so long...
RICHARD: Ah yes, that familiar tale... the lovely Mrs. Deveraux will no doubt magically appear with another dozen packages any minute now...
JACK: (SIGHING) You're probably right... (BEAT) But if that's the case, and you're headed back to the office...
JACK MOTIONS TOWARDS THE PACKAGES AT HIS FEET. RICHARD TAKES A STEP BACKWARDS.
RICHARD: Sorry Jack, gotta run! I'm going to try to finish up my shopping...
JACK: But...
RICHARD: No way, Jack. To quote Mick Jagger, I'll never be your beast of burden.
RICHARD TAKES ANOTHER STEP BACK AND GIVES JACK A SALUTE.
RICHARD: (CONT'D) (LAUGHING) Good day, sir!
RICHARD WALKS AWAY, AND JACK TURNS HIS ATTENTION BACK TO THE TRAIN SET. HE THEN LOOKS AT THE PACKAGES AROUND HIM, THEN BACK AT THE TRAIN, AND BACK AT THE PACKAGES AGAIN.
JACK: (SOTTO VOCE) Oh, my aching Visa bill...
HOLD ON JACK'S FINANCIAL PAIN.
GO TO: JOHNNY ANGEL'S. JOHN HAS LEFT AND BOB HAS REJOINED BO AT THEIR TABLE. THEY ARE JUST FINISHING UP WITH LUNCH WHEN LEIGH PASSES BY THEIR TABLE WITH A SHOPPING BAG IN EACH HAND. SHE GLANCES OVER AND BRIEFLY MAKES EYE CONTACT WITH BO.
BO: Ms. McCloud! Good afternoon...
LEIGH STOPS AND TURNS TO FACE BO. SHE TILTS HER HEAD AND LOOKS AT HIM CURIOUSLY.
LEIGH: I'm sorry... Do I know you?
BOB CANNOT SUPPRESS A SNICKER. LEIGH LOOKS OVER AT HIM, CAUSING HIM TO INNOCENTLY LOOK AWAY AND TOY WITH HIS FOOD WRAPPER.
BO: Uh... yeah. I'm Bo Brady.
LEIGH: (STILL CONFUSED) You're Bo Brady... and...
BO: We met in John's office the other day.
LEIGH: Oh... (REALIZATION DAWNS) Oh, yes! Now I remember. (BEAT) I'm sorry, Mr. Brady. The uniform threw me off.
BO: Why's that?
LEIGH: I just didn't realize that you were a... cop.
BO: Oh. What's wrong? You have something against cops?
LEIGH: Me? Oh, no, not at all. I'm sure you're a master at protecting and serving.
BOB: He'd certainly like to think so.
BO: (SARDONIC) Thank you, Bob. (BEAT) Leigh McCloud, this is my partner, Bob Wisniewski. Bob, this is Leigh McCloud.
BOB: Nice to meet you, Ms. McCloud.
LEIGH: (NODDING) Likewise, Officer Wisniewski.
BO: (LOOKING AT LEIGH'S SHOPPING BAGS) Getting a little shopping done, I see.
LEIGH: Nice detective work, Officer Brady.
BOB: (SMILING) He has his moments...
BO: (SNARLING SLIGHTLY) I can do without the help, Bob, thank you very much...
BOB BEAMS WITH AMUSEMENT.
LEIGH: (IMPATIENTLY) Well, as entertaining as this has been, I'm really in a rush. I need to get back to work.
BO: (TEASING) Awww... There's a lot more to life than work.
LEIGH: (PROVOKED) Hmph. You sound just like John Black.
BO: I just meant...
LEIGH: I really have to get back to the office. Good day.
LEIGH WALKS OFF.
BO: (MOCKING) Yeah, great seeing you, too. We'll have to do it again, soon.
BOB: Whew! That's one... um... driven lady.
BO: Tell me about it.
BOB: So, you met her through John, huh?
BO: Yeah. She's his boss.
BOB: (CONFUSED) I thought he owned the company...
BO: Wait... Yeah, that's right. I guess he's supposed to be her boss.
BOB: I get the impression that no one is that lady's boss.
BO: I think you're right, partner. (BEAT) I think you're right.
OUT ON BO.
SALEM PLACE. JACK AND JENNIFER STAND NEAR A BENCH, WITH BAGS AND PACKAGES ALL AROUND THEM. JENNIFER IS CONSULTING HER LIST WHILE JACK MASSAGES HIS HANDS. HE HOLDS ONE OF THEM OUT TO JENNIFER.
JACK: Will you look at the grooves in this hand?! I may have to go to the doctor.
JENNIFER: (ABSENTLY) You poor baby, that must hurt.
JACK: Yes, it does. You know, I could seriously damage my hands. And then I wouldn't be able to type my editorial. Or what if I throw out my back? (SITTING DOWN) And I think I've got a stone in my shoe...
JENNIFER: (LAUGHING) We're almost done, Jack. If you can carry on just a little bit more, I'll buy you a treat. Look, there's the roasted chestnut vendor.
