Episode 22

Episode 22: Late October, 1875

Scene 1: Will and Marietta's new house, mid-morning. It is two stories high and long rather than wide. There is a covered veranda on both levels and several chimneys poking up through the roof. The paint is fresh and white. Several horses, buggies, and carriages wait outside. Most of the trees are bare and the ground is dotted with piles of leaves. Several dogs, Red included, lie on the front porch. Lively music can be heard from within.

A small, single-horse buggy pulls up the narrow lane. Will is driving, with Marietta sitting beside him holding Annie on her lap.

Marietta: You knew that Nick and Tess would not be there!

Will: It was supposed to be a surprise. There weren't suppose to leave all the horses outside.

Marietta: Who is there?

Will: Everyone as far as I know. Oh, and do go easy on the help. None of them have much experience but they were all so eager to get work.

Marietta: I will remember that. Can we hurry? I think Annie becoming chilled.

Will: She's got rosy cheeks just like you. But I'm getting cold. We're here anyway.

Will jumps down and takes Annie, holding her at his side with one hand as he helps Marietta down. Together they walk up the porch and are met by a nervous, uniformed young woman at the front door.

Elsa: Curtsies. Welcome home, Mrs. Marshall. My name is Elsa Haas.

Marietta: Of course. I remember you. The daughter of the postman.

Elsa: Yes, ma'am.

Will: Could you take the baby, Elsa?

Elsa: Of course, sir.

As Elsa took the baby, the jovial crowd poured into the front foyer and Will hoisted a blushing Marietta into his arms and through the door.

Nick: That seemed difficult for you, Brother.

Marietta: Slighted. What are you suggesting, Nicholas?

Nick: That you married a weakling, Mari. He takes Marietta by the arm. Come into the parlor. Julia has been enchanting us all with her skill on the piano and the other girls were just about to present us with our scripts and role assignments for the play. I suspect ours will make Will exceedingly jealous.

Will: And how would you know anyway?

Nick: I have advanced knowledge, and Gracie is not very disceet.

Scene 2: The large dining room a short time later, noon. Most of the family is gathered around the table eating lunch.

Victoria: It really was sweet how Livie worried for Joe after that rainstorm, though she had every right to be out of sorts.

Christopher: To Joe. Did you really spend the entire night in that little cabin with Stuart MacKenzie.

Joe: Defensive. Yes, what of it?

Christopher: Laughs. Nothing, really. It's just that... ever since we rode with him in the stage from Boise I've suspected he was... strange. Will and Father agree with me. And Nick. But we all know what Nick thinks of the man.

The crowd bursts into laughter, all except Joe, Nick, and Tess, who look down into their plates.

Nick: There is absolutely nothing wrong with Stuart. I was sadly mistaken before, and we have come to an understanding now. Stuart is a wonderful person and the best hand I've ever had the pleasure of working with.

Christopher: I had no idea you had such feelings for the man.

Joe: Really, Christopher, do you think it's polite to speak of people when they are not about to defend themselves.

Christopher: I was not serious.

Joe: I surely hope not. I happen to agree with Nick. Stuart is a wonderful wo— person and nothing the least bit strange happened while we were trapped on the mountain.

Cut to: The end of the meal, most are rising to leave. Tess pulls Nick aside.

Tess: Whispers. Did you notice how defensive Joe was?

Nick: Yes, what do you think of it?

Tess: I'm not sure. He could have been defending Stuart's honor and reputation, and I thought that until he insisted that nothing strange happened up on the mountain.

Nick: You aren't suggesting... ?

Tess: I'm not sure what to think. Stuart has been withdrawn the past few times we've spoken.

Nick: If he... Points surrepticiously Joe... stepped out on my sister... and took liberties with Stuart... I'll...

Tess: Don't jump to conclusions just yet, Nick. Remember what happened the last time. Wait till you have proof. Then you can beat him.

Nick: I was thinking worse, but a beating would be a good start. He spies Grace leaving. Gracie! Wait. To Tess I'll be right back.

Grace: Impatient. What is it, Nicky? I almost got away.

Nick: Why are you so eager to get away?

Grace: Working on our play has taken up so much of our time that I haven't had the chance to go for a good run. Daddy made me ride along side the carriage.

Nick: Then you're just what I need. I haven't felt up to a good run either and Sherman has been getting restless. Will you leave your horse and take him for a run?

Grace: Surprised and delighted. You're not joking? You'd really let me ride Sherman? And give him a run?

Nick: That's what I said, wasn't it?

Grace: Yes, but— hell, I'm not going to protest.

Nick: Don't swear. And see if you can find Tess and me something for dinner tomorrow.

Grace: Anything specific?

Nick: No squirrels. We'll be waiting at Belleterre.

