Episode 67
Episode 67: Early September, 1876
Scenes 3 and 5 written by Heather
Scene 1: Will and Marietta's house, morning. Will and Marietta eat breakfast together, alone. The air is tense, the sound of forks on plates echoing off the walls.
Will: We might as well have it out.
Marietta: I would prefer not to, Will.
Will: Well, we must. Rilla is an old friend of mine, so no matter what I may suspect her of, I would prefer not to come out and accuse her of it until it is certain.
Marietta: Thankfully, I do not have that connection with the woman. I would not like to see that innocent child killed while we are all still determining her guilt or innocence.
Will: Now that we have the suspicion, we can keep an eye on both the children.
Marietta: They will not be staying here. When the house is finished, they will be staying with Nick and Tess.
Will: So we will warn Nick and Tess.
Marietta: Nick would not believe a word. He would do anything Rilla asked him to. If he did not have Tess, Rilla would have managed to become engaged to him.
Will: Don't be silly. Nick sees Rilla as a friend. Nothing more.
Marietta: Perhaps, but he has a soft heart and Rilla has a talent for manipulation.
Scene 2: San Francisco, a few hours later. Tess and Nick, dressed for travel, stand in an upstairs sitting room in Gabe and Georgie's house. Tess holds Randall.
Tess: I wish we could stay longer, but I'm growing bigger by the minute and I want to be settled home again before travel is too stressful.
Georgie: I wish you could stay, as well. And perhaps I'll come visit, when I'm recovered and when Randall is strong enough.
Tess: This is just such a... trying time for you.
Georgie: I'll manage. Stop thinking about me and start thinking about that baby. I want you to have a girl, now, so Randall's very best childhood friend can turn into the love of his life when they're old enough.
Tess: Laughs. I'll try.
Georgie: Looks up to Nick. Well, Nick, are you ready?
Nick: Quite ready to leave, thank you.
Georgie: For fatherhood, you ninny.
Nick: I think I would like to be away while the baby is being born, then miraculously appear just as it comes.
Tess: Your unfailing support during my hour of need will be much appreciated.
Nick: Well, it was difficult enough waiting for this one.
Georgie: I assure you, you thoughtless ass, it was a thousand times more difficult for me. Take care of my Tess. Don't let her over-exert herself. Come give me a hug, Tess.
Tess gives Randall to Gabe, then awkwardly leans down to embrace Georgie.
Tess: Whispers. Don't let Carlson get to you, Georgie. You're better than he is.
Georgie: Don't worry about me, my friend. Just take care of yourself.
Scene 3: The library, sometime. Robert sits at a table pouring over some books, his back to the door. Madison enters.
Madison: Robert?
Robert: He doesn't turn around. Good afternoon, Miss Taylor.
Madison: Surprised. Well... You've never called me that before.
Robert: Seeing as how our relationship has changed so drastically over recent days, I thought it would be the more appropriate address.
Madison: Chews her lip. Would you kindly turn around? You're making me feel very uncomfortable.
Robert stands, turns around and stares at her coldly.
Robert: Better?
Madison: Not much, but at least I can tell you what I came to say to your face.
Robert: And what might that be?
Madison: I wanted to thank you for everything you did for me after they found Jonathan. I know that if it hadn't been for you, I would probably be awaiting my execution right now.
Robert: I couldn't very well let an innocent person hang now, could I?
Madison: I suppose not, but... She sighs. You also did me another great favor in not telling Sheriff Gowan about how you knew I didn't commit the crime. If you had told him that... I would have lost damn near everything, Robert.
Robert: Madison--
Madison: Cuts him off. I owe you my life, Robert.
Robert raises his hand to silence her, and she stops with her mouth halfway open, ready to speak.
Robert: I realize that you are very grateful to me, Madison. You have made that clear enough. But I do not, for any reason what-so-ever, want you pledging your life to me. Do you understand?
Madison wordlessly nods her head.
Robert: Good. Now, if you will excuse me...
He gestures pointedly to his work, then looks to the door. Madison hesitates, but soon turns and leaves the room. Robert stares after her for a moment, then slowly returns to his seat.
Scene 4: A ship in the Atlantic, sunset. Carey stands at the rail, staring east. Grace has just joined her.
Grace: Are you going to do this for the entire voyage?
Carey: Most likely... Oh, God, what am I going to do?
Grace: What do you want to do?
Carey: Those fellows have been there my entire life and never once did I consider marrying any of them. They were the brothers I never head. Edwin and Paul and Frank are all very dear to me, but Johnny and Scotty... Johnny has always been unfailingly loyal. Scotty has always been my champion, but... we were never as close as Johnny and I were. There was always something between us. Now I know what it was.
Grace: Yes, but it should have brought the two of you together.
Carey: I'm too stubborn to admit that I'm... in love with him. Not to his face. I risk rejection. You've seen Scotty behave. He's an absolute rake.
