Jack's jaw dropped even further than it had at Grace's. He started to scold Karen. "Now we've been over this before, Karen. Stan told me he loves you and wants you back."
"But I don't love him…not anymore. I've run out of patience. We've talked it over and he's willing to grant an uncontested settlement if I agree not to request alimony. It's over between us…over, so enjoy this good life while you can. In a few days, I'll be a penniless tramp…just like Grace."
"What are you gonna do, Kare?" Jack asked desperately, not bearing the thought of Karen not being able to provide for herself…or, more importantly, him anymore.
"Don't worry about me, Poodle," she said stroking his cheek with the back of her finger. "I have plans."
Jack grabbed Karen's hand and pressed it against his chest. "Can you feel that?" he choked. "It's my heart…breaking."
Karen pulled her hand away. If she kept listening to Jack, he might dissuade her from her intention. She scowled, putting up her usual wall of cold reserve. "C'mon, let's get to your audition," she said coolly as she stood and put on her suit jacket.
Jack was a little put-off himself at Karen's aloofness. Usually by this time his charms would have had Karen giggling and melting in his arms, so he was a little distracted at the audition. His reading was bland and movements awkward. He kept stealing a glance at Karen sitting in the theatre, hoping to see some glimmer of interest or encouragement.
Finally the casting director said, "I think we've seen enough Mr. McFarland. You can go now…and…we won't be calling you."
Jack shuffled dejectedly off the stage. He walked back to where Karen was sitting and flopped into the seat next to her.
"Too bad, Jackie. You'll do better next time," Karen tried to console.
"No, there's not going to be any 'next time'," Jack announced as he reflected on how his world had come crashing down for about the 127th time added to his concern over Karen's situation.
"Wh-what do you mean?" Karen sputtered.
"Why do I keep fooling myself? I'm no good at this despite what Cher said and that was only a dream anyway. A dream like my whole life has been. A dream that's turning into a nightmare." Jack though a few more moments and said, "Tell me, Kare, is it worse to have talent and no ambition or to have ambition and no talent?"
"Oh, honey, you have plenty of talent. These jerks just can't see it," Karen consoled placing her and on Jack's shoulder.
Jack patted her hand and smiled wanly. "Thanks, Kare. I wish you were the casting director, but I have to think about my future now, too. Just being a script consultant at an obscure cable network, isn't what I really had planned for my life path. I had always hoped to break out…in a big way."
They both sat forlornly a while watching other would-be actors auditioning and contemplating a dismal future for themselves. It was late afternoon when they left the theatre. Jack suggested that they go back to Will's apartment. Maybe the jibes at society of their two other friends would lift their spirits. Karen instructed Driver to go to the familiar Riverside Drive residence. As they entered the apartment, they saw Will and Grace sitting at the dining table and reading sections of the evening paper.
"How did to go, Jack?" Grace inquired.
"The usual," Jack answered flatly.
"Sorry to hear it," Grace responded in sympathy, but not in surprise.
Jack collapsed in a vacant chair putting his elbows on the table and resting his head in his hands, the usual playful sparkle in his azure eyes was absent. Karen, still scowling, also insinuated herself at the table next to Jack.
"This is great company – the Sunshine Twins. What's going on, Karen?" Grace asked. "You've been a Gloomy Gus all day, even more than usual and you've even managed to bring Jack down a peg or two."
"Maybe Jack mistook his glue stick for lip gloss," Will quipped.
"Karen's leaving Stan!" Jack blurted out.