TITANIC: AFTERMATH
Chapter Twelve
INT. CAL'S OFFICE - MARKET ST. - DAY
Cal sits at his desk, poring over stacks of
papers.
CAL (VO)
From then on, rather than cloistering myself
in my room, I resolved to engage in a more widely accepted form of social
abdication, that of burying oneself in one's work.
Cal's mind wanders.
CAL (VO)
Of course, I continually thought of Anna
regardless of my physical location, but at least I was not constantly
confronted with her presence...her luminosity, her beauty...
Dejected, Cal tosses his pen down onto his
desk.
CAL (VO)
Still, it seemed the next phase of my
punishment on earth was to be tortured by thoughts of a woman I could never
have. Although inadequate, my remedy, a form of living death called the daily
routine, was something everyone could understand...or almost everyone.
EXT. CAL'S OFFICE - DAY
Anna pauses, preparing to knock. She summons
a casual, platonic attitude. She reminds herself not to look too eager.
INT. CAL'S OFFICE - DAY
Cal straightens his posture when he hears a
knock at his door.
CAL
Yes?
Anna enters, carrying a basket. Cal is caught
off guard.
CAL
Anna?
ANNA
I was afraid you were going to work late
again, and brought you something to eat.
Anna closes the door behind her. She
approaches Cal's desk. She removes a wrapped sandwich and various other goodies
from the basket.
CAL (VO)
No matter what she did for me, I remained
certain it was because she was just kind to everyone, because it was her
nature. How could she care for me? I had turned into a bumbling idiot. I was
often rude...and, of course, if she knew the truth about me...but in reality,
we both loved each other desperately, but thought the other had not the
slightest interest.
CAL
(stumbling) What? You came all the way over
here...to bring me a sandwich?
ANNA
Ruth telephoned to wish you a happy birthday,
sir. So, I must bring you a bite to eat, at the very least.
CAL
Why, it is my birthday, isn't it! It had
completely slipped my mind.
ANNA
Actually, I was hoping you'd consider not
working yourself to death tonight, hmm?
Anna tilts her head impishly and looks for a
reaction. Cal can't help smiling.
CAL
You are very persuasive as usual, madam. I
suppose I can put this drudgery aside.
Cal puts on his jacket and hat while Anna
returns the food to the basket, her warm smile concealed from his view.
INT. CAR IN RAINSTORM - SUNSET
Except for the frantic beat of the windshield
wipers against the deluge of rain, an ungainly silence prevails. Cal must say
something...anything.
CAL (VO)
Suddenly I felt irreparably awkward, next to
this beautiful woman in close quarters. I could only hope that my vast
experience with useless conversation could get me through...but Anna wasn't one
for pointless banter, and neither, any more, was I.
CAL
Why, the rain is coming down in torrents! I
do hate to think of you getting caught in such a downpour on my account.
ANNA
(smiling) I would survive, I assure you. I
make my own decisions, Mr. Hockley.
CAL
Of course you do.
Cal smiles. Anna is self-determined, like
Rose. Anna decides it safe to make a forward comment, if it is obscured in
jest.
ANNA
Besides, this way I can arrange for another
chivalrous rescue.
Cal laughs nervously, worried she really sees
him as chivalrous.
EXT. 1811 WALNUT STREET - DUSK
Cal parks the car. The rain is still pelting
down pretty hard. Cal can't ask her to go out in it. He is stuck.
INT. CAR - DUSK
The casual conversation has halted. Cal and
Anna sit stiffly, facing forward. Both resist the impulse to touch the other
tenderly. Both fear their feelings of affection will be discovered.
Cal comes up with a sanitized version of what
he wants to say.
CAL
Anna...I wish to thank you for everything
you're doing for the children, for me, for everyone. I think you contribute
something in a way that no one else could.
Cal cuts himself off, so as not to betray his
feelings.
ANNA
Thank you, but I only do what I want to do.
CAL
You underestimate yourself, Mrs. Livingston.
