Episode 32
Episode 32: New Years' Eve, 1875
Scene 1: The Belleterre library, dusk. The chandelier, hanging just above the "stage" has been lit and all the oil lamps surround the stage and the balcony. A curtain has been hung from the balcony railing, hiding half the stage. The audience is considerable: John Henry and Elizabeth; Charles and Mary; Richard, Belinda, and Adam; Maggie and Edward; Phil and Eleanor Elliot; the Carrols; Georgie, Gabe, and Steven Hewitt; Stuart, who sits nervously at the back; and most of the house staff.
The curtain parts slightly, pulled aside by the hidden Philly Elliot and Benji Kincaid, and Sally appears. She is dressed in a period costume, a high-waisted white dress with a low neck and long sleeves, with her hair swept up.
Sally: Thank you all so much for coming to our New Years' Eve production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, delayed one week due to the unfortunate confinement of Olivia Kincaid and the undying devotion of her husband, Joe. I have been convinced to take Olivia's dual roles as Charlotte Lucas and Mrs. Hurst. The week's delay was necessary for Freddie to learn the roles of Mr. Collins and Mr. Hurst. Other than that change, your programs are correct. And so, without further ado...
Sally walked off stage and the curtains parted. Louisa, looking very matronly, sits in a sparse sitting room setting. Will, looking very much like his Uncle Charles when dressed as an older, respectable gentleman, sits reading a newspaper.
Narrator: Offside and disguised. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possesion of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
The performance went well. Much had to be cut out of the story for time purposes, but the audience either didn't notice or didn't care. They men weren't bored, as they'd expected, and were usually the heartiest laughers. Grace's heart- felt attempt at singing and piano playing, a true effort on her part, though she took it all in stride, brought cheers from the audience. She was the perfect Mary Bennet. Libbie relished treating Philip, as Mr. Darcy, terribly. Christopher embellished his role as Mr. Wickham, seducing away the young Lydia Bennet. The highlight of the evening, however, came with the surprise that was Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley's engagement. The circumstances, slightly changed from the book, were kept secret and the plans for the play only revealed to the necessary actors.
Libbie, as Elizabeth Bennet, returns to the drawing room. The curtains part slightly, and she is shocked.
Narrator: ... But on returning to the drawing room, she saw, to her infinite surprise, there was reason to fear that her mother had been too ingenious for her.
The curtains part completely and the audience gasps. Nick, as Mr. Bingley, and Marietta, as Jane Bennet, are thoroughly engrossed in a passionate kiss. Smelling salts are procured for Aunt Mary, who is thoroughly shocked. Offside, Will must be held back by Philip and Benjamin. Libbie sees this and almost giggles. There is a long pause, and Nick continues to kiss Marietta.
Will (the Narrator): Seethes as at lasts composes himself enough to recite. On opening the door, she perceived her sister and Bingley standing together over the hearth, as if engaged in earnest conversation.
Nick and Marietta finally part, Marietta blushing. John Henry starts and earnest applause, and soon much of the audience joins him. It continues for a half minute.
Narrator: Returns to regular voice, again hidden offside. Their situation was awkward enough, but her's, she thought, was still worse.
Nick whispers a few inaudible words in Marietta's ear, then runs offstage.
Marietta: Speaks with a wonderful English accent. 'Tis too much! By far too much. I do not deserve it. Oh! Why is not everybody as happy?
A few more words are shared between the two sisters before Marietta rushes off stage just before the curtains close. The audience again cheers, but a new scene soon opens on the balcony above. The Bennet family waves goodnight to Mr. Bingley through the balcony window, their backs to the audience, as the narrator again speaks.
Narrator: It was an evening of no common delight to them all; the satisfaction of Miss Bennet's mind gave a glow of such sweet animation to her face as made her look handsomer than ever. When Mr. Bennet joined them at supper, his voice and manner plainly showed how really happy he was. Not a word, however, passed his lips in allusion to it till their visitor took his leave for the night; but as soon as he was gone, he turned to his daughter.
Will and Marietta simultaneously turned back to the audience and moved to the front of the balcony. He tries very hard to smile genuinely.
Will: Jane, I congratulate you. You will be a very happy woman.
Marietta went to him instantly, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him. It was only slightly more passionate and prolonged kiss than a daughter would give a father. The audience clapped good naturedly and the play continued in good form, receiving a standing ovation and many congratulations when the actors came out for the curtain call. The stars received bouquets of flowers, and even the curtain boys received a congratulations on a job well done.
