Forever, Part 2

Jake's office at the Herald a few weeks after part one.  Things have settled down a little bit at the McKinnon household.  

Jake has his feet up on his desk looking at the pictures on his desk.  (The wedding, NY with all four of them, and that one where it looks like he is giving her a piggy back ride (anyway, they are all over each other)  with a blissful look on his face.

Jake: All is right with the world!  (Chris enters with a copy of The Herald in hand) I have got to be the luckiest guy in the world, ya know.

Chris: Yeah, I know!!  You'd have to be to get this story!!  We've scooped everyone from here to Chicago on this one!!

Jake: Well, when you've got it, you've got it!

Chris: Speaking of which, what is it exactly that you have?  I mean, this is the third story in a row we've run a front page article written by you with NO help from anyone else at the paper!!  All three full of facts, all three major scoops, and all three solely Jake McKinnon productions!

Jake: You sayin' I can't write my own articles?  What?  Are you jealous?  Cause you know, man, you're still my star reporter.  I've just been a brighter star lately!

Chris: Aw, Man!  Anyone tell you that you have the ego of a small country?   I AM NOT JEALOUS!  Seriously though, I'm thrilled to have you back to normal.  You were downright intolerable when you and Vicky were separated.  These articles are  about all the only decent things you did.  Where did they come from?

Jake: Yeah, my Ernest Hemingway impression stories and booze.

Chris: You wanna tell me where you got that one?

Jake: what do you mean?

Chris: Somehow, I doubt you've ever even read anything by Ernest Hemingway, and now you're making analogies?

Jake: What, first I can't write my own stories and NOW I'm illiterate!  Jeez, Chris, a guy could get a complex here!
Chris: Well, it's a good thing that you're sooo humble and down to earth that you could never get complexes.  Really!  Where you been getting your info?  You holding out on a source or somethin'?

Jake: Let's just say my time away from Vicky wasn't completely unproductive and leave it at that!

Chris: You're really not gonna tell me, are you?  C'mon! Who's your boy?

Jake: (holding up NY picture) Actually, I have two!  One there, (points to Steven in the picture) and one there! (points to Kirkland in the picture)  (Smiles a devilish Jake smile)

(Vicky walks in and knocks)

Vicky: Hey handsome, you up for lunch?

Jake: With you, Oh most beautiful woman in the world?  Always!

Chris: Hi, Vicky.

Vicky: Hi, Chris.  How are you?

Chris: Glad to see you guys back together again.  It does a heart good..  (Vicky has crossed over to sit in Jake's lap and they're kissing a little)

Jake: That's not the only part of me that feels good right now!

Vicky: Only good?  We'll have to do something about that.

Chris: You guys are never going to make it to lunch?

Jake: All depends on what's on the menu!

Chris: See you later.

Vicky: Not if I can help it!

Jake: Works for me!

Chris: Do you want to leave me any messages?

Jake: (almost completely oblivious of everything except Vicky who is leading him out the door) You can handle it.

Chris: What do I do if you know who calls or stops by or wants to meet?

Vicky: (who stops dead) Who's "you know who"?  You gotta girl on the side, McKinnon?

Jake:Chris is just bugged cause I'm the better newsman, that's all.

Chris: Yeah. right. . . He's been a mess, Vick.  Comes in here all drunk or hung over, writes these page 1 articles and leaves.  No one knows where he gets the info and no one knows where he goes or where he's been.  See if you can get the info, Vicky.

Vicky: Sounds like a mystery. I love a mystery!  And Jake will LOVE telling me everything!

Jake: It's nothing, honey.  Chris is just hurt cause he thinks he's the best and well, I . . .

Chris: Get outta here!  ( Vicky and Jake leave arm in arm)

Scene opens at the cottage on the porch.  Jake and Vicky are walking up to the porch and are seriously making out.

Vicky: You hungry?

Jake: ALWAYS!

Vicky: For food, I meant!

Jake: All I want right now is you.

Vicky: Good thing we have that on the menu!

(He picks her up and they head upstairs almost not making it into the bedroom

Vicky: Oh God, I am sooo hot!

Jake: You sure are!

Vicky: You are too! (Undressing him and feeling all over his chest)

Jake: Glad you think so, baby.

Vicky: I need to cool off, I think.

Jake: (startled) What?

Vicky: Yeah, we need to cool off. (Kissing him passionately) like in the shower.

Jake: Oh, baby, I like the way you think . . . We do to cool off!!  Seems like we haven�t showered in forever!!

They finish undressing each other and get into the shower. In the shower, we see Jake kissing Vicky's shoulders while he washes her back.

Vicky: Oh, God, I missed this!

Jake: I used to dream about your shoulders, you know.

Vicky: My shoulders?

