Episode 87
Episode 87: Early June 1877
Scene 1: Olivia and Joe's house, late afternoon. The couple has just ascended the front steps. Joe is carrying a sleeping Joey, while Olivia holds a sleeping Carey in her arms.
Joe: These two are beat.
Olivia: They've been traveling for so long. It's been hard on them. And the climate change, too.
Joe: I brought Joey's old crib down from the attic when I knew you were coming back. It's all ready now.
Olivia: Nods. That's good.
The two silently climb the stairs and settle the children in the nursery before slipping back down to the sitting room. They sit beside each other on the sofa, but with enough space between them for two more people. Both sit up straight, looking directly ahead, with their hands folded in their laps.
Joe: Little Carey seemed interested in me, when she was awake. Better than revulsion, I suppose.
Olivia: You're new. And she adores Joey. Watching him with you will make it easier for her.
Joe: Yes. There is a long, silent pause. I moved my things out of the bedroom... into the guest room. I just thought... I mean, I thought you...
Olivia: Yes, thank you.
Joe: Turns to look at her. Will it always be like this?
Olivia: Faces him. We're nervous, Joe. And rightly so. But I think it will be much easier if we talk about it.
Joe: Nods. I didn't know Stuart would come. I didn't know she was here until you told me when we were coming home. I don't know why she's here.
Olivia: I know. It was sudden for her. She didn't know I was coming back today.
Joe: Why is she here?
Olivia: Nick convinced her to come back. She ran a bar in Arizona and she's going to open a second here.
Joe: I won't talk to her. I'm not... I don't think I ever was... attracted...
Olivia: I know. And I don't mind if you talk to her.
Joe: And the baby?
Olivia: I'm her mother, you're her father, Stuart is her friend. Stuart wants it that way.
Joe: It's best that way. There is another uncomfortable pause. And this... vacation resort?
Olivia: Richard did his best to teach me business while I was there. He involved me in everything. I enjoyed it. He convinced me to start my own venture-part my dowry money, part an investment from him.
Joe: Ah.
Olivia: I want you to work with me, if you want to, as my partner.
Joe: I think I've proven I'm not a good businessman.
Olivia: You have your assets. They may not be figures and finance, but I thought you might organize the guest activities-horseback riding, outdoor expeditions, and so on.
Joe: Slowly nods. Yeah... I could do that.
Olivia: You could... Joe-
Joe: Livie-
Olivia: Sorry, you go.
Joe: Oh... um... He sighs and groans, then shifts closer to her and takes her hand. I don't think I ever told you I'm sorry. Olivia says nothing, but continues gazing into his eyes and offers a reassuring nod. Joe takes a deep breath. I am, you know. Sorry, that is.
Olivia: Doesn't breathe for a moment, then lets out her breath in a half-laugh, half-sob. I didn't think I needed to hear that, but...
Joe: But?
Olivia: Tears come to her eyes. I did.
Olivia begins to cry. Joe raises his arms to hug her, but hesitates in actually touching her. She leans closer to him, and when she is snuggling against his chest he still hesitates before finally wrapping his arms around her.
Scene 2: A small town in southern Texas. Lydia is pacing the area outside the makeshift hospital, where the accident survivors are being treated. A woman has just approached her.
Woman: Ma'am... ma'am?
Lydia: Turns. I'm sorry, what?
Woman: I couldn't help but notice you've been pacing here for several hours.
Lydia: My husband and daughter were on the train. I'm waiting for them to be brought here.
Woman: You need to rest.
Lydia: God, I don't think I could sleep.
Woman: No, but perhaps you could offer some comfort to the victims.
Lydia: I... yes, I could do that.
Woman: Oh, good. I had one man in mind. He... he probably won't make it, and he has lost his wife. His baby is with him and won't leave his side, but...
Lydia: Nods. Take me to them?
The woman takes Lydia by the arm and leads her inside, down to a bed where a man lies bandaged and taking labored breaths. One arms hangs over the edge, where his hand rests on the head of a wimpering baby girl. Lydia pulls up a chair beside them and the woman walks away.
Man: Who's there?
Lydia: My name is Lydia, Lydia Marshall. My husband and baby girl were on the train and I was waiting... that woman suggested I keep you company.
Man: Thank you. My name is George Finnerty.
Lydia: This is your daughter?
George: Rebecca.
Lydia: She's beautiful. How old?
George: Just turned a year.
Lydia: Same as my daughter, Livie.
George: I love her so much. I'm scared for her. She lost her mother in the accident, and me...
Lydia: Do you have family who should be contacted?
George: No, none, and not my wife either. I don't know what will happen to her.
Lydia: You will take care of her.
George: You needn't do that. I know I won't survive till tomorrow.