JACK: (GRUMBLING) I don't want my chestnuts roasted.
JENNIFER: (FLIRTATIOUS) Oh really? It sure seems like that's what you're always asking me for.
JACK GRINS, BUT BEFORE HE CAN REPLY MAGGIE APPROACHES.
MAGGIE: Jennifer, Jack, hello! Doing a bit of shopping, I see.
JACK: A bit?! I'd say it's more than a bit! Look at my hand!
JENNIFER GRABS HIS HAND AND KISSES IT.
JENNIFER: Yes, dear. (TO MAGGIE) How are you coming along with your shopping, Maggie?
MAGGIE: I hoped to be farther along, but Melissa and Sarah called this morning so that threw me off schedule.
JENNIFER: I talked to Melissa last week. Has Sarah stopped worrying about her exams?
MAGGIE: I think so. She's got one more to go and then she can relax. I miss them dreadfully, but I am so happy that they've found a place to settle that they both love.
JENNIFER: One of these days we'll have to go to Nashville and visit. I miss them, too.
MAGGIE PUTS DOWN ONE OF HER BAGS AND RUMMAGES THROUGH IT.
MAGGIE: You know, while you're here, let me show you what I got Melissa for Christmas. I couldn't decide between two things, so I got them both...
JACK STARTS PULLING ON JENNIFER'S COAT.
JACK: (WHINING) I think my hand is bleeding. And I'm starting to get hungry...
JENNIFER PULLS JACK TO HIS FEET AND ROLLS HER EYES AT MAGGIE AS HE STARTS TO GATHER UP THEIR PACKAGES.
JENNIFER: All right, honey, we're going now. (TO MAGGIE) Tell you what, I'll come by your place tonight. I promised Jack a treat since he's being such a good sport about shopping.
MAGGIE: (SOTTO VOCE) I know exactly what you mean, Mickey does the same thing. (LOUDLY) Bye, then! Happy shopping!
JACK: (BESEECHING) No, no more!
HOLD ON JENNIFER LEADING JACK DOWN THE STREET.
CUT TO: HORTON KITCHEN. ABIGAIL SITS AT THE KITCHEN TABLE, ON A BOOSTER SEAT, AS ALICE AND ROSIE WORK ON CANAPÉS.
ABIGAIL: Gandma cookie.
ALICE: Do you want a cookie, Abby? Or, are you saying that Grandma is nuts?
ABIGAIL: No nuts, cookie.
ALICE AND ROSIE LAUGH. ALICE HANDS A COOKIE TO ABIGAIL.
ALICE: There you go, Abby. You can have a cookie because you're being such a good girl while Grandma and Rosie make hors d'oeuvres.
ABIGAIL: Good girl.
ROSIE SMILES AS SHE LOOKS AT ABIGAIL.
ROSIE: It's the little ones that make the holidays so special.
ALICE: We've always seemed to have children around this house. It made the season magical...
ROSIE: I remember the Horton Christmases when Jennifer was a little girl. Mike was home. Julie, Doug, and Hope were here. Robert would come over. Those are some of my happiest memories.
ALICE: Mine, too. I remember when the five children were young. We would spend weeks buying presents. Tom would...
ALICE STOPS ABRUPTLY. ROSIE STOPS STUFFING CELERY AND LOOKS AT ALICE.
ROSIE: Don't you fret, Alice. I know it won't be the same without Dr. Tom, but we'll make it a good Christmas.
ALICE: Tom would want us to have a good Christmas... to carry on the family traditions...
ROSIE: You're right. Dr. Tom's first priority was to his family's happiness. He wanted his wife, children, grandchildren... (ROSIE LOOKS AT ABIGAIL.) And, his great-grandchildren to be happy. (BEAT, SHAKING HER HEAD) I can't believe we're discussing great-grandchildren.
ALICE: Why?
ROSIE: Because I remember the day Jennifer was born like it was yesterday.
ALICE: How could any of us forget that? Bill and Laura stranded in that blizzard... If they hadn't found your house...
ROSIE: And, Dr. Bill having to deliver his own daughter... It was a miracle...
ALICE: And it came full circle.
ROSIE: Whaddya mean?
ALICE: Jack had to deliver his own daughter...
ROSIE: (STARTLED) What? Jack Deveraux delivered this little angel?
ALICE: I can't believe Jack and Jennifer didn't tell you the story!
ROSIE: Not a word.
ALICE: Well, I guess it's up to me. Maybe you'd better sit down for this story...
OUT ON ALICE AND ROSIE.
JACK AND JENNIFER'S LIVING ROOM. JACK AND JENNIFER ENTER, EACH DRAGGING VARIOUS PACKAGES AND BAGS. JACK IMMEDIATELY FLOPS ON THE COUCH, MASSAGING HIS HANDS. JENNIFER ROLLS HER EYES AT HIM AND HEADS FOR THE KITCHEN.