Jake: Yeah, I know, it's weird, but, the freckles . . . they're soo sexy! ( he resumes kissing.)

Vicky: (who finally can't stand it anymore and turns around to kiss his lips and fondle his chest.) Well, for me, it was this chest . . . I used to dream about kissing it and touching you all over. . . just . . . like . . . this.

Jake: I love you, Vicky.
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Vicky: You're my entire world, Jake.  I had this fantasy the last time I saw you in the shower.  Remember?   When you played football with the boys?

Jake: Yeah, then we kissed.

Vicky: Yeah, I imagined us doing this, just this and I told you that you were my whole world, that you were my best friend, my lover, my husband, and the only father I want for my kids.   You're everything to me, Jake.  I love you so much!

Jake:  You're all I ever wanted too, Vicky.

Vicky:Make love to me, Jake.

(They do and scene fades to black)


Next morning.  Vicky kisses Jake awake.

Jake: Mmmm! I sure have missed this!!!

Vicky: Me too, all that waking up alone, what was with that?

Jake: At least you didn�t have a constant hangover and you knew where you were and how you got there!

Vicky: Chris mentioned something like that.  Promise me that I'll never wake up alone again and you'll always wake up here, sober, hangover-free, knowing exactly how you got here.

Jake: I promise, baby. (kisses her forehead, nose and mouth)

(Phone rings)

Vicky: Ignore it.

Jake: It might be important

Vicky: Oh, all right, I'll get it.

(picks up phone and a young woman answers)

Young woman: Umm . . . Is this Jake McKinno's place?

Vicky: Yes, it sure is, this is his WIFE, who are you?

Young woman: Umm . . . someone he knows.  Can you put him on, Vicky?

Vicky: Who are you and how'd you know my name?

Young woman: Look, it's cool. I need to talk to him, k?  Just tell him it's Christy.  And, I knew your name cause he told me . . . and everyone else . . .  If you're busy, that's cool.  Just tell him I called and to come by my place when you guys come up for air or whatever. (Hangs up)

Vicky: (Jake has gone into the shower to get ready for work) "Just tell him to stop by my place," huh?  Who is this chick, Jake?  Seems like you made a few new friends while we were separated, huh?  Have to check that out!

Jake: (coming out of the bathroom in a towel wrapped around his waist) Who was that, Vick?

Vicky: Someone named "Christy".  She said you should come by later.  You know, Jake, I sure am glad you weren�t lonely while we were apart!  You're going to have to tell her and all the other women you have stashed that you're off the market again!

Jake: Oh, come on!  You know you're the only one for me, you always have been, "Alice Blue".

Vicky: Then who is she?

Jake: Just someone I met in a bar, Vick.

Vicky: So while I was here miserable, trying to get you back and trying to figure out how and why I had lost you again, you were cozying up to some bar chick?

Jake: Really, it's not like that, Vicky! (Giving her a reassuring kiss) She's a source, Vick.

Vicky: Well, it better not be!  Cause you know, I AM THE JEALOUS TYPE!!

Jake: I remember!  Seriously, she's just a source!  Nothing to worry that gorgeous head of yours about, or that amazing body of yours, either! (while he says this he holds out her hands and scans her hungrily with his eyes.  Just about to kiss her again) Gotta go to work! (kisses her on the forehead and leaves)

Vicky: Sounded a little too familiar to me, Jake.  And besides which, Chris says you�ve been keeping her all to yourself, too.  And three stories, Jake.  Sounds like you've been spending an awful lot of time with this "source".  Yeah, I'll just bet she's a "source".  But, a source of what?  Anyway, I'd be doing Chris a favor, right?  He did ask me to find out where Jake's been getting his facts from.  And if Jake is really these with no help from anyone at the paper, that means his facts may not be checked.  Yeah, he's relying way too much on this girl, whoever she is.  She could be taking him for a ride.  Setting him up with a few good stories while he was vulnerable and alone, and then going in for the kill with a completely false story!  I'd be doing him a favor!!  No one takes advantage of my Jake!  And he is MINE, Miss "just tell him to stop by when you guys come up for air"!  I have to do this for Jake!!
   
 Next scene opens at a VERY seedy bar in Chicago.  everyone seems to know Jake when he walks in.  

Bartender: Hey Jake!  Haven't seen you around much lately!  You doin' your drinking somewhere else?

Jake: Not drinking at all.  Got my life back!!  She's the only stimulant I need!

Bartender:Guess that means we'll have to take the "reserved" sign off your bar stool!

Jake: Yeah.  Christy called, she here yet?

Bartender: In a strange way, I�m gonna miss you.  You know, the fights, the destruction, the endless rambling about your wife.`

Jake: Yeah, I'm touched.  Christy?

