Episode 66
Episode 66: Early September, 1876
Scene 3 written by Heather
Scene 1: Will and Marietta's house, morning. Rilla, appearing haggard, has just made an appearance for breakfast. Will and Marietta are already settled.
Will: How is Hildy this morning?
Rilla: She's still feeling very ill, but certainly better than two days ago.
Marietta: Comme commode.
Will: Mari!
Rilla: I really wish you wouldn't do that, Marietta. Whether you want to believe it or not, I do want to be your friend. You know I don't speak French and you do that on purpose.
Marietta: To be frank, Rilla, I was attempting to spare you by keeping my feelings to myself.
Rilla: Just what are you feeling?
Marietta: I—
Will: Mari, no, this isn't the time.
Rilla: No, Will, I want to hear what Marietta has to say.
Marietta: You knew there was a large nest of bees by the springs. I know Will and Nick warned people about it, and you also mentioned it to your mother.
Rilla: You've been checking up on me? How do you know anything I've said to my mother.
Marietta: I was and am suspicious, and concerned for Hildy, but your mother offered that on her own. I find it difficult to believe that you could tell your mother the story about you and Nick and the bees and send the children out that that same spot just seconds later.
Rilla: Hurt, distressed. It slipped my mind. I just wasn't thinking of it. You... She begins to cry... you actually think I would intentionally send my children to any place where they could be harmed?
Marietta: Perhaps. You suggested that possibility. I was simply going to say that, as a mother, you should be more attentive.
Rilla: So now I'm a bad mother, too? My God, you may have had a fairy tale life your whole life, but you don't know what it's like to be someone like me. I lost my father when I was a little girl, no one every used the term but I was always a "servant's daughter", my husband has left me, and my only son is— my only son is gone with him. I can't— She chokes up and sobs.
Will: Stands and goes to her, but looks to Marietta. I swear I don't know what's gotten into you. Jealousy is not attractive on you.
Marietta: What a bloody hypocrite you are, William Marshall! She has you trapped just as Nick is. You cannot even see the obvious possibility that she purposely.
Will: Forceful. That's enough, Mari. He helps Rilla stand. Come on, Rilla. I'll take you to lie down.
Scene 2: San Francisco, a few hours later. Georgie reclines by an airy upstairs window with Tess and Louisa and the baby in a bassinet nearby.
Georgie: We haven't had the opportunity to talk since the birth. Has it scared you away from childbirth, Tess?
Tess: I hardly think I have a choice now. It was longer than I expected, I admit, but it didn't seem as painful as I first thought. Mind you, I wasn't the one feeling the pain.
Georgie: What about you, Wesa? How scandalous that you were even allowed in the room!
Louisa: Yes, I have been almost thoroughly compromised now, haven't I? I think I'm of the same opinion as Tess. I'm just sorry I'll miss so much of his first year.
Tess: When do you leave again?
Louisa: Five days, with Steven. He's to see me settled in Philadelphia before going on to his own school. Daddy was going to come with us, but he wants to be here as much as possibly for Randall.
A maid knocks lightly and enters, a bundle of envelopes in her hand.
Maid: Mail, ma'am.
Georgie: Thank you. She flips through. One for you, Louisa. Looks like it's from Grace.
Louisa: Thank you. I think I'll read it outside.
Georgie pays no attention as Louisa leaves the room, but instead stares at a crisp white envelope in her hands.
Tess: Georgie? What is it?
Georgie: My past... coming back to haunt me.
Tess: Another letter from Carlson? That man has some nerve. Have you told Gabe about this yet?
Georgie: No, and don't you do it neither... either! God, it's got me talking like a whore again.
Tess: Don't say that.
Georgie: Why? It's true.
Tess: Are you going to open it?
Georgie: I don't know.
Tess: Shall I? Georgie hesitates, then hands Tess the letter. Tess skims it. He congratulates you on the birth of your son and... and the fact you can correctly identify his father. Georgie sighs and shakes her head. He goes on to say that he and his wife will call on you and the baby soon, and ends with a cryptic reminder of his ultimatum.
Georgie: Sighs deeply. What the Hell am I going to do?
Scene 3: Madison's cabin, early evening. Madison and Cole sit at a small table in the dining area, used supper dishes in front of them.
Madison stares over the rim of her glass at her brother, then slowly takes a sip. She nervously clears her throat, setting the glass down.