Grace: Reaches up, gives him a hug and kiss. Thank you, Nicky.

Scene 3: Liberty Creek, the Carrols' house, mid-afternoon. Lazarus is outside with Danielle filling the fountain with bucks of water from the outside pump. Princess lies on a blanket on the front stoop.

When her parents' back are turned, Princess suddenly gets to her feet, walks down the steps, and trots down the drive. Lazarus casually looks up, sees her missing, spins around, and points.

Lazarus: Somewhat fiercely. Marshall, I have a bone to pick with you.

John Henry: Could you call your debutante off first? I'm having a hard time keeping Red away from her.

Lazarus: Throws up his hands in defeat. There's no need! Apparently Princess debuted some time ago.

John Henry: You don't mean—

Lazarus: I most certainly do and I'm telling you right now I won't be responsible for it. It is not my fault or Princess' that you could not control your dog. What are you laughing at?

John Henry: I happen to think it's quite humorous. And don't worry. I'll take on any of Red's progeny Princess might produce.

Lazarus: Damn right you will. I don't want any of the ugly little bastards running around my yard.

John Henry: There's no proof they will be ugly. We could end up with a bunch of red-haired debutantes.

Lazarus: That is not humorous. He crosses his arms and frowns at the smiling John Henry. You're proud of that... He points to Red... mongrel, aren't you?

John Henry: Very much so, yes.

Lazarus stares icily at John Henry for a few more seconds before wordlessly turning back to his work.

John Henry: Still chuckling. Would you like some help, Madame Carrol?

Danielle: Groans. Oui, monsieur. Merci. Mon mari... She shakes her fist at Lazarus. He dragged me out into the cold to do this, John. I didn't want to. I am really beginning to hate this stupid fountain. There is another bucket just behind the house.

John Henry disappears and returns a moment later with a tin pail in hand and begins filling it at the pump.

John Henry: I almost forgot what I came here for to begin with.

Lazarus: It was not to harrass me and my dog? Madame.

Danielle: They certainly miss Tess, but they are all doing just fine. There are some very bright children in this town. And eager.

John Henry: They're not giving you any problems?

Danielle: They would not dare. On my first day, he... She points to Lazarus... came into my classroom and threatened them with time in jail if they dared misbehave. It worked, but now they are scared of him. They have all heard of his reputation.

John Henry: Laughs. Were you afraid they'd crucify her?

Lazarus: I'm really beginning to resent that laugh, Marshall. I'll have you know that children in Boise did so many rotten things to their teacher that they caused the poor woman to go completely mad. Her family was forced to send her to an institution.

Cut to: A short time later, the three workers stand back and watch the fountain intently. Moments later, water streams into the air from the stone spout in the center. Several onlookers cheer and move on.

Lazarus: Would you like to come inside for a little celebratory drink, John?

John Henry: I'd love to, but all this work has reminded me that I must get home and have someone empty our fountains. We've had frost this past week and we're in for an early winter. I wouldn't want the water to freeze and burst the workings inside.

Lazarus: It's not late enough for that yet, Marshall. I know what you're trying to do. I'm going to leave this thing flowing for at least a week before I drain it. Be sure to take that mongrel dog with you when you leave.

Scene 4: A long field at Belleterre, mid-afternoon. Stuart is riding a young, skittish horse around the edge. Joe appears at the far end on horseback and isn't seen by Stuart until he is just twenty feet away. Stuart attempts to head back, but the horse ignores her and walks straight toward Joe.

Joe: You can't avoid me forever, Stuart.

Stuart: I was getting a start on it. Look, I almost ruined Tess and Nick's marriage because Nick thought I was having an affair with Tess, I'm not going to ruin your marriage because I did have and affair with you. I do not know what came over me but it is not going to happen again. What we did was meaningless and I'm sorry it ever happened.

Joe: I don't think it was meaningless, not completely. I do... I do care about you.

Stuart: No you don't. Even if you did, it doesn't matter. You're married with a child and another on the way.

Joe: Ah, that it was I came to speak with you about. You do know the possible consequence for what we did.

Stuart: I've been helping horses and cattle do it since I was twelve years old.

Joe: All right. Well... have you had your... your...

Stuart: Surprised, face flushed, a little scared. What? Oh—yes!

Joe: That's good, more for your sake then mine.

Stuart: Joe, the last thing you need right now is for your wife to find out that you made a baby with another woman.

Joe: But I didn't. No one needs to find out what we did. I still feel guilty, though.

Stuart: Don't. You were the one who stopped and pulled away. I was the one who started it all again. Goodbye.

She manages to turn the horse in the direction of the house, then spurs it into a full gallop. Joe is left alone in the middle of the field.

