Return to Summary PageEpisode Summary
Clark & Monica Get to Know Each Other
(Transcribed by Mystic)
This episode took place in November 1994. Jack had just come to the Meadows and was assigned to a buddy -- "Monica". "Monica" was actually Laura but neither of them knew each other's true identities.
------------------------------------
[Jack is standing alone in the garden. He's wearing all black -- black jeans and a black long- sleeved shirt. Laura comes into the garden and sees Jack]
Laura - (smiles) Hi.
Jack - (smiles and says quietly) Hi.
Laura - (following an awkward pause) This garden is beautiful, isn't it?
Jack - Yes, it is.
Laura - And the food's excellent. 3 stars, at least.
Jack - It's very good.
Laura - (looks at Jack's shirt) Where's your name tag?
Jack - Oh, I took it off. (smiles) I hate those things. Reminds me of summer camp.
Laura - (laughs) Well, I think most people are wearing them so they could remember the name they had to choose to go by while they're here.
Jack - (quietly) Yeah... (looks at her name tag) So is there some significance to the name that you chose? Monica?
Laura - No. My daughter suggested it. (pauses) So how did you decide to call yourself Clark?
Jack - It's the first name that popped into my head.
[Laura nods. Then a bell rings]
Laura - Well! There's the bell for the first group session. (she begins to walk out of the garden)
Jack - (not budging) You seem very happy to be here.
Laura - (stops and turns around) Yes, I am. I have some problems I want to deal with. I really believe that the doctors and the staff here can help me. Isn't that why you're here?
Jack - Well.... ther's some changes I'd like to make in myself. But... exploring my personal life with a group of strangers, that's.... that's not really my style.
Laura - Well, it can be very intimidating at first, but you know, if you just relax and give it a try. No one knows anyone else's name or background. No one's here to judge you.
[the bell rings again]
Laura - You know, there can be no harvest unless you first sew the seeds.
[Jack sighs, then smiles and follows her out of the garden]
----------------------------------
[Jack is back in the garden alone. Laura walks up behind him]
Laura - Why did you run out of the session?
Jack - (looking bothered) I understand that we were assigned together as buddies so we can look out for each other. But you don't need to worry about me! Just go on back to the session. Maybe you'll find it productive.
Luara - You know, if you just hang in there, you might be surprised to see how much the session would help you.
Jack - Those people are losers. I can't relate to them! I grew up in a wealthy, privelaged environment. (sits down on a bench) Reached the top of my proffession! I could pick up the phone and reach almost anyone in Washington!
Laura - Well, if your life is so secure and so fulfilled... then why are you here?
[Jack looks at Laura then starts to laugh as if to say, "Give me a break."]
----------------------------------
Jack - (he's standing now and pacing around) Well, as I said before there's some things about my life.... about myself that I want to change. (pauses) But a group session is not the way to do it. Especially that group.
Laura - What's wrong with that group?
Jack - (pauses and looks at Laura carefully) My instinct tells me you're intelligent, well-bred, cultured... but there isn't anyone else in that group. I doubt anyone else even went to college! They don't have the sensitivity to understand a thing about my life.
Laura - I don't believe that. They're human. They've made mistakes too. Of course they'll understand.
Jack - No. They can't possibly comprehend the difficult decisions I've had to make to support my family. They'll just thing I'm some.... deadbeat. With a failed marriage. An angry ex-wife... A child that woudn't know me if I walked through the door..... There's no way I can open up about my personal problems.
Laura - (smiles and says quietly) I think you just did.
[Jack quickly looks at her, looking really surprised]
------------------------------------------
[Laura is sitting on the bench now, and Jack is walking around the garden with a big smile on his face]
Jack - This.... is... incredible. I never opened up to a stranger before.
Laura - Are you embarrassed?
Jack - Well, stunned is more like it! I mean, I don't think I've had anyone listen to me quite the way that you do.
Laura - It's part of my training.
Jack - What are you, a guidance counselor?
Laura - (smiles) Yeah, something like that. (pauses) Do you mind if I ask you some questions?
Jack - If I can invoke the 5th amendment.
Laura - (laughs) Yes, you can. (Jack smiles) So, do you have just the one child that you mentioned?
Jack - (looking more serious) Yes. (smiles and sits down next to her) You know, I had no idea that I could miss someone that much. My whole life I've heard that expression -- my heart aches. But I know first-hand what that means now.
Laura - Yes, so do I. I had to be away from my children for a long time.
Jack - You're divorced too?
Laura - (pauses) No, it was worse than that.
Jack - (hesitates, then smiles) Well, I can't imagine anything being worse than that. Most of my time and attention is devoted to my divorce. How it happened, how I could have prevented it...
Laura - Sometimes we just have to accept what happened and find a new direction in our life.
Jack - (thinks about that) I only have one direction. It's my wife and my child... I love them... I need them... And I want them back.
[Laura smiles and nods]
Jack - (looks around the garden) And this place is not gonna make that hapen. I've gotta make that happen. And not by pouring out my inner-most thoughts...... by taking action.
-----------------------------------------
[Jack starts walking out of the garden]
Laura - (stops him) Where are you going?
