Episode 47
Episode 47: Late April, 1876
Scenes 1 and 3 written by Heather
Scene 1: An upstairs hallway in a Boise hotel, afternoon. Madison, Sally, Lazarus, and Jack are just returning to their rooms.
Jack: It doesn't matter, Miss Taylor. Mr. Rutherford has returned home and he won't harm you again.
Jack looks at Madison, much concern in his eyes, but it doesn't appear she's heard a word her said. The four stop outside one of the rooms, and Madison turns around to address them all.
Madison: I know things did not work out as we had hoped. I really didn't expect them to. I appreciate all of your efforts, regardless, and I value the friendship I have found as a result of this... predicament.
Lazarus: You're handling this whole situation remarkably well, Miss Taylor. I would tell you not to give up, but I don't think I need to. It was an honor to help. I only wish there was more I could have done. If you are not too fatigued, perhaps we should all freshen up and find a nice restaurant.
Madison nods in agreement.
Lazarus: Jack and I will return to our room, then and return for you ladies shortly.
Lazarus and Jack continue down the hall, while Madison and Sally enter their room.
Madison: I don't think I'm ready to be alone with my thoughts yet. I could use the distraction. I am afraid of what Jonathan may try to do now that this trial is over.
Sally: But he has returned back home. Mr. Carrol went to find out himself.
Madison: Do not be so sure of that, Sally.
Madison looks about the room. A lamp is already burning on a small table next to the bed. She walks over to the table, looking around the room suspiciously.
Madison: That's odd. Who could have been in here to light this?
Madison rests her hand on the table as she looks around the room some more, feeling a small piece of paper beneath her fingers. She looks down at the neatly folded sheet and picks it up. She unfolds it and begins to read. Sally walks over to Madison, who is still puzzled over the note.
Sally: Is something wrong?
Madison: I'm not sure... I just found this note lying here when I came into the room.
Sally: May I see it? Madison hands her the note and Sally reads it aloud. "I am watching over you."
Madison: It isn't signed.
Sally: Who could it be from?
Madison: Your guess is as good as mine.
Sally: It couldn't be from that ghastly Mr. Rutherford?
Madison: There is one way to find out who wrote it...
Sally: And what is that?
Madison turns to face Sally and stares silently at her for some time.
Madison: A séance.
Scene 2: The cemetary at Stancliff, late morning. It is a bright day, but the mourners, mostly family, create the somber atmosphere. Olivia has thrown herself into full mourning, and Grace, Carey, and Maggie have done the same out of respect. The others wear simple black. Joey, not really understanding the situation, is watched by Mary. The simple white coffin sits covered with flowers beside the short grave.
The mourners listen intently to Mr. Curtis' kind words, but Olivia hears nothing, feels nothing as she stares blankly at the coffin. She leans against her uncle when he puts his arm around her, but she does not comprehend that he is standing there. Faith's body is lowered into the ground as an unseen person sings a heart- wrenching version of Amazing Grace. The mourners begin to file past the coffin, each leaving a flower, but Olivia remains seated and her uncle remains at her side. Charles soon sees something in the distance and stiffens. He looks to Olivia to make sure she doesn't notice.
Charles: Camilla, take Connie and Joey inside.
Camilla: Papa?
Charles: Please, Millie, you'll find out later.
Camilla: Takes Connie and Joey by their hands. Come, we'll see if Cook has any treats.
Charles waits till Camilla has taken the young ones inside, then crouches beside Olivia. He points and whispers in her ear, then helps her get to her feet. Joe is close enough for everyone to see the shocked, distressed expression on his face. He and Olivia approach slowly approach each other, Olivia with much the same expression. The other mourners watch intently, somewhat shocked. Olivia stops just inches from her husband.
Joe: Reaches out, speaks wistfully. Livie, I... He gestures to the coffin. Our... He begins reaching out to hug her. I'm so—
Olivia: Cuts him off, slaps him hard, then whispers. You bastard. She begins to pound on his chest, speaks louder. You bastard! You did this!
Joe begins to push Olivia away as she continues to pound on his chest, but a look from Charles forces him to remain still and submit to the beating. It does not last long. Olivia quickly runs out of energy and soon begins sobbing uncontrollably. Beaten herself, she allows Joe to hold her as she sobs into his chest.
Scene 3: Madison and Sally's room at the hotel, night. Madison sits alone on her bed, candles burning throughout the room.
Sally emerges from her adjoining room to the left, appearing perplexed and unsure.
Madison: I was beginning to think that you decided not to do this.
Sally: I very nearly did decide against it. I still think this is a ridiculous idea.
Madison: Please, Sally... try to believe. I will not be able to contact the spirit of my father if you do not at least try.
Sally still appears skeptical, but reluctantly nods her head. The two women sit opposite one another on the floor. Madison lights another candle between them.
Madison: Now... Give me your hands.