Scene 5: A dirt road, a short time later. Grace, feeling quite proud of herself, is sitting high atop Sherman racing at a full gallop. She is wearing trousers and an old, over-sized work shirt. Her hair is pulled up under a wide-brimmed hat and her face is a little dusty.

Grace soon comes upon the stagecoach heading toward town. She notices that the driver, who usually makes the trip alone, is sitting with another man. There is also a man on horseback riding along side, but he is too far away for her to distinguish facial features. She slows Sherman. As she moves to one side of the road, she can see covered wagon following behind. As she moves closer, she is quite surprised when she finally recognizes the man on horseback. He looks just like John Henry. Smiling coyly, she urges the horse forward.

Driver: Shows no signs of recognition. Where did you get that horse, young man?

Grace: It's quite all right, sir. Nick Marshall let me ride 'im as long as I brought 'im back somethin' for his dinner tomorrow.

Driver: I see you have a few grouse there. I think it's best you return Mr. Marshall his horse.

Grace: I will, sir. She turns to her Uncle Charles. Has your ride been enjoyable, yer grace?

Charles: Yes, it has, thank you. Pray tell me, what would you charge to lead me to the Marshall estate? One dollar?

The driver raises an eyebrow in surprise, but says nothing.

Grace: Pretends to think for a moment. Somethin' like that'd cost more like two dollars in these parts, yer Grace.

Charles: You have yourself a deal. He leans over to speak to the women inside the stage. I'm going to ride ahead, give Johnny at least some warning that we are coming. Mary, do you have two dollars in your purse? He reaches over with one hand and takes the money as one of the two older women counts it out. Thank you He looks up to the driver. Do not let my friend bore you to sleep. We wouldn't want you driving the ladies off the road.

Driver: I'll take good care of them, sir.

Charles: Gives Grace the coins, which she puts in her pocket. Lead the way, boy.

Grace, seizing the opportunity, sends Sherman in a slow run. She looked behind to see that her uncle had recovered quickly and was gaining on her. She slowed into a trot and he soon caught up.

Charles: Would you care to race, boy? I wouldn't mind one myself.

Grace: Briefly examines Charles' mount. It wouldn't be a fair one, yer grace. Sherman here'd be back at Belleterre before you made it to town.

Charles: Is that so? My nephew raises good horses then.

Grace: That he does, yer Grace, but I can out-shoot him with one hand tied behind my back.

Charles: That is a lofty claim, boy. Can you support it?

Grace: I'd be willing to compete in a contest with him any time. Shall we go a little faster?

Charles: I believe I could.

They start moving a bit faster and chat about various things during their ride. They pass through town and are some distance down the road towards Belleterre when rabbit bounds to the middle of the road in the distance. Grace immediately stops, and reaches out for Charles to stop to. The rabbit has stopped to nibble on a tuft of grass in the middle of the road, apparently oblivious to its audience. Grace dismounts and slowly aims her shotgun.

Grace: Whispers. Keep a firm hold on your horse.

She scuffs her foot, purposely, causing the rabbit to startle and start to run away. Then she shoots and hits her target. Sherman remained still, but Charles' horse required some calming. Grace starts walking toward the rabbit, leading Sherman behind her. Charles follows.

Charles: That was excellent shooting, boy, but why did you scare the rabbit first? It might have gotten away.

Grace: That's why I did it, yer Grace. The rabbit were just sittin' there, didn't even see us. Didn't seem fair for him. I gave him a chance.

Charles: Quite honorable of you, boy.

Grace, having reached the rabbit, smiles as she leans down to pick it up by the back legs. She reaches into the saddlebag, produces a ball of twine, and begins to tie the rabbit's back legs together.

Grace: Yer grace, I'm startin' to get a bit insulted by yer callin' me "boy" all the time.

Charles: Is that so? He watches Grace somewhat haughtily as she ties the rabbit along with the grouse, then remounts. And why, pray tell, is that? What should I call you?

Grace: Reaches under her hat, pulling out her hair pins. Did you ever wonder how I knew to call you "your grace," your grace?

Charles: No, I didn't, but I do now. How did you know? Our arrival was a surprise.

Grace: Yes, but the resemblance between you and your brother is uncanny, wouldn't you say? Think about it for a moment, sir.

Charles: I'm getting tired of your insolence, boy.

Grace: There you go with that "boy" again. She flashes him her deadly smile. As your niece... She pulls off her hat, allowing her blond hair to flow freely down her back... I believe you could at least call me Grace, but I'd much prefer you call me Gracie, as you used did before. She giggles I'll race you, Uncle Charlie.

Leaving her stunned uncle in a cloud of dust, Grace races Sherman at full speed down the road.

Continue to Episode 23

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