JENNIFER: Rosie? Abby? We're home!
JACK LOOKS AT THE MOUNTAIN OF PACKAGES WITH GROWING HORROR.
JACK: I've just realized that all this stuff has to be wrapped. It never ends!
JENNIFER COMES BACK OUT OF THE KITCHEN HOLDING A NOTE.
JACK: (CONT'D) Where is everybody?
JENNIFER: They left a note. (READING) "Abby and I have gone to Alice's to bake cookies and have a sleep-over. Now you can hide everything like good Santa's elves. Dinner's in the fridge. See you in the morning." (BEAT) What would we do without Rosie, Jack?
JACK: I don't know. Go crazier than we already are, I guess.
JENNIFER: Okay, we've got a lot of things to do. (COUNTING ON HER FINGERS) Wrap and hide the presents. Put up the tree and decorate. Hang the stockings. Do the outdoor decorations.
JACK GETS UP AND STARTS RUMMAGING THROUGH ONE OF THE BAGS.
JENNIFER: (CONT'D) Oh good, you start the wrapping and I'll go and get the decorations.
JACK EMERGES FROM A BAG, HOLDING UP THE TRAIN SET HE WAS ADMIRING EARLIER.
JACK: Actually, I thought while you were doing all that, I could get this masterpiece put together. What do you think?
HOLD ON JACK ADMIRING THE TRAIN SET AS JENNIFER LOOKS AT HIM, INCREDULOUS.
CUT TO: JO'S APARTMENT. JO, VERN AND STEPHANIE ARE BAKING CHRISTMAS COOKIES. JO IS BUSY ROLLING THE DOUGH, WHILE VERN USES THE COOKIE CUTTERS. STEPHANIE HAS SOME SMALL BOWLS OF COLORED FROSTING, AND IS DECORATING THE FINISHED COOKIES; MORE FROSTING IS ON HER THAN THE COOKIES.
STEPHANIE: (HOLDING UP A BRIGHTLY DECORATED SNOWMAN) How's this one, Grandma?
JO: It's absolutely beautiful, sweetheart.
STEPHANIE SMILES AND GOES BACK TO DECORATING. JO PUTS DOWN THE ROLLING PIN AND GIVES VERN A HUG.
JO: (CONT'D) I'm just so happy that you were able to take a day off to spend with us... (SMILING SHYLY) With me.
VERN: I think Jack's getting soft in his old age; he didn't even ask for an emergency telephone number this time.
VERN KISSES JO ON THE CHEEK JUST AS STEPHANIE PULLS ON JO'S APRON.
STEPHANIE: Grandma? Can I give the Gingerbread Man a green smile? And can I make the Christmas tree blue? And can I...
JO: (TAKING STEPHANIE'S CHIN IN HER HAND) You can do whatever you want with the decorations, Stephanie.
STEPHANIE HUGS JO, WHO HUGS HER GRANDDAUGHTER BACK.
STEPHANIE: I love you, Grandma.
JO: I love you, too, sweetheart.
STEPHANIE GOES BACK TO HER DECORATING SUPPLIES. JO TURNS BACK TO VERN.
JO: The season's all about children, isn't it? (BEAT) I'm glad that you're going to be spending the holidays with your kids this year. (BEAT) I know how much you miss them... (QUIETLY) and I know what it feels like to miss your children.
VERN NOTICES A TEAR STARTING TO FORM IN JO'S EYE, AND GIVE HER HIS HANDKERCHIEF.
VERN: I've got a great idea. Why don't you let Stephanie and I work on the cookies for awhile, and you go give Adrienne a call?
JO: (SMILING) Oh Vern... you sure you'll be alright?
THEY BOTH LOOK OVER AT STEPHANIE.
VERN: If I can handle Jack, then dealing with an almost five-year-old is a breeze.
JO SMILES AT HIM, THEN LEAVES THE ROOM. HOLD ON VERN AS HE GOES TO INSPECT STEPHANIE'S WORKS OF COOKIE ART.
CUT TO: BROOKVILLE BANK. JOHN IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES WITH MR. MCVIE, THE BANK MANAGER. JOHN HANDS THE KEY TO MR. MCVIE.
JOHN: I appreciate your cooperation, Mr. McVie.
MCVIE: You're quite welcome, Mr. Black. Captain Donovan said that this was a very important I.S.A. matter, so of course, we'll do anything we can to help.
MR. MCVIE INSERTS THE KEYS INTO ONE OF THE SMALL DOORS. HE TURNS THE KEYS AND OPENS THE DOOR.
MCVIE: (CONT'D) Here we are...
MCVIE PULLS THE BOX OUT OF THE WALL.
MCVIE: (CONT'D) Follow me, please.
MR. MCVIE LEADS JOHN DOWN THE HALLWAY TO A SMALL, PRIVATE ROOM. HE HANDS THE BOX TO JOHN AND OPENS THE DOOR FOR HIM.
MCVIE: (CONT'D) Take as much time as you need.