Lydia: A nice family will be found for her. My family... my husband's family has connections. If it will reassure you, I will personally make sure a good, decent family is fund for her.
George: That does... reassure me.
Rebecca leaves her position under her father's hand and stands against Lydia's lap, asking to be lifted up. Lydia smiles at the child and pulls her into her lap.
George: Where did Rebecca go?
Lydia: She came and asked up on my lap. She takes George's hand and places it on Rebecca's knee. She's right here.
George: Will you do it?
Lydia: Do what?
George: Take care of Rebecca. As your own.
Lydia: Oh, Mr. Finnerty, I don't know what to-
George: She's obviously taken to you. His tone becomes desperate. Please... I need to know she'll be cared for before I pass. Please...
Lydia opens her mouth, but no words come out. As a sign, Rebecca sighs and falls back against Lydia's chest, almost asleep.
Lydia: Exhales quickly. All right.
George: Thank you. He moves his hand and finds Lydia's, then squeezes it. Thank you. Please... find a justice of the peace, a lawyer, someone. I want to make it legal before I pass.
Lydia: I think that can wait.
George: No, it can't. Please. I want to make sure there is no dispute, that you will receive my assets and my daughter. To take care of her, give her the life she deserves. Please, Mrs. Marshall, Lydia. Please.
Lydia: All right, I-She looks down and finds Rebecca sound asleep-She's asleep. I'll just take her with me. I'll find someone to fetch a justice of the peace. I'll be right back.
Lydia stands, but George keeps a firm hold of her hand for a moment longer.
George: Lydia... thank you. I don't know you, I can't even see you, but I know you'll do right by her. Thank you.
Scene 3: Liberty Springs Health Resort, early the next morning. Olivia has just arrived on horseback and is tying her horse to a hitching post when Wesley and Alex emerge.
Wesley: Good morning, Mrs. Kincaid.
Olivia: Gentlemen. She ascends the steps and shakes their hands. I'm sorry I'm late. My sister left town this morning. Shall we go inside?
Wesley: Shouldn't we wait for Mr. Kincaid?
Olivia: My husband will not be joining us this morning. He preferred to spend time with his children.
Wesley: Well, that is certainly understandable. We should reschedule this meeting to a time when he can attend.
Olivia: Whatever for?
Wesley: He stutters slightly. Well, ah... we'll be discussing business, financing, how the whole thing is coming together. That's something your husband would take care of.
Alex: Most of the interior decorations will be here soon.
Olivia looks from Wesley to Alex, an eyebrow raised in amusement, then laughs and enters the building.
Olivia: My husband will be my partner in this business, gentleman, but you had better understand right now that I am your employer. He has agreed to oversee guest activities outdoors, but he knows he is no businessman.
Alex: But-
Olivia: Stops and turns around. If you have any objections, Alex, I suggest you find yourself a different position. You have been dealing with me until now, and you will continue to deal with me and only me and give me the respect due to any employer.
Alex: With all due respect, everything you own is your husband's property, by law.
Olivia: Perhaps, but I own precious little myself. Like my sisters, my dowry is really a trust held by my father, but he has instructed that I alone have complete control over it. She begins walking inside again, but turns around once more. And with all due respect, I have never had any interest in interior decorations. One of my family members will likely be interested in doing that, and you will answer to her. Now, really gentlemen, I don't have all day.
Scene 4: The road out of Liberty Creek, a short time later. Julia and Steven are sitting in opposite corners of a closed carriage. Julia's breathing is shallow, and she keeps her eyes focused on her lap.
Steven: You seem angry.
Julia: Shakes her head. Nervous, sad... I couldn't be angry with you.
Steven: My father and Georgie will meet us in Burlington and help us settle into a home.
Julia nods, then lifts her head and gazes out the window.
Steven: Something else is wrong.
Julia: Does not face him. I didn't see Grace after we returned from Boise. She didn't say goodbye, didn't yell at me, nothing.
Steven: She has every right to be angry, but hopefully someday you'll be able to tell her why and she'll understand.
Julia: Sighs. I miss my sister.
Steven: I know.
Julia: We were always close growing up, despite being so different. And I don't know why but I always felt like that baby in the family, and Grace was my big sister.
Steven: I can understand that.
But Julia doesn't hear him. Her eyes have focussed on a horse and rider quickly approaching them from Liberty Creek. She gasps and knocks on the roof.
Julia: Driver, stop.
The carriage slowly comes to a stop and Julia jumps to the ground, taking a few steps toward the back of the conveyance as Grace approaches. Grace wears trousers and a half-tucked shirt, her braided hair coming wild and loose. Her eyes are wild and angry as she slides from the bare back of the horse.
Julia: Pleading whisper, extends her hand. Grace...
Grace: I have something to say to you.
