Episode 85
Episode 85: Early May 1877
Scene 3 written by Padeena
Scene 1: Santa Maria, Arizona, late afternoon. Stuart stands behind the bar in her own saloon, glaring at Gustavo while Nick looks from one to the other, confused.
Stuart: Yes, I know him. He is my brother-in-law.
Nick: Whips his head to stare at Gustavo. Brother-in-law? You said distant relative! He quickly stands, taking Gustavo by the collar. What is the meaning of this?
Stuart: I'm sure he has an explanation. He always does. But let's not talk here. People are curious enough about me. She turns her head and calls out. Anna! A waitress appears from a back room. Mind the bar, please. I have some old friends to catch up with. The girl nods and Stuart turns back to Nick and Gustavo. Come on this way.
Stuart leads Nick and Gustavo to the end of the bar and through the door to the back room, where she unlocks another door to reveal a narrow staircase. Upstairs is a small apartment, with a parlor as the central room, overlooking a vacant lot to the side. There are three other doors.
Stuart: Makes a sweeping motion with her arm around the room. Home. Used to be an exclusive whore house. She looks Gustavo directly in the eye. My waitresses are all girls driven out of their own homes by families who treated them deplorably. The four of them share the back and side room, and the front room is mine.
Gustavo: Maria, you know that Marta and I lo-
Stuart: Save your words, Tavo. I've heard it all before.
Nick: Stuart, perhaps you could give me an explanation. You always told us you had no family. And why does he call you Maria?
Stuart: Gustavo, you know I wanted to forget that part of my life. She turns to Nick. Gustavo is my brother-in-law, my sister Marta's husband. Our mother did die when I was two years old, but she and my father had two daughters. Marta is older by six years. I was baptized Mary Stuart MacKenzie and called Mary by my father. My mother called me Maria, and Marta did as well and somehow Gustavo picked it up. He is a distant cousin on my mother's side, and he came to live with us when I was ten to work on the ranch. He and Marta were already married when our father died, so they became my guardians. Marta changed then. She had little interest in the ranch before-it was always something my father and I loved together. When he was gone she took complete control, undermined the authority my father gave me over the workers and how things were run, and tried to "tame" me. She tried to force me into dresses and brought young men to court me. They were all from Mexico, of course, and her plan was to give me a hefty dowry and ship me off.
Gustavo: Maria, you know that is not true.
Stuart: Spits the words. Oh, stuff it, Gustavo. She never let you see her true nature. Turns back to Nick. Marta wanted my share of the ranch, but I wouldn't let her have it. Then one day when Marta and Gustavo left for a visit to Mexico I just left. That's when I cut my hair and began dressing as a man and calling myself Stuart. I forged a letter from Marta extolling my virtues as an employee and travelled as far away as I thought best. You know the rest. My only regret was that I would never see my nieces and nephew again. You probably have ten babies by now.
Gustavo: Softly, with a hint of regret. No, we had no more.
Stuart: Well... how are they? Stuart's tone turns soft. Lina must be a beautiful young woman now, with Ursula and Zita jealous because they're just as beautiful but not old enough to show it. And the baby! Miguel isn't too tormented by his sisters, is he?
Gustavo: He is no longer a baby, ten years old. He is quite a help with the work.
Stuart: And the girls?
Gustavo: Sighs. I did not want to tell you this soon. It would be better if I told you my principal purpose first.
Stuart: Then tell me.
Gustavo: Marta wants to buy your half of the ranch.
Stuart: It's not going to happen. She already gets my half of the profits and that should be enough. What about the girls? Why won't you tell me about them?
Gustavo: Sighs. There was an influenza epidemic.
Stuart: No...
Gustavo: They did not linger long in pain, and they were gone within a day. I had taken Miguel away with me before it hit so we were not affected. Marta came down with it but pulled through. She still has not forgiven herself.
Stuart: In a choked whisper. When?
Gustavo: Five years ago, in March.
Stuart: Jesus, what has become of my life?
Nick: Stuart, please, you don't need to do that to yourself again.