Jack - To tell Dr. Perkins that I'm checking out. I don't need to be here telling everyone the story of my life. I need to win back my wife and child.
Laura - Clark, please stay and talk.
Jack - No! I came here to learn something about myself and I accomplished my goal. Now it's time for action. Look, I'm sorry that I'm leaving you here without a buddy. But Dr. Perkins will match you up with someone. Look, I wish you well.
[He starts to walk past her, but she grabs his arm and holds him back]
Laura - No, just please.... just stay a few more days. I mean, really. I'm just concerned that if you rush back to your ex-wife... until you are fully committed to a change... that you're just gonna make things worse!
-------------------------------------
Jack - Monica... (he puts his arm around her) I appreciate your concern! I hope the Meadows helps you resolve all your problems! But I can't waste anymore time.
Laura - Please. Just stay a few more days.
Jack - You don't understand!! My wife is involved with another man! And I know that deep down, she still loves me. And I need to tell her how much I love her before it's too late!
[And with that, he storms off. Laura stands there and watches him leave, disappointed]
------------------------------------------
Well, Jack did come back to Salem briefly. He first stops by his old house. No one is home. He finds Jenn's date book on the desk and finds out that she's at a party at Mrs. Horton's. So he heads there and peeks through the window. Alice sees him and runs outside. She asks him what he's doing there and he says, "I came here for my wife." Alice tells him that this isn't the time or place. Jack says he'll hang around and wait for the party to end, and runs off. Later, he's standing behind a bush and Jenn & Peter walk out. They start kissing and Jack gets really, really angry. He starts clenching his fists and is about to come out and confront them but Alice comes outside and tells Jenn she has a phone call inside. They both go inside. The call is from Laura and she tells Jenn about her buddy Clark, and how disappointed she is that he left. Laura says that she admired him because he was there in an effort to change himself. Jennifer says that's something Jack would never do. After the phone call, Jenn and Peter start talking in the living room. Jack is still outside, but the window is open and he can hear everything. Jenn kept saying things that implied that Jack was not nearly as passionate as Peter was. Jack is getting really, really uncomfortable hearing this. Peter and Jenn do all their lovey dovey stuff and Jack is just standing there watching, really hurt. Peter and Jenn decide to go to Jenn's house. Jack hides in the bushes again so Jenn and Peter don't see him when they leave. When they're gone, Alice walks out and tells Jack that she's a nervous wreck wondering what is going on. Jack says that he has to leave for awhile. He tells Alice that he's at this place where he can get help, and that he met this woman who is very wise and maybe she can help him. So Jack leaves Salem and goes back to the Meadows. By that time, it's dark outside. Laura is inside at the Meadows in the main living room, sitting on a chair and reading a book. Jack walks in and sees her. He slowly walks over to her and stands in front of her, not saying anything. He's waiting until he notices her. She does.
Laura - (looks up and smiles) Clark. You're back.
Jack - Yes. (smiles) You're right. Um... I left too soon.
Laura - (closes her book) What made you decide that?
Jack - Well, it took a brick wall falling down on my head to make me see the light. That you're right. These doctors were right. My ex-wife was definitely right. I need a major overhaul. So that's why I'm back here.... in the garage, so to speak. Hoping to be... rebuilt.
Laura - Did you talk to your ex-wife?
Jack - Well, not exactly. I won't get into it. But suffice to say, I realize now what an emotional disaster I am. She'll never take me back until I change so that's why I'm here.
Laura - (smiles) Good for you.
[She walks over to a table, and Jack follows her]
Jack - So I'm ready to verge left brain with right brain... Do bio-feedback... Walk on hot coals. Whatever it takes.
Laura - (laughs) I don't think it'lll take anything quite that drastic.
Jack - (turns serious) I want my wife back, Monica.
Laura - All you have to do, Clark, is to take a good, close look at yourself. Be willing to deal with your past... who you are... and who you want to be.
Jack - (takes his time to think about that) I think it'd be easier to walk on hot coals.
-----------------------------------
Jack - I have a confession to make.
Laura - Oh?
Jack - I didn't come back here because of the group sessions and the therapy.... I came back here because of you.
Laura - (surprised) Me? Why?
Jack - I feel like we connect. You make me feel almost comfortable opening up.
Laura - (smiles) I'm glad, Clark.
Jack - So will you help me?
Laura - Well, maybe we can help each other, hmm?
Jack - (smiles) Excellent. It's a deal.
Laura - (smiles back) Well, I'll see you tomorrow morning then.
Jack - Tomorrow?
Laura - ...yes. It's very late now and I have some reading I want to do before bed.... but I'll see you tomorrow, all right?
Jack - Okay... Good night. (smiles)
Laura - Good night. (she leaves)
[Jack walks outside and looks up at the sky. Great shot of him here!! He says quietly to himself, "Jennifer..." Cut to a scene of Peter and Jennifer in bed. Cut back to Jack. A close - close-up of his face (the eyes!! a great shot of them!). He says, "Will you ever come back to me, Jennifer?"]
last scene of the show...
-------------------------------