Scene 2: Late that night, just prior to midnight. The family is gathered in the large drawing room. The remains of a very late supper are evident on the buffet tables, but the family is only just beginning to enjoy the wine and champagne.
Phil: Stands before the crowd, gets their attention. I am going to make a speech that has no bearing considering the fact that my daughter is already married, but I hope you will all enlighten me.
Lydia: Pray go on, Daddy.
Phil: I will, but I'll thank you to first move away from your intended. You are not married yet and he has no right to be taking such liberties.
Lydia smiles and slaps Christopher's arm from around her waist. He complies and steps aside.
Phil: As I was saying, this evening is not only the last night of the year, but it is also my daughter's last night as a free woman. As much as it pains me to lose my little girl, I'm afraid I must be grateful that her husband-to-be did the honorable thing and married her after getting her pregnant. Oh, don't give me that look, Ellie, we're mostly adults here. I don't think the girls were paying attention anyway.
Grace: Giggles Yes, we were!
Phil: To continue, Christopher has further proved his true worth by agreeing to spend his last night of bachelorhood alone despite the fact that Lydia has already been compromised.
Christopher: I have done no such—
Lydia interrupts him with an elbow in his side.
Lydia: Whispers. Humor him.
John Henry: I must apologize for interrupting your most heart-felt speech, Phil, but it is nearly midnight. Everyone, I have always considered this night to be the one night of the year where you may publicly kiss a member of the opposite sex to whom you are not married and not be expelled from polite society for doing so. So, when the clock strikes midnight, have fun.
Will: Turns to Nick. Glad to see I have the old man's permission.
Nick: Keep your hands off my wife.
Tess: You're being a little hypocritical, aren't you, dear?
Nick: I was acting.
Tess: I'm sure. That's why you lingered at it for so long.
Nick: I had to wait till Will started reading. It wasn't my fault he didn't do it right away.
Tess: Ha! She turns to Will. I have no reservations, Will. I've had three glasses of wine.
The results at midnight are comical. Nick becomes jealous upon seeing Will kissing Tess. Marietta refuses to kiss him again, and his search for a female to whom he is not related ends in Louisa.
Nick: How old are you?
Louisa: Nearly fifteen.
Grace: Don't do it, Nicky.
Nick: Stay out of it, Gracie. Miss Hewitt, I apologize for my brazen and most ungentlemanly behavior.
Nick gives Louisa a small kiss on the lips. When he lets go, she remains standing in the same position until Grace nudges her back to her senses. Steven taps Nick on the shoulder.
Steven: My father won't hit you because he's a doctor, but I have no reservations.
Nick: Don't bruise your knuckles, kid. Here. He pulls Grace to his side and pushes her towards Steven. You can have my sister. I don't mind, she turned fifteen yesterday.
Grace: Nicky!
Nick: Nick pats Steven on the shoulder as he walks away. Go to town.
Will: Mari wouldn't have you, eh?
Nick: Shut up, I'm drunk.
Will: He points to Steven, who is still kissing Grace. Are you going to do anything about that?
Nick: Nah, I gave him permission. He's a good kid. He was ready to hit me for kissing his sister.
Tess: Am I already too old for you, Nick?
Nick: Did everyone see it?
Tess: Most except Gabe. They're afraid to tell him. Georgie's ready to let into you, though. Serves you right. You started it all. Now, both of you shake hands and make up.
Scene 3: Lydia's bedroom, early morning. She has slept alone.
Lydia stretches, throws back the covers, then quickly pulls them back up again. She strains sit up partially, finding that her fire has gone out. There is a soft knock on her door, then it opens and Christopher walks in.
Lydia: It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding.
Christopher: We're already married. He walks up to the bed and gives her a kiss. How are you feeling this morning?
Lydia: Cold, my fire went out.
Christopher: You're cold because you're the only one in the bed.
There is another knock on the door. The couple looks up in surprise, but no one walks in. Christopher tip-toes to the closet and quietly shuts himself inside.
Lydia: Who is it?
Phil: Your father.
Lydia: Come in, Daddy.
Phil: Walks in. Ooh, it's cold in here.
Lydia: That's why I'm still in bed.