ANNA
And you underestimate yourself, Mr. Hockley.
Silence. Cal's mind races to find something
to say.
CAL
I would have to amiably disagree with you on
that point, Mrs. Livingston. I consider myself a fair judge of my own
character.
The rain has let up now, and offers Cal
reprieve.
CAL
Well, I think this is our cue.
Cal anxiously hops out of the car.
EXT. 1811 WALNUT ST. - DUSK
Cal opens Anna's door and helps her out.
Anna has come up with a sanitized message as
well.
ANNA
I am a good judge of character too, Mr.
Hockley, and I wouldn't work for anyone else as long as you are in need of me.
CAL
Thank you, Anna. Your efforts are most
appreciated.
EXT. 1811 WALNUT STREET - DUSK
Cal stands at the front door, Anna behind
him. Cal fights to suppress the many feelings he has bottled up inside, as he
fumbles for his keys.
CAL (VO)
I made it through this difficult encounter. I
had managed to keep from declaring my love for her, and from making a fool out
of myself. At least I would soon have the dignity of being alone.
Cal unlocks and opens the door, then freezes
in his tracks.
INT. PARLOR - 1811 WALNUT STREET - DUSK
Cal sees all the children, the servants, Mrs.
Harris and Ruth lined up and grinning at him. Mrs. Bingham proudly displays a
cake in front of her. Even Mrs. Spivey has managed to carve out a wooden smile
on her face.
ALL
Surprise! Happy Birthday!
Cal's mouth drops open.
CAL
Pardon me a moment.
He slips back outside and closes the door.
EXT. 1811 WALNUT STREET - DUSK
Cal turns around toward Anna, struggling to
force back his tears.
ANNA
Oh, what is wrong, sir?
Anna instinctively touches his arm. Cal
chokes on his emotions.
CAL
I'm just not prepared--
Anna smiles at him lovingly. The air of
formality has melted away, as Cal has unwittingly begun to show his heart. Anna
steps forward and gently embraces him.
Cal allows himself to sink into her embrace,
receiving what he has needed for a very long time.
Cal realizes he is holding the woman he loves
for the first time. It feels wonderful. Too good. He pulls away.
Cal and Anna fight back their feelings.
CAL
I imagine they're all completely offended
now.
ANNA
No, no, sir.
CAL
Anna...thank you...but you really shouldn't
have gone to all this trouble.
He turns and opens the door.
INT. PARLOR - DUSK
Everyone stops whispering and looks at Cal.
CAL
My apologies. I was not prepared for such a
fine greeting. This is all so very thoughtful. Thank you.
All smile and applaud. They relax and start
milling about. Cal and Anna walk toward Ruth and Mrs. Bingham.
RUTH
I knew you could get him here, Anna, if
anyone could.
MRS. BINGHAM
(proudly) I made my best angel food cake for
the occasion, sir.
CAL
Oh, yes. I imagine the children have been
ready for some time now.
Cal glances back at the children and moves
aside.
MRS. BINGHAM
No, I must serve you up a piece first, sir.
It is your day.
Cal accepts a plate of cake. Mrs. Bingham
looks on expectantly. Cal takes a bite, then smiles happily.
CAL
It is the best I've tasted.
The women smile jubilantly, glad to see Cal's
spirits lifted.
CAL (VO)
I hadn't thought it possible, but Anna and
everyone else actually managed to make me feel happy that night.
INT. CAL'S BEDROOM - DAY
Cal looks through the property ads in the
newspaper.
CAL (VO)
It wasn't long, however, before I admitted to
myself that the adoration these people felt for me was only possible through
the maintenance of an elaborate lie. I considered taking steps to isolate
myself from them, and to live my life as it really was--alone.
INT. PARLOR - DAY
Anna shows in a good looking, ATHLETIC MAN,
who carries a baseball, a bat and glove.
CAL (VO)
Yet, before I could myself cut the ties, it
seemed the one with whom I was most attached had already drifted away on her
own. My decision to leave Walnut Street was cemented by the arrival of a Mr.
