TITANIC: AFTERMATH
Chapter Fifteen
INT. LIVING ROOM - 1811 WALNUT STREET - NIGHT
Molly thunders into the room, ready to give
Cal a good thrashing.
MOLLY
What the hell did you do now, Cal? She was
sobbing up a storm!
Unaware he'd made her cry, Cal is filled with
concern.
CAL
Really?
He thinks the better of making amends. He
looks away.
CAL
Perhaps it is better this way.
MOLLY
What? You horse's patoot!
Molly deals him a hefty kick in the shin.
Cal jumps out of his chair to escape further
abuse.
CAL
Mrs. Brown! What do you mean by all
this...this--
Molly grabs Cal solidly by both arms.
MOLLY
She loves you, Cal! Can't you see that?
This possibility had never occurred to Cal.
He is overwhelmed by this revelation. He struggles to hide his feelings.
CAL
How can she? I've done nothing to encourage
her.
MOLLY
What do you mean, nothing? You saved her
life! Women like that sort of thing, Cal!
CAL
She can't love me. It would be completely
inappropriate! What about her husband? He died on the Titanic.
MOLLY
What? You expect a woman to just throw
herself on the funeral pyre when she loses her man? Yes, the men died that
night, but women like Anna were left behind to do the real suffering. You can
change all that for her, Cal! You have to, if you love her, and I know you do!
Molly has pried Cal out of the rock he's been
hiding under. He feels about as comfortable as if he were standing there naked.
CAL
Mrs. Brown...you don't understand.
MOLLY
I'm not the one who needs to understand--she
is! Now, get back in there and apologize! And don't be such an insensitive
lout, for crying out loud!
Molly assumes an uncompromising stance. She
points Cal's way to the hallway. Cal complies, watching his back as he goes.
EXT. ANNA'S BEDROOM - 1811 WALNUT STREET -
NIGHT
Cal knocks at Anna's door. Silence. He knocks
again.
CAL
Anna?
Anna opens the door. She tries to hide that
she has been crying.
ANNA
Mr. Hockley.
CAL
May I speak with you a moment?
She nods, and opens the door wider,
indicating for him to enter.
INT. ANNA'S BEDROOM - 1811 WALNUT STREET -
NIGHT
CAL
I have come to offer my apologies. It seems I
have upset you.
Anna tries to force a smile.
ANNA
Perhaps I have simply allowed myself to
become upset. Oh, it is foolish of me--
Anna struggles to hold back her tears, afraid
she's making a complete fool of herself.
CAL
It was my heartless comment about the ballet
being Mrs. Brown's idea.
Anna nods. She laughs a little, wiping her
tears.
ANNA
It just sounded as if...I was the dreaded
succotash!
Cal tries to find the right thing to say.
CAL
Oh, no! You were the dessert, I assure you.
Cal cringes as soon as the words leave his
mouth.
Anna smiles, then laughs.
ANNA
A tart, perhaps?
CAL
No! Oh, nothing I say to you is ever right!
ANNA
I was only joking...
Anna tilts her head down and becomes more
serious.
ANNA
...but it's silly of me, to think you'd be
interested in such an encounter with me.
CAL
What? Of course I was interested.
Cal fears he is being backed into a corner.
ANNA
You implied she had cajoled you unwillingly.
Cal must partially confess his feelings so
she won't be offended.
CAL
Only going out on the town. I feel very
uncomfortable in public. I've not sought such activity for quite some time now.
Anna perks up. Maybe he does like her.
ANNA
Oh, I'm sorry! I thought you were having a
good time. It was insensitive of me--
CAL
But, I WAS having a good time. Of course, I
was. You can make anyone feel happy.
Despite his encouraging words, Anna can see
that Cal is under tremendous strain. Her eyes search his. Cal cannot escape.
ANNA
I'm sorry...but you don't look very happy. I
just wish...I could help to change that.
She affectionately reaches out to comfort
him, but he pulls away.
CAL
If anyone could, you could, Anna. But I do
not seek such happiness. I just happened upon it with you tonight.
ANNA
(incredulously) And what is wrong with being
happy?
CAL
I'm not very deserving of happiness. If you
knew my true nature, you'd understand that.
Cal's already said more than he wanted to. He
hangs his head down, and turns away, hiding behind the hair that has fallen in
his face.