JOHN: (ENTERING THE ROOM) Thank you.
MR. MCVIE CLOSES THE DOOR BEHIND JOHN. JOHN GOES TO A SMALL TABLE AND SITS DOWN.
JOHN: (CONT'D) Okay, Carly, let's see what was such a secret that you had to keep it locked up in the next town...
JOHN OPENS THE BOX. IT CONTAINS SEVERAL JOURNALS, ALL WITH IDENTICAL COVERS. HE PICKS UP ONE OF THE BOOKS AND OPENS IT.
JOHN: (CONT'D, LOOKING AT THE PAGE) Carly's handwriting...
JOHN TURNS A FEW PAGES, PERUSING THEM.
JOHN: (CONT'D) I'll be damned... Carly's diaries!
JOHN SHAKES HIS HEAD AND SMILES.
JOHN: (CONT'D) You were right, Dr. Ector... Now I don't need to remember what I saw in Carly's diary.
JOHN CLOSES THE BOOK AND SLAPS IT AGAINST HIS OPEN PALM.
JOHN: (CONT'D) Now I have it right here in my hands. (LONG BEAT) Well, let's see if Carly can uncover any of the secrets of my past...
JOHN OPENS THE BOOK TO THE FIRST PAGE AND BEGINS TO READ INTENTLY. OUT ON JOHN'S CONCENTRATION.
JACK AND JENNIFER'S LIVING ROOM. THE ROOM IS LOOKING MUCH MORE FESTIVE. JENNIFER HAS DECORATED THE ROOM WITH PINE BOUGHS, RED AND GREEN RIBBONS, WREATHS, AND OTHER CHRISTMAS ITEMS. THE TREE IS STRUNG WITH LIGHTS, AND JENNIFER IS BUSY HANGING ORNAMENTS. JACK COMES DOWN THE STAIRS, LOOKING AROUND AT ALL OF THE DECORATIONS.
JACK: My, my... You've certainly decked the halls, haven't you?
JENNIFER: Uh-huh. (BEAT) I could use some help with this tree, you know.
JACK: (WALKING TOWARD THE SOFA) I don't know... You seem to be doing very well on your own.
JENNIFER: Come on, Jack. I'm serious...
JACK: So am I. You're doing an excellent job. (BEAT) Why don't you carry on, while I... work on something else?
JENNIFER: (TURNING TO LOOK AT JACK) What are you going to work on?
JACK BENDS DOWN AND PICKS UP A LARGE BOX THAT IS SITTING BEHIND THE SOFA. HE CARRIES IT AROUND THE SOFA AND SETS IT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM.
JACK: (SITTING NEXT TO THE BOX) What you wouldn't let me do earlier... I'm going to put this train set together.
JENNIFER: (SKEPTICAL) Are you sure that's a good idea?
JACK: Sure, I'm sure.
JENNIFER: Have you ever done anything like this before?
JACK: Well... no...
JENNIFER: Well, then...
JACK: But, how hard could it be? (BEAT) I'm sure that a man of my intelligence and skill...
JENNIFER: (INTERRUPTING, MISCHIEVOUSLY) And modesty...
JACK: (GIVING JENNIFER THE EYE) ... can handle this with ease.
JACK OPENS THE BOX AND BEGINS PULLING OUT THE CONTENTS: PIECES OF TRACK, TRAIN CARS, SMALLER BOXES, SMALL PLASTIC BAGS, ETC.
JENNIFER: Where's the instruction manual?
JACK: Instruction manual? I don't need no stinkin' instruction manual!
JENNIFER: Oh, please... (BEAT) It must be a chromosomal thing.
JACK: What must be a chromosomal thing?
JENNIFER: That men always refuse to ask for directions... or read instruction manuals.
JACK: (INDIGNANT) That is not true!
JENNIFER: Yeah, right... If that's not true, then why do half of the households in America have VCRs with clocks flashing 12:00 AM?
JACK BEGINS TO REPLY, BUT STOPS HIMSELF, AS HE LOOKS OVER AND SEES HIS VCR FLASHING "12:00." HE SITS AND STARES AT JENNIFER, SPEECHLESS. JENNIFER ALLOWS HERSELF A SATISFIED CHUCKLE. HOLD ON JACK'S SILENT INDIGNATION.
CUT TO: SMALL NURSES' STATION / LOUNGE. JULIE AND DOUG ARE SITTING AT A TABLE, SIPPING COFFEE, WHEN MAGGIE ENTERS.
JULIE: Hello Maggie! Please, come join us.
DOUG STANDS AND OFFERS MAGGIE HIS CHAIR. MAGGIE TAKES A SEAT, WHILE DOUG GETS ANOTHER CHAIR FOR HIMSELF.
MAGGIE: How are you two? Neither of you look like you got much sleep.
DOUG: Sleep? What's that?
MAGGIE: Has there been any change in Robert's condition?
DOUG: We don't know. We're waiting to hear from Bill.
