Episode 69
Episode 69: Mid-October, 1876
Scene 5 written by Heather
Scene 1: Tess and Nick’s house, mid-morning. Tess has risen to a seated position on the sofa and stares a Nick imploringly.
Tess: I will not have that woman in my house, Nick.
Nick: Rilla has a kind heart, Tess. Marietta just misunderstands her.
Marietta scoffs and throws her arms up in disgust.
Marietta: I give up, Nick. I can only hope I am wrong about her. Tess, be careful.
Marietta leaves and Nick turns back to Tess.
Tess: What Marietta says concerns me, but that is not why I will not have Rilla, nor any other woman, in my house. I can keep my own house without help, thank you, and I will not require help with my child. My mother had no help with me.
Nick: Relieved. Is that all? Oh, Tess, I knew how you felt about this. Rilla will not take charity, and she needs a job. I’m doing this because I feel sorry for her. She’s had a rough time of it.
Tess: I don’t know...
Nick: Please, Tess. She and the girls will stay on the third floor. I’ll tell her your concerns.
Tess: Sighs. No, you don’t have to. It would only make her feel worse. She can stay, and you needn’t tell her anything.
Nick: Kisses her. I love you. Don’t ever change.
Scene 2: San Francisco, the middle of the night. Georgie and Gabe are both asleep in bed.
Georgie quietly moans, stirs, then wakens with a gasp. She looks over to Gabe, sighs with relief, then closes her eyes a falls asleep.
Dream: Leroy’s New York brothel, some years before. Georgie has just entered one of the upstairs rooms with Peter Carlson. He is well-dressed, but drunk and crude. Her clothing is low-cut and revealing. She, too, is drunk, but not drunk enough to be numb to the situation.Georgie wakes, her breath heavier and shaky. She looks to Gabe again, slowly closes her eyes, and falls asleep.Mr. Carlson: You’re one fine woman, Belle. You’ll have fun tonight, I guarantee you that.
He sneers and takes her head in his hands. She cringes as he leans closer, his tongue prepared to lick her lips.
Dream: Mr. Carlson: Yes, I think we’ll be spending a lot of time together from now on. He takes a long look at her figure. I often wonder why whores come with clothes on. He begins untying her corset. The important part of your job is spent without them.Georgie wakes with a gasp again, this time partially sitting in bed. She looks to Gabe and pauses to see if he has woken up. He is still sound asleep. She takes a few more deep breaths before slowly lowering herself to her pillow.He removes the corset, tosses it on the floor, and does the same with her skirts. Then he prepares to drop the remaining chemise to the floor.
Dream: Carlson pulls back from his kiss.Georgie bolts upright in bed, a hand firmly covering her mouth as she stifles a gag. She throws back the covers, stumbles to the washbin on the dressing table, and retches. She sinks to the floor in a sobbing heap. Gabe rushes to her side and holds her while she sobs into his shoulder for five long minutes. As Georgie begins to calm, he helps her back to the bed and sits beside her at the edge.Mr. Carlson: By God, you’ve got the finest body I’ve seen on a fully grown whore in a long time.
Carlson goes about removing his clothing piece by piece, staring a Georgie the whole time. She moves to get in the bed, but he shakes his head and gestures that she remain standing.
Mr. Carlson: Eager, I like that. We’ll get there, I promise.
He bends to remove his trousers and Georgie closes her eyes, humiliated and disgusted. Mr. Carlson stands, completely nude, and approaches her. He smiles as he traces her frame with his hands, nodding with anticipation. He places his hands on her shoulders and slowly lowers her to her knees.
Gabe: It was another one of those dreams, wasn’t it?
Georgie: Half laughs. I was such a fool.
Gabe: No, you were young and trusting. It wasn’t your fault and don’t you ever think that.
Georgie: No... I fool to think I could ever escape it.
Scene 3: Bristol, England, morning, several days later. Scotty and Johnny have just boarded a small passenger boat.
Johnny: Cheer up, at least we’ve finally found a boat.
Scotty: With my luck it will sink before we get there.
Johnny: Will you be this pessimistic throughout the entire voyage?