ANNA
Of course you're deserving of happiness!
Everyone is, especially you. Why, I've never met a man who gives so much of
himself, expecting nothing in return!
CAL
Things are not always what they seem, Anna.
You have too idealistic a view of me.
Anna walks up behind him, and touches him
gently.
ANNA
I see a man of a kind and gentle nature, who
puts his own needs aside to meet those of others. I see a man who is hurting
deeply inside, and won't let anyone come to his aid. But I want to help. I
can't bear to see you in pain any longer.
Anna strokes back his hair. Cal pulls away
abruptly, his anxiety spiraling out of control.
ANNA
(frustrated) Why can't you let me comfort
you?
CAL
Because I am completely undeserving of your
affection. You don't know who I really am.
ANNA
Well, why don't you tell me, then?
CAL
I'm not sure that you really want to know.
ANNA
Of course, I do. You know I won't give up
until I do.
Cal turns back toward her, but avoids her
eyes. His sense of unease is reaching critical levels.
CAL
I have a secret...a horrible secret that
would irreparably damage the image of all gentlemen everywhere if it were to
get out. Why should I burden you with this?
Anna lovingly takes him by the arm. He
timidly brings his eyes up to meet hers. He finds her gazing up at him
tenderly.
ANNA
I can keep a confidence, Mr. Hockley. I hold
your trust in me to be most sacred...and I asked you to "burden" me.
It is what I want.
Anna walks to the door and shuts it gently.
She approaches Cal, her face revealing a
solid and unconditional love. Cal motions for her to sit on the bed. She
complies. Cal knows he has a duty to tell Anna the truth, especially if she
really does love him.
He begins to pace nervously. He bursts out in
torrent of self-directed anger.
CAL
All right. You want to know me. Here I am. I
am a selfish boor. I am no gentleman, and I am certainly not a hero! I have
nothing to offer anyone!
INT. ANNA'S BEDROOM - 1811 WALNUT STREET -
SAME
Anna stiffens at his violent outburst,
flinching at each harsh word. Yet, she continues to believe in him. She looks
beyond the shocking truth, and is sympathetic with this broken man.
CAL (VO)
I related the whole sordid tale...my attempt
to bribe Murdoch...my violent pursuit of Rose and her lover...how I managed to
survive that evening, while leaving Lovejoy to die. As if ensuring their deaths
were not enough to condemn me, I saved the worst of it for last.
Cal stands, clutching a piece of furniture
behind him, near mad with shame and revulsion toward himself.
CAL
I think I may have killed a man with that
oar! This is who I am, Anna. I am NOT someone you'd wish to associate with!
Anna pauses, taking it all in. Cal stares at
the floor, certain she will reject him. He summons the courage to view her
reaction. He sees only love in her eyes.
Anna doesn't know where to begin.
ANNA
It sounds like you were
hurt...frightened...desperate.
Cal's heart swells with relief at her
reaction, but he is soon overcome by his duty to berate himself.
CAL
Humph! Oh, please! Fifteen hundred other people
were as frightened as I, but did not behave in such a deplorable fashion!
ANNA
One never knows how one will react in such a
situation...and I don't think any more people died because of you. There was
only so much room in those boats. Your fiancée made her own decision, and your
valet did too. Other people were saved in their place...forgive me, but I've
heard you refused a space in a lifeboat to make sure she was all right.
Cal again begins to pace.
CAL
I was possessive, jealous. That is all.
ANNA
I'm sorry, but I don't believe that. Jealousy
doesn't impel a man to risk his life. Only love can do that...and I see how you
love others. Not every man takes a half a dozen widows and a score of orphans
into his home, Mr. Hockley!
CAL
Oh, can't you see? Everything I do that is
right and good serves only to appease my own miserable conscience. It is all
completely self-serving!
ANNA
Only a good man has such a conscience...and
this experience has changed you. You are a very different man now, with much to
offer. You saved me, remember?
CAL
(gesticulating wildly) And I suppose you
think me some sort of knight in shining armor for that, like that miserable
rag, the Tribune, made me out to be? I'll tell you the truth about that one,
too! It's about time it was told.
Cal stops pacing. He takes a deep breath, and
faces Anna.
CAL
To be a hero, Mrs. Livingston, one must be
willing to give up something dear to them in order to benefit others. I gave up
nothing to save you.