JULIE: He's checking on Robert now.
MAGGIE: How about CJ? How's he holding up?
JULIE: About as well as can be expected.
DOUG: He's putting up a strong front, but I know how much he's hurting inside.
BILL ENTERS, AND WALKS UP TO THE TABLE WHERE DOUG, JULIE, AND MAGGIE ARE SITTING.
JULIE: Uncle Bill, is there any news?
BILL: Yes, actually it looks as if Robert is showing some improvement.
MAGGIE SMILES AND SIGHS WITH RELIEF, WHILE DOUG AND JULIE SQUEEZE EACH OTHERS' HANDS.
MAGGIE: Oh Bill, this is wonderful news!
DOUG: I knew he'd pull through.
BILL: While this is a definite improvement, I don't want everybody to get their hopes up too much. His condition can still go either way.
JULIE: Yes, you're right. But still, this is the first good news we've had in ages. I can't help but be happy about it.
DOUG: CJ! Does CJ know?
BILL: Yes, I told him the news first. He's with his father now.
DOUG: What happens now?
BILL: The best we can do is wait and see.
HOLD ON BILL.
CUT TO: HORTON KITCHEN. ALICE TRANSFERS COOKIES FROM A BAKING SHEET TO A WIRE COOLING RACK AS ROSIE DECORATES A TRAY OF GINGERBREAD MEN. ABIGAIL SITS ON THE FLOOR NEARBY PLAYING WITH SOME COOKIE CUTTERS. NORM LAYS NEARBY, ON GUARD.
ALICE: And that's how Abigail was born. You can imagine how relieved we were when the phone rang and it was Jack telling us everything was all right.
ROSIE: It has come full circle, hasn't it? (BEAT) Well, I must say I'm impressed. I knew there was more to Jack Deveraux than met the eye.
ALICE: I always knew it would take a very special man to win Jennifer Rose's heart. Though, you know Jack, we can't say that too often to his face.
ROSIE: (SMILES AND NODS) And Abigail, what a beautiful name.
ALICE TURNS TO WATCH ABIGAIL PLAYING.
ALICE: I was so pleased that Jennifer wanted to name her daughter after my mother. I see a lot of similarities already.
ROSIE PUTS HER ARM AROUND ALICE'S SHOULDERS AND LOOKS AT ABIGAIL FONDLY.
ROSIE: Just think of it, Alice. All those generations of women... First Abigail, then you, Laura, Jennifer and now another Abigail. I think your mother would be proud.
ALICE: I think so too. I know I am.
OUT ON THE TWO WOMEN.
MARCUS' APARTMENT. MARCUS IS LIGHTING THE CANDLES ON A DINNER TABLE SET WITH CHINA, CRYSTAL, SILVER AND A FLORAL CENTERPIECE. THE LIGHTS ARE LOW. THERE IS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR. MARCUS OPENS THE DOOR TO KAYLA. SHE WALKS IN AND ADMIRES THE ROOM.
KAYLA: Ohhhh... How romantic. The place looks beautiful.
MARCUS: Not nearly as beautiful as the guest.
KAYLA: Thank you.
KAYLA CONSIDERS MARCUS' SARTORIAL SPLENDOR.
KAYLA: (CONT'D) But look at you... I would like some tips on how you manage to stay so elegant after putting together such an extravagant and beautiful evening.
MARCUS: I am inspired by the woman of my dreams.
KAYLA: You'll have to give me her name.
MARCUS DRAWS CLOSE TO KAYLA. HE LEANS FORWARD TO HUG HER AND WHISPERS IN HER EAR.
MARCUS: Kayla Brady Johnson.
KAYLA GIGGLES AND THE TWO KISS. MARCUS SLIDES OFF KAYLA'S COAT AND ABRUPTLY STOPS KISSING HER.
MARCUS: (CONT'D) Let me hang this up for you.
KAYLA: I would rather continue what we were doing...
MARCUS: Tempting... Ms. Brady... tempting... After all, tonight is for romance. But, there is nothing romantic about a burnt dinner. So hold that thought...
MARCUS DUCKS INTO THE KITCHEN. KAYLA WALKS AROUND THE ROOM, ADMIRING THE AMBIENCE MARCUS HAS OBVIOUSLY GONE TO GREAT LENGTHS TO CREATE. MARCUS RETURNS WITH A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE.
MARCUS: (CONT'D) I checked dinner. Things are going well. Meanwhile, would the heart-stoppingly gorgeous dinner guest like some champagne?
KAYLA: I think the flattery is making me drunk enough. But, for champagne, I'll risk it.
KAYLA SITS ON THE SOFA. MARCUS POURS TWO GLASSES OF CHAMPAGNE AND THEN SITS NEXT TO KAYLA ON THE SOFA.
MARCUS: A toast to Kayla Brady, who brought more love and happiness to my life than one man deserves.
THE TWO TASTE THE CHAMPAGNE.
