Episode 50
Episode 50: Mid-May, 1876
Scene 4 written by Heather
Scene 1: A carriage in a San Francisco street, afternoon. Steven sits beside Georgie, pretending not to listen, as Georgie and Tess talk.
Tess: Why didn't you tell me?
Georgie: I don't know. I didn't tell Gabe for the longest time, either.
Tess: But why?
Georgie: Oh... perhaps I thought I'd lose the baby. I didn't want everyone to be disappointed.
Tess: And how far along are you?
Georgie: According to Gabe, nearly six months. But what about you? Why didn't you tell me?
Tess: I wasn't sure until a few weeks ago. I knew I was coming, and I wanted to tell you in person. You're only the third to know... Nick, the doctor, and now you.
Georgie: So when is... how far along are you? You're not even showing.
Tess: Well, I don't know for sure, but I think three months. St. Valentine's Day was... lovely.
Steven: Face flushed. Could you two please censor your conversation until we reach home.
Georgie: Get used to it, Steven. You're going to be a doctor, aren't you?
Steven: I will not be asking my patients anything resembling what you two were just speaking about.
Tess: Perhaps we could change the subject for Steven's sake. Here. She picks up the rolled canvases and hands them to Georgie. Louisa sent these for all of you.
Georgie smiles at Steven to call a truce, then takes the rolls and opens one.
Georgie: Oh, this is beautiful. The light on the snow, and the shadows of the two women.
Tess: I think it's supposed to be you and me. I recognize my coat, even from behind. I like this next one. I think Louisa had a premonition.
Georgie: Unrolls the canvas. Oh, my! It is a tender image of her and Gabe leaning over a new baby. Oh, that girl has so much talent! So much feeling and emotion emanates from her subjects.
Tess: Yes... you should see the family portrait she is painting. She as already finished one, but she refused to show anyone. It was sent off to England a short time ago.
Georgie: She could make a living this way. I'm almost sorry she's so set on becoming a doctor. She looks up to see her house just a short distance away. This is our house.
Tess: Oh, it's lovely!
Georgie: I've always thought so. I'll have to take you up to the attic. There's a lovely view from just one of the windows. It's awkward to get there, but it's worth it.
The carriage stops in front of the house and Steven helps Georgie and Tess down before paying the driver. He walks behind them as they approach the house. A maid appears at the door before they can start up the stairs.
Georgie: Hilda, what is it?
Hilda: You were gone so long, Mrs. Hewitt. It's Miss MacKenzie...
Georgie: Runs up the steps. Is the baby coming?
Hilda: Already here, ma'am.
Scene 2: A road leading away from Belleterre, late afternoon. Jack is driving his grandmother in a buggy.
Jack: I never took Grandpa for a gambling man.
Danielle: He and John Henry play poker all the time now, but you are trying to distract me. Why did I return to find you with stitches on your face and a black eye.
Jack: It's a long story, Mémé. I'd rather not go into it.
Danielle: You tell me, Angel.
Jack: Mémé, please!
Danielle: Jack, then. Tell me.
Jack: I was walking down the street and I saw Miss Taylor walking with a strange man. I couldn't hear what they were talking about, but then she started crying and the man seemed to attack her.
Danielle: My!
Jack: Given recent circumstances, I felt I was justified in attacking the man, but it ended up being the other way around.
Danielle: He was more strong?
Jack: Evidently. He would have knocked me out if Miss Taylor hadn't recognized me and stopped him.
Danielle: So the man had not been attacking her?
Jack: Apparently not. Looking back now, I think he may have been consoling her.
Danielle: Who would have been consoling her?
Jack: She didn't say. His name was Cole. She mentioned once having no family, so I can only assume this man is a...
Danielle: A lover?
Jack: I wouldn't go that far, Mémé. Miss Taylor does not strike me as the type. I can think of no other explanation. Ah, well. I suppose it's none of my business.
Danielle: It is the business of the town. A schoolteacher can be an influential figure in the lives of her students. Her reputation must be clean. The incident with Mr. Rutherford did enough to harm it already.
