Episode 46
Episode 46: Mid-April, 1876
Scene 4 (second half) written by Heather
Scene 1: The Elliot house, mid-morning. Lydia is sitting in the sunlight on the front porch, sewing baby clothes. Philip approaches, his five year-old namesake on hsi shoulders.
Philip: My God, Lydie, haven't you popped it yet? You're huge.
Lydia: I was waiting for Libbie to let you back in the house.
Philip: Touché. Reaches the porch, sets his son down. Go find your mother, Philly.
The little boy runs into the house.
Lydia: Actually, I didn't want to give you the opportunity to tease me about having the wedding night before the wedding. Christopher and I haven't been married nine months yet.
Philip: A pity. Where is he, anyway? I'm surprised he left your side.
Lydia: He went with Nick and Tess to the lake. They've finally broken ground and are beginning to lay the foundation for their house.
Libbie: Appears at the door. Philip.
Philip: You've been keeping up this false front for a ridiculously long time, Libbie. I'll wager you don't even remember what it was I said.
Libbie: Defensive. I do.
Philip: I can tell you're lying, so don't even try. You know I didn't mean myself personally. I have not, nor have I ever thought of, doing what Joe did. I wouldn't dare in this family. He looks at Libbie, but her expression has not changed. You're not convincing anyone, Libbie. I know you're not mad at me. You don't even have to admit it. Libbie remains still, Philip sighs. Maybe I should take you away by ourselves like I did Philly. Child wouldn't shut up.
Libbie: I'll get my shawl.
Libbie disappears into the house and Philip collapses into the chair beside Lydia, groaning aloud as he shakes his head and runs his fingers through his hair.
Lydia: Oh, I should mention Olivia had the baby. A little girl, Faith. We received the telegram several days ago.
Philip: And they're healthy?
Lydia: Olivia is, but the baby is very weak. I didn't want you to say anything else you might regret. Libbie is very worried. She looks at her brother, who has his head buried in his hands. It was her plan, you know. Philip looks over at his sister, confused. She told me so. You hadn't touched her for three weeks. It's working just the way she planned. Now she's getting you alone. After all that time with Philly, she figured you'd be desperate. It would have been a lot easier if she'd told you directly what she wanted.
Philip: Laughs. What? Libbie do anything directly? This is how she got me to court her, too.
Lydia: I suppose you should have seen this coming, then. Lydia laughs at Philip's frustrated expression. Take her to the hot springs. It's where she wants to go, and it will save you a lot of time if you go there directly. Now, help me up. I want to go inside.
Scene 2: Georgie and Gabe's house, San Francisco, a short time late. Georgie, Gabe, and Stuart sit in the front parlor having tea with a couple in their mid-thirties.
Woman: You don't know how lucky you are, Mrs. Hewitt, to find yourself expecting so soon after marrying.
Georgie: Pats her five-months pregnant belly. It isn't luck, Mrs. Horner. A blessing, yes, but not luck.
Mrs. Horner: Well, I certainly consider it luck that Mary has come into our lives. We're so glad you've decided to do the right thing, my dear. Mr. Horner and I have been waiting for so long. Tell, us what did the baby's father look like?
Stuart: Does it matter, Mrs. Horner? I'd rather not think of him.
Mrs. Horner: Oh, my! Blushes. I am sorry, dear. I didn't even think. Were you... forced?
Stuart: I won't lie to you, Mrs. Horner, I was not forced. I would just rather not think of the man.
Mrs. Horner: Blushes even deeper. Oh, my! Well... I mean... your baby really will be better off with a married couple. Well, think of the influence.
Stuart: Stiffens. I have only ever been with one man, Mrs. Horner, and one time. It was a mistake and I certainly didn't mean to happen. My father raised me with values.
Mrs. Horner: I'm sure he did. I suppose I should not have been so quick to judge. Mr. Horner and I really don't know the circumstances that led up to your... situation. It's just so different from what I'm used to hearing from my husband.
Mr. Horner: It's not a glamorous job, I assure you. I couldn't count how many autopsies I've performed on Mexican prostitutes. More than half have gotten themselves pregnant and subsequently died in a botched abortion. They've sinned enough selling themselves to drunken men, but then they take it one step further and murder an innocent child. I've never seen a Mexican woman who wasn't a prostitute.
Gabe watches as first Stuart, then Georgie, grow tense.
Gabe: Perhaps we should change the topic.
Stuart: No, no. If Mr. Horner dislikes Mexicans so much, he should really know something about me. My mother was half Mexican and half Apache. She was not a prostitute. If you plan to teach my child resentment for anyone, perhaps you are not an appropriate influence.
Gabe sees that Georgie is visibly angry, her face red as she seethes.
Gabe: I'm so sorry this didn't work out, Mrs. Horner. I know how much you've been wanting a child.
Mrs. Horner: Well... I... it doesn't have to be this way. The child won't have much Mexican or Indian in its blood. And if the father were white...
Stuart: I wouldn't give you my baby now if my life depended on it.
Mr. Horner: I hardly think you have the right to judge us so harshly, Miss MacKenzie. After all, you are the one who is pregnant without benefit of a husband.
Georgie: Stands. I think it would be best if you left before more hurtful things are said. Good day.
Mr. and Mrs. Horner leave with their dignity intact and Georgie allows Gabe to hold her.
Georgie: I'll never be able to escape it, will I?
