Episode 42
Episode 42: Mid-March, 1876
Scene 4 written by Heather
Scene 1: Outside Belleterre, late morning. Elizabeth is receiving a hand up into the open carriage from Mr. Patton. A valise can just barely be seen under the seat.
John Henry appears at the front door and determinedly walks to the carriage.
John Henry: Elizabeth, please, come back inside.
Elizabeth: Ignores him. Thank you, Patton. Please find the driver quickly. I do not wish to be kept waiting long. Patton nods and walks into the house. Elizabeth turns to her husband. I do not wish to speak with you now, Jean Henri, nor do I wish to return to the house with you. I had not really believed... that is not even the worst. How could you do that to your own son?
John Henry: If you would come in side, my dear, I believe you will find a satisfactory explanation.
Elizabeth: There will be no endearments, Jean Henri. I will leave it to you to explain this to our son.
John Henry: So you believe he should be told? After all, it was just one indiscretion.
Elizabeth: Do not even attempt to throw my words at me. It is a different situation altogether. There you are!
John Henry turned around to see the driver approaching.
Elizabeth: Move along, be quick about it. I wish to go to Mrs. Kincaid's house. She turns to her husband again as the driver takes his seat. If you do not move your foot the carriage will roll over it. It makes no difference to me. Au revoir, Jean Henri.
John Henry watches her for a while, then turns back to the house. As he enters the foyer through the front door, so does Will from a hallway.
Will: Mother left?
John Henry: Yes, she left. You were supposed to explain to her before it got out of hand.
Will: I didn't think she would leave.
John Henry: Neither did I. I'm not sure if I should take it as a good sign, though. She seems more angry that I betrayed you, not that I betrayed her.
Will: She's always been a stubborn woman, Dad. She knows what she said about the issue before. If she's anything like her daughters, she'd do anything rather than admit she was wrong.
John Henry: It's hard to say. She's always been so... well, obedient. Even if I didn't ask.
Will: Mari was like that at first. Speaking of my wife, did you touch her?
John Henry: I'm not in the mood for teasing, William.
Will: Are you going after her.
John Henry: Not right away. I want her to get angry first.
Scene 2: Northern England, early evening. The sun is still shining and Carey and Grace are entertaining guests on the lawn of Marshall House. Scotty, Johnny, and Paul are shooting clay pidgeons while Edwin and Frank sit on the terrace.
Carey: Leans over to Grace. I'm not sure I understand the amusement.
Grace: It's good practice, and it is fun when there is competition. Scotty could beat Paul and Johnny with his eyes closed.
Carey: I feel bad for Paul. He hasn't hit one yet. Such a good sport, though.
Grace: Perhaps I could give him a hand.
Carey: I thought you promise my mother you wouldn't create a scandal.
Grace: I'm bored. If I'm successful, Paul won't even know he had help. Besides, I thought you said your fellows were discreet.
Carey: Point taken. By all means.
Making sure, Edwin and Frank were not watching, Grace silently pulled the pistol from the holster on her leg as Paul aimed. Scotty, controlling the trap house, sent a pidgeon flying into the air. Grace's shot went off a split second after Paul's did, and she quickly replaced the gun while he rejoiced. Only Scotty noticed. He looked at Grace curiously, then at Carey, who smiled and shrugged her shoulders.
Paul: Let's call it a day, shall we?
Scotty: Quitting while you're ahead, Paul? But we haven't let the ladies have their turn. He looks Grace directly in the eye.Perhaps Carey or Miss Marshall could get a couple of... lucky shots... like the one you just had.
Grace: Jumps to her feet. Lucky shot my ass!
All eyes turn to her. Carey snorts and stifles a laugh while the men look on in disbelief.
Paul: I'm glad you have such faith in me, Miss Marshall.
Grace: I only meant to say that practice eventually pays off.
Scotty: Then you couldn't get in a few lucky shots, Miss Marshall?
Grace: I believe I could get in more than a few skilled shots. Certainly more than you. I do have a little practice.
Scotty: Is that so? Care to make a friendly wager?
Carey: Calls out.Watch yourself, Grace! Scotty's known to make very unfriendly wagers.
