Sally hobbled through town; Dr. Finkelstein, pushed by wife, in toe. Several more of Halloween Town's residents inquired of Jack and Sally gave the same explanation.
Back in Jack's kitchen, she set to making a stew. Into a big black cauldron, she poured snake tails, wormswood, and various other ingredients. Jewel sat nearby making small talk.
Upstairs, Dr. Finkelstein observed Jack.
"…So as you can see, it's amazing that they stay united at all!" he concluded, once again.
Dr. Finkelstein surveyed the maps of North America, open books, New York newspapers, American flags, and other artifacts strewn across the room.
"What does it all mean though?" Jack inquired aloud.
Dr. Finkelstein kept it to himself that he thought it meant Jack's imagination was meddling again and would get him into trouble as it had last time. He cleared his throat and chose his words carefully, "You've done your research, Jack. For what purpose I am not sure. …Is it, by any chance, your desire to help these 'Americans'?" he asked.
"That's it – exactly it! That's what I'll do!" Jack's face fell suddenly. "But how? How to rally the people? They're so bogged down by their many untrustworthy leaders. What can I, one skeleton, do?"
"There must be one main leader," Dr. Finkelstein spoke his thoughts aloud before thinking, then clamped a hand across his mouth knowing it was too late to take them back. He watched as this unintended thought sunk into Jack and formed itself into an idea.
"That's it! I'll be president! Not just that, but, to help remind them of their patriotism and their unity… yes, yes, I'll dress in good old Uncle Sam fashion!"
Dr. Finkelstein moved his mouth wordlessly, hardly comprehending the damage he may have done.
Jack was now thumbing speedily through several large volumes. He seemed to light on a particular point of importance, then, tossing the book aside, grabbed a calendar.
"Here it is!" he cried, "February 20th shall be the day!"
Dr. Finkelstein shook his head. He turned his wheelchair about and headed for the door. "I smell dinner…"
"Oh, right!" Jack followed him to the kitchen.
"And then I discovered fishing line. I haven't had much trouble with my arms since…Oh, dinner's almost done," Sally smiled as Jack and the Doctor appeared in the doorway.
"Fishing line…" Dr. Finkelstein mused. "I never thought of that."
"Did you have a lovely chat?" asked Jewel after taking a sip of something in a cup.
"Fantastic!" Jack replied. "I have decided that I will start by taking over the presidency for just a day – February 20th to be exact."
Sally glanced over at Dr. Finkelstein, a look of horror on her face. He shrugged his shoulders and took a spoonful of the soup. "Mmmm… that smells delicious! Why not set the table, Sally?"
Sally went over to a shelf and grabbed some bowls. She kept silent, but her eyes widened bigger and bigger the more Jack continued talking.
"Here. I'll help you, dear," offered Jewel. "Is something the matter?"
Sally didn't reply.
"What's the matter, Sally?" asked Jack. He had lost track of his own thoughts long enough to see the look on her face.
"Nothing!" she replied and tried to smile.
"She just needs a good rest – obviously tired," Dr. Finkelstein cleared his throat and continued. "Jewel, give me a bowl of soup and I'll put Sally to bed. Come on, Sally!"
Sally had no real choice but to follow him. They went down the hall and to the bedroom that Sally had moved into just a week prior.
"I am not tired! I am worried about Jack!" Sally declared the minute Dr. Finkelstein had shut the door.
"I know… Here, have some soup…" he picked up a spoonful and tried to put it into her mouth.
"I thought you were going to talk to him?" she took the spoonful and swallowed before continuing. "What are you doing, anyway? Are you trying to cause trouble? Is this some sort of way of getting back at me for leaving you?" Sally fell silent immediately after saying this. She flopped sideways onto the bed and a tear trickled down her pale face. "I am sorry! I didn't mean it! I am just, just…"
"It's alright, Sally. Jack's just going through a phase. We have to be patient. Get some rest." He laid a blanket across Sally's form before turning and exiting the room.
Sally lay still, the single tear drying on her skin. A glimmer of moonlight came through the window. Slow, dreary music played by the three street musicians below drifted through the glass. She hummed along, then began to sing softly, "I sense there's something in the wind, that seems like tragedy's at hand. And though I'd like to stand by him, can't shake this feeling that I have: the worst is just around the bend." She fell silent and shut her eyes.
"Of course, Sally will play a big part in the whole thing!" Jack was talking on animatedly about his already detailed plans. "She won't just make my costume this time, but will be alongside me through the whole thing!" He was standing now and grabbed something quickly from a shelf. Holding it aloft, he spoke, "See! This picture is of one of the Presidents and his 'First Lady' – she's his right-hand-man, er, woman! Gives it a wholesome look! Americans love family and teamwork – cooperation!"
Dr. Finkelstein sipped his soup stiffly, wondering about all the implications – especially the ones regarding Sally.
"And how exactly do you plan to announce your presidency, Jack?" Jewell asked politely.
"Ah, well, that… once I get to a place called Washington, D.C., I will merely go to the big white building where the president is and tell him he can take a break, after all, it's President's Day! It's my gift from me to him!"
The two sipped their stew silently as Jack beamed at them.