The Ties that Bind, Part 1

Background: This is during the Shane period and all the trouble he caused, the story begins right after the famous courtroom scene and Jake has just been released from jail, rather than go home and face Vicky he is in a bar drinking. Amanda is being played by Laura Moss.

Scene 1
Setting: Seedy Bar, Jake is drinking to forget and Chris comes in and sees him.

Chris: Hey man, I've been looking all over for you?

Jake: Well now that you found me, do you wanna join me? Hey bartender rack them up again.

Chris: No, no not for me and I think you've had enough.

Jake: That's your opinion, and I didn't ask for it, so you you've found me, so now you can go!

Chris: This (waves his hands around) isn't going to help you.

Jake: Well its helping me right now (taking another gulp of his drink)

Chris: why? Your still going to love her in the morning, your know that and I know that.

Jake: (just looks at Chris) Listen I'm here to drink, I did not ask for your company nor do I want it. If you want to drink sit down and shut up. If you want to talk then go somewhere else!

Chris: Okay, okay man I'll leave you to your pity party! but on one condition!

Jake: It better not be about Vicky!

Chris: No it isn't I want the keys to your car.

Jake: (a sarcastic laugh) listen I was arrested last night and I just got out of jail, do you think I have keys to a car? I don't have a car right now, if I did I would have driven straight out of town!

Chris: Well if your going to sit here and drink yourself in to oblivion I just didn't want you do something else stupid.

Jake: Are you done because I'm busy.

Chris: Fine (backs away from the bar) when your done I'll be around to talk if you want to.

Jake: (mumbling to himself) too much talking, not enough drinking!

Scene 2
Setting (the cottage, Vicky is pacing around the living room looking at pictures of her family)

Vicky: (to herself) He's going to come home I know it, and I'll be able to explain all of this mess to him, he'll listen to me, he has too. (there's a knock on the door, Vicky runs to get it)

Jake? Oh its you, I really don't need you here telling me how I told you so. (she turns around and heads for the couch)

Donna: (walking into the room) Well you know how I feel about this and if you had done what I said Jake would be here.

Vicky: Yes here, but I'd be living a lie, so what do you want?

Donna: Well I came by to see how the boys are doing?

Vicky: Their upstairs they know something is up, but I haven't said anything yet.

Donna: Do you want them to come and spend sometime with me?
(Steven comes down the stairs)

Steve: Mom why are you making us stay at home from school today?

Vicky: Come here Steven and sit down (she looks at Donna) I would like you and Kirkland to go and stay with Donna for a while.

Steve: Why what's going on? I heard your crying last night, I'm old enough, I've handled alot so you can tell me.

Vicky: On Steven (kisses him on top of the head) Your right you are old enough, well…. I, I did something that upset Jake, now its not anything you or Kirkland did, it was all me. Jake and I will work this out though, you know its like when you and Kirkland have a fight, even though you're mad at each other you still love each other and work it out. Well that's what happened with me and Jake.

Steven: Well he must be pretty mad if he is not here?

Vicky: (eyes tearing up) ya he is pretty mad, but I promise that he will be back, I will get him back home!

Steven: But what if he doesn't come back?

(Vicky looks at Donna)

Donna: Come on Steven lets go upstairs and get yours and Kirklands things together, the best thing we can do is think good thoughts, come now…

(Donna and Steven head upstairs, Vicky is still sitting on the couch and she puts her head in her hands and slowly runs her hands down her face)

Vicky: I will Jake, I will get you back home, no matter what it takes!
Exit

Scene 3
Setting: the little seedy bar where Jake is getting quite drunk.

Jake: Bartender, another scotch, this time straight up.

Bartender: Listen mister, I think you have had enough.

Jake: Oh really, well I don't, give me another.

Bartender: Do you want me to call you a cab?

Jake: (pulls out his wallet takes and $100) Nooo, I want you to give me another drink and shut up!

Bartender: Mister the bar is closed to you, now either you leave or I will have someone help you leave.