MARCUS: (CONT'D) And, another toast, this time to Jo Johnson for babysitting and making tonight possible.
KAYLA: Jo's the greatest.
MARCUS: I hope she didn't mind sitting with Steph tonight.
KAYLA: They're in Christmas cookie heaven... I doubt either one of them even noticed that I was gone...
A TIMER GOES OFF IN THE KITCHEN. MARCUS STANDS AND OFFERS KAYLA HIS HAND.
MARCUS: If you'll have a seat at the table and prepare yourself for a culinary masterpiece, I will be right back with a meal you're not likely to forget...
HOLD ON MARCUS' EXCITEMENT.
CUT TO: JACK AND JENNIFER'S LIVING ROOM. A FIRE IS NOW BLAZING IN THE FIREPLACE. THE TREE IS COMPLETELY DECORATED. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM, JACK IS SURROUNDED, AND PARTIALLY BURIED, BY PLASTIC WRAPPING, BOXES, AND PIECES OF TRAIN TRACK. HE IS NOW READING THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL. HE SETS THE MANUAL ON HIS LAP AND PICKS UP TWO PIECES OF TRACK.
JACK: (READING ALOUD) "Attach section T7 to section T8..."
JACK SLIDES THE TWO PIECES OF TRACK TOGETHER.
JACK: (CONT'D) "Secure the joint using clamp D." (BEAT, AS JACK LOOKS AROUND) Clamp D, clamp D... Okay, where the heck is clamp D?
JACK BEGINS RUMMAGING THROUGH THE MESS.
JACK: (CONT'D) Hmph. What good is reading the directions when they tell you to use pieces that they didn't include in the box? (BEAT) All right, clamp D, I don't know where you're hiding, but you'd better show yourself before I... I... (DISGUSTED) I'm talking to a piece from a toy train set.
JENNIFER ENTERS FROM THE KITCHEN, CARRYING A TRAY WITH HOT TODDIES AND COOKIES.
JENNIFER: How's it going, Mr. Engineer?
JACK GRUMBLES.
JENNIFER: (WALKING AROUND THE SOFA) Oh, that good, huh? (LOOKING AT THE MESS) Wow... Looks like the Little Engine that Couldn't.
JACK: Very funny, dear. (LOOKING AT THE TRAY) What do you have there?
JENNIFER: (SETTING THE TRAY ON THE COFFEE TABLE) Rosie made some cookies earlier, and I just made hot toddies to go with. (BEAT) Come on, I think you need a break.
JACK: No, what I need is clamp D!
JENNIFER: (CONFUSED) What?
JACK: Never mind. (BEAT) How do I always manage to get myself into messes like this?
JENNIFER SITS DOWN NEXT TO HIM.
JACK: (CONT'D) I'm sure the child would have been happy with the little pre-school train set, but no... I had to go for the super-deluxe model that only a real train conductor could put together...
JENNIFER REACHES OVER AND HUGS HIM.
JENNIFER: You get yourself into these things because deep down, you're just a big softie who would do anything for his little girl.
JACK: Bah... humbug. Humbug, I say!
JENNIFER: Jack Deveraux, stop that. You're sounding like an old Grinch. (BEAT, AS JENNIFER'S EYES WIDEN WITH INSPIRATION) But... I know how I can make the Grinch's heart grow three times this day.
SHE LEANS OVER AND KISSES HIM. AFTER A FEW SECONDS, JACK PULLS BACK AND EYES HER SUSPICIOUSLY.
JACK: Are you sure it's my heart you're interested in?
JENNIFER UNBUTTONS THE TOP FEW BUTTONS OF JACK'S SHIRT AND KISSES HIS CHEST.
JENNIFER: Uh-huh... Your heart...
JACK: Just my heart, eh?
JENNIFER: Well... (LOOKING UP INTO HIS EYES) Your eyes, too.
SHE KISSES HIS EYES.
JACK: I see. (BEAT) Anything else?
JENNIFER: Um... Your lips.
SHE KISSES HIM PASSIONATELY ON THE LIPS.
JACK: Okay... Anything else? Any other parts of me that have caught your fancy?
JENNIFER: (MISCHIEVOUSLY) I don't know... Maybe you'll have to remind me.
JACK: Hmmm... I seem to recall a promise you made to me this afternoon.
JENNIFER: (PLAYING DUMB) A promise?
JACK: Yes. Something regarding roasted chestnuts, I believe.
JENNIFER: Oh... Yes, I remember, now. (BEAT) I think something like that could be arranged...
THEY KISS PASSIONATELY AND LOWER THEMSELVES TO THE FLOOR. OUT ON THE TWO.
MARCUS' APARTMENT. KAYLA AND MARCUS ARE SITTING AT THE DINNER TABLE. ONLY A FEW REMNANTS OF DINNER REMAIN ON THEIR PLATES. KAYLA CAREFULLY DABS HER MOUTH WITH HER NAPKIN.
KAYLA: That was indeed a culinary masterpiece!