Sally: Allows Madison to take her hands. I feel absolutely foolish, Madison, and I don't see how this is going to help you find out who wrote that note.
Madison: It has never failed me before. Close your eyes.
Sally sighs and closes her eyes, still not really believing. Madison closes her eyes as well and begins to recite a Latin verse. The candles dim, and Sally draws in a sharp breath as she begins to see a lifelike vision.
Flashback: Taylor estate, many years before. A young girl, about three years old, clings to a boy of about eight. Two men stand inside the foyer, intently watching them. Two other adults, a man and a woman, also look on.Girl: When will you be coming home?
Boy: I don't know, Maddie. Soon, I hope.
Madison: I will miss you.
Boy: I'll miss you, too.
First Man: Steps forward. Come along, we must be going now.
Madison: No! You can't take him!
Second Man: I am sorry, but we must.
Madison: Turns to her parents. Do something!
Madison's mother steps forward and pulls her away from the boy. Madison begins crying and starts to struggle to get free. Mrs. Taylor gives Madison to her father, and he holds her, lovingly stroking her long golden hair. Madison looks back over to the door just in time to see the two men leading the boy away. She cries out in anguish.
Sally opens her eyes to see Madison staring into the flame of the candle between them.
Sally: I just had the most peculiar hallucination.
Madison: Speaks softly. Cole...
Scene 4: A sitting room at Stancliff, late afternoon. Olivia is sitting, her tea clutched near her chest with both hands, wearing the same clothes she wore at the funeral. Joe has just entered.
Joe: That son of ours... he's grown. Olivia makes no reaction. Joe sits beside her. Please talk to me, Livie. I... I don't know what to say.
Olivia: Well, Joseph, that is perfectly fine with me because I am certain I have no interest in hearing what you have to say.
Joe: I understand, and I know it will take me a long time to gain your forgiveness, but you must at least listen to me. If I could go back... if I could change anything... I wish to God I could bring our daughter back.
Olivia: She had a name. She was born without you, she was baptized without you, and she died without you.
Joe: And I will regret that for the rest of my life, but I can't do anything about it. If I could—
Olivia: Raises her voice. But you can't! You can't change anything! You slept with another woman, got her pregnant, and I had to find out from my fifteen year-old sister! How does my baby sister know this and not me?
Joe: I never told Grace.
Olivia: Of course not! Why would you tell anyone? You had to keep your dirty little secret. If you had told me, Joe, I may have been able to forgive you. As far as I know, it was a chance encounter. That's what Nick told me. She isn't your mistress and you haven't been pursuing her. If you had told me, I could have forgiven you.
Joe: Gets down on his knees and holds Olivia's hands in her lap. Livie, please. Please, forgive me. I still love you and I never stopped. And Joey... I can't begin to imagine what this has done to him. If it takes the rest of my life, I will never stop trying to regain your trust and respect.
Joe looks up at Olivia, pleading, with tears in his eyes. Olivia squints her eyes shut and bows her head.
Olivia: Defeated. I don't want to do this anymore. I just... I want things the way they were before any of this happened.
Joe: Then you forgive me?
Olivia: No, but I'll try. I want to fix things and... if you're willing to make the attempt then I suppose I must, too.
Scene 5: Libbie and Philip's house, very early in the morning, dark. Christopher lies asleep in his bed, but Lydia's side is empty.
Christopher roles over, half awake, expecting to place his arm around his wife. He is ripped out of sleep when it falls quickly to the bed. Groggy, he steps out of bed and puts on his slippers and robe. Just before he opens the door, he hears the floor creak on the other side. He opens the door to find his wife slowly pacing the hall, her hair falling loosely down her back and her slippered feet sliding across the floor.
Christopher: Whispers. What are you doing?
Lydia: Walking. I was too uncomfortable in bed.
Christopher: How come?
Lydia: I don't know.
Christopher: Here. He closes the door and takes his wife by the arm, allowing her to place some of her wait on him. Is she moving quite a bit?
Lydia: No more than usual. Why do you still insist the baby is a girl? You were wrong about Olivia.
Christopher: I can tell. I've been with you for the past nine months. I'm surprised you don't sense it as I do.
Lydia: Well, if you're right you may name her whatever you wish, even though you were wrong about Olivia.
The two take a few more steps, but Lydia soon tenses and doubles over, eventually falling against a door for support. She finds herself unable to say a thing, but Libbie knows what's wrong when she opens the door to investigate the sound. Philip and Christopher help her into the bed in that room.
Christopher: Libbie, what's wrong with her?
Libbie: My Lord, you are an innocent are you? You'll not be staying in the room for this one. Philip's gone to get the maids up. Go wake Aunt Ellie.
Christopher: But what's the matter with her?
Libbie: Wake up! The baby is coming, Chrissy, obviously. Now, go.
Will Lydia's baby follow the same road as
Olivia's? Madison is visited by another man from her
past Tess starts off on a trip So does Olivia
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