Grace: I'm not worried.
Scotty: You seem very confident, Miss Marshall. Name your terms.
Grace: I imagine you hit... sixty percent of your shots. I'll bet you I can hit ninety percent of mine–or more–and hit more than you.
Scotty: Are all your American cousins this brazen and confident, Carey?
Carey: Approaches them. Grace is the only American among them. The others were born in England. What will you give up when you lose, Scotty?
Scotty: Hmm... I have nothing to lose. I will be your personal servant for a week and cater to your every whim for all your waking hours. If I win... I get to have my way with you.
Frank: Scotty! Play fair. I won't allow it.
Grace: It's all right, Mr. Pritchett. He's not going to win.
Scotty: No, no. Preacher-boy's right. I get to have my way with Carey.
Carey (simultaneously with Grace): Hey!
Grace (simultaneously with Carey): Done.
Cut to: The lawn, a short time. Later. Scotty stands in shock as the other men exchange money from side bets, Paul being the only man who had faith in Grace. Grace, meanwhile, stands smugly leaning on the barrel of her shotgun.
Grace: If I counted correctly, Mr. McLeod, I hit nineteen out of twenty of my shots, though I must admit I was distracted when I missed that one. Still, that's ninety-five percent. I'm sorry to say, though you did slightly better than you did when you were competing against the men, you only hit thirteen. That's only sixty-five percent. Even my little female mind tells me I beat you.
Scotty: I know when to admit defeat, Miss Marshall. You definitely have a special skill. I'm at your service.
Grace: I'm feeling a little chilled. Fetch some wood and light a fire in the sitting room. I'll be waiting at the front door at eight o'clock tomorrow morning. Have our horses ready, and there will be no half-dead nags for me.
Carey: The men in the stables will be warned not to do any of the work for you.
Scene 3: Victoria's house, Liberty Creek, noon. Elizabeth is sitting in cozy room watching Victoria's four children play in the snow outside. Victoria stands behind the chair looking concerned.
Victoria: Why are you here, Maman?
Elizabeth: I cannot visit my daughter and her children?
Victoria: You brought a valise with a change of clothes.
Elizabeth: Looks into her lap. Your father and I have quarrelled.
Victoria: Shocked, speaks with shrill voice. You left him?
Elizabeth: Not so loud, Victoria
Victoria: Lowers her voice. Why did you leave Papa?
Elizabeth: You have heard the things I told your father after we found out about Joe and Olivia and that... woman.
Victoria: Daddy was very hurt that you didn't trust him.
Elizabeth: I realize that now, and I think perhaps I did trust him without knowing so, but it has all changed now.
Victoria: What has happened?
Elizabeth: Almost whispers. I think... I think I sent him to another woman.
Victoria: Not Daddy. You must be mistaken, Maman.
Elizabeth: I wish I were. I saw them together.
Victoria: Who was it? I'll kill her.
Elizabeth: Your father is just as much to blame. I believe that now, but I do not know what to do. Should I tell the husband of the woman?
Victoria: It was a married woman? Elizabeth nods. Then... I suppose her husband should know.
Elizabeth: Whispers. Her husband is your brother.
Victoria: Appears confused. Tess?
Elizabeth: Marietta.
Victoria: No.
Elizabeth: I did not want to believe it either. I want to... I want to get angry at him, but then that would make me a hypocrite.
Victoria: Oh, Maman. That doesn't matter. Give him Hell.
Elizabeth: Victoria!
Victoria: Well?
Elizabeth: Tomorrow, when I have had time.
Victoria: Today. He just rode up.
Elizabeth: Stands. I do not want to see him. Send him away.
Elizabeth leaves the room and walks further into the house. She does not see Will and Marietta ride up just after John Henry. Victoria meets them at the door after they've all greeted the children, still playing outside.
John Henry: I want to see your mother, Victoria.
Victoria: I don't know what's going on here. It seems pretty sickening to me.
John Henry: I didn't think she'd tell you. There is an explanation. Please let me.
Victoria: Maman does not want to talk to you. Quite frankly, neither do I.
Will: Oh, Vicky, just get out of the way.
