TITANIC: AFTERMATH
Chapter Fourteen
INT. KITCHEN - 1811 WALNUT STREET - MORNING
Molly, Mrs. Bingham, and Anna huddle around
at the kitchen table. Anna nervously wrings a handkerchief in her hands.
ANNA
I don't believe he bought that house just to
catch Mr. Peebles doing something underhanded. He's planning to return there,
and it's not at all healthy for him to withdraw from the world in this way.
Mrs. Bingham tries to allay Anna's fears, but
she's worried too.
MRS. BINGHAM
There, now, Anna. He's probably just going to
use the house as a summer home.
ANNA
(earnestly, passionately) But I went there. I
saw his face. There's something worrisome stirring within him. Very worrisome
indeed!
Anna averts her eyes downward, hoping to
conceal her affection for Cal. But Molly sees Anna cares for him deeply.
Molly and Mrs. Bingham exchange knowing glances.
MRS. BINGHAM
Yes, I know you care very much about our Mr.
Hockley, Anna.
Molly eyes Anna, then comes up with an idea.
MOLLY
Well, I think I have just the thing to pry
him out of his shell. I heard there's a great production happening right here
in Philly--
ANNA
I'm afraid it will take much more than a
night on the town to mend his spirit, Mrs. Brown.
MOLLY
I know, darling, but it'll make a good first
move. Sometimes going through the motions is the best way to start digging
yourself out of a rut.
ANNA
(unconvinced) Yes, I suppose it couldn't
hurt.
MRS. BINGHAM
What sort of production is it, Mrs. Brown?
MOLLY
The Philadelphia orchestra's hosting a
ballet. It's a traditional piece, and it'd be fun to watch. It's just the kind
of thing Cal would like. You suppose he'd go if I got us some tickets?
ANNA
I don't know. He doesn't go out very
frequently.
MOLLY
(smiling persuasively) I bet he'd go if you
were coming along.
Anna fears her love for Cal has been
discovered.
ANNA
Oh, Mrs. Brown, don't be silly. I am just his
governess!
Molly pretends she has no inkling that Anna
loves Cal.
MOLLY
Hey, but it'd be great for you. You'd see
that fireball of a new conductor of theirs...Leo...
ANNA
Leopold Stokowski?
MOLLY
Yeah, that's right. Now, he'd make any
woman's heart go pitter pat. You can't miss it...and remember, you'd be helping
Cal.
Anna feels better about Molly's plan. Little
Marie peers in the doorway, eavesdropping.
ANNA
Okay, you've convinced me. I'll do it.
INT. DINING ROOM - 1811 WALNUT STREET - NIGHT
Cal and Molly eat dinner together.
MOLLY
I had the pleasure of meeting Anna today.
She's quite a girl, Cal.
CAL
Oh, yes! Anna is certainly a young woman of
great grace and intelligence. She's quite knowledgeable in the arts, and
practically everything, really.
MOLLY
And she's so good with the children. She's
got a big heart, and a lot to offer.
CAL
I couldn't agree more. She's more of an
idealist than I am, but I must admit she usually succeeds in making her ideals
come to life.
Molly sees that Cal is very fond of Anna. She
wonders if they would be a good match.
MOLLY
She admires the way you treat your workers,
Cal. Not many men in your position pay their workers a living wage, much less
worry about how they like their working conditions.
Cal begins to feel uncomfortable.
CAL
It's simply good business, Mrs. Brown.
Workers are more productive under such conditions...and a wage increase was
necessary to attract the industry's best when we were hiring.
Cal stares down at his plate, nervously
sawing off a bite of meat. Molly knows Anna must like Cal for some good reason.
MOLLY
Now, you can't fool me, Cal. I heard how your
men cheered when you fired that old pumblechook of a manager of yours.
CAL
He disobeyed my explicit orders. Of course, I
fired him.
Molly peers disbelievingly in Cal's
direction, unable to understand his perpetual need to be a jerk.
She notices Marie has intruded upon their
dinner. The tension in the room dissipates. Molly squints at Marie in mock
guile.
MOLLY
Hey, little girl! You spying on us?
Marie likes to listen to the grown-ups'
conversations. She comes up with a ruse.
MARIE
I'm thirsty.
Molly rises from her chair.
CAL
Don't trouble yourself, Mrs. Brown. This is
what I have servants for.
MOLLY
No trouble, Cal. Your kids are a delight.
INT. KITCHEN - 1811 WALNUT STREET - NIGHT
Molly hands Marie a glass of water.
MOLLY
There you go, sweetie!
MARIE
Master Hockley likes Mrs. Livingston, doesn't
he, Mrs. Brown?
Molly bends down to Marie's eye level.
MOLLY
(voice lowered) Why, you're a wise little
thing, aren't ya?