Stuart: No... I have always run from my problems, my family, my friends. I'll not return to Marta-she won't change-but I think maybe... perhaps I want to return to my friends.
Scene 2: Liberty Springs Health Resort, the next morning. A riding party-John Henry, Will, Christopher, Philip Elliot, Benjamin and Joe Kincaid, Scotty, and Johnny-has just approached. Some carry shotguns, others have small game.
Joe: Riding up alongside John Henry. Thank you for inviting me along today. It's relieving to know I have your forgiveness.
John Henry: My daughter is returning to put her family together again. If that is what Olivia wants, I must do everything I can to encourage and help her. He turns to his other side as Will approaches.
Will: It is a nice enough building.
John Henry: Yes, but Knowlton has said there are plans to expand it if there is interest enough.
Will: It could bring profit for us, as well. There is already a spoken agreement with Nick.
John Henry: Have you seen the latest papers we've received from New York and London? It's as if the stories were planned for issues that would reach us at the same time.
Will: I haven't had a chance to read either yet. What are you talking about?
John Henry: Written up in the society section of each paper, a description of this grand establishment, its picturesque and serene setting, and the noble heirs to a ducal estate in England who live nearby. It had my name, your name, the names of my unmarried children, information about the estates in England. Some things I doubt anyone here would have told to Wesley Knowlton.
Will: You're not serious?
John Henry: I am.
Wesley and Alex Knowlton appear at the front doors of the resort. Wesley smiles.
Wesley: Gentleman, what a surprise! I wish I could invite you in, but Mr. Winfield has given me explicit instructions not to allow anyone inside until he can give a tour himself.
Will: So we are to be graced with the presence of the illusive Oliver Winfield?
Wesley: Yes, and quite soon. Within a few weeks.
Will: We were beginning to think the man did not exist.
Alex: Well, he does, and your skepticism is tiring.
Wesley: Turns to his son, warning. Alex. Turns to the men. This is my son, Alex. He will be working with me.
Alex: Bows, sarcastic. It is an honor to meet you, my lords.
John Henry: Thank you, but we do not follow such formalities here. We endeavor leave behind the pressures of society.
Alex: Is that why you tried to capitalize on this business by advertising your own social status in the newspapers of every major city in America?
John Henry: I would never do such a thing. I found the information myself in the New York Times and the Times from London. I was going to address your father on the issue.
Wesley: I'm sorry, I know nothing about it.
Alex: Speaks with exaggerated exaltation. You'll be glad to know, Sir Marshall, that several major families of the United States and England, including some with exalted titles.
Philip: Young man, although titles and social status are not important to this family, they will be to the guests of this resort. If you are to be its representative, I suggest you learn the proper respect for your betters, as that is how the titled guests will view their relationship to you. You can begin by learning the proper method of address for members of the aristocracy and end by losing that disrespect for the long-held customs of my native country. It will not impress.
Alex: Who the hell do you think you are?
Wesley: Alex!
Alex: Father, please. You're just a stuffed shirt who wouldn't know what it is to earn your own living if it kicked you in the ass.
Philip: Smiles politely. Your father has been here for some months, Mr. Knowlton, and I have come to respect him. For that reason I will not respond to you as I would like. I point out that you are the one who has taken a job from your father. Most of the men here have made their own independent livings. You might do some research before dispensing ignorant insults. He turns to Wesley. Wesley, I apologize.
Wesley: As do I, thank you.
Philip: John, shall we?
John Henry: Yes, let's, but we'll stop in and see Tess first. Good day, Mr. Knowlton. Alex, it was a pleasure.
Scene 3: The creek near Belleterre, early afternoon. Johnny and Alicia have been picnicking nearby and are packing up to leave. Alex has just arrived, but sees only Alicia as Johnny has just left to collect the horses from their graze in an unseen meadow.
Alex smiles to himself as he approaches Alicia, who crouches on the ground returning things to the basket. As she stands, she jumps a little at his surprise appearance.
Alex: Takes Alicia's hand and bows over it placing a tiny kiss on her knuckles. Good day, Miss de Gironde!