Madison: You have avoided answering me long enough, Cole. I think it's about time you explained yourself.
Cole: Do you promise not to judge me?
Madison: Cole... For God sakes, I am your sister! Of course I won't judge you.
Cole: I was being blackmailed, much in the same fashion Jonathan was attempting to blackmail you.
Madison: Why didn't you tell me?
Cole: He stands up. Because I did not want you to know about my past.
Cole walks out of the dining area and into the sitting area. Madison turns in her chair and watches him leave, then decies to follow him.
Madison: I don't understand, Cole. You keep telling me about your past and how awful it was... But what did you ever do?
Cole: Here. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a folded-up sheet of paper. Read this.
Madison sits on a nearby stool and silently reads over the letter. She gasps as she nears the end, then folds the letter back up and wordlessly hands it to her brother.
Madison: I had no idea...
Cole: Now do you understand why I had to change my name for Father's protection?
Madison: Yes, I do... But why, Cole? I still don't understand. Why did you become a hired killer?
Cole: Because I needed to support my wife. It was the only thing I was ever really good at, so naturally—
Madison: Cuts him off. Wait. You never told me you were married.
Cole: It was a long time ago, Madison. I was very young, and very foolish at the time.
Madison: But whatever happened to this... wife of yours?
Cole: She, uh... He clears his throat. She died.
Madison: Oh... Oh, I'm so sorry.
Cole: It's quite all right. I try not to dwell on it too much.
Madison: So whoever wrote this letter was going to expose you if you didn't kill Jonathan?
Cole: Precisely.
Madison: That's not the only reason you killed him, though, is it?
Cole: No, it's not. He sighs. I wasn't going to do it, at first. I was going to disappear to Europe, change my name again, and hope for the best. But then I realized what sort of effect that would have on you, so I thought it through again. If I did it, you and I would be able to be together. If I didn't, I would be exposed and hung for my sins. And when you told me Jonathan was attempting to blackmail you... Well, that was what made the final decision for me.
Madison: There is only one thing that I don't understand.
Cole: What's that?
Madison: Who would want Jonathan dead? Who would be so desperate as to resort to blackmail to have him killed?
Cole: I really have no idea.
Scene 4: San Francisco, several days later. Georgie has ventured downstairs with the baby and sits in the drawing room with her grandmother and Tess.
Grandmother: It's hard to believe both Steven and Louisa have gone off to school. It will soon be as if you and Gabe are a brand new family.
Georgie: Gabe's worried that's how it will be. He doesn't want Steven and Louisa feeling like outsiders when they return.
Gabe: Enters with Nick, who sits. It appears we have a caller. Carriage just pulled up. He watches out the window, then smiles. Well, I'll be damned!
He rushes from the room, leaving the rest sitting perplexed. Most look out the window, but Georgie is forced to attend to the fussing baby. Gabe can be heard greeting the arrivals.
Gabe: Peter! My God, it's good to see you. It's been years! Come, come this way.
Gabe re-enters the drawing room, Peter and Roberta Carlson close behind. Georgie looks up and is speechless.
Gabe: Everyone, this... this is Peter Carlson, an old friend of mine. He was an army captain in the war and spent most of his time around my hospital. This must be your wife... Roberta, is it?
Mrs. Carlson: Yes, it's good to finally meet you, Dr. Hewitt. Peter has told me much about you. All good things.
Gabe: He obviously hasn't told you everything yet. Meet my wife, Georgie. Just celebrated our first wedding anniversary and just had Randall there. And Georgie's grandmother, Mary Arens, and her friends, Nick and Tess Marshall. Sit, sit!
Mr. Carlson: Sits near Georgie. He's a beautiful child, Mrs. Hewitt. Your first?
Georgie manages a nod.
Gabe: Yes, and my third. I believe you met both Steven and Louisa a long time ago. We sent them off to school in the east just this morning. Steven to medical college and Louisa to an art academy.
Mr. Carlson: You must be very proud.
Gabe: What man wouldn't be? And what about yourself?
Mr. Carlson: Roberta and I married ten years ago, had our girls nine years ago.
Gabe: Both? Twins?
Mr. Carlson: Yes, twins. Identical. Polly and Peg.
Gabe: You will have to bring them here some day soon.
Mr. Carlson: Oh, no, they stayed in New York. Their school was to commence before my business here was through.