Bartender: She's in the back gettin' ready.

(Jake heads toward the back of the bar to find Christy as Vicky enters)

Vicky: God, Jake, is this where you spent your time?  It's worse than anything we even had in Lassiter! (walks in through the doorway and over to the bar where she sits down)  Give me a club soda.

Bartender: You're in the wrong place, lady.

Vicky: And why is that?

Bartender: First, no one orders a club soda in here, not even as a mixer.  And second, in case you haven't noticed, you're the only woman in here!

Vicky: It just so happens I'm looking for someone named "Christy".  (Owner walks up to the bar and faces the bartender)

Bartender: Lady says she needs to talk to someone named, "Christy".

Owner: (A fat, aging, sleazeball) Miss Crystal Blue Persuasion is busy preparing herself for the evening's entertainment.  I f you'd like to stay and perhaps (looking at her greedily) join her, I'm sure we could arrange something!

Vicky: Gee, you're a real charmer, aren't you?  I'll think I'll pass. (turns and starts to leave)  What is she, Jake?  A stripper or something?  What have you gotten yourself into.  (She walks out the door and decides to look for another way in to the bar)

In the back dressing room

Jake: Ok, so we're all set about tomorrow night, right?

Christy, Yeah, I got it, McKinnon.  I meet you there.  Do you know how to get to the club?  Maybe you should pick me up and I can show you how to get there.

Jake: Yeah, ok.  So we get there and act like we're together and you dance me over and I just happen to overhear the senator's confab w/ the head mafia guy.

Christy: I got it.  I got it!  Jeez, all I ever do is dance in clubs!!  At least I get to wear normal clothes and keep them on!!

Jake: I wish you'd let me help you.

(Vicky who has snuck in through the back way overhears)

Christy: (leans over to kiss him on the cheek) You're a sweet man, Jake McKinnon, but you know I can't .

Jake: No, I don't.  (Take her hands in his)  You're too good for this.  let me help you find another life.  C'mon.

Christy: I don't need charity from anyone!  C'mon, Jake.  We've been through this.   I can take of myself and anyone else who comes along.  

Jake: (kisses her forehead)  I wish.

Christy: What?  What do you wish?

Jake: I wish you weren't soo stubborn!!

Christy: (laughs)  You like me that way!  See you tomorrow.

Jake: Tomorrow, sweetie.

He leaves. Vicky has heard everything and is not at all pleased.  

Vicky: You two seem awfully cozy!  Well, you're not getting your hooks in to my man! (leaves)

Christy: Vicky McKinnon is a lucky woman.  (gets up and leaves for the stage)

The next night in a MUCH better area of Chicago, but still in a bar.  On the dance floor, we see Jake and Christy dancing very closely near an older distinguished looking man.  Vicky comes in with fire in her eyes.  She starts to walk over to them when a stranger asks her to dance.  She accepts and they move on to the dance floor as Jake notices her.  

Jake: Vicky!  What are you doing here?  And who the hell is that?

Vicky: (At the top of her lungs) What am I doing here?  You're the one with the stripper!!!  (so loudly that not only does the guy she was dancing with leave but the older gentleman notices them and takes off with his whole party!!)

Christy: Oh, GREAT!!  Jake, they're gone!  Miss Subtlety here ruined the party!

Vicky: And you would know all about parties, wouldn't you?  What is this some sort of scam?  You reel him in with a couple of good stories and then he lands flat on his face?!!

Christy (visibly shaken): NO!  I told you on the phone, Jake and I are friends!!

Vicky: Oh, I get it, you want him!!  For what?  His money?  His looks?  Some sort of blackmail scheme?

Christy: Nothing like that!!!  You're the one who trashed him in open court, honey, not me!!

Jake moves in between the women who are mere centimeters from each other

Jake: Honey, this is Christy, she's a friend of mine and nothing more!!!  (turns to Christy) Christy, this is VICKY, my wife.  Remember, I told you all about her!!! (turning back again to Vicky) Vicky, I told her all about you!!  I must've rambled on for hours!!

Christy: (smirking) Yeah, you did.  Look, I'm sorry if you got the wrong idea, Vicky.

Vicky: That's Mrs. McKinnon, to you.

Christy: Yeah, whatever, I'm outta here, Jake.

Vicky:Let's go, honey. (planting a big one on Jake for effect)

Jake: Ummm, Ladies, you seem to have forgotten something.

Both: What!?!? (both Christy and Vicky are somewhat startled by the other)

Jake: Christy and I came together, in my car.  I need to take her home, Vick.

Vicky: She should have nooo problems getting home, Jake.

Christy: Why I oughta. . . If you weren't the famous Vicky.