Jake: (thinks for a minute) fine, what happened to the days when you could buy someone off? I'm outta here. (He heads out the door, stumbling a little bit. Little does he know that he is about to get mugged by two guys who have been watching him spend his money)

Scene 4
Setting: Bay City Hospital

Jake: ouch, that hurts do you think you could try not to kill me, I've been beaten up already!

Nurse: Fine, Mr. Mckinnon.

(Paulina comes through the door)

Paulina: Jake, Jake are you alright?

Jake: Yes, Im fine unless the Nurse here tries to do me some more harm.

(the nurse looks at Paulina rolls her eyes and leaves)

Paulina: Okay what happened mister you smell like a disterilly

Jake: What you havent read the papers yet, Im certain its on the front page, Newspaper Magnet's wife caught cheating on husband, husband looks like a fool!

Paulina: Now take it easy, it cant be that bad, Joe told me what happened.

Jake: Ya, I'm sure he did.  Capt'n Carlino had a good laugh at my expense.

Paulina: Now that's not true, he said you were in pretty bad shape.

Jake: Well its over I tell you that right now, I cant even look at her, I don't even want to see her ever again.

Paulina: You don't mean that, have you given her a chance to explain her side?

Jake: I've seen enough of her side of the story, Im sure Shane saw plenty of her side that night too!

Paulina: Jake!

Jake: Look, I only called you because my wallet was stolen and I need some money, so I can get a place to stay for the night.

Paulina: Your in no shape to go anywhere, why don't you come stay with us?

Jake: Im in no mood for company right now, I just want to be alone I need to figure out what I'm going to do.

Paulina: What do you mean?

Jake: I'm leaving Bay City.

Paulina: Why? (just then Vicky walks through the door)

Vicky: It's because of me.

Jake: How  did you know I was here!!

Paulina: I called her.

Jake: Thanks a lot

Paulina: I think you two better talk so I will leave you alone. (she starts to head for the door)

Jake: No, no you don't have to go I'm used to speaking to my wife in front of an audience.

Vicky: Jake, I…

Jake: Stop! (he puts his hand up) I don't want to hear it, don't try to explain. I've had enough of your lies to last me a lifetime, you have done what you wanted for months now. I'm going to do the same. (he gets off the bed and starts to leave, but Vicky grabs him by the arm)

Vicky: Jake, were not through here.

Jake: (he stares straight ahead) Let go of my arm…..please.

Vicky: (she looks at him tears in her eyes, then after a moment lets go of his arm, he walks out)

Jake wait, please (he doesn't listen and continues on out the door)

Paulina: No, Vicky let him go (Vicky starts crying, Paulina puts her arms around her)

Scene 5
Setting: Donna's house.

Donna: Steven, Kirkland honey, come on you guys need to eat something.

Steven: I'm not hungry.

Kirkland: Me neither, I want to go home.

Donna: Now Kirkland, remember what we talked about on the way here, how we need to be brave for your Mom and Jake.

Kirkland: Ya, I remember.
(the doorbell rings)

I bet that is Jake coming to get us.

Donna: Dear…(she opens the doors and its Jake)

Kirkland: I knew it, I knew you would come and get us. (he runs into Jakes arms)

Jake: Hey buddy.

Donna: How'd you know they were here?

Jake: I figured, my boys would be here.

Steven: Can we go home now?

Jake: Come here you guys, I want to talk to you for a minute. (he takes both boys and sits on the couch with one of each side of him, his arms are around each of them) I need you guys to do something for me.

Steven: We know somethings up, Mom said that she did something to make you mad, and that its not our fault.

Jake: That's right it isnt your fault, this is something between your mother and me, it doesn't change the fact that I love you guys… always, now I want you to do something for me?

Steven: What?

Jake: I want you to take care of your mother, look out for her, shes going to need you for a while, that means Steven no picking on your little brother, I want you guys to take care of the house and do your homework as well….I…I have to go away for a while..

Kirkland: Your leaving us??

Jake: NO, I'm not leaving you, never. I'll always be right here (he points to kirklands heart) and you guys will always be right here with me (he points to his heart), so I'm never very far. I will call you guys to check in.

Steven: How long will you be gone?

Jake: I don't know right now, but as soon as I do I will let you know…Promise.

Kirkland: Promise?

Jake: Promise!