Episode 40
Episode 40: Early March, 1876
Scene 1 and the first part of 3 written by Heather
Scene 1: Belleterre library, afternoon. Madison has just been shown a sketch of Robert Marshall.
Madison: Mumbles. How could I have been so stupid?
Sally: Hmm?
Madison: I was just commenting on how life-like the sketch is.
Sally: Louisa is a very talented young artist.
Madison: May I look at that sketch?
Sally: Of course.
Sally hands Madison the sketch. Madison walks over to a chair and sits down, staring intently at the face on the paper. She mumbles a few words to herself.
Sally: Is everything all right?
Madison: Yes, well, I... I am quite enchanted by this sketch. Your cousin has extraordinary eyes.
Sally glances at the clock and does a double take.
Sally: Oh, my! Look at the time! I'm afraid I must go. I promised Freddie we'd go out... that is, we... we had a prior engagement. Feel free to stay and look through the other sketches.
Madison waves absent-mindedly. Sally pauses at Madison's odd behavior, but is too hurried to stay and question it.
Madison: Talks quietly to herself. Bobby Marshall... You little bastard. I swear, I'll get you back for everything you’ve done to me.
Scene 2: Georgie and Gabe's house, San Francisco, several days later. Stuart is sitting by herself in a room at the front of the house, reading a book while occasionally taking bites of a light lunch.
With her back to the window, Stuart doesn't notice as Joe Kincaid approaches the house on foot, climbs the steps of the front stoop. She ignores the knock, just glances up as a tall, brawny maid passes her door on the way to answer the front door. The maid enters the room a few moments later.
Maid: Miss MacKenzie, there is a man here to see you. He would not give his name.
Stuart: And he asked for me?
Maid: Yes, miss. Would you like me to bring him in or send him away?
Stuart: Adjusts the blanket to cover her belly. I suppose you should send him in.
Stuart waits nervously, looking up expectantly at the door. When Joe appears, she forgets herself and jumps to her feet, dropping the blanket and exposing her condition.
Stuart: Shocked, angry. What are you doing here?
Joe: Why did you lie to me?
Stuart: What?
Joe: You told me you weren't pregnant.
Stuart: I am the least of your problems now. You don't have the faintest idea what has happened, do you?
Joe: What do you mean?
Stuart: Why did you come here?
Joe: To see you, of course.
Stuart: You left your pregnant wife, who could lose her baby at any moment, to come all the way here? This was your business trip?
Joe: How did you know about my business trip?
Olivia: Frustrated. It doesn't matter! Why did you come here?
Joe: I did go on a business trip, but afterward I decided to come see you. Olivia is doing better now and I was worried about you. I got you... in this condition. That's my child you're carrying.
Stuart: There is no proof of that. I'm not your wife, and you have no rights to me. I'll take care of my baby. Dr. Hewitt has already found a nice family to adopt it as soon as it's born.
Joe: You're... you're giving it away?
Stuart: Did you expect me to come live at your house with your wife? I have an obligation to give my baby the best life possible, and that means two parents who love each other.
Joe: I love you.
Stuart: No, you don't. You're confused. I suggest you return to your home and see what you've left behind. I used to blame all of this one myself, because I encouraged what we did, but your behavior since then has been so appalling I'm beginning to think you would have eventually ruined your marriage without my help. Now, get out.
Joe: Begins to approach her, arms out-stretched. I won't—
Stuart: Calls past him. Hilda!
The maid, several inches taller than Joe, enters the room. She eyes Joe suspiciously.
Hilda: Is there a problem, Miss MacKenzie?
Stuart: No, Hilda. Mr. Kincaid was just leaving. I'm afraid he's so confused he may not find his way to the door. Please do show him out.
Joe: Begins to protest, but thinks again asHilda takes his arm to lead him away. It isn't over yet, Stuart.
Stuart: Yes, it is, Joe. Go home.
Scene 3: Near Liberty Creek, late afternoon. Sally and Madison have just emerged from a trail in the trees to see the construction of Madison's new home, half completed.
Sally: It certainly is coming along.
Madison: That it is. And much quicker than I imagined.
Sally: I understand the various families in the area are supplying the furnishings?
Madison: A few, but mostly Nick and Tess.
Sally: Ah, yes, because Tess absconded with all the donated furniture from the first teacher's cabin.
Boy (about 15): Yells from his position atop one of the walls, waving. Hey, Miss Taylor!
Madison: Calls back. Good afternoon, Peter!
Sally: Do you enjoy teaching?
Madison: It was never my ambition to teach, but I must say that it is quite an enjoyable experience. The children are absolutely delightful. And, I might also add, quite well behaved. There are a few trouble makers, but even they are surprisingly easy to control.
Sally: Well, I must admit, I am glad I don't have nearly as many students under my charge as you, but I would like a challenge at some point. Julia and Louisa, and Grace as well, don't need me to teach them much of anything anymore. They're already more educated than most young ladies.
