Episode 18
Episode 18
Episode 18: Late September, 1875
Scene 1: Nick stands in the doorway, staring from Stuart to Tess and back to Stuart again. He first has an expression of stunned surprise, but that quickly changes to rage.
He takes a few steps forward, watching Tess. She begins to open her mouth to say something, but Nick has already gone for Stuart's throat. Tess screams for him to stop, and he eventually does. He grabs Stuart's arm and leads her to the door before shoving her outside.
Nick: If I see you on this property again, I'll shoot you. Clear your stuff out of the bunk house. I don't care where you go.
Nick turns his back on Stuart, closes the door, and faces Tess. Tess has backed herself up to a wall and looks genuinely scared.
Nick: I don't know what was going on here, but I don't even want to discuss it right now. He shakes his head. Two months, Tessie. We've been married two months. Maybe... He turns around just in time to see Stuart race away. Maybe you didn't tell me everything that happened in New York.
Tess: Now angry. I was a virgin when we married and you damn-well know it! You don't know what happened before you came in. Stuart was here because—
Nick: Snaps. I told you I didn't want to discuss it right now.
He turns, leaves through the screen door, and slams it behind him. Tess watches as he, too, races away on his horse. Tess, shattered, sinks to the floor.
Scene 2: The bunkhouse at Belleterre, a short time later. Stuart is quickly shoving his belongings into a bag. Grace walks in, shocked.
Grace: Where are you going?!
Stuart: Looks up at her momentarily. There has been a misunder-standing and it is best that I leave.
Grace: What sort of misunderstanding?
Stuart: It ain't my place to say.
Grace: But, where are you going?
Stuart: I'll see if Joe Kincaid will give me work. He showed interest before. You can still come to see me if your folks allow it. Stuart picks up his bag and heads for the door. Listen, can you do two things for me?
Grace: Of course.
Stuart: First of all, assure your father that I will make sure he gets his horse back as soon as possible. Second, tell Miss Marietta that Tess needs a good friend to talk to.
Grace: What? What happened to Tess?
Stuart: It is not for me to tell you. She was not hurt... not when I left her. Goodbye, Grace.
Grace: Confused. Goodbye.
After Stuart disappears on her horse, Grace runs into the house.
Cut to: Nick racing into Liberty Creek on Sherman. He stops short in front of the saloon and storms in. The bartender and few patrons all turn to look at him. He walks to the bar.
Nick: Gruffly. Gimme a bottle o' whiskey.
Bartender: Now, Nick, are you sure you—
Nick: Snaps. Just gimme the damn whiskey!
The bartender obeys and Nick slaps some money onto the counter before storming out again. Outside, he opens the bottle, takes a swig, and closes it again. He mounts Sherman again and kicks up a lot of dust as he rides off.
Scene 3: Nick and Tess's cabin, less than an hour later. Marietta has just riden up with Will.
Marietta: I will look inside and make sure Tess is all right. If she is, I will gesture for you to go.
Will nods and Marietta slowly walks up the steps. She opens the door and looks inside. Tess is still sitting on the floor, fingering her wedding ring. When she looks up at Marietta, Marietta gestures for Will to leave, then goes to sit by Tess on the floor. Tess sniffs and leans onto Marietta's shoulder.
Marietta: What happened, chèrie?
Tess: Stuart came here with a... problem. We talked about it for a while, and Stuart was about to leave. We hugged–it was completely innocent, Mari, I swear it was.
Marietta: I believe you.
Tess: Thank you. Anyway, Nick walked in just a that moment.
Marietta: And he misunderstood and would not let you explain.
Tess: Yes, but that's not all. He said... he said... he think there was more to what happened to me in New York than what I told him.
Marietta: Oh, Tessie, he said that because... because he was not thinking. Imagine yourself in his place. Men are very insecure. Nick will realize he said some bad things, and he will apologize. He will let you explain, too. He is a relational man. Will has found me in compromising positions several times and accused me of having an affair. Twice it was with Nick. If he does not want to believe you, remind him of that.
Tess: So, you truly believe me?
Marietta: Of course! Now, you must get up off the floor. Marietta stands and pulls Tess to her feet. Come into the kitchen. You look like you could use a good drink.
Cut to: The creek, a short time later. Nick dismounts, walks a short distance with his whiskey, then sinks to the ground and leans against a rock.
Nick sets the near-full bottle in front of him and stares at it. In his mind, his angry accusation, "Maybe you didn't tell me everything that happened in New York," is responded over and over with Tess angry, hurt-filled response. He shakes his head in frustration.
Nick: Mumbles. God dammit, she was right. How could I have said that?
He grabs the bottle, opens it, and takes another drink. Then he closes the bottle, sets it on the ground again, and continues to stare at it.
Nick: Still mumbles. And I should've stayed. God knows Will has accused me of sleeping with Mari enough times.
Nick grabs the bottle and opens it, but doesn't take a drink. Instead, he closes the bottle and holds it in his hand for a few second. Then he flings the bottle across the creek where it smashes on a rock on the other side. He slumps down and rests his head in his hands.
Scene 4: Tess and Nick's house, night. Tess is sitting in the darkened parlor in her night gown and robe.
A horse is heard approaching, and Tess stands by the window. Hiding behind a curtain, she watches as Nick rides into the yard. Softly, she moves back into their bedroom and crawls into bed. She faces the far wall, her back to the door, and snuggles in. Listening intently, she finally hears the front door open, close, and lock. Nick walks softly down the hall and opens the bedroom door. Tess doesn't move, and niether does Nick. He just stands there and watches. After a few minutes, he backs out of the room and closes the door. He takes a few steps and enters the second bedroom. After removing most of his clothes, he lies down on the bed and does not fall asleep.
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