MARCUS: Thank you for the compliment.
KAYLA: I thought the dish you made for Thanksgiving was a one-time deal, but you've proven me wrong. I had no idea you were such a fine and varied chef.
MARCUS: When you're a bachelor, you either learn to cook, or live on Chinese take-out and pizza. (BEAT) I decided to learn to cook.
KAYLA: You sure did. It was simply delicious.
MARCUS STANDS, AND GOES OVER TO THE STEREO. HE TURNS ON THE CD PLAYER. WE HEAR STING'S "WHEN WE DANCE" BEGIN. MARCUS WALKS OVER TO KAYLA, BOWS, AND OFFERS HIS HAND.
MARCUS: May I have this dance, Madame?
KAYLA: Why, thank you. I never thought you'd ask.
KAYLA PLACES HER HAND IN MARCUS' AND STANDS. HE LEADS HER INTO THE LIVING ROOM. THEY BEGIN TO DANCE SLOWLY, HOLDING EACH OTHER CLOSELY. KAYLA LIGHTLY RESTS HER HEAD AGAINST MARCUS' AND CLOSES HER EYES. MARCUS SMILES AND TURNS HIS FACE TOWARDS KAYLA'S. HE CARESSES HER FACE, AND THEY KISS. THEY CONTINUE TO MOVE SLOWLY TO THE MUSIC, STOPPING EVERY OTHER STEP TO KISS. HOLD ON THE TWO, KISSING.
CUT TO: JACK AND JENNIFER'S LIVING ROOM. JACK AND JENNIFER ARE LOUNGING IN FRONT OF THE FIRE, SNUGGLED UNDER A BLANKET. JACK REACHES UP TO GET THE HOT TODDIES FROM THE END TABLE AND HANDS ONE TO JENNIFER. THEY SIP QUIETLY FOR A MOMENT.
JACK: Now this is the perfect way to spend the holidays. Forget the shopping and the bustle. Just give me a roaring fire and let me make love to my beautiful wife.
JENNIFER: There's more, I think.
JACK: Nope, this is it.
JENNIFER: Trust me, there's more.
JACK: Well, all right, I see your point. Christmas is about children and I love making Abigail happy. And then there are the families. And you've got the world's most amazing family... (KISSING JENNIFER'S TEMPLE) But these moments alone with you mean the world to me.
JENNIFER: That's true, but there's still more.
JACK: What else could there possibly be?
JENNIFER: (WICKED SMILE) Jack. There's more!
JENNIFER GRABS THE BLANKET AND PULLS IT OVER THEIR HEADS. THE TWO OF THEM START TO GIGGLE.
JACK: Oh! You're right, there is more!
OUT ON THEIR HUDDLED FORMS UNDER THE BLANKET.
SMALL NURSES' STATION/LOUNGE. JULIE, DOUG, MAGGIE, BILL ARE CHEERFUL ABOUT THE NEWS THAT ROBERT IS SHOWING IMPROVEMENT.
MAGGIE: I can't wait to call Mickey. He'll want to know right away.
DOUG: Thanks for the good news, Bill. Anything is encouraging at this point.
BILL: Remember, we're not out of the woods, yet. So, don't get too excited.
DOUG: I'll try, but it's so good to hear any encouraging word, especially so close to Christmas.
JULIE: Christmas... I'd almost forgotten about it... Time nearly ceases in hospital waiting rooms... (BEAT) Uncle Bill, how are the plans coming for Christmas?
BILL: Everything is going as anticipated. We should all meet here before going to Mom's to finish the day.
JULIE: Grandma is going to love this... I just wish I had done more to help...
MAGGIE: You help? You've practically been living here. How about me asking if there's anything I can do for you two?
JULIE: We're okay. There's still time to get all the holiday chores done.
DOUG: But thanks for the offer, Maggie.
MAGGIE: Well, if you change your mind, let me know.
JULIE: Thanks, I will. But I think Uncle Bill's news about Robert is a portent of things to come... good things...
HOLD ON JULIE'S HOPEFULNESS.
CUT TO: ROBERT'S HOSPITAL ROOM. CJ IS SITTING IN A CHAIR NEXT TO ROBERT'S BED. HE IS HOLDING ROBERT'S HAND AND TALKING SOFTLY TO HIM.
CJ: Mon Pere, remember the first time you took me to the circus? All the bright colors and loud music...
CJ LOOKS UP, AND SMILES, REMEMBERING.
CJ: (CONT'D) I told you that I wanted an elephant for my next birthday, and you laughed and asked me where I would keep such a gigantic animal. (CJ LAUGHS SOFTLY) I told you it could stay in my room.
TEARS BEGIN TO FORM IN CJ'S EYES.
CJ: (CONT'D) One of the clowns scared me so much, that I ran and hid behind the seats. Papa, you calmed me down and brought me to watch one of the clowns put on his makeup. You showed me that they weren't monsters.
CJ KISSES ROBERT'S HAND.
