Episode 39
Episode 39: Late February, 1876
Scenes 2 and 4 written by Heather
Scene 1: John Henry's office, Sunday afternoon. The two friends are sitting with pipes and ciders. Through the window behind them, Princess and Red can be seen romping with their puppies.
Lazarus: Have you received word from Olivia yet?
John Henry: Yes, yesterday afternoon. They depart tomorrow on the ship. Edward took Grace and Joey to a beach. Neither have seen the ocean. My grandson drank the water.
Lazarus: And Olivia?
John Henry: Perfectly healthy and enjoying the luxury of their hotel. She has seen a doctor.
Lazarus: I'm glad. Speaking of doctors, we'll be getting one shortly. I've made the arrangements with the Widow Pendergast for the use of her husband's clinic.
John Henry: What's this? You're a doctor as well?
Lazarus: My grandson is. My Lena's boy, Jack, Dr. Jackson.
John Henry: Jack Jackson?
Lazarus: Jack is the nickname his father had and still has. He gave it to his son.
John Henry: Well, I look forward to meeting him. We've been in need of a doctor. Does he have much experience?
Lazarus: He trained at a hospital for several years, and has been practising with a doctor for several years since. He is... He thinks. twenty-six years of age.
John Henry: Mumbles. A shame he didn't come sooner, when Olivia was in great need of a doctor.
John Henry offers Lazarus another drink, then pours one for himself when Lazarus refuses.
Lazarus: Concerned. How much have you been drinking, John?
John Henry: Too much. He looks at the drink held in his hand, then sets it on the table. Have you ever done it?
Lazarus: Done what?
John Henry: Been with another woman.
Lazarus: Pauses. There was one time... I came quite close, but never went through with it. I was quite young. Why? Are you feeling guilty now for past sins?
John Henry: No, and that's the thing. If Joe had been here when I learned what he did, I would be in jail cell right now. Elizabeth, though, she thinks Olivia has over- reacted, that it's just one little indiscretion.
Lazarus: I think that would be the more common response.
John Henry: Yes, but that is not the whole of it. All these years she has assumed that I have had countless women besides her. All these years she's been forgiving me for my non-existent discretions. She does not understand now why I'm angry.
Lazarus: Why are you angry?
John Henry: My wife doesn't trust me and she never has!
Lazarus: Perhaps you should show her what it would be like if you really weren't faithful.
John Henry: You mean find another woman and...
Lazarus: No, because then all she's suspected you of will have actually been true. Make it seem as if you have, just for a little while.
John Henry: Are you serious?
Lazarus: Yes, but make sure you're able to prove that it didn't really happen.
Scene 2: Belleterre, several hours later. Madison and John Henry are walking about the house together, talking as they go.
Madison: Looks about. This is a very lovely home, Mr. Marshall. I haven't seen one quite as grand as this since I was a very young girl.
John Henry: When I first commissioned it we had come into a great deal of money. I originally brought my family to America when I invested in a silver mine in Nevada.
Madison: The Comstock Lode?
John Henry: Yes, as a matter of fact. I still missed my home in England, which I assumed I would never inherit because I am only the third son, so I had this house modeled after several of our family estates. Belleterre is smaller than my family's largest and oldest estates, but the library there does not compare to mine.
Madison: And the courtyard?
John Henry: Libbie's idea. Libbie, my oldest daughter.
Madison: Which one was she? Your daughters look so much alike.
John Henry: Laughs. Libbie and Victoria should. They're twins. Libbie always dresses more elegantly.
Madison: Mrs. Elliot, then. She and I spoke after church this morning. Madison stops walking and takes a deep breath. Mr. Marshall, it has been nearly a month since I first arrived here in Liberty Creek. Since my arrival, I have been staying with your son and his lovely family. I feel that I have started to become a burden on them. I would greatly appreciate it if you could arrange to have my permanent lodgings built sometime in the near future.
John Henry: A prepared speech, I see. You seemed nervous, spitting it all out so fast. You had no reason to be–nervous, I mean. And I'm sure Will and Mari do not consider you a burden at all, far from it. I'm sure, though, that you must want to get out on your own.
Madison: I noticed a path leading off of your property a few weeks back. I followed it to this extraordinarily beautiful clearing. There is a spot right on the crest of the hill in that clearing that would be perfect for a house. I would really love to have mine built there. It's not too far from town, so I could walk to the school.
John Henry: I believe I know the spot you're thinking of. You're lucky. My son, Nick, considered building his own new house there, but has since decided upon a secluded shore of the lake.
Madison: There is a lake?
John Henry: Lake Liberty, yes. There are no roads, only narrow trails leading to it. The construction will require much clearing. Back to the point, I will speak with the rest of the school board tomorrow and we will then ask the men to volunteer their time. We may begin construction by the end of the week, which means your new home may be completed by next Friday.
Madison: Thank you, sir. I didn't expect it to be so soon.
Scene 3: Georgie and Gabe's home in San Francisco, a short time later. Georgie and Stuart are in an upstairs room, Stuart standing on a box while Georgie fits a new dress.
