Delivery from the Stork -- Part 1

Scene 1

Characters: Jake and Vicky
Setting: Mckinnon cottage

Jake is sleeping on the couch after a busy day at the herald and Vicky is in the kitchen(god help us all).

Dream Sequence

Jake: Carlino's? Why would I be dreaming of Carlino's restaurant
Joe:[walks by Jake without even seeing him and heads to his older son] So, where is this girl you want me and Paulina to meet?
Dante: She's should be arriving soon! I told her around 6:00
Joe: Good, I am going to check with Paulina about the food and you can set the table.

Jake is watching and completely confused about why he is there.

Jake: Great, as if I didn't see Joe enough in real life-- Now I have to dream about that bad excuse for a hair day.
Paulina:[walks by Jake to her son] I am so proud that you two found each other.
Dante: You haven't told Dad yet, have you?
Paulina: No, and thank god Jake isn't here

Jake ears perk up as he is sitting at the counter on one of the stools

Jake: Not here!! Not here? I am sitting right here Paulina.
Dante: Some how I don't think Jake and Joe would go along with this.
Jake: [peaking over the shoulder of Paulina] What wouldn't I go along with?

The door busts open and a knockout dark haired girl runs into Dante's arms and gives him a big kiss on his lips. Paulina looks on smiling.

Jake: Since when did my dreams center around the Carlino's?
Joe:[walks into the room and sees the girl] No!! Don't tell me that is who you are dating?
Paulina: [wraps her arm around Joe's waist] Could be worse!
Joe: [looks down at his wife's eyes] How?
Paulina: Jake could still be alive
Jake: [screaming near Paulina ears] What?
Joe: Your right! I mean if he were still alive and here-- we would have to call an ambulance
Dante: Dad!
Jake:[perplexed] In my dreams I am dead. Great, just great![sitting on a chair in the centre of the room]
Joe: So, what are you here to tell us
Dante: We are getting married![hugs the raven hair beauty]
Paulina: [screams and starts crying] Does Vicky know about this?
Jake:[sitting in a chair] I'm dead and Vicky is alive. Why would Vicky care if Paulina's son is getting married?
Dante: Dad? Are you O.k with this?
Joe: [staring at his son and smiles] Who would have thought that a McKinnon would become a Carlino?
Jake: [leaning on the chair with the front legs up in the air] What? [looses his balance and falls, but picks himself off the floor and gets in Joe's face] OVER MY DEAD BODY!!

Just as Jake was about to start throwing a temper tantrum without being seen, a loud crash startles Jake awake. Vicky sticks her neck out from around the kitchen dividing wall to see Jake in a cold sweat, the red blanket half off, and looking like a deer got in the head lights.

Vicky: Sorry
Jake: [reaches out for Vicky] Don't let that happen, we can't let that happen!

Vicky sits by Jake on the sofa and takes Jake head into her lap.

Vicky: Don't let what happen?
Jake: [looking up at Vicky] We can't let our little girl get married to a. . . a. . .
Vicky: Who is our little girl going to get married to?
Jake: [raises his head and body up] I need you to promise me something
Vicky: [strokes Jake's hair and looks him in the eyes] What?
Jake: if anything happens to me, I do not want my dau. . .our daughter, to marry a Carlino.
Vicky: [laughing] If she marries a Carlino I will ground her for life. That better!!
Jake:[watches vicky walk to the closet to get the coats] It's not funny Vicky!
Vicky: We're running late!

End of scene.

Scene 2

Characters: Jake, Chris, Amanda
Setting: Herald

Chris and Amanda are talking at Chris' desk talking. Jake is late arriving as usual.

Chris:[sitting at his desk with Amanda standing over his shoulder] Don't even go there Amanda!
Amanda: Please Chris. I mean you give me the stuff you have on the elections, and I will share my information with you.
Chris: [swings around in his chair] Are you going to shoot the arrow to break the rope when Jake finds out.
Amanda: What rope?
Chris: The rope that holds the blade of the guillitine.
Amanda: You are blowing this thing out of proportion. Jake's been in a great mood and he won't mind.
Chris: [standing up and looking Amanda in the face] How long have you known Jake?