Bill Burton upon the premises.
Cal enters, and sees Anna with BILL BURTON.
Bill is a personable, cheerful fellow, and is obviously fond of Anna.
ANNA
Oh, here he is now. Mr. Hockley, this is Bill
Burton. He's volunteered to play ball with the children.
BILL
Pleased to meet you, sir.
Bill extends his hand.
Cal's heart sinks. Anna's not interested in
Bill, but Cal thinks she is. A turbid, maddening jealously builds within him.
Cal extends his hand. Bill shakes it energetically.
CAL
My pleasure.
BILL
I've been coaching the boys' team at church.
Thought I'd give your brood a few lessons.
CAL
That's very thoughtful.
The children come bounding down the stairs.
Anna and Bill are swept outside in a flurry
of excited shouts. His ego bruised, Cal sulkily leans against the wall, trying
to shrink out of the way.
EXT. RITTENHOUSE SQUARE - ACROSS THE STREET -
DAY
The lawn is bathed in cheerful, dappled
sunlight. The children revel in their game of baseball. Bill playfully pitches
the ball to a boy, who hits it back toward Anna and Bill.
Anna steps backwards and catches the ball,
but her shoe catches her dress. Bill is quickly behind her to break her fall,
grabbing her possessively by both arms. They look at each other and laugh.
EXT. CAL'S BEDROOM WINDOW (SECOND FLOOR) -
DAY
Cal gazes mournfully down at them, a dark
shadow peering out at the world of light.
CAL (VO)
It had never occurred to me that she would
find someone else and move on with her life. But this is what Anna
deserved...someone who could be a real husband for her, and a good father to
her children, not a walking corpse like myself. I felt I should not stand in
their way.
Cal turns away from the window.
EXT. RITTENHOUSE SQUARE - DAY
Anna forgets the game, and peers over toward
Cal's window.
Anna sees the curtain move as Cal steps away,
but Cal does not see her.
Bill joins Anna.
ANNA
Shouldn't we ask Mr. Hockley if he'd like to
join us?
BILL
No, no. He doesn't look like the athletic
type. He play ball much?
ANNA
I hear he used to play polo and cricket, but
I've never seen him go to any of the gentlemen's clubs.
BILL
Well, why doesn't he go?
Anna confides that she is concerned about
Cal.
ANNA
I don't know. Ruth says he feels he doesn't
belong there, but--
BILL
Aw, he'd be miserable playing ball, then.
Bill goes right on playing, ignoring her
wishes. He wants her to himself. Anna is singularly unimpressed with him.
INT. CAL'S BEDROOM - DAY
Cal lies on his bed staring at the ceiling,
locked away in his mausoleum.
CAL (VO)
I came to realize that she was probably the
only thing keeping me going, as I could not face the prospect of our parting. I
knew I'd have to accept that she would leave this house one day, but actually
watching it happen was more than I could bear. I found it easier to take the
first step myself.
INT. CAL'S BEDROOM - DAY - OCTOBER 30, 1913
Cal hurriedly packs a suitcase.
CAL (VO)
I handed the business over to Mr. Blair,
pleading the need for an "extended holiday." Next, I purchased a
house on the river on the north side of town to serve as my 'vacation home'. I
set out to move there as quickly as possible.
INT. KITCHEN - DAY
CAL (VO)
My decision was not well received.
Anna, Mrs. Bingham, Sheila and Max sit at the
kitchen table.
ANNA
But what is he going to do there all by
himself?
MRS. BINGHAM
Don't worry so, Anna. He's just been under so
much strain, and needs a nice holiday.
Surprising everyone, even herself, Anna
suddenly lets out a sob. She believes Cal must feel no attachment to her
whatsoever. Mrs. Bingham sees that Anna is more than worried--she is heartsick.
Mrs. Bingham tenderly offers her a handkerchief. Anna buries her face in it.
MRS. BINGHAM
Oh, Anna. I'm sure he'll miss you too.