Jack: Mémé, please. Let it alone. I doubt Miss Taylor would do anything that would cause harm to her reputation. What she does in her private time is none of our business.
Danielle: But I thought you were attracted to her, Angel.
Jack: Stiffens at the name, takes a deep breath and exhales. I am, Mémé, but I can do nothing about it if she does not reciprocate.
Scene 3: San Francisco, afternoon. Georgie, Tess, and Steven have just heard the strange news from the maid.
Hilda: The baby is already here, ma'am. Came 'bout a half hour ago while you were out.
Georgie: Pushes her way past the maid and into the house. Good God, how did this happen? She was fine when I left.
Georgie is half way up the stairs and Tess just coming in the door when Gabe appears at the top of the staircase.
Gabe: Welcome, Tess.
Georgie: Is it true?
Gabe: Delivered and healthy not a half hour ago, my dear. Go see for yourself.
Tess: Begins ascending the stairs. Isn't the baby early?
Gabe: Yes, very much so. That much is evident by its size, but its a healthy cry and a strong heartbeat.
Tess: Oh, my! She reaches the top of the stairs and surprises Gabe with a kiss on the cheek. Well, it's good to see you.
Gabe: It's good to see you, too, but aren't you the least bit curious as to whether it's a boy or a girl?
Tess: Yes, of course.
Gabe: Girl.
Tess: Oh... poor Livie. She won't take well to that when she returns.
Gabe: What's that?
Tess: That's right, you don't know. Olivia's baby, Faith, didn't survive.
Gabe: Oh, no... and I remember how much she was looking forward to it. So optimistic when I left.
Tess: Yes... what about Stuart? How is she reacting to the prospect of giving the baby up?
Gabe: Georgie never told you? We never found a suitable family. Seeing Stuart now, I think she's determined to keep the child.
Tess: But... how?
Gabe: I really don't know. Go in and see her. This door.
Gabe opens the door and Tess enters. Stuart, her hair down but still cut just at her chin, lies in the bed and watches as Georgie holds the infant.
Stuart: Smiles, her voice filled with joy. Tess!
Tess: Pauses, surprised at first. You were supposed to wait until I arrived. She goes and embraces her friend. How are you feeling now?
Stuart: Good, considering. It was no trouble at all.
Tess: Scoffs. Hardly, Stuart! You just gave birth.
Gabe: She's telling the truth. She barely made a sound and barely broke a sweat. I haven't seen anything like it.
Tess: Well, I'm proud of you anyway.
Georgie: Stands. Here, Tess, sit. Tess obeys and Georgie hands her the baby. Stuart, evidently, has already decided upon a name and has sent to make it official.
Stuart: I didn't know she would be so healthy. I insisted Gabe send for a priest.
Tess: You're Catholic?
Stuart: Does it matter?
Tess: No, of course not. She looks down at the baby. Hello, you sweet thing.
Georgie: Stuart has named her Carolina Theresa Georgina, after her mother, you and me. Well, a Spanish version of my name but she assures me it's for me.
Stuart: Whispers, sounding scared and not quite sure of herself. I've... I've decided to keep her.
Scene 4: Liberty Creek, afternoon, the next day. Jack is walking through town, not really watching where he is going. As he passes by the store, he nearly bumps into Cole, who is helping Madison carry the goods she has just purchased.
Jack: So sorry... He looks up to see Madison staring coldly at him. Oh, good afternoon, Miss Taylor.
Madison: Good afternoon, Dr. Jackson.
Jack starts to walk on, but Cole calls after him.
Cole: Doctor!
Jack: Turning around, takes a few steps toward them. Yes?
Cole: I just wanted to apologize for the yesterday. I had no idea you and Madison were acquaintances. I'm sorry for the cuts... and the black eye.
Madison: Coldly. Of course, Cole... You would never intentionally bring any harm to Dr. Jackson's pretty face now, would you?
Cole: Maddie...
Madison: I'm sorry. I just happen to think that you were justified in your actions. You should not have to apologize.
Cole: It's the gentlemanly thing to do, Madison.