MARIE
But Mr. Hockley never asks her out, 'cause
he's scared. And Mrs. Livingston likes him, but she's scared too.
MOLLY
Well, we'll have to do something about that,
now won't we?
Marie nods approvingly. Molly extends her
hand, and they shake on it. Molly winks at Marie. Marie tries to wink back.
INT. DINING ROOM - 1811 WALNUT STREET - NIGHT
Molly takes her seat back at the table,
confident of her plan.
MOLLY
Hey, Cal...there's this great show playing
tomorrow night. Ruth's heard it's fabulous. What you say we go and see what all
the fuss is about?
CAL
I'm really not feeling up to it.
MOLLY
But it's Swan Lake! It'll be me and
Ruth...and her new beau...
CAL
I'm sorry--
MOLLY
We've got an extra pair of tickets for ya,
and the perfect girl to go with you too. She's a real admirer of yours.
Cal feels manipulated. He quickly loses his
temper.
CAL
Oh! This is really too much!
Cal slams his napkin down on the table, ready
to leave the room.
MOLLY
Anna would really love to go...
Cal's heart jumps. He freezes.
MOLLY
A young lady like her should get out some.
She works so hard, it would be nice for you to show her she's appreciated.
CAL
(exasperated) It seems you have me
successfully cornered, as usual, Mrs. Brown.
MOLLY
Great! I can't wait to tell her! Now, she'll
need something to wear...and maybe you could pick her up a nice necklace.
Cal silently glares at her.
INT. PHILADELPHIA JEWELRY STORE - DAY
Cal browses, attended by the shop's JEWELER
and his ASSISTANT.
Cal's eye is caught by the store's showpiece,
a ring.
CAL
You have quite a selection of fine diamonds,
sir. May I see this one?
The jeweler presents the ring proudly to Cal.
JEWELER
It's the finest craftsmanship I've seen. It
is from France, sir.
Cal gets deja vu. His manner hardens. He
motions for the jeweler to return the ring to the display case.
CAL
But I am looking for a necklace. Something
simple will do.
The jeweler shows him a simple necklace. Cal
realizes he really wants to get her something nice.
CAL
No, too plain. How about this one?
While the jeweler and his assistant retrieve
a necklace, Cal's eyes drift back toward the ring.
INT. ANNA'S BEDROOM - 1811 WALNUT STREET -
NIGHT
Molly fastens Anna's dress, pleased with her
handiwork.
MOLLY
Anna, you look fabulous!
ANNA
I can't thank you enough, Mrs. Brown. Mr.
Hockley will have a splendid time this evening.
Anna sits on the bed to put on her shoes.
Molly joins her.
MOLLY
Tell me...you really like Cal, don't you?
ANNA
(nervously) Oh! Yes, he is a fine employer.
MOLLY
Cut the crap, darling. You can't fool this
old girl. Now, tell it to me straight.
ANNA
(squirming) Truly what you are suggesting is
impossible. I am simply not in his league.
MOLLY
Oh, Cal doesn't care for all that stuff much
anymore. You're a fine young lady, Anna...and just wait 'til he sees you all
dressed up.
ANNA
Why, this whole thing is just an attempt to
pair me up with Master Hockley, wasn't it?
MOLLY
(with a devilish grin) In a way, yes.
ANNA
Oh, I cannot! This is completely
inappropriate! Besides, he has no interest in me whatsoever.
MOLLY
Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that.
Molly rises and turns to leave.
MOLLY
Now, you two just go and have a nice time
together. I think he's waiting...
Molly instills a sense of urgency in Anna.
There is no backing out now.
INT. PARLOR - 1811 WALNUT STREET - NIGHT
Molly peers into the room.
She sees Cal sitting in a chair, fidgeting
and brooding apprehensively. He's having second thoughts about the whole
affair.
Molly approaches Cal with an air of secrecy.
Cal gives her a quick glance, then looks away.
CAL
What I don't do to please you, Mrs. Brown.
MOLLY
(whispering conspiratorially) Shh! She'll be
coming in any minute. I got her an outfit and all the fixings. Now, did you get
the necklace?
CAL
(sulkily, impatiently) Yes, I have a
necklace.
MOLLY
She's a wonderful girl, Cal. You'll have a
great time together.
Anna gracefully enters. She sparkles,
sheathed in a blue satin dress that shimmers in harmony with the azure glow of
her eyes.
MOLLY
Now, doesn't she look beautiful?
Cal's sense of embarrassment gives way to
awe. Genuinely impressed, he rises to his feet.
CAL
Why, yes! You do look quite lovely, Anna!
Anna's sense of embarrassment also vanishes.
She is brimming with joy at his response, but decides it best to treat the
whole thing as a joke.
ANNA
Thank you, sir.
