Halloween Party 1983

David and Jenny have a lot of fun entertaining the kids in the Children's Ward at Llanview Hospital's Halloween Party ... maybe a bit too much fun. Jenny is supposed to marry Brad on Thanksgiving Day, so she and David are "just friends" at this point.  But when she tells David about her plans to quit work at the hospital to help Brad run the Vernon Inn, he's anything but a supportive friend.  After the party, while they're cleaning up, David comments on the silent treatment he's received from Jenny since he shared his opinion on her decision to leave the hospital.

JENNY: Well, you made a very harsh statement. All night long you were Mr. Warmth and then all of a sudden you turned and attacked me. I have a good sense of what your musicians must go through.

DAVID: You are a nurse. You are not a bellhop! Look, you are wonderful with children. You love being with children.  You love your life here.  Why would you change it?

JENNY: I said I was taking a leave of absence. That doesn't mean I'm leaving forever.

DAVID: It could easily be forever if you're not careful.

JENNY: Brad and I are getting married...right?!  We're gonna make a go of this. The Vernon Inn happens to be our future. I'm gonna do everything I can to make it work.

DAVID: (avoiding eye contact)  And that way of course he can keep his eye on you 24 hours a day.

JENNY: I beg your pardon?

DAVID: I've seen the two of you together. He is incredibly possessive and insecure where you're concerned.

JENNY: We've been married and divorced. This is our second chance. He wants this just as much as I do.

DAVID: And I think he should be ashamed of himself for asking you to give up your own career.

JENNY (yelling, angry): You listen to me! That was my choice! Just because you cannot imagine your life without a piano underneath your fingers doesn't mean we're all like that!

DAVID: Can we please stop...would you please stop that just for a minute and stand up and look at me!

JENNY: Fine!

DAVID: OK! Look, you want to cater to the needs of a lot of vacationing adults rather than administering to the needs, the real needs of sick children, it's your life, it's none of my business! All I'm trying ...

JENNY: Great! Great! I'm glad you finally realized that!

DAVID: Oh yeah. Excuse me. You bet, you bet lady! Terribly sorry for the interference. (He walks out as a nurse is walking in with a child's drawing).

NURSE: Is he coming back?

JENNY: I doubt it.

NURSE: Oh, I have a present here from Sherry. He would've loved it.

Later in the evening, David is at the piano, playing "Yesterday", when there's a knock at his door.

DAVID: Coming. (He opens the door, very surprised to see:) Jenny?

JENNY: Hi.

DAVID: Come in.

JENNY: Thanks.

DAVID: I have to tell you, you are the last person I expected over here this evening.

JENNY: Well I was asked to bring you something, and I also felt that our argument got a little out of hand.

DAVID: I should've kept my mouth shut or at least just quietly expressed my opinion and let it go. I'm sorry.

JENNY: And the reason I got so angry was ... well, you were right. I'm gonna miss the kids a lot.

DAVID: See, I know you are, and that's what bothers me.

JENNY: And before we get into this again ...

DAVID: ...we are going to change the subject very quickly! What have you got there?

JENNY: Ummm....(they laugh) Sherry drew these. If you can't recognize us, it's a picture of you and me bobbing for apples.

DAVID: No, no, I can recognize us.

JENNY: And ... there is Zorro!

DAVID: Ah! Ah, I tell you, um, I would like that one very much. Is that possible?

JENNY: It's yours.

DAVID: Thank you.

JENNY: You can put it on the refrigerator with a magnet. That's what parents have to do when their kids bring home artwork.

DAVID: I know. I know, isn't it amazing how most fine art in the home winds up on the front of the refrigerator? That's just great. Can I get you a drink?

JENNY: No thanks. I've gotta go by the hotel and see if it's still standing after the seance.

Another knock at the door.

DAVID: I seem to be very popular this evening. Excuse me.

JENNY: Sure.

David opens the door to Kevin and Joey yelling "TRICK or TREAT" !!!

DAVID: Ah, it's a pirate and a gladiator! Get in here, quick! Close the door! Is there a mother lurking around somewhere?

Viki jumps in the doorway

VIKI: Hi Jenny. How nice to see you.

JENNY: Nice to see you!

VIKI: David I'm sorry to disturb you but they refused to go home until they saw you.

DAVID: I'm glad. Now let's see, you've got some heavy loot here. Now I don't know what I have that can ...

Jenny quickly picks up on David's Halloween "un-preparedness".

JENNY: Oh, oh, remember those two candy bars you asked me to keep for you in my purse? They were especially for Kevin and Joey.

DAVID: (gratefully playing along, smiling at her) Thank you very much. I'd forgotten where I'd put these! Here ya go, guys! What do you say?

KEVIN & JOEY: Thank you!!!

VIKI: Well, now that you have seen David, can we please go home?

DAVID: No, wait a minute! Can't you stay a little while?

VIKI: No, no, we cannot. They are exhausted and I'm not much better. We have hit a lot of houses tonight! We'll talk tomorrow though.

DAVID: Oh, I can't tomorrow, I have to be in Washington to audition an oboeist. But soon.

VIKI: OK, very good.

JENNY: I'm on my way out, so I'll go out with you.

DAVID: (disappointed) Oh.

VIKI: Good. Jenny , it's nice to see you.

JENNY: Good to see you. I don't see enough of you. We're gonna have to do something about that.

VIKI: Well, why don't you come over for dinner? I'll talk to Clint, and we'll arrange a date, OK?

JENNY: Great.

VIKI: C'mon. Let's all go. Goodnight David and (whispering) sorry to have put you on the spot.

DAVID: Oh, please....y'all come back when you can stay a little longer, OK?

VIKI: We will do just that. Say "goodnight" boys.

KEVIN & JOEY: Goodnight!

DAVID: Goodnight boys.

DAVID: Jenny ... um .... thank you very much for saving me with Kevin and Joey.

JENNY: Sure. I just didn't want to help you wash the soap off your windows.

DAVID: Appreciate that.

JENNY: Thanks for coming to the party.

DAVID: Thanks for coming over here tonight.

JENNY: Goodnight.

DAVID closes the door and, looking a bit sad and uncertain, walks back into his apartment.

Copyright © 1999 by Michael Zaslow's ZazAngels. All rights reserved.
02/15/06 10:06:01 PM