Alicia: Recovers from her start and the sensation of his mustache on her hand from his kiss, nods her head, her hand is still held in his. Monsieur Knowlton.
Alex: I'm sorry if I startled you. I was out taking a walk along this lovely creek. At one time the water seemed so inviting I was about to risk a swim, but one foot in sent me shivering back to my shoes. He laughs a little and Alicia's musical chuckle joins him. I continued along my walk and that is when I saw you. Since our last meeting seemed so pleasant, I thought I would chance another one. I hope I wasn't interrupting anything.
Johnny walks up behind Alicia at this point and clears his throat. Alicia turns and smiles, but she drops her mouth in confusion when Johnny retrieves her hand from Alex's and lays it on his arm.
Alex: Murmurs. I see I have.
Johnny: Come, we must be returning.
Johnny gently tugs on her arm as he turns to go, but Alicia stands firm, perplexed by his abruptness.
Alicia: Monsieur Knowlton, have you made the acquaintance of Monsieur Prichett?
Alex: We have encountered each other, but were no introduced. Mr. Prichett. Holds out his hand to Johnny only to have it ignored
Johnny: If you will be good enough to be on your way, Mr. Knowlton. You are on private property.
Alex: Once again turns to Alicia and takes her other hand in his own to bow once more. Till we meet again.
Johnny: Your liberties are not welcome, Mr. Knowlton. Let go of the lady's hand.
Alicia: Shocked by the tone of Johnny's voice. Monsieur Prichett! Turns back to Alex I am sorry, Monsieur Knowlton.
Alex: No apology is necessary. Mr. Pritchett has every right to dislike me. May I escort you to your horse?
Johnny: That would be impossible, I'm afraid. Her aunt and uncle would never approve, and they have entrusted her to my company. Now, for the last time, release her hand.
Alex: I think not, for I enjoy holding such gloved softness.
Johnny startles everyone, including himself, when he drops Alicia's arm and slams a fist into Alex's chin. Alicia screams and Alex reels from the blow. His hand is jerked from Alicia's as Johnny hits him again. He is dazed, but only for a moment. He looks up through eyes of steel at the flushed young man standing over him.
Alex: You will be sorry you did that.
Johnny: I hardly doubt that. Your kind is not worth being sorry about. Johnny turns to Alicia. Mademoiselle, shall we?
Alicia: Screams. Johnny, Look out!
Alex grabs Johnny by the shoulder, turns him around, and plants a fist square in his jaw. They exchange punches, but Alex soon knocks Johnny to the ground. Alicia screams at both of them to stop, but neither listen or hear. As Johnny lies helpless, Alex continues his assault. Alicia looks about frantically, eventually finding a thick piece of wood. Mustering her strength, she swings it as hard as she can and hits Alex on the side of the head. He falls to the side, but remains sitting up and breathing heavily. Alicia kneels between them and pats at Johnny's bloody face with her handkerchief.
Alicia: Sternly. I do not know what this is about, but barbarity does not impress me! I suggest you two shake hands and apologize now, or I will have nothing to do with either of you again!
Neither man moves or speaks, so Alicia stands. She walks briskly over to her horse, mounts with some difficulty, and begins to ride away.
Alex: I would say you over-reacted, and look where it got you.
Johnny: Stay away from Alicia.
Alex: After your behavior today, I think that will be up to her.
Johnny seethes, but ignores Alex as he slowly pushes himself to his feet. Leaving the picnic things behind, he limps toward his own horse. Mounting is painful, and he winces as he settles in the saddle, but he leaves the area and follows Alicia. He catches up to her after a short time.
Johnny: Mademoiselle, please, slow your horse so we might talk.
Alicia: Turns to look at Johnny, taken aback by his injuries. I do not wish to speak with you at present. I do not know nor care what you think of Monsieur Knowlton. You are not my keeper or my chaperone, and therefore you have no say in who I choose to speak to. When you have righted yourself and are prepared to be rational, I shall listen. Until then, as I have said, I do not wish to speak with you.
Alicia continues on at a brisk pace-leaving Johnny behind at a slow walk, cursing himself.