Scotty: We missed three separate ships by less than a half hour each! This is the fourth port city we’ve been to for God’s sake!
Johnny: I’ll abandon you completely if you keep this up. At least we’re finally leaving.
Scotty: And when we get there we’ll only be in Halifax. It will add days to our trip. If I had only been a few days, or even a week behind Carey I might have had a chance. I got to her, I know I did. Now that she’s had time to think... she’s probably put the whole thing behind her by now.
Cut to: A Boise hotel, morning, some hours later. Carey and Grace has just arrived in their room.
Grace: Surveys the room. Would you mind if I left you here and went on ahead?
Carey: Doesn’t hear her, collapses in a chair. I can’t get him out of my thoughts, Grace. She looks up, realizing Grace has just said something. I’m sorry. What did you say?
Grace: Why haven’t you sent him a letter, or a telegram?
Carey: I don’t know... scared, maybe.
Grace: You’ll lose the opportunity if you wait too long.
Carey sighs deeply, stands, and begins removing her travelling clothes.
Carey: What was it you had been saying?
Grace: I was thinking of leaving today. Would you mind?
Carey: Leave how?
Grace: Sometimes when my brothers go away they ride to Boise themselves rather than wait for the stage or have someone drive them. They leave the horses at the livery.
Carey: You could just rent a horse.
Grace: They owner’s horses are pathetic and wouldn’t last the riding I’ll do. Would you mind?
Carey: No, not at all. It’ll be nice not to share a room with you for once. You snore.
Grace: Goodbye. I’ll come back to change if there’s a horse there.
Scene 4: Tess and Nick’s new house, a short time later. Tess sits by the fire in the parlor, watching the men carry boxes past the door.
Rilla enters, carrying a tray of tea.
Rilla: I thought you might like some.
Tess: Mm, thank you.
Rilla pours two cups of tea and passes one to Tess.
Rilla: I can’t thank you enough for letting me work here, and letting the girls stay here.
Tess: It’s the least I can do. Besides, you’ll be a big help for me. And the girls are wonderful.
Rilla: They love their room. I hope they’ll be all right with the baby. They both adored... adored Konrad.
Tess: I’d love to have their help.
Rilla: Speaks more to herself. Yes... it will be nice to have a baby in the house again.
There is a knock at the door frame and both women look up. An unfamiliar, well-dress man stands in the opening.
Man: I’m sorry to disturb you. I asked one of the men and they directed me here. I’m looking for the man of the house.
Tess: My husband is likely upstairs. He’ll be down in a moment. My name is Tess Marshall. This is Rilla Schmidt. She will be living here as well.
Tess extends her hand but does not get up. The man steps forward and shakes it, then Rilla’s.
Man: My name is Wesley Knowlton. I represent Oliver Winfield.
Tess: I’m sorry, I know no one by that name.
Wesley: No? Well, I’m surprised, actually. Mr. Winfield is developing a health resort across the lake. You must have known about the surveyors?
Nick: Appears at the door. Health resort?
Tess: My husband, Nick. Nick, this man is Wesley Knowlton.
Wesley: It’s good to meet you, Mr. Marshall.
Nick: It’s Nick. What resort? That land belongs to no one.
Wesley: It does now. I purchased it not too long ago for Mr. Oliver Winfield. He’s starting a new business venture here. I’m representing him.
Nick: Who is this Mr. Oliver Winfield?
Wesley: A businessman, rather successful I gather.
Nick: You gather?
Wesley: Yes. I’ve never met him myself. We’ve only corresponded through telegram. I don’t imagine meeting him until the building is almost complete. I’ll be moving to the area as soon as I can find lodgings.
Nick: I apologize if I seem unfriendly, but this all sounds under-handed to me.
Scene 5: Belleterre library, afternoon. Gathered in the drawing room are John Henry, Elizabeth, Lazarus and Danielle, Jack, Madison, Cole, and Greta.
Lazarus: I don't think you have ever invited me to afternoon tea before, John.
John Henry: And I continue that tradition. Your grandson asked me to invite you here.
Lazarus: Jack?