Madison: What will you do when they no longer require a tutor?
Sally: It is already decided. Freddie and I are returning to England at the beginning of summer this year. We have just received word from Freddie's uncle that he has successfully received permission to bestow upon Freddie one of the family's spare titles.
Madison: Spare titles? I don't understand.
Sally: I was sure it would have been discussed. Freddie's uncle, John Henry's brother, is a duke. Freddie is, well, illigitimate and would not have inherited the title even if his father did not disinherit himself. I'll tell you the whole of it when we're riding back, but the short of it is Her Majesty has allowed His Grace Freddie's uncle to give Freddie a spare viscountcy. It's all very confusing if you don't know the whole story. I am to be the Viscountess Roxbury, and I will be presented to the queen shortly after my return. I never considered that as a possibility with my past.
Madison: Mumbles. It couldn't be any worse than mine.
Sally: I must say, you really should cease that mumbling.
Madison: I... I'm sorry. I didn't realize I'd done it. It is a terrible habit, I admit. Do go on.
Sally: Not quite yet. I heard what you said. Your past couldn't possibly be as scandalous as you seem to think it is. Why don't you tell me about it? I assure you I will exercise nothing but complete discretion.
Madison: Well, you already know that I lost a great deal of money to a man in Boston...
Sally: Exactly how did that happen?
Madison: It is of no importance at this time. It actually has very little to do with the reason I came to Liberty Creek. It was more of a deciding factor.
Sally: Then what compelled you to come here?
Madison: Another man, whose name I hold in the highest contempt and refuse to even mention.
Sally: What happened between you and this other man?
Madison: It is a very long and complicated story.
Sally: I have all the time in the world. Please, do go on.
Madison: Forgive me, but I do not feel comfortable discussing this with anyone. It is a rather... personal matter.
Sally: I understand. If you ever change your mind, I am more than willing to listen.
Madison: Thank you.
Sally: Perhaps we should be heading back. It must be nearing dinnertime by now.
Madison: Yes, perhaps we should.
Madison and Sally turn their horses around and start to head back.
Cut to: Liberty Creek, a short time later. Lazarus and Danielle Carrol stand just inside the store, he casually chatting with the owner and she nervously watching out the window.
Danielle: Is not this stage reputed to be punctual, Mr. 'Owell?
Mr. Howell: Yes, ma'am, it is. It's due in about, oh... three minutes. It will be nice to have a doctor in town again. Your grandson'll be bombarded for the first little while, people with ailments who couldn't get to Smithson.
Lazarus: Yes, so I told him. Jack wrote back explaining it's the sort of thing he's always wanted, not old hypochondriacs like myself in the city.
Mr. Howell: Have you warned him about the mothers with eligible daughters?
Lazarus: Chuckles. Nah. I'll let him find out about them by himself.
Danielle: Oh! It is coming!
Danielle bustles outside, followed by a more sober Lazarus. She waits impatiently as the stage continues to approach, then gives the first two passengers to exit rude looks when they are not her grandson. Soon, though, she gasps an attractive, well-dressed man emerges and stands outside the stage. He wears a long overcoat, opened to reveal a stylish suit. He smiles at Danielle and opens her arms.
Danielle: Cries. Angel! She takes a few steps toward her grandson and he lifts her off the ground as he hugs her. Oh, Angel, mon beau, beau petit- fils!
Jack: Whispers. Call me Jack, Bonne-maman, please.
Lazarus: Yes, Danielle, please. He adds pointedly. The boy is too old for such endearments.
Danielle: But Angel is his—
Lazarus: Childhood nickname, I know. How are you doing, Jack? You're looking well.
Jack: Thank you, sir, I feel well. I must say, you're looking in wonderful health for a man of your...
Lazarus: Advanced age. I know I'm old, Jack. Now, if your grandmother will let you go, we can go home and get warm. I've hired a man to deliver your things to the house, but he will drive us there first. Come, this way.
Scene 4: Liberty Creek, dusk. Jack has just left his grandparent's house. He wears a large pair of boots as he trudges through the snow.
Jack almost steps onto the street, but is forced to jump back again when a sleek horse appears from around the corner and races past him. It appeared to be a woman riding, but he caught no glimpse of her face. He shakes the oddity out of his mind and continues on his walk, eventually coming to a house in town with a sign at the street reading, "Dr. H.E. Pendergast, M.D." He passes through the open gate, peers through a downstairs window, then raps on the door. It is sometime before the door opens a crack and an old, grey eye surrounded by wrinkled skin peers out at him.
Woman: Demands. Who are you?
Jack: Smiles. Hello, Mrs. Pendergast. I'm Dr. Jackson, the Carrols' grandson.
Mrs. Pendergast: Opens the door wider. Well, why didn't ye' say so? Come on in then, you're lettin' all the warm air out.