ANNA
I just keep thinking he's doing all this to
avoid us, especially me.
Max holds his ratty cap in front of him,
perceiving it as a reflection upon himself. His hands tremble, as he regards it
with shame.
MAX
It's not you, Anna. It's me he doesn't like.
I'm not fit to be his manservant. That's why he's not taking me along.
Mrs. Bingham and Sheila take Cal's departure
as a rejection too, but make an attempt at cheering up Anna and Max.
MRS. BINGHAM
Oh, poppycock! None of us should take this
personally.
SHEILA
Yes. Lots of rich folks are moving out to the
suburbs. Soon we'll all be out there, one big, happy family. You'll see.
Anna dries her tears, but doesn't believe a
word.
INT. CAL'S BEDROOM - DAY
Cal shuts his suitcase, with some degree of
uncertainty. He hears a knock at the door, and reluctantly responds to its
summons.
Cal opens the door and sees Anna. Unable to
approach Cal directly, she intercedes on the behalf of Max.
ANNA
It's Max, sir. He is really quite distraught.
If you could have a word with him...
INT. CAL'S BEDROOM - DAY
Cal sits on his bed, opposite Max. Max is
perched stiffly upon the settee, his eyes cast dolefully downward.
CAL
What ever would give you the idea I hold you
in low regard, Max?
MAX
I don't know, sir. It's just that a gentleman
usually brings his valet wherever he goes and...
Max searches Cal's eyes.
MAX
...is it that you don't think I make a proper
manservant, or is it how I came here originally, sir?
CAL
(incredulously) Pardon?
MAX
I arrived with the women, sir. It was like I
was getting in a lifeboat with all them all over again, wasn't it? It's not
like I came out if it honorably like you did, swimming in the water.
Max is near tears, and soon, so is Cal. Cal
speaks from the heart as much as he can, without revealing his secret.
CAL
No, no...I don't think anything of the sort,
Max. I have the highest regard for you. You're as honorable as any man I've
known. Never let anyone make you think otherwise of yourself.
Max hangs on Cal's every word, drinking in
his much-needed blessing.
CAL
You were following Mr. Murdoch's orders
getting in that boat. There's nothing else you could have done.
Cal forces a casual smile.
CAL
As for me, I simply feel the need for some
rest and some solitude, that is all.
Max's soul has been purged of a demon that
has haunted him for ages.
MAX
Thank you, Mr. Hockley. That means a great
deal to me, sir.
Cal gives Max a firm handshake, as both fight
off tears. Max rises and leaves the room.
Cal shuts the door gently, then turns away,
wincing in shame.
CAL (VO)
I was certain then that my decision to leave
was the right one.
EXT. 1811 WALNUT STREET - DAY
The servants and children gather on the front
stoop to see Cal off. A small child plays absent-mindedly with a paper
skeleton, making it do a bizarre little dance. Sheila commands him to stop.
Cal shakes hands with Mrs. Bingham, then with
Anna. He gently takes her hand in his.
Cal wants to say he'll miss her, but resolves
to hide his feelings as best that he can. Anna summons all of her bravery to
keep from showing that her heart is breaking.
ANNA
I'll miss you, sir.
Now Cal has to say it.
CAL
I will miss you too, Anna.
Cal reluctantly releases her hand, and turns
away before he shows too much emotion.
He walks across the street toward his car.
Max opens the car door for Cal.
MAX
Sure you don't want to stay for our Halloween
festivities, sir? We'll be bobbing for apples!
CAL
No thank you, Max. I really must be going.
Cal gets in the car, and Max shuts the door
behind him. Cal gives his former life one last look.
The servants and children wave good-bye.
(Titanic music begins) Cal waves back at them. He can see only Anna.
As Anna's eyes meet his, she discerns
something worrisome in his expression. She gets the inexplicable feeling she's
waving good-bye forever, but feels powerless to stop him.
Cal drives away in his car. (Titanic music
resolves)