Georgie: You've been filling out nicely, Stuart. It's high time you got a few new dresses.
Stuart: I'm sure the others can be let out.
Georgie: Nonsense, that would make you look pregnant. We want you to look fashionable.
Stuart: I've never been one for fashion. Oh! She puts her hand on her belly. Oh, my!
Georgie: What is it?
Stuart: I... I think the baby is kicking.
Georgie: For the first time?
Stuart: Yes. It... it feels... strange. That is my baby.
Georgie: It makes it feel more real, doesn't it?
There is a knock at the door.
Gabe: May I come in?
Georgie: Yes, dear, she's decent.
Gabe walks inside, a slip of paper in his hand.
Georgie: You look terrible, dear. How did the surgery go?
Gabe: Terribly, but he survived by some miracle.
Georgie: He has a good doctor. What's that in your hand?
Gabe: It came just as I arrived home. A telegram. It was addressed to no one in particular, so I took the liberty of reading it. I'm sorry, Stuart, but the secret is out.
Stuart: What?
Gabe: It is from Tess. Perhaps you should come sit down. Gabe helps Stuart down and leads her to a nearby chair. Olivia found out the truth shortly after Joe left on a business trip. She has left town with her son and is currently on her way to England.
Stuart: Sobs, covers her face with her hands. I've ruined everything, haven't I?
Scene 4: Belleterre, late afternoon. Madison and Sally are taking tea together in a small sitting room.
Sally: I enjoy making new friends. I'm sorry we haven't done this sooner. I've been eager to get to know you.
Madison: I am afraid my work has been keeping me rather busy. I would have come sooner, if not for that.
Sally: So what brought you to Liberty Creek?
Madison: Desperation.
Sally: Surprised.Excuse me?
Madison: When my father died, he left me a good supply of ready cash that was supposed to last me until I became old enough to legally inherit his estate. While living in Boston, I was cheated by this man, Bobby. He ended up taking a good sum of my money away from me.
Sally: How horrible!
Madison: I suppose it is.
Sally: You suppose? How much money did he get away with?
Madison: Thinks for a moment. Close to two-thousand dollars.
Sally: My, my.
Madison: You know... Now that I think about it, that bas–er–scoundrel's name was Marshall. Isn't it ironic that now I should be associated with a family of the same name!
Sally: You said your man's name was Bobby, or Robert?
Madison: Yes, although I prefer to call him "Bobby." He doesn't like to be called that, which is precisely why I do it.
Sally: Chuckles. Well, one of my new cousins is also named Robert. He happens to be in Boston as well. Cambridge, actually, but I understand he spends much of his spare time in Boston.
Madison: Is that so?
Sally: Mmm. One of my charges, Louisa, has been working on a family portrait. I am certain she has a picture of him somewhere among her sketches.
Madison: If it's not too much trouble, I would like to see it.
Sally: It isn't any trouble a'tall. She sketches in the library, and usually leaves the sketches there. She doesn't mind us showing them to people.
Sally leads Madison down the hall and into the library. She finds Louisa's sketches stacked atop the piano. Madison stops in front of the piano and remains still. A sad, dreamy look comes into her eyes.
Flashback: Taylor estate, 1864. A six year-old Madison sits on a piano bench in a grand parlor.
Madison pounds on the keys of the piano, oblivious to what she is playing. A middle-aged woman with greying-brown hair and soft brown eyes enters, walks briskly toward the piano.
Woman: Madison Rebecca Taylor, what have I told you about pounding on the piano keys?
Madison: It could break the piano strings.
Woman: Exactly. Now, I want you to stop doing that and continue playing the piece properly.
Madison: I'm sorry, Mama.
Madison begins playing a composition by Mozart on the piano, and her mother stands nearby to watch. As Madison looks over her shoulder for her mother’s approval, the smile falls from her face and is replaced by a look of fear. She stops playing.
Madison: Mama? Are you ill?
Mrs. Taylor: Weak. No, darling, I will be fine.
Mrs. Taylor begins to swoon after having reassured her daughter of her health. Madison looks on with concern, and gasps as her mother falls to the floor.
Madison: Mama!
Sally: Here it is!
Madison is jilted back to reality by the sound of Sally's voice. With the memory still plaguing her mind, she walks slowly to the side of the piano, where Sally has spread out the sketches.
Sally: I found the one I as looking for... She turns to Madison. Are you feeling all right? You look pale.
Madison: Quiet. I'm fine. She looks over Sally’s shoulder and gestures to one of the sketches. Is that him?
Sally: Smiles. That is my husband.
Madison: Smiles. He's quite handsome.
Sally: Nods in agreement. Yes, I know. She giggles. But here is the picture of Robert.
Sally shows Madison the sketch she is holding. Madison's eyes widen in surprise and recognition.
Madison: Whispers to herself. Oh my, Lord...
Just how does Madison know
Robert? Will Joe discover his wife has left
him? Dr. Jackson arrives in Liberty
Creek. Will he make good first impressions?
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