Grace: I think it's a front. My vision is better than yours. You didn't see the expression on his face as he was watching the ship pull away.
Carey: I'm going to go mad!
Grace: Why don't you just get on another ship when we reach port and go straight back home. Clear it all up.
Carey: I couldn't do that.
Grace: Write him a letter, then.
Carey: I couldn't do that either.
Grace: Coward.
Carey: Excuse me?
Grace: You're a coward. In everything else you've been outspoken, independent, fearless. Now you're letting this fear of rejection prevent you from pursuing a relationship with someone you have already admitted is hopelessly devoted to you.
Carey: As a friend, devoted as a friend. But if he doesn't love me... no matter how much I love him I couldn't be with him if he didn't love me.
Cut to: England, Scotty's home in Marshton. Scotty and Johnny share drinks in the study.
Scotty: I love her.
Johnny: Completely?
Scotty: Totally and utterly. I tried not to. She was the sister I never had. And she hates me now.
Johnny: She doesn't hate you.
Scotty: Yes, she does. I gave her such a hard time about that bet, and then the liberties I took on the boat.
Johnny: You said she welcomed that.
Scotty: Most women do eventually, Johnny, but I know that's something you haven't experienced before.
Johnny: I'll ignore that... you know there's only one thing you can do.
Scotty: What's that?
Johnny: Go after her.
Scotty: I couldn't do that.
Johnny: Be a man. Carey will never admit a thing until you do. You're both too stubborn for your own good.
Scotty: So you want me to go to America?
Johnny: Yes, that's exactly what you should do.
Scotty: Takes a deep breath. Fine, but you're coming with me.
Scene 5: Jack's clinic, afternoon. Madison has just stood from her seat in the waiting room as Jack came out from the examining room with a man in a sling.
Jack: Miss Taylor! What a pleasant surprise. I was just about to pay you a visit.
Madison: Then I've saved you the trip.
Jack: It would not have burdoned me in the least, I assure you. What can I do for you?
Madison: As you must know, school starts again this Monday. I was wondering if you might come into the class sometime this week, perhaps Tuesday or Wednesday, and talk to the children.
Jack: Certainly. What sort of talk?
Madison: A hygiene lesson. The practices of some of the children leave a little to be desired.
Jack: I'd be glad to give the talk. Why don't you come see me after school starts to set the time?
Madison: I'll do that, thank you. Good day, Dr. Jackson.
She turns to leave, but Jack places his hand gently on her arm. She turns back to him.
Jack: Please, wait... I've been meaning to ask you something.
Madison: Please. If it's another question about Jonathan, spare me. I have had to answer dozens of questions about him since the murder, and I do not feel like replying to any more.
Jack: Jonathan's death was an accident.
Madison: Yes...
Jack: You said murder.
Madison: I... perhaps when you are falsely accused of murder, Dr. Jackson, you will make simple mistakes as well. It does something to your senses.
Jack: I'm sorry... this is not a good beginning to what I wanted to say.
Madison: What is it, then?
Jack: I know when I first arrived here my forward behavior was a bother to you, but I'd like to think you have forgiven me. Perhaps... well I had hoped you considered me a friend... or... Madison, I...
Madison: Jack will you please just say what it is you have to say? I have errands.
Jack: Blurts. Will you marry me?
Madison's eyes wide and her mouth drops open slightly, but she freezes. After remembering to breathe, she remains still but searches Jack's face with her eyes before speaking.
Madison: Jack, I... This is... It's just... Well, it's so sudden.
Jack: I do realize that, but... I've... I've loved you since I first met you. It is my hope that you might grow to feel the same for me. But it's obvious you don't feel this way at all, so please just forget I brought the subject up.
Madison: No, it's just... Give me some time. This is a rather important decision, and one I would not want to make too hastily.
Jack: I understand.
Madison: Thank you.
Madison pauses, then turns quickly and leaves the clinic. When she is gone, Jack angrily punches the air and utters a curse.
Mrs. Pendergast: Appears, ready to go out. Don't sell yourself short, Angel Jackson.
Jack: Shoots her a look. My grandmother tells people entirely too much.
Mrs. Pendergast: I wasn't finished, young man. Don't interrupt your elders. Now, I don't know Miss Taylor very good, o' course, but I had the same reaction when my Hezekiah proposed to me. I spent a whole week thinking it over, but I told him yes and even insisted we marry as soon as possible. My mother had a say in that, o' course. Oh, she didn't mind my marryin'. She was glad, I was on the verge of becoming a spinster. But she wanted a nice wedding and all that. All mothers do, o' course. I married my Hezekiah 'zactly three weeks after he proposed.
Jack: That's a lovely story, Mrs. Pendergast, but I've had consistent bad luck my entire life. She doesn't love me, I can tell.
He turns slowly and returns to the examining room, softly closing the door behind him.
Scotty has a talk with Charles and Mary Marietta reveals her suspicions to Nick Madison makes her decision
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