Madison: Mumbles. I suppose... But still! You were merely defending the honor of your sister, what’s wrong with that?
Jack: Excuse me, did you just say you were his sister?
Madison: Yes, I did. My goodness, Cole. You really must have put a number on the poor boy. He's starting to go deaf!
Jack: Then you two... you aren’t...
Madison: Laughs. Did you think we were lovers, Dr. Jackson? Think about it, why would I become involved romantically with another man so soon after my ordeal with Jonathan?
Jack: Meekly. I don't know...
Madison: Precisely. You were merely jumping to conclusions.
Jack: Turns to Cole. I am sorry, Mr. Taylor. I should not have been so harsh to judge you.
Cole: The name is Branden. Cole Branden.
Jack and Madison: The speak in unison Branden?
Cole: Yes. After my mother's death, I changed my last name to Branden, which was her maiden name.
Madison: But, Cole—
Cole: Cuts her off. I know. Father never would have approved. That is why I never told him. I always sent him my correspondence using my given name.
Jack: Well, once again, I apologize. I hope you will be able to understand and forgive me, Miss Taylor. Good day.
Jack leaves, and Madison and Cole are left standing together in front of the store. They begin walking in the direction of Madison's cabin, quiet at first.
Madison: I always thought Mother's maiden name was Bourgeau.
Cole: It was.
Scene 5: A ship in the middle of the Atlantic, night. Olivia stands at the railing, blankly staring out at moon and stars. She wears only a shawl over her dress, and appears to be ignoring the bitter wind causing her to shiver.
Joe appears from a door, watches Olivia for several seconds, then approaches her. He gently touches her shoulder, and she jumps in surprise.
Joe: God, Livie, you're freezing. He sheds his jacket and wraps it over Olivia's shoulders. Joey is fast asleep. He looks at Olivia, but she shows no signs of response. I'm glad you decided to come home with me, Livie.
Olivia: I couldn't live in England anymore. She still does not look at him. When I first arrived, it was like a grand homecoming. Now... there are too many bad memories. I will only go back to visit Faith, but I will not live there.
Joe: Your home is with us, Livie. With Joey and me in Liberty Creek. We'll have more babies.
Olivia: I would love any child of mine, but none will replace Faith. Never suggest that again.
Joe: It wasn't what I meant. It will take time for you and me, but we will get through all this. Just you and me and Joey in our house. That's all we need.
Olivia: Almost whispers. I'm not going back to that house.
Joe: What was that?
Olivia: I'm going home to my family, and so is Joey. That is where I belong. I'll not be living with you.
Joe: You are my wife, Olivia. And Joey is my son. I would never force you to stay with me, but you cannot keep my son from me.
Olivia: For God's sake, Joe, you can still see him. But he's only three years old and he needs his mother. There may be a time when I can move back into our home, but it certainly won't be the day we get back.
Joe: Takes a deep breath. Take all the time you need, then, but I'll be coming to see Joey every day.
Olivia: That's perfectly fine with me.
There is a long pause and Olivia continues to stare into the sky. After a while, Joe can't help but do the same.
Joe: There's something I should tell you.
Olivia: God, what now? You want to convert to Mormonism and marry Stuart, as well?
Joe: Frustrated, almost angry. Olivia, please. The business trip I went on... it was not successful.
Olivia: I don't really care, Joe.
Joe: You will. I made a stupid mistake and... and I lost all my money.
Olivia: Furious. You did what? I thought you went with half of Benjamin's money?
Joe: I did, but the mistake was entirely my fault. I couldn't let him suffer financially for it. I still have my half of the ranch, but no money to speak of.
Olivia: Except my dowry.
Joe: Yeah.
Olivia: Takes a deep breath. You can get back on your feet on your own. If you can't, I suppose I'll have to lend you some money, but you can't have access to it. It's for Joey and any other children we... or I... might have.
Joe hands tense and squeeze the railing. Seconds later he pounds his hand on the rail, turns around, and walks back inside. Olivia continues to watch the stars.
The rumor takes on a life of its own Is Grace ready for a social debut? Tess and Georgie question Stuart's
decision.
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