Scene 4: Johnny's room at Belleterre, some time later. Johnny is standing by the dresser with his wash basin as Carey gently tends to the cuts on his face. Scotty sits in a nearby chair, smiling with amusement and stifling a chuckle.
Johnny: Must you be here? What on earth is so humorous?
Scotty: I was just wondering what could possibly make you believe you could win the fight.
Johnny: I wasn't thinking.
Scotty: I'll say.
Carey: Scotty, leave him alone. You did the same thing for me once, remember?
Scotty: Yes, but I won.
Johnny: Scotty, just go. Leave.
Scotty: Stands and smiles in a mock challenge. What are you going to do, hit me?
Carey: Turns to face him, her hands on her hips. I will if you don't leave.
Scotty: All right, all right.
Scotty gives Johnny a friendly pat on the arm before leaving the room. Johnny sighs in relief.
Carey: He's just teasing. Johnny nods. You've only got a few small cuts, but you'll have a black eye for certain along with a few other bruises.
Johnny: Remember when we were children, playing outside Marshall House. I think I was eleven, maybe twelve... and I fell backwards into those brambles.
Carey: Oh, no. You didn't. Johnny nods, pouting like a boy and looking as if he's about to cry. And you rode all the way back here? He nods again. My God, didn't that hurt? He nods.
Johnny: I don't want anyone to know. Certainly not Scotty.
Carey: I didn't tell anyone the first time I plucked thorns from your ass. She points to his trousers. Drop 'em and lie on the bed.
Johnny: You could at least turn around.
Carey complies until Johnny is ready, then freshens her cloth and sits beside him to begin the work.
Carey: So it was jealousy, was it? With Alicia?
Johnny: There is something dangerous about that man, Alex Knowlton. I saw him this morning with his father and John Henry.
Carey: Yes, I heard about it. So it is jealousy. Johnny does not respond. It is all right. You have fallen in love with her, haven't you?
Johnny: Maybe.
Carey: Fighting over a woman does not usually impress her.
Johnny: It worked for Scotty.
Carey: That was different. It was a misunderstanding and I know he was trying to protect me. I imagine Alicia has no idea why you did what you did. She may not even be attracted to this Alex Knowlton, but sometimes actions such as yours might just pique her interest in him.
Johnny: Wonderful.
Carey: I won't be here to dispense advice for long. You must try to be the better man. I do think she is attracted to you, but your actions today will change her perception. Undoubtedly Knowlton will apologize, so you will have to be sure to do it first. Be a gentleman, be gallant. You have the advantage of living in the same house, so you will see her more often. She plucks out one last thorn. There, I'm done. It's amazing, you know.
Johnny: What is?
Carey: She lightly pats his rear. It's as scrawny as it was the last time.
Scene 5: Boise, several hours later. Julia and Steven are approaching a small, Catholic church. Steven is stoic; Julia is pale and fearful.
Steven: I know you've said you're sure about this, but you sure don't look it.
Julia: I am sure, but just going in... I'm scared.
Steven: One can only overcome his fears by facing them. I'll be right behind you walking in, and waiting while you talk with the priest. He waits, but she doesn't move. He urges her with a light push. Come on.
The two walk up the short flight of stairs and enter the empty, dimly lit church. Steven takes a seat in a back pew while Julia walks forward to sit outside the confessional, where she waits a short moment for another penitent to emerge before entering herself.
Julia: Bless me Father, for I have sinned.
Priest: You are new to this church. How long has it been since your last confession?
Julia: I have never been to confession. I was born in England and baptized in the Anglican Church, but I was never confirmed. My mother is a devout Catholic and it is my intention to convert.
Priest: An important decision for a young woman. Is your father supportive?
Julia: Yes, Father, very supportive.
Priest: Wonderful. Why have you come to confession?
Julia: Takes a few deep breaths, speaks in a shaky tone. I had relations with a man to whom I am not married and conceived a child. I believe... that is, I am almost certain this man is not aware that anything transpired between us. He was most certainly intoxicated at the time, and I believe he was dreaming of another woman.
Priest: So you have not told this man you carry his child? Will you?