She curtsies gracefully, then lets out a
little snicker. The atmosphere of levity is a relief to Cal. He follows suit by
bowing to Anna, in jest (mocking Geoffrey).
CAL
Charmed to meet you, Madam.
Anna breaks out in laughter. Molly's
thoroughly pleased to see they're going through the motions of courtship.
MOLLY
I believe Cal has something for you, Anna.
CAL
Um, yes.
Cal self-consciously produces the jewelry
box. He opens the lid. Anna is overwhelmed. The necklace is dazzling.
ANNA
Oh, Mr. Hockley!
Cal fastens the necklace.
Molly leads Anna to a mirror. As Anna views
herself, she is overcome with feelings of modesty.
ANNA
(quietly) Thank you, sir. You're so very
kind.
Cal nods tensely, as embarrassment creeps in
upon him once again. Molly doesn't let this moment linger.
MOLLY
Well, let's get going. Ruth and Harry said
they'd meet us there in half an hour.
INT. ACADEMY OF MUSIC - NIGHT
Anna, Cal, Molly, Ruth, and Harold sit in a
balcony together. Below them, the orchestra tunes up. The trumpeting of the
brass instruments resounds above the rest. Harold removes a handkerchief from
his pocket and heartily blows his nose--honk, honk. Ruth shrinks with
embarrassment.
MOLLY
All tuned up there, Harry?
Ruth graciously smiles at Molly's joke.
Harold is oblivious.
Cal and Anna are engaged in their own
conversation.
INT. ACADEMY OF MUSIC - NIGHT
The ballet company performs Dance of the
Little Swans. Leaning in close to whisper, Anna explains the scene to Cal.
Anna's enthusiasm for the ballet and the spectacle of the show lift Cal's
spirits. They feel more at ease with each other, and carry on an almost
animated conversation.
CAL (VO)
I could not help but succumb to Anna's
infinite charm, despite the fact that there could be no union between us, and
that we were being watched.
Molly looks on, pleased that Cal is having a
good time.
She nudges Ruth. Ruth smiles at Molly when
she sees them. Annoyed, Cal hurls an accusing glance at them. They pretend they
were simply commenting on the ballet.
INT. PARLOR - 1811 WALNUT STREET - NIGHT
All converse about the ballet.
Anna rises from her chair, thinking that
perhaps her welcome among the upper class has worn out.
ANNA
It's time for me to be off to bed.
Molly glares at Cal. Cal takes the hint.
CAL
Don't feel you need to go.
Anna returns to her chair, gladdened by his
invitation.
ANNA
Yes, I suppose I can stay a while longer.
MOLLY
I'm the old lady here. Time for me to turn
in, not you.
RUTH
Yes. It's been a busy day for Harold and me.
Harold takes the hint after a glance from
Ruth. The three chaperones rise and prepare to leave.
Cal glares imploringly at Molly and Ruth, but
they continue to exit.
Anxiety overtakes Anna, as she pretends to
not notice that Cal appears equally vexed. The artificial first date scenario
makes them both feel as if it really were their first encounter.
CAL
Uh...the ballet was quite entertaining. Where
did you gain such knowledge of its plot...it's subtleties and nuances?
ANNA
I've always loved to dance, and I'm fond of
art of all sorts.
Cal thinks of Rose.
CAL
Hmm. Mrs. Brown is also a great patron of the
arts, I hear.
ANNA
Yes, she values lofty pursuits like art, but
she's also been very active in the world. She's a suffragette, and she's done
much to direct the people of Denver in petitioning for maritime reform.
CAL
Well, I hope she hasn't been directing YOUR
life while she's been here. She'd direct mine every step of the way if she
could.
ANNA
Uh...no! She's been most kind. How does she
attempt to direct your life, sir?
CAL
Oh, she's always attempting to mother me. Is
it something in my facial expression, that I am in need of mothering?
ANNA
(smiling, chuckling) Well, perhaps a little
bit, sir.
CAL
(surprised, but amused) Really!
The tension has broken.
ANNA
I'm sure she just has your best interest in
mind, though, sir.
CAL
She's a born mother, I suppose. Like old Mrs.
Bingham...always cajoling one into doing what one doesn't want to do.
ANNA
Like eating one's vegetables?
CAL
Yes! Yes! She's been after me about
that...and this whole idea of going to the ballet. It seems no intrusion is too
large for Mrs. Brown.
Anna feels her glass slippers melting away.
ANNA
I really think it is time for me to be going
to bed, sir. Good night.
She maintains her composure while she excuses
herself.
INT. HALLWAY - 1811 WALNUT STREET - NIGHT
Anna runs down the hall in tears.
Molly emerges from her room.
She sees Anna disappear behind her bedroom
door.
Molly storms down the hall toward the parlor.
She is through with being polite.