Jack knocks the snow off his feet at the stoop before stepping inside and closing the door behind him. He removes his gloves and looks around, aware that the woman is staring at him.
Mrs. Pendergast: A little young, aren't ye'?
Jack: I've been a real doctor for five years, ma'am.
Mrs. P: Well, ye' sure don't look it. Come on, then, you might as well have a look at Hezekiah's clinic.
The the little old woman shows him through all the rooms downstairs–a waiting room and office, an examining room, an operating room, and a recovery room.
Mrs. P: You'll have to order supplies, o' course. The general store always took care o' that. I kept all of Hezekiah's patient files. Some of the people have died, o' course, but the others'll be o' use to ye'.
Jack: Yes, I will. I'll have to come by tomorrow and look through all of them.
Mrs. P: It could all use a good cleanin', too. I still got the name of the girl that did it for Hezekiah, wrote it down somewhere. Ohh... She leans against a wall, placing one hand upon her lower back. My lumbago's actin' up again. Would you be so kind as to help me upstairs?
Jack: Of course, Mrs. Pendergast.
Taking his time with great care, Jack helps the woman up the staircase to her apartment above. He settles her in a chair in her parlor by a little stove.
Jack: Do you take anything for your pains, Mrs. Pendergast?
Mrs. P: A little laudanum on occasion, but usually a special tea. I had some brewing before you showed up.
Jack: I'll get you some.
Mrs. P: Thank you, dear.
Jack pours the woman some tea and leaves her by the fire, taking his leave and promising to return the next day. Outside, he continues further into town, stopping in front of the post office to observe a horse, apparently the one that had nearly run him down earlier. He starts to continue on to the general store, but is nearly run down again by a radiant beauty with tousled blond hair.
Jack: Excuse me, miss, but I do believe that is the second time you have nearly run me down. Whatever was the rush?
Madison: Well, it is best for one to stay out of a person's way if one is in it.
Jack: I do apologize if I have offended you. May I escort you home? It is nearly dark.
Madison: I am quite capable of getting home on my own. I'm a big girl.
Jack: Whatever you wish, Miss... ?
Madison: Taylor.
Jack: Miss Taylor, it was a pleasure to meet you. Do allow me the privilege of introducing myself. Jackson, Dr. Jackson, but please do call me Jack.
Madison: Laughs. Jack Jackson? Oh dear... And I thought my name was unheard of. She clears her throat and straightens her posture. If you'll excuse me, Dr. Jackson, but, as you pointed out, it is getting dark. Mocks. And poor little girls such as myself should not be out alone after dark.
Jack: Smiles as Madison mounts her horse. I look forward to seeing you again sometime, Miss Taylor. Do have a delightful evening.
Jack waves good-heartedly as Madison rides briskly away, not turning to see his wave. With an extra bounce in his step, Jack continues on to the store.
Scene 5: A ship, the next morning. White cliffs can be seen in the distance. Olivia, with a shawl discreetly hiding her condition, stands at the rail of the ship. Grace stands beside her, as do Edward and Maggie. Edward carries Joey on his shoulders.
Olivia: A tear in her eye, almost whispers. I'd forgotten how beautiful it was. I'm glad you woke me for the sunrise.
Maggie: We didn't think you'd want to miss it.
Joey: Are we in England now?
Olivia: Almost, Joey. Look. Over there... She points to her left. That's England. That's where Mama was born and that's where your Grandpa's from. And over there... She points to her right. That's France. That's where your Grandmama is from. She remains silent for a moment, then turns slightly to Grace. You and Julia and Robert all missed something, especially you. There is something about England. It stays with you. I considered myself an American until now, but seeing England again... Belleterre will always be my home, but Daddy made it so much like England. I always felt something missing when I left, but I ignored it. I know now what it was... How long till we dock, Edward?
Edward: Only a few hours.
Olivia: And we'll go straight to Stancliff?
Edward: I thought you might want to rest first, but we'll leave right away if that is what you want. We'll stop at our townhouse and I'll send someone to see about the train.
Olivia: No coach?
Edward: It wouldn't be good for you, I'm afraid.
Olivia: Could we make a stop somewhere, then? I'd love to see my old home.
Maggie: Roxbury Manor? Oh, yes, Edward. Let's. It's the one Papa wants to give to Freddie, you know. It isn't out of the way.
Edward: Looks to Olivia. Only if you're feeling perfectly well, and you must say so.
Olivia: I promise. And it isn't too far from Stancliff, if I remember. We can take a coach the rest of the way.
Edward: You're better than Maggie at getting what you want.
Olivia: I would have gone anyway, Edward. I'm an independent woman now.
Joe returns home to find his family
gone With Olivia settled and healthy,
Grace discovers society Another character gets caught with
his pants down.
© 1998, all rights reserved.
Get your own Free Home Page