Gabe: A shame. Well, shall we go in to tea? There is a much nicer room than this for it.
Mrs. Carlson: It sounds lovely.
Gabe: I will escort you, then.
Grandmother: I will take Randall upstairs to his nap.
Mr. Carlson: Smiles. Then I will see to the lovely Georgie.
Tess: Concerned. Would you like me to help you, Georgie?
Mr. Carlson: We will be fine. You all go on ahead.
Georgie nods to Tess, who hesitantly leaves the room with everyone else.
Mr. Carlson: Ah, Belle, a moment alone.
Georgie: My name is Georgie. She slaps his hand away. And keep your hands off me, I can get up myself.
Mr. Carlson: You'll have to warm up to me some time, Georgie. You always were my favorite. I wouldn't dream of taking you so soon after Randall's birth. I believe six weeks will be enough for you to... recover. I return to New York next week, but I believe I can have business return me to San Francisco when the time comes. He pats her on the cheek. Smile, Georgie. It will be fun. Just like old times.
Scene 5: London, morning. Carey and Grace are gathered with family and friends, about to board a ship.
Charles: Hugs Grace. Don't let your father corrupt Carey as much as I've allowed you to become.
Grace: I think it's much too late for that, Uncle. Carey is the one who lead me into corruption.
Charles: Is that true, Carey?
Carey: No, it was... it was Johnny.
Johnny: Don't lay it on me! We may have corrupted you, but we had nothing to do with Grace.
Mary: Carey, darling, come here. I wish to speak with you. She waits for Carey to join her. Perhaps your time away from England will allow you to... reconsider... your engagement to Mr. Pritchett. Promise me you will think about it.
Carey: Sighs, then smiles. I promise, Mama.
Carey says goodbye to each of her sisters, then collects her few carry-on bags.
Mary: There is still time to take a maid with you, dear.
Carey: I do not require one, Mama. I am not helpless.
Scotty: You have not yet said your goodbyes to me, Carey.
Carey: Goodbye, Mr. McLeod.
Scotty: Laughs. You are transparent, Lady Carey. He lowers his voice. I may have to admit that you will never be my lover, but you will always be my dearest friend.
Charles: I think you girls had best board the ship now.
Scotty takes Carey's hand, forcing her to set down the bag she holds in it, and kisses it.
Grace: Takes Carey's arm and pulls her away. Come on, Carey. Stop dawdling.
Carey waves to everyone and follows Grace up the ramp and onto the ship. Their rooms are closeby. Outside, the others begin to move away.
Charles: Points. Carey left one of her bags.
Scotty: I'll run it in to her.
He picks up the bag and runs up the ramp, assuring the attendant that he is not a passenger. He walks swiftly through the hall, looking up at the numbers on the doors before stopping at the proper one. He knocks. Carey answers. He holds up the bag.
Scotty: You left this.
He drops it at her feet, stares at her for a moment, then pulls her to him. He pauses in surprise very briefly when she does not protest, but kisses her anyway. Carey is just warming to it when Grace enters the sitting room and gasps with surprise, causing Scotty to jump back.
Scotty: Studders. I... I'm sorry.
He turns and jogs down the hall. Carey remains speechless, leaning against the door jam.
Grace: What was that?
Carey: I... I forgot one of my bags.
Grace: Helluva way to thank him for returning it.
Carey: I wasn't... I mean that wasn't... bloody Hell.
She picks up her skirts and runs down the hall and out onto the deck of the ship. By the time she reaches the ramp, it has already been removed and the ship is pulling away. She searches the crowd and finally spots Scotty, walking swiftly away with Johnny.
Johnny: What happened? You look like... hell, I don't know.
Scotty: I kissed her. I kissed her, Carey.
Johnny: About time. Did she slap you?
Scotty: No... no, she let me.
Johnny: She what?
Scotty: She let me. He looks to Johnny, who is still confused. Let me kiss her, you fool. And... I think she was kissing me back, but... I was distracted. What a coward! I ran away.
Johnny: And she ran after you.
Scotty: What?
Johnny points to the ship. Scotty turns, finding Carey leaning against the rail looking straight at him. They seem to keep eye contact long after features and bodies can no longer be distinguished.
Marietta feels the repercussions of her
accusations Carey and Scotty take stock Madison receives both a snub and a
proposal
© 1998, all rights reserved.
Get your own Free Home Page