Julia: No, I can't. He doesn't know, and he has left town without word of where he was going.
Priest: I can tell you grasp the severity of the sin, my child, and are repentant. Since you are not yet Catholic all I can instruct you to do is remain this way and have faith, and you will be forgiven. How do you plan to work through your situation?
Julia: That is the second reason why I came to you, Father. A very dear friend has offered to marry me and raise this child as his own. We could go to a justice of the peace, but I wanted to be married under God. Will you do it, Father? Today?
Priest: A very dear friend indeed if he is willing to devote his life to you. Has he considered the commitment?
Julia: I believe so.
Priest: I would like to speak with him. Is he Catholic?
Julia: No, but he will support my religion and allow this children to be educated in both our faiths, as I was, so it can make its own decision.
Priest: I will still speak with him, but I think I will make and exception in your case and marry you, today if that is your wish. Where is your intended, and what is his name?
Julia: Thank you, Father. His name is Steven, and he is sitting in the back of the church.
Priest: If you will wait near the front, I will speak with Steven. If he is as you described, we won't be long.
Julia leaves the confessional first and takes a seat in the second pew from the front before the priest, a young man in his twenties, exits and walks to the back to sit with Steven. After a short time, Eugénie, Lise Anne, Antoine, and Marcelle enter quietly. Eugénie and Lise Anne sit across from Julia, kneeling in prayer, while Antoine and Marcelle kneel in the pew behind them. Julia glances at the two ladies, then takes a longer look as pangs of recognition wash over her face. After a few whispered, solitary prayers, the two ladies speak to each other and pieces of the conversation reach Julia, in French.
Eugénie: I know you wanted to go directly to our hotel and relax, Lise Anne, but we have not been to church since we left France.
Lise Anne: I do understand, Aunt Eugénie, and it is important for there is no Catholic church in Liberty Creek.
Julia covers her mouth with her hand and turns from the group as her nervous demeanor turns to one of fear. When Steven comes to sit with her, she grabs his arm.
Julia: We have a problem.
Steven: No, it will be fine. Father Patrick is going to marry us.
Julia: That is not the problem. My cousin Lise Anne and Madame Arneau were to arrive tomorrow.
Steven: How is that a problem?
Julia: They are early. That is them.
Steven: Are you sure? Do they know you?
Julia: I am sure it is them. I do not think they would know me, but they have not looked over here so I cannot be sure.
Steven: They likely would not say anything if they were not sure it was you, and our surnames will not be mentioned in the service. This should not delay us. He looks up.Father Patrick is waiting.
Steven takes Julia's arm and the two walk to the altar.
Father Patrick: To Eugénie and party. Forgive the intrusion, but I am about to perform a wedding ceremony. Would two of you consent to be their witnesses?
Eugénie speaks quietly first to Lise Anne, then to Antoine, and the two young people nod before leaving their pews and approaching the front of the church.
Lise Anne: My name is Lise Anne and this is Antoine.
The priest nods, then conducts the rest of the brief ceremony before leading the four to another room where the marriage license is signed. Lise Anne watches as Julia signs with her maiden name, then looks up in surprise. Their eyes meet, and the expression in Julia's confirms Lise Anne's suspicions. As they leave the room, Julia stops Lise Anne and lets the three men go ahead.
Julia: I am glad at least one member of my family could be here on this day.
Lise Anne: I am happy I could be here. I will not tell Aunt Eugénie.
Julia: Thank you, and I will make sure they know that you did not know it was me before the ceremony. We should return before Madame Arneau becomes suspicious.
The two leave the room, and Eugénie stands to meet them.
Eugénie: I was going to give you and your husband a gift with which to start your married life, but I happen to know you have a sizeable dowry and are not in need of it. Julia's eyes widen in surprise as she gasps. Do not worry, ma chère, I will let you tell Elizabeth and John Henry on your own, provided you return home and tell them in person.
Stuart considers her future, including an attractive option suggested by Nick Alicia is torn between anger and attraction for her two suitors The joy of Eugénie and Lise Anne's arrival is cut short as Julia breaks her news to her parents
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