Jake comes in the office and slams his brief case on Chris' desk and throws his overcoat on the ground.

Jake: I will not allow my little girl to grow up in a town with that. . ..
Chris:[looks at Amanda] What were you saying about Jake being in a good mood?

Amanda is bewildered and speechless as Jake approaches them from his tirade.

Jake: Tell me you have something on the mayor! Anything.
Chris: Nothing. Nadda. Zip. Zilch
Jake: Not even a little crumb of dirt that he forgot to sweep under the rug.
Amanda: What's the matter Jake? Looking for the actual truth instead of the slander usually printed in the Herald.
Jake and Chris: [both at the same time] Slander? Get out right now!!

Amanda leaves and Jake and Chris look at each other.

Jake: Why did you even let her in here?
Chris: What am I supposed to call security every time that someone you don't want in here?
Jake: Yeah!
Chris: Why are you in such a bad mood all of a sudden? [Jake looks at Chris and is about to speak] Don't tell me it is because of Dragon Lady!
Jake: Ex-Senator Sleaze. I ran into Grant and we had a few words.
Chris: That's why you wanted dirt on Grant!
Jake: [calming down] Yeah! Did you find anything?
Chris: [grabbing Jake's ears] Are these for show? I said nothing.
Jake: [pulling away from Chris] Well, I guess I have to find the dirt.
Chris:[throws his hands in the air] Fine.You go and find the dirt that he buried. There is none.

Chris exits and Jake is left standing alone and talking to himself.

Jake: Well, if no dirt is found, I will have to make some up. I think it is time that Mayor Harrison becomes Clintoned. There is no way that my little girl is going to grow up with Harrison still running this city. Jake picks up the phone and makes a mysterious phone call.

Scene 3

Characters: Jake and Gary
Setting: Sleazy Motel

Jake and Gary go to a local motel and prepare to cook up a scheme that will get Grant once and for all. Jake is setting up a video camera in the wall and cover's it with a two-way mirror, while Gary watches.

Gary: Are you sure this is going to work?
Jake: [putting the finishing touches on the mirror and camera] It better. I paid a fortune to rip this wall down and set this thing up.
Gary: Hey! I want Grant to pay as much as you do for the crimes he committed against us, but I want him in jail.
Jake: [looks Gary in the eye flipping the camera lens in his right hand] We can't nail him for all those because of the lack of evidence. However, we can make him front page news, and have his spotlight as mayor diminish and fade away into darkness.
Gary: O.k, you told me why you wanted to do this, but you haven't told me how you are going to get him here.
Jake:[putting his arm around Gary and both look at the mirror.] That is easy, my friend. The hardest part is doing right under Captain Carlino's nose. [Gary looks at Jake in shock]

Exit scene

Scene 4

Characters: Vicky, Paulina, and Joe
Setting: Carlino's

Vicky and Paulina are sitting at a table having breakfast and discussing the due date of the child and other things.

Paulina: [sipping on coffee] You are telling me that Jake wound up dreaming about your soon-to-be little girl and my son getting married.

Joe enters through the front door and catches the last part of Paulina words.

Joe: Over my dead body!
Vicky: [turns around and looks at Joe] What's wrong with my little girl? If anything Dante wouldn't be good enough for her.
Paulina: Excuse me!!
Vicky: [worried look on her face] Your husband started it.
Paulina: Enough about that. What about your baby shower? You haven't had one and I am going to throw you one. Everybody will be invited.
Joe: That's sounds like a good idea! That leaves Jake free for one last night of freedom before midnight feedings and diaper changes.

Both Vicky and Paulina look at Joe in shock

Joe: What?
Vicky: Since when have you and Jake began being best friends.
Joe: He owes me a game of poker--without cheating
Vicky: Good luck and don't bring a wallet full of money.
Joe: I won the last time we played poker. That's how I got Carlino's out of hock.
Vicky: He let you win.
Joe: We drew cards, highest wins
Vicky: He definitely let you win. When will the party start, Paulina? Scratch that, I will help you set up.
Joe: He won't win tonight. Where is he?
Vicky: He's with Gary at his old apartment.

Exit scene.