JENNIFER: The odds aren't very good, are they?

JACK: They are.... they're not really bad either. They're.... they're.... they're okay.

JENNIFER: Yeah, but I'm not. I'm not okay. There's something wrong. There's something wrong with us and there's something wrong with our relationship. And it's nothing that kissing you or making love to you can cure.

JACK: That's what I've always said. So what are you saying?

JENNIFER: I'm saying that I need help. I need more help and I've known this for a while. I need to go back to therapy. And it would mean a lot to me if you were there with me.

 

JACK IS NOT SURE ABOUT THIS.

 

JENNIFER: Will you come, will you do that for me Jack?

JACK: You know I'm not exactly the poster boy for mental health.

JENNIFER: Jack, I know that you were in therapy. It's nothing to be ashamed about.

JACK: I'm not ashamed of it. I just know I'd ruin your whole experience.

JENNIFER: Well you know what, why don't we just try it and see what happens.

JACK: I know what would happen. I'd be there to help you with your problem and I would become the problem. You don't need that.

 

JACK SITS DOWN ON THE SOFA AND HIS BODY LANGUAGE MAKES IT OBVIOUS THAT HE DOES NOT WANT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

 

JENNIFER: You know Jack, you don't have to explain. I know why you don't want to go to therapy with me. JACK: Oh you do, Dr. Ruth, why?

JENNIFER: Because once we get through this and once we prosecute Lawrence and this is all behind us, there won't be one single thing standing in our way.

JACK: So?

JENNIFER: That's what you're afraid of. You're afraid to be happy.

 

JACK'S FACE SHOWS THAT SHE IS RIGHT.

 

JENNIFER: But you won't be happy unless you feel you deserve it. Unless you really really believe that you have a right to it. (Beat) And that somebody won't take it away from you just like everything else has been taken away from you in your life.

JACK: Yes.... like that green tuna casserole.

JENNIFER: Well you have to do what you have to do Jack and I have to do what I have to do. And I have to call Dr. Baker and I have to make an appointment to see her.

JACK: No you're not.

JENNIFER: Yes I am.

 

JACK PUTS HIS HAND ON HERS, STOPPING HER FROM CALLING.

JACK: No you're not. You're going to make an appointment for both of us. (Beat) I mean who knows, maybe we can get the two for one rate, cheaply. But with two cots. I mean we don't want to give the poor doctor a heart attack, do we?

 

JENNIFER GRINS.

 

JENNIFER: Whatever works Jack. That's all I really care about.

JACK: Well I'm not making any promises here you understand.

JENNIFER: I don't want you to make any promises. You have already given me more than I can tell you Jack.

SCENE THREE: A LITTLE LATER, JENNIFER HAS CALLED DR. BAKER AND JACK DECIDES TO CALL JO AND SEE HOW SHE IS DOING.

 

JENNIFER: Was your mother home?

JACK: No and neither was Neil. So I was supposed to eat dinner over there with her. What am I supposed to do now?

JENNIFER: Well maybe she's on her way home. I mean maybe you should meet her there and then go to dinner. I mean I'll be right here.

JACK: Are you sure?

JENNIFER: Yeah, yeah, I'm sure. Don't keep her waiting.

JACK: She's not even home. I...alright, alright. I'll go and I'll just drop by here around nine o'clock.

JENNIFER: Okay.

JACK: Yeah.

JENNIFER: Nine o'clock sounds good.

JACK: On second thought.... why don't we make that eight-thirty. Eight-thirty.

JENNIFER: Alright, I'll meet you back here around eight-thirty then.

 

JACK GOES TO THE DOOR BUT HESITATES BEFORE LEAVING.

 

JACK: Correct that.... eight o'clock. You've had her cooking.

 

JENNIFER SMILES AS SHE SHUTS THE DOOR. JENNIFER GOES OVER TO THE HOPE CHEST THAT JACK GAVE HER FOR CHRISTMAS AND TAKES OUT THE FIREMAN DOLL AND BRIDE DOLL THAT HE GAVE HER. THEN SHE FINDS THE SHELL RING AND SHE IS LOOKING AT IT WHEN SHE HEARS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

 

JENNIFER: It never fails. Alright, what is it this time?

 

LAWRENCE IS STANDING AT THE DOOR.

 

LAWRENCE: I think you know exactly what it is Jennifer.

JENNIFER: How did you get out of jail so quickly?

LAWRENCE: You have an interesting system in this country. The accused calls his lawyer and the lawyer writes a check. I'm told it's called posting bail. Perhaps you're familiar with the phrase.

JENNIFER: Why did you come here?

LAWRENCE: You know Jennifer, your manners have deteriorated sadly since you left me. You should have invited me in by now.

JENNIFER: I have no intention of inviting you in here Lawrence.