Julia: Grace, please, I-
Grace: Save it, Julia. Leading her horse with one hand, Grace grabs Julia's arm and leads her back down the road twenty feet. I don't know who you are, but no sister of mine would ever betray me the way you did.
Julia: What I did was wrong, but betrayal... Grace, you and Steven were not together.
Grace: A petty argument. Anyone with a shred of decency would have made sure I had no more feelings for him. A good sister would even seek my permission, but you didn't seek anyone's permission. You snuck off, you lied to everyone, you... bitch.
Julia: Suppresses a sob and hold her hand to her nose and mouth. Grace, I had to marry.
Grace: Scoffs. Don't be so melodramatic, Julia. You're not pregnant.
Julia remains silent, and looks away when Grace attempts to catch her gaze. Grace's eyes widen and she grits her teeth, then swings her hand and slaps Julia hard on the cheek.
Grace: Fights to keep her voice down. You whore.
Julia: Tears stream down her face as she gingerly touches her newly red cheek. You don't understand, please...
Grace: Shut up. If I never see you alive again my life will end in fulfillment. You are not my sister.
Grace and Julia stare at each other for a moment longer, Grace's eyes filled with tears of fury and Julia's with tears of sorrow, before Grace pulls herself onto her horse and rides away. Julia stands alone in the middle of the road, unable to move, until Steven emerges from the carriage and slowly leads her back.
Scene 5: A small southern Texas town, a short time later. Lydia is sitting by George Finnerty bedside with Rebecca and a justice of the peace nearby.
JP: Are you sure this is what you want, Mr. Finnerty? I mean no offense to Mrs. Marshall, but you have known her for less than a day. This will cannot be contested after your death.
George: Weak. I'm sure. I want to... to die knowing my baby will be cared for.
JP: Then I have to respect that. And I'm sorry I couldn't be here yesterday.
George: You were here in time. Just put the pen in my hand and point it where I need to sign.
The justice dips the pen in the ink and places it in George's hand, then holds the paper firmly on a low table beside the bed and guides George's hand to the proper place for him to weakly sign his name.
George: Thank you. Do you have the papers for Mrs. Marshall?
JP: Yes, right here. He places the paper on the table and shifts over to allow Lydia room to sign. She's signing them now.
Lydia: Yes, Mr. Finnerty. It's done. George does not respond. Mr. Finnerty? She takes his hand, but it remains limp. Oh, no. She searches the room for the doctor. Doctor! Over here, please.
The doctor finishes talking to another patient and arrives at George's bedside. Lydia looks him in the eye, then turns her gaze to George. The doctor first checks for a pulse, then listens for a heart beat.
Doctor: I'm sorry, he's gone.
Lydia sighs and pulls the baby close to her. The justice of the peace pats her hand and quietly leaves the room, but a woman soon takes his place and taps Lydia on the shoulder.
Woman: Excuse me, ma'am. I'm sorry, but I thought you'd want to know. The last of the rescue workers have just returned, and they're about to say a few words.
Lydia: Looks up, hopeful. Yes, of course.
She stands and lifts Rebecca to her hip, then leaves to join the growing crowd of people. One man stands apart, preparing to speak.
Man: I know this has been a difficult time for you, and there is no easy way to say what I have to say. The first burned down enough over the night to let us search all of the train. There were no more survivors, and many of the... bodies... were... He struggles to say the words... burned beyond recognition.
Several screams erupt from the crowd. Tears pour from Lydia's eyes but she doesn't make a sound. She backs up a few steps and sits quietly on the stairs, oblivious as Rebecca strokes her hair and face in an attempt to offer comfort.
Cut to: A small town in northern Mexico, later that day. Christopher is lying unconscious on a bed, his head bandaged. A dark-haired young woman sits nearby, holding baby Livie on her lap. A man has just entered the room; he speaks in Spanish.
Man: No change, Catalina?
Catalina: None, Papa.
Man: No, he stirs. Just now.
After several minutes of small movement, Christopher opens his eyes and squints as he looks about the room.
Christopher: Where am I?
Man: In English. So you are American. You are in a small village in Mexico, Santa Lidia. My name is Manuel Aguila, I am a doctor. This is my house. My daughter, Catalina. You were robbed?
Christopher: I... don't remember.
Manuel: You were hit on the head, and had no money when we found you. What is your name.
Christopher: Thinks for a moment. Christopher.
Manuel: Is that all you remember?
Christopher: I think... so. Is that your daughter, Miss Aguila?
Catalina: Surprised. She is yours, señor.
Manuel: We found her beside you, screaming. She would not leave your side.
Christopher: Moans, raises a hand to his forehead. My... God. What's happened to me?
Manuel: Do not worry yourself now, señor. You may stay with us for as long as you need, until you recover.
A lot can happen in five years. When Liberty Creek returns the year will be 1882.
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