JACK:
((Sitting up in bed.... by himself..... again, trying to watch the news on the television.))
Honey, ya comin' ta bed?%% Not sure why I bother askin'. Know what the answer's gonna be.%%
((Flips the TV off and reaches for the tractor magazines he brought up from the mailbox. A blue postcard falls to the ground and Jack recognizes Ennis's handwriting immediately. His heart suddenly jolts in his chest and the all too familiar lump in his throat returns. He carefully picks up the postcard and reads it.... His heart pounding faster and faster....))
%% Does this mean?..... What's Ennis tryin' ta tell him?%%
((Jack let a little hope creep back into his heart, walked over to his closet and found the stash of money he'd put aside all these years. A sizable amount now. He and Ennis could start their own life together with it.))
((Suddenly Jack remembers the fear that crept into Ennis's eyes and voice when he mentioned it last. It wasn't just his wife, it was that other thing too. Ennis was afraid.))
Hell, we're all afraid. We just gotta do what we gotta do sometimes. We deserve a little happiness too, in addition to the fear. I know I do.((Jack put the postcard in the top drawer of his dresser and got back into bed, turning off the light to sleep. Lureen probably wouldn't be done with her books (or whatever she's doing) until after midnight. As he drifted off to sleep, he developed a plan in his head. It wasn't the sanest, brightest thing he'd ever done, but he was definitely not afraid to try it. He'd faced what Ennis feared already. Wasn't too bad. Ennis thought it could get worse. Maybe. But Jack had to try and prove him wrong... and he knew how he was gonna do it.))
MONROE:
(( Depressed as hell ))
Well, sorry 'bout that, bud. Sure didn't mean to steal your thunder none.
((Sighs))
Hope you'll manage to find pure, unimaginable happiness and joy when you meet up with the love of YOUR life soon..... Now, THAT sure would be very ORIGINAL 'round here.....
(( Opens Super-size Special Deluxe ice cream box and starts digging into the contents with a determinedly lovesick vengeance ))
%% Being in charge of the Super Market is good for *something*..... At least I can get my hands on comfort food any time of day or night.... %%
((Jack winks at the invisible and far distant Monroe.))
Yeah, I hope this works too. Might need some help from some unusual people. Is that Miss Snow's Ice Cream? It's the best ya know.... Even the fat-free styles're tasty.