Jake: Come on, Vicky..  I'll meet you at home.

Vicky: No way, Buster!!  If you're gonna take this home, I'm coming too.  I'll follow you.

Jake: All right.  Let's go everybody.

They get to Christy's apt.  It is a walk-up and quite small.  But inside she has attempted to make it look sort of homey.  But not Martha Stewart homey, but decent.  All three go inside.

Christy: You know where everything is, Jake.  Give her the grand tour so she can search for sign of our illicit affair. (She goes into another room)

Jake: Really, You're being ridiculous, Vick.  She's just a kid.

Vicky: I guess so.  But, how do you know her so well?

Christy comes out of the other room obviously hysterical.

Christy: Look.  You guys have got to go.  NOW.

Jake: What is it?  Is it the kid?

Vicky: The kid?  You have a kid?

Christy: Yes, I have a two year old son who you will probably take as evidence that I am indeed the biggest slut to ever walk the earth.  But, I don't have time for this.

Jake: What's wrong?

Christy:He's running a high fever and I don't have insurance so now I have to go to the free clinic and hope that there aren't too many gunshot victims so a Doctor can see him!!!

Vicky: A two year old?  Don't be ridiculous!!  Take him to the hospital!

Christy: I can't !!  Hospitals like money..  What part of "no insurance" didn't you understand?  I don't have time for this.  Stay, go. I don't care!!! (Goes and gets a 2 yr old boy wrapped up in a sheet and returns to Jake and Vicky)

Jake:Vicky's right.  Let's go to the hospital.  

Christy: I can take care of my own son, Jake!!!

Vicky:  Look, all we're saying is let us help.  You said you didn't have time for this, so just let us.

Christy: all right.

They take him to the hospital where it is decided that the little boy has an ear infection which is causing the fever.  Antibiotics are prescribed and all three return to Christy's apt.  Christy puts her son to bed and is singing him to sleep.

Vicky: I'm sorry, Jake.  I acted like a real jack ass tonight.  It�s just . . .

Jake: It's okay.  I should've told you about her.

Vicky: How did you two become friends?

Jake: Well, obviously, you've been to the bar . . . She works there and I'd go and get drunk every night and ramble on about you.  I became a regular and I guess the girls sort of adopted me.

Vicky: The girls?
 
Jake: Yeah, every night, one of them would take me home to sleep it off.  That's all I did, Vick, SLEEP, I swear.  I don't even remember leaving the bar most nights.

Vicky: My husband, the stripper's ward!!

Jake: I never, I mean, Vick, the girls and I . . .

Vicky: Just continue with the story, lover boy.

jake: Well, it was Christy's turn and I guess I must've woken up in the middle of the night cause I remember talking to someone.  Sometime around 8 or so I got up to go and thank whoever for the ride and all and there he was. For a minute I thought it was Steven.
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Vicky: They do look a little alike.  What�s his name?  Joshua?

Jake: Yeah.  Well, anyway, Christy came in and we started to talk about Joshua and I told her about you and the boys and somehow I sort of became her responsibility.  She's really terrific, Vicky.  She doesn't deserve this kinda life.

Vicky: Great.  I almost beat her up and accuse her of being after my husband and I should really be thanking her for keeping your sorry butt out of trouble and off the streets, shouldn't I?

Jake: I think you'll like her.

(Christy enters and begins to apologize to Vicky.)

Christy: Thank you for helping my son. About earlier, I . . .

Vicky: Don't.  I was rude and I stuck my nose in the middle of a situation I knew nothing about . . . I should apologize to you and thank you for looking after this one.
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Chrisy: No big.  I can take care of myself and anyone else who comes along.

Vicky: Yeah, but he's a tall order (laughing)

Christy: (laughing too) He is awful hard to get up all of those stairs!!

Jake: Ok, Ok.  Before you guys start a mutual admiration society, we have to go home to our own boys.

Vicky:  Why don't you and Josh come over this weekend?

Christy:Umm . . . I have to work, and besides you really don't want someone like me hanging around your kids.

Vicky: Honey, Jake and I aren't exactly the type most people want around their kids.  Do you work on Sunday?

Jake: Every night except Wednesday.

Christy: Yeah, it's not the weekend, and most of the guys go home actually!

Vicky: Then Wednesday it is.  We'll have a picnic with the six of us.  Okay?

Christy: OK.  Thanks, Josh'll love that.  (bites her lower lip) Swings?

Jake and Vicky: With us?  Always!!

(They leave)

Vicky: She's a nice kid, honey.  You're right.  We've got to get her out of this dump!

Jake: I've tried.  She's too stubborn with her "I can take care of myself and anyone else" routine.  She's as stubborn as you are.

Vicky: Well, you know how I love a challenge!