Phil: I'll have hot tea sent up. He sits beside her on the bed. I'm glad you're doing this for me.
Lydia: Doing what?
Phil: Going through another wedding for me.
Lydia: It's nothing, Daddy. I'm happy to do it.
Phil: You've always been a good girl. I'll leave you now.
He walks out of the room. Christopher comes out of the closet, a silky white undergarment of Lydia's in hand.
Christopher: This doens't fit anymore, does it?
A pillow caught him in the face. He threw it and the undergarment back onto the bed, listened at the door, then left with a little wave.
Cut to: Several hours later, Libbie's spacious dressing room. Lydia is wearing her mother's three-decade-old wedding dress, but her helpers are at a loss as to how to hide her girth.
Lydia: We don't have to make it look like the current styles.
Eleanor: I wish we'd taken Tess's friend up on the offer of adjusting it for us. What you need is ten petticoats like I had.
Libbie: She's not packing around an additional twenty pounds. She's already put on an additional twenty pounds.
Lydia: What about a hoop?
Eleanor: They were out several years ago, dear.
Lydia: It doesn't matter. Do you have one, Libbie?
Libbie: Gosh, I don't know.
Maid: I'll go look in the attic, ma'am.
Libbie: Thank you, do that. And send Delie in. We might as well do Lydia's hair while we're waiting.
Cut to: Tess and Nick's house, a short time later. The two are alone in the parlor, both half-dressed in full-dress suits.
Nick: Why don't they teach us how to attach these collars by ourselves? Ha! I finally did it.
Christopher: Because men that are stupid enough to wear these collars are supposed to have valets. Damn, this collar.
Nick: Are you nervous?
Christopher: Of course I'm not nervous.
He gives up on the collar and drops his hands to his side in disgust. Nick moves to do it for him.
Nick: You're a pathetic man, not only because you've worn these things more often than I have and still can't fasten them yourself, but also because you're nervous about marrying the person you've already been married to for five months.
Christopher: Five months today.
Nick: When you throw up this time you can't blame it on seasickness.
Christopher: Shoves Nick. I didn't throw up the first time. Do you have that ring?
Nick: Yes, for the fifth time. In my pocket. I thought you were getting the ring this time.
Christopher: I am, but Lydie gets another. This one belonged to Aunt Ellie's mother. How much time do we have left?
Nick: Plenty. We'll be waiting here for while before we ride over. You can eat something. We have some sausage left over from breakfast.
Christopher: Yes, Nick, cold sausage will surely settle my stomach.
Scene 4: A short time later, Joe and Olivia's house. Olivia is crying in bed over a vast breakfast.
Joe walks in and looks at her sympathetically.
Olivia: Whines. I really wanted to go, Joe.
Joe: I know, and I've brought you something that could cheer you up. You have to promise not to be too disappointed if this doesn't turn out well.
Olivia: I'll try.
Gabe: Walks in. Good morning.
Olivia: Dr. Hewitt! Are you going to let me go?
Gabe: Potentially. Your husband sent word that you were in this condition and asked if it weren't possible that it was worse for the baby than you going. It's possible, and now I see how much you really wanted to go. Don't get your hopes up.
Olivia: I won't, I promise.
Gabe nods and proceeds to perform another examination. When he finishes, he sits on the edge of the bed and looks at Olivia sternly.
Gabe: No walking, no dancing, no physical exertion of any kind. You feel the least bit faint or out of breath, you tell me and then you go straight upstairs to bed.
Olivia: Throws her arms around Gabe's neck. Oh, thank you! You don't know how much this means to me!
Gabe: I wasn't finished. You may watch several dances and eat, but then you must come directly home.
Olivia: I will, and I won't put up the least bit of fuss. But how will I dress?
Gabe: You may stand to dress, but no corset. I will wait downstairs. You must also come in the covered carriage your father sent me in.
Olivia: I'll be down right away.
Gabe: No, don't hurry. Joe, make sure she doesn't hurry. Just help her dress, and warmly, then carry her downstairs.
Joe: You'll be too heavy for carrying pretty soon, Liv.
Olivia: I don't care. I'll stay in bed for the rest of the pregnancy if I can see Chrissy get married this time.
Gabe: Leaves. I wouldn't go that far. I'll see you downstairs.
Olivia: Calls after him. Thank you, doctor!
© 1998, all rights reserved.
Get your own Free Home Page