ANNA
You jumped into freezing water after me! You
could have died from that pneumonia! How can you say you gave up nothing?
Cal turns to the side and looks away from
her, struggling to get this out.
CAL
Because, Anna...I suffered nothing that I
wouldn't have anyway that night. The reason I was standing there in the first
place was because I had planned to jump off. I was going in that freezing water
anyway...I was planning to die anyway. Why not save you? I had nothing to give
up.
Cal turns away. Anna is overwhelmed by this
confession.
Even she hadn't recognized the depth of his
melancholy. She rises, and approaches him. She places a gentle hand on his arm.
He gains control of his tears. He turns back toward her, his eyes cast
downward, self-consciously.
CAL
I am sorry. This must all be terribly embarrassing
for you.
ANNA
Don't apologize! You must be hurting
terribly! It is very big of you to bare your soul to me in this way. I have
given you very little of myself by comparison.
CAL
Oh, don't be ridiculous.
Anna turns away, as she prepares her own
confession.
ANNA
Mr. Hockley...I too have been hiding from
you, and feel I must confess...I care for you, very deeply. I have always felt
this way...and there is really nothing I have wanted more than for you to share
your heart with me, as you have tonight.
Anna turns back toward him, with hope that
love will mend all ills.
Cal is touched by her revelation. He, too,
feels hopeful for a moment, as his eyes contact hers. It's all so wonderful,
but it's all so terrible.
Cal sees the picture of Anna's dead husband,
poised accusingly in his direction.
Cal turns away, consumed with self-hatred. He
stiffens into a self-punishing stance.
CAL
(voice raised) What is the logical
conclusion, then? Am I to take you in my arms, to have you as my wife, taking
your husband's place? That is something I could never do, knowing he gracefully
stepped aside and gave his life!
Anna is surprised by this talk of marriage,
but presses on with her case. She pauses, then speaks firmly.
ANNA
And what if I want that?
CAL
Oh, Anna...I can't bear this any longer. I am
so tired.
Cal turns away, and leans on her dresser.
Anna decides to try for smaller steps.
Perhaps going through the motions would help. She caresses his arm tenderly.
ANNA
Please at least let me offer you SOME warmth
or consolation!
CAL
Oh...if you wish.
Anna lets out an exasperated little laugh.
ANNA
No! You really have to accept my affection!
Otherwise, it would be as if none were given.
Cal turns back toward her, but remains rigid.
Anna realizes he doesn't really know what love is.
ANNA
(almost laughing, but lovingly) Oh, Mr.
Hockley! Love isn't something you give or trade back and forth like a material
gift, like bartering! It is something that is shared between two
people...something that connects them inextricably to one another. You have to
let me into your heart!
Cal reflects on this new concept.
CAL
I'm not sure I can let myself go down that
road. It would be wrong. I am a man of weakness, Anna. Neither of us really
wants me to act out of temptation.
ANNA
(slowly, determined) You know I will not give
in...because I love you. Now, do you love me?
Cal squirms. He slowly brings his eyes up to
meet hers.
He knows he can't get away with a lie. He is
defeated.
CAL
With all my heart.
Cal again casts his eyes heavily downward.
Anna pauses, as her picture of him changes. He really has loved her all along.
She touches his face tenderly.
ANNA
There is nothing to keep us apart, then!
CAL
Anna, I cannot do this! NO!
Cal removes her hand harshly, and pulls away.
CAL
You are a kind woman, and would wish to
excuse my behavior, but I cannot excuse myself! How can I enjoy your kindness,
when I have been the cause of so much suffering?
ANNA
But it was the White Star Line that caused
that suffering, not you!
CAL
(increasingly frenzied) There are several
children who will never see their father again because of me. I can
never...NEVER make up for what I did that night! I will never again deserve to
enjoy such comfort as you describe, while others perished so hideously by my
hand! I may be responsible for the deaths of several people, Anna. How can I
merrily court bliss for myself while these people will never so much as have
the chance to draw another breath? Death is forever, and so shall be my
punishment!
Cal darts swiftly to the door.
ANNA
(longingly) But--
CAL
I'm sorry, Anna. That is my final word on the
matter. I will discuss it no more.
Cal strides out the door, and shuts it
sharply behind him.
Anna falls into a chair, left to weep alone
in her room.