Will picks up his sister and forcibly moves her out of the way. John Henry passes through the door and begins checking all the rooms on the first floor, finally disappearing into the back.
Will: It was an act, Vic. I knew all about it. They messed up their clothes and hair and waited for her to come in.
Victoria: That's disgusting, Will! She smacks him hard on the arm. How could you do that to your mother?
Will: Dad wanted to shock some sense into her.
Victoria: It was cruel.
Marietta opens her mouth to comment, but she's interrupted by the sound of breaking glass coming from the back of the room followed by a slew of French curses and mroe breaking glass. Will snickers.
Will: I hope that isn't your good china.
Victoria: It isn't funny, Will.
Will: Yes, it is. This is exactly what he wanted... for her to get mad at him.
Victoria: She's talking to fast to even understand what she's saying.
Will: You've never heard a Frenchwoman get angry.
Marietta: Shut your mouth, Will. She turns to Victoria. He has told her the whole truth, and she is cursing him for coming up with such a ridiculous excuse for the truth.
Will: Perhaps I should—
John Henry: Still in the back room. Will!
Cut to: Some time later, Elizabeth marches into the front of the house followed by the sheepish Will and John Henry. Victoria is waiting in the front room with Marietta, and they have been joined by Benjamin. The children still play outside.
Marietta: You will forgive me?
Elizabeth: Of course, ma chère. My husband and my son, well, they will have to earn it.
Benjamin: I only hope Joe is able to patch things up as well.
John Henry: He'll have to get there first.
Benjamin: I thought you would have heard. He got the money somehow. He left earlier today.
John Henry: Where did he get the money? I know he tried to get Olivia's.
Benjamin: He wouldn't say.
Elizabeth: Speaks quietly, bows her head. I gave him the money.
John Henry: Angry. You did what?
Elizabeth: It was before... before I understood everything.
John Henry: She went to England to get away from him!
Victoria: Daddy, hasn't there been enough fighting?
John Henry: Please, Victoria, just... John Henry takes a deep breath and turns to his wife. I thought I knew you, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth: Please, I...
John Henry: No more, not now. He pauses for a long while and the others watch him intently. I need to be alone.
John Henry walks from the room without looking any of them in the eye.
Scene 4: Madison's cabin, night.
Madison lies in bed, asleep. As she tosses and turns, her head is filled with images from her past as she is plunged into a nightmare.
A dream: Madison sits alone on a stone bench in a garden on a gloomy winter afternoon, dressed in mourning clothes.A tall man with sandy-blond hair and green eyes steps out from behind some overgrown bushes. He walks over to where Madison is seated.
Man: I thought I told you not to go anywhere!
Madison: I wanted to be alone.
Man: But you belong with me.
Madison: Jonathan, please... I have just buried my father. I need to be alone right now.
Jonathan sits beside Madison on the bench and places his arm protectively around her.
Jonathan: Someone has to take care of you, Maddie. That's why I'm here.
Madison: Just leave me alone, Jonathan.
Jonathan: No... never. You know I could never leave you.
Madison stands and turns to face Jonathan.
Madison: Fine, then. I will leave.
Jonathan: Where do you think you're going?
Madison: Somewhere where I may grieve in peace.
She begins to leave, but Jonathan catches her by her arm, squeezing it tightly.
Jonathan: You're not going anywhere, Madison. You are staying right here, with me.
Madison: No.
Jonathan: He stands and glares down at Madison. What did you just say?
Madison: I said no, Jonathan.
Jonathan: I see.
Jonathan slowly raises his arm, his hand clentched into a fist. Madison's eyes widen in terror as she realizes what he is about to do. His hand starts to come down...
Madison sits straight up in her bed, breathing heavily. She looks around the room warily, pushing back sweat-dampened hair from her face. She sighs in relief.
Madison: Whispers, eyes closed. It was just a dream...
Madison pulls her knees in towards her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs, and rests her chin upon them. After looking around cautiously for a moment, she buries her face in her arms and begins sobbing uncontrollably.
Who has been following
Madison? What's next for Elizabeth and John
Henry? Grace makes another bet–same
terms, different event. Who wins?
© 1998, all rights reserved.
Get your own Free Home Page