Jack: I thought you might become suspicious if I gathered you all together myself.
Danielle: Eyes light up as she clasps her hands together at her chin. Oh, Angel...
Jack: I suppose it may be a little obvious now, but... He pulls Madison close to him. Madison and I are to be married.
Danielle lets out a sigh of happiness before opening her arms to hug and kiss first Jack, then Madison. Jack is beaming as he receives the requisite congratulations, but Madison's trepidation shows through her weak but polite smile. Cole and Greta take note, but remain polite and congratulate both Madison and Jack. As the excitement dies down, all but Cole and Madison retreat to the small table of refreshments at the side of the room. Cole approaches his sister.
Cole: Almost whispers. Are you sure about this?
Madison: Of course I'm sure!
Greta joins them.
Greta: If you do not mind, I wish to speak to your sister privately.
Cole steps aside and joins the others while Greta turns Madison away.
Greta: You do not love this man.
Madison: Excuse me?
Greta: You heard what I said. I know that you do not truly love him in your heart. I can see it in your eyes.
Madison: This is preposterous! Of course I love Jack. Why else would I have agreed to marry him?
Greta: Out of spite, maybe?
Madison: Out of spite toward whom?
Greta: Robert Marshall.
Madison stiffens slightly at the mention of the name, but soon recovers.
Madison: Please do not speak of him in my presence, Greta.
Greta: As you wish.
Greta leaves to join the others, and Madison quietly slips from the room unnoticed.
Cut to: A short time later. Madison wanders the halls of the vast house until she comes to a closed door at the end of one of the halls. Piano music comes from inside.
Madison slowly opens the door and is startled when she finds Robert looking straight at her when she peaks in. He stares at her for a moment, then stands and approaches the door.
Robert: Sighs. What do you want?
Madison: There is something that I would like for you to know.
Robert: I await your statement with bated breath.
Madison: Jack proposed to me over a fortnight ago.
Robert: I was aware of that.
Madison: I accepted last night.
Robert: I offer you both my sincerest blessings and wish you a life of happiness together.
Robert begins to shut the door, but Madison prevents him from doing so by stepping in the doorframe.
Madison: I know that you are probably feeling very... confused about this. But I would appreciate it if you would stay for the engagement party.
Robert: My father will be sending me on business shortly. I may not be here.
Madison: Jack planned on having it a week from today.
Robert: Pauses, takes a deep breath, and looks away. Fine. He looks back to her. I'll stay, but not for long. My train leaves late that afternoon.
Madison: Robert, I'm sorry I—
Jack: Calls from down the hall, cuts her off. There you are!
Jack walks over to the two of them. Madison steps out of the doorway and Robert straightens his posture.
Jack: I trust you've told him the news, then?
Madison: Quietly. Yes, I have.
Jack: And will you be attending the engagement party?
Robert: I wouldn't miss it for the world. Now, if you'll excuse me...
Madison opens her mouth to speak, but is cut off when Robert politely nods and closes the door. She stands staring at the door for a moment before joining Jack and going back down the hall. Inside, Robert slumps against the wall, buries his head in his hands, and utters a series of expletives.
Grace: I guess I missed a lot while I was in London.
Robert startles and looks up to find Grace, dusty and dishevelled, standing at the outside doorway.
Robert: Bloody hell, Gracie. Where did you come from?
Grace: Boise. Carey and I were to come tomorrow, but I wanted to surprise everyone.
Robert: Pushes himself from the wall. You succeeded. He gives his sister a hug, surprising her. It's good to see you.
Grace: I heard all of that, you know.
Robert: Takes a drink from the glass on the small piano. You don't know what you heard.
Grace: I'll hazard a guess that you're in love with each other. You've quarrelled and she's marrying him to spite you, though she isn't at all sure it's what she wants to do. And you're too stubborn to be the man and fight to win her back.
Robert: You couldn't be more... He slumps onto the piano bench... Bloody hell, Gracie, what have I done?
Georgie writes Peter Carlson a letter Madison makes rash decision, but is it all in
vain? Jack and Carey meet, and it’s a painful time
for both of them.
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