CJ: (CONT'D) I needed you then, Papa, and I still need you now. (SOFTLY) I love you, Papa.
SUDDENLY, ROBERT BEGINS TO STIR. CJ'S EYES GROW WIDE.
CJ: (CONT'D) Papa? Mon Pere? Can you here me? Papa?
SLOWLY, ROBERT'S EYES OPEN. HE TRIES TO FOCUS HIS VISION.
ROBERT: (GROGGY) CJ? Is it you?
TEARS ARE FALLING FREELY FROM CJ'S EYES, BUT HE SMILES BRIGHTLY.
CJ: Mon Pere! It's me, Charles... You're going to be all right.
HOLD ON CJ'S JOY.
CUT TO: MARCUS' APARTMENT. THE MUSIC STOPS, BUT MARCUS AND KAYLA CONTINUE DANCING. KAYLA BEGINS TO KISS MARCUS' NECK. SHE STARTS KISSING HIM AT THE BASE OF HIS NECK AND CONTINUES UPWARDS UNTIL SHE REACHES HIS LIPS. SHE KISSES HIM LIGHTLY ON THE LIPS, AND AGAIN, THIS TIME MORE SERIOUS. THE KISS BECOMES PASSIONATE. MARCUS SUDDENLY PULLS BACK, LEAVING KAYLA LOOKING RATHER CONFUSED.
KAYLA: What's wrong?
MARCUS: Nothing's wrong. We haven't had dessert yet.
KAYLA: Dessert? I like that idea.
KAYLA SMILES AND STARTS TO UNBUTTON MARCUS' SHIRT. MARCUS BREATHES DEEPLY AND TAKES KAYLA'S HAND.
MARCUS: No, really. Dessert.
MARCUS LEADS KAYLA BACK TO THE TABLE.
MARCUS: (CONT'D) I have one more masterpiece I want you to see.
KAYLA: What could it be that's so special?
MARCUS PICKS UP THEIR DINNER DISHES AND WALKS INTO THE KITCHEN.
MARCUS: (V.O. FROM THE KITCHEN) Wait and see!
KAYLA, STILL LOOKING CONFUSED, SIGHS AND LEANS BACK IN HER SEAT, WAITING FOR MARCUS. A FEW MOMENTS LATER, MARCUS WALKS BACK, CARRYING A CHOCOLATE EXTRAVAGANZA. HE PLACES IT ON THE TABLE IN FRONT OF KAYLA.
KAYLA: My goodness! This looks magnificent. What is it?
MARCUS: A chocolate mousse torte. (POINT TO THE DECORATIONS ON TOP) It's decorated with chocolate shavings and gold leaf.
MARCUS CUTS A PIECE FOR KAYLA AND PLACES IT ON A PLATE.
MARCUS: (CONT'D) Here you go. I want to make sure you get one of the gold leaves. They were custom ordered. (BEAT) Go ahead, try it.
KAYLA TAKES A BITE.
KAYLA: Mmm! Marcus, this is not only beautiful, but it's delicious as well.
MARCUS: Thank you. Be careful of the gold leaf. It's not edible.
KAYLA REMOVES THE GOLD LEAF FROM HER PIECE, AND DISCOVERS A RING, WITH A LARGE PEAR-SHAPED DIAMOND, HIDDEN BENEATH IT. HER EYES WIDEN.
KAYLA: Marcus! What is this?
MARCUS TAKES THE RING AND CAREFULLY WIPES IT OFF WITH A NAPKIN. HE STANDS IN FRONT OF KAYLA, AND GETS DOWN ON ONE KNEE. KAYLA WATCHES HIM, WITH TEARS IN HER EYES. MARCUS TAKES KAYLA'S LEFT HAND.
MARCUS: Kayla. (TAKES A DEEP BREATH) You're my best friend... My one... my only... true love. I can't imagine my life without you in it. I don't ever want to imagine my life without you... or without Stephanie.
KAYLA WIPES AWAY THE TEARS BEGINNING TO FALL DOWN HER FACE.
MARCUS: (CONT'D) Kayla Brady Johnson, will you do me the honor of marrying me?
KAYLA TRIES TO CONTROL HER TEARS ENOUGH TO SPEAK.
KAYLA: Will I marry you?
MARCUS NODS HIS HEAD, IN HOPEFUL ANTICIPATION.
KAYLA: (CONT'D) Oh Marcus! Of course I'll marry you. I love you.
WITH HIS FINGERS TREMBLING, MARCUS SLIPS THE RING ON KAYLA'S FINGER AND KISSES IT. HE PULLS BACK, SMILES, AND LETS OUT A HOLLER. KAYLA HAPPILY LAUGHS. HE STANDS, AND SWEEPS KAYLA INTO HIS ARMS, KISSING HER ALL OVER HER FACE. MARCUS LIFTS HER UP AND SPINS HER AROUND, LAUGHING AND KISSING. AND OUT ON THEIR HAPPINESS. FADE TO BLACK.