LAWRENCE: You'd prefer to put on a show for the neighborhood?

 

JENNIFER HESITATES AND LAWRENCE WALKS IN. SHE LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN.

 

LAWRENCE: You made a mistake Jennifer. A grave mistake. But I'm prepared to give you another chance.

JENNIFER: What are you talking about?

LAWRENCE: Withdraw your accusation.

JENNIFER: I will never do that.

LAWRENCE: You can't win. You must know that.

JENNIFER: You raped me and you are going to pay for it.

LAWRENCE: You were my wife! I had every reason to believe you were welcoming my advances.

JENNIFER: THAT'S A LIE. YOU KNEW THAT I DIDN'T WANT YOU LAWRENCE.

LAWRENCE: It was our wedding night. You came to my room. I have witnesses to that much. And as for the rest, well it's my word against yours. Do you know what I intend to tell the court? You poured me champagne. As a matter of fact you pressed it on me. You were flirtatious, provocative.... in your wedding gown and out of it.

 

JENNIFER'S EYES FILL WITH TEARS.

 

LAWRENCE: We made love. I won't deny it. The question is, will you? (Beat) You haven't answered my question.

JENNIFER: I don't intend to answer your question.

LAWRENCE: We made love. If you can't deny it to me, how can you deny it in court? Face it Jennifer, you wanted me, admit to that.

JENNIFER: We didn't make love. I told you no. I told you to stop over and over.

LAWRENCE: You're lying.

JENNIFER: YOU'RE LYING. And when we get into that courtroom, the whole world is going to hear my side of the story. Do you know what I intend to tell the courtroom Lawrence? You knew that our marriage was a farce and the only reason that I went through with it and that I went to your room and that I gave you that champagne was because I had no choice. Because people that I love and care about would have been hurt otherwise by you.

LAWRENCE: That will be very difficult to prove.

JENNIFER: Well just like you said, it will be my word against yours. Except that I have truth on my side.

 

JENNIFER WALKS TO THE FIREPLACE AND LAWRENCE TURNS AWAY FROM THE DOOR TO TALK TO HER. AT THAT POINT JACK COMES BACK.

 

LAWRENCE: And no doubt your testimony will be accompanied by all the tears that you can manufacture. But tell me something, do you seriously think that anyone is going to believe you?

JACK: What if everyone believes her Lawrence?

SCENE FOUR: LAWRENCE TURNS AROUND IN SURPRISE.

 

JACK: I mean isn't that what you're afraid of, if everyone believes her?

 

LAWRENCE GLARES AT JACK.

JACK: Please go upstairs Miss Horton.

JENNIFER: Jack I know what you're trying to do. You....

 

JACK IS ADAMANT.

 

JACK: Please just do it! Please.

 

JENNIFER RELUCTANTLY GOES UPSTAIRS AND LEAVES JACK AND LAWRENCE ALONE. LAWRENCE PICKS UP THE BRIDE DOLL AND CARESSES IT.

 

JACK: What are you doing here Lawrence? I know you couldn't have been invited.

LAWRENCE: No.... not this time.

 

JACK IS BARELY HOLDING ONTO HIS TEMPER.

 

JACK: Perhaps I could show you to the door?

 

LAWRENCE DROPS THE DOLL AND WALKS TO THE DOOR. THERE HE TURNS BACK TO JACK.

 

LAWRENCE: You know I really didn't expect this, not from you Jack.

JACK: What do you mean, what are you talking about?

LAWRENCE : Please, don't be disingenuous, it's not your style. You know how much we have in common. Or have you forgotten your former wife's accusations against you?

 

JACK RECOILS IN THE PAIN HE FEELS ABOUT THAT.

 

LAWRENCE (CONT.): No, no, I didn't think you would. It's not everyday a man is accused of rape. But it wasn't rape, isn't that what you said at the time? Isn't that right Jack?

 

JACK IS GETTING MORE AND MORE ANGRY AND LAWRENCE KEEPS AT HIM.

 

LAWRENCE: Well...I'll tell you. I believe you.

 

LAWRENCE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND JACK.

 

LAWRENCE: I do believe you. I just hope you afford me the same consideration. Because after all, women like Kayla and Jennifer, they aren't convent bred virgins. They knew what they wanted and they got it.

THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR JACK AND HE SHOVES LAWRENCE'S ARM AWAY AND HITS HIM ON THE MOUTH IN THE PROCESS.

 

JACK: NO!

 

LAWRENCE WIPES THE BLOOD FROM HIS LIP.

 

LAWRENCE: Heheh. Very good Mr. Deveraux. You know it's the Bible that tells us that the man without sin is qualified to cast the first stone. You're clearly untouched by such scruples. Jack, congratulations. You draw first blood, something not taken lightly in my country. I'll see you in court.