1986 (#27) - Jack's probation and Ellen's experience with the homeless

Michael is thrilled when the doctors inform him that Jill is responding to treatment and that her life is no longer in danger; and when she wakes up, the woman sees her man caressing her face. Shortly thereafter, Carl arrives at the hospital to get information from the woman about who shot her. Jill describes the evening of the attack by telling all the details of the scene; however, she confesses that she does not remember who attacked her. When Carl informs her that Jack has been arrested and convicted, Jill cannot exclude that it was not the man, remembering that she saw him at the presentation with a very dark and grudging face. Taken to prison by Carl himself, Jack desperately proclaims his innocence, although no one seems to give him credit as the evidence against him is very clear. Jack and his lawyer Howard Morrison can't make his case in front of the cops, and spends his first night in jail. Here, Jack realizes he can't face a whole trial, since he's sure that sooner or later he'll get out and go public on his night of love with Jill. Determined not to make his father suffer even more and not to cause him a new pain like the one he would suffer because of the leak, Jack the next day rejects Gina's proposal, who intends to testify before Judge Walter Edmonson to exonerate the man, telling how he defended her by driving away her attackers with his own gun. Jack, on the other hand, surprisingly charges himself with the assault and is sentenced to five years on probation, as a reward for spontaneous confession. Jack, thus, is taken to prison and, during the day, begins to frequent the homeless shelter where he has been sent to serve daily. This experience proved to be of great influence on Jack, who began to appreciate the true values of life and to come into contact with the other side of society that he had never known before, that of poverty, hunger and misery. Jack also makes the acquaintance of two volunteers from the center, Ron Clarke and Marvin Hawkins, and especially Ellen Winters, the center's manager, who immediately shows great sympathy for Jack. Impressed by Jack's sweetheart as he takes care of an old lady at the center named Nellie Flint, Ellen soon begins to develop something for the man. A great harmony is born between the two, to the point that they exchange a fleeting kiss soaked in feelings.