Gabe: It wasn't meant at you directly, Georgie.
Georgie: Only because they didn't know. Everyone uses such wide generalizations.
Stuart: I'll never find my baby parents here now. I'm so sorry, Dr. Hewitt. I should have kept my mouth shut, but I just couldn't...
Gabe: I understand perfectly. We'll figure something out.
Scene 3: Stancliff Manor, evening. Grace has just left Olivia's room and is met by Paul in the hallway.
Grace: Mr. Moody! I'm surprised you've stayed here all this time.
Paul: I've involved myself. I must see it through.
Grace: You really didn't have to follow me all the way from Marshton.
Paul: Carey asked me to, but I would have anyway. We couldn't have you getting lost.
Grace: But I didn't.
Paul: Yes, I know. How is your sister?
Grace: Olivia is fine, perhaps over-tired, but fine. It's little Faith we're worried about. She's so small and weak.
Paul: She will be in my prayers, then. You've missed tea. Would you care to take it with me?
Grace: I could use some, thank you.
Paul: This way.
Cut to: Some time later. Grace and Paul sit in a small sitting room, empty tea cups on a table in front of them.
Grace: I can't believe I told you the whole story. You won't repeat it, will you?
Paul: Of course not. I judged you needed someone to talk to.
Grace: I just don't know what to think anymore. I use to have the whole thing figured out.
Paul: You seem to have overcome the hurt that woman has caused you personally. Perhaps it's time agree with your sister. After all, she is still suffering because of the whole affair.
Grace: Maybe you're right. I've just been selfish, haven't I? I never used to be selfish.
Paul: It isn't selfishness. You've just been confused, and you've had every right to be so.
Grace: Thank you, for listening, I mean. I can understand why Carey considers you such a good friend. Speaking of Carey, what is going on with her and Johnny?
Paul: Nothing. They're the dearest of friends and they have been since before they can remember. People have always suspected, though. The treat each other like the most loving husband and wife. No, we've always thought Scotty was the one for Carey. Something's been going on between those two for ten years, they just haven't known it.
Grace: So I've started something?
Paul: I think so.
Scene 4: The courthouse in Boise, the next morning. Madison, Sally, Lazarus, and Jack are gathered in the lobby. Lazarus and Jack stand talking some distance from the two ladies.
Jack: Why does this Judge Hansen concern you so?
Lazarus: The man is a lecher. He drinks too much, he sleeps with any woman who'll have him and some who won't, and he beats his wife. He has no respect for women whatsoever.
Jack: Looks over at Madison, concerned. Then she has no chance, does she?
Lazarus: Rutherford will leave this courtroom a hero.
Jack: Takes a deep breath. Well, I suppose we should rejoin them.
Lazarus and Jack return to Madison and Sally. Both men appear concerned, but they try to hide it.
Lazarus: Miss Taylor, no matter what happens today, that man will never hurt you again. We will make sure of it.
Madison: Is there something wrong, Mr. Carrol? You seem a bit anxious.
Lazarus: Nothing out of the ordinary, Miss Taylor. I was always nervous before a trial. Just remember what I told you.
Madison: Either way, I would like to express my gratitude to all of you for everything you have done.
The case is announced and the four make their way into the courtroom.
Cut to: The courtroom, early afteroon. The jury has just returned and the foreman has risen to read the verdict.
Foreman: The jury finds the defendant, Jonathan Rutherford, not guilty.
Madison looks over at Jonathan to see him smugly smiling at her. Her eyes narrow as she stares at him, enraged. He leisurely walks over to her.
Jonathan: I'm so sorry we didn't do this sooner, Maddie. It has been a pleasure seeing you again.
Jonathan begins to walk away from Madison, and she lunges at him, but is caught and restrained by Jack and Lazarus. Jonathan turns around, visibly stunned by her actions.
Jonathan: Well, well... it seems little Miss Madison Taylor has a bit of the ol’ spitfire in her.
Madison: You bastard! If it wasn't for your father, you would be going to jail right now.
Jonathan: If it wasn't for your father, I would have had my way with you long ago. Oh, wait... I did.
Madison, renewed of her rage, struggles against those holding her back as Jonathan walks out of the courtroom, a bounce in his step. Once he is out of sight, Madison lets down her guard and begins to tremble terribly while tears start flowing down her cheeks. Jack puts his arm around her, and she turns to him for comfort.
Sally: Is there no justice in this country?
Madison: Justice will come when all the pain he has ever caused anyone follows him into his cold, dark grave.
Scene 5: Stancliff Manor, night. Grace, dressed in her nightgown and robe, approaches Olivia's room.
Grace softly knocks on the door and, upon hearing no reply, enter quietly. Olivia sits up in bed rocking a bundle and humming a choked lullaby. She looks up at Grace, and the moonlight reveals her tear-stained cheeks.
Grace: Whispers hoarsely as she approaches the bed. Livie?
Olivia: Speaks wistfully, defeated. She's gone, Gracie. Not fifteen minutes ago she was suckling my breast, then she went to sleep. Her breathing... such tiny gasps, and then...
Olivia begins sobbing over Faith's tiny, lifeless body, not noticing when Grace sits down on the bed and cries right along with her.
Faith is put to rest. Will Olivia forgive
Joe? Madison receives an unsigned note, but how
she suggests she find the author surprises all The nine-month wait will soon be over
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