TITANIC: AFTERMATH
Chapter Seven
EXT. CUNARD PIER - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Several reporters eagerly approach Molly
Brown as she departs from the Carpathia.
CAL (VO)
She became an instant celebrity after the
Titanic sank, and was now accepted in the highest of social circles.
Reporters gather around Molly, pencils poised
against paper in anxious anticipation.
REPORTER
Tell us, Mrs. Brown...to what do you
attribute your survival?
MOLLY
Typical Brown luck. We're unsinkable!
The reporters delight in her comment.
INT. DINING ROOM - 1811 WALNUT STREET - DAY -
OCTOBER, 1912
Cal and Molly eat lunch together. Molly chats
away. Cal appears cold and aloof.
CAL (VO)
Her coarse manner and abrasive peculiarities
were now seen as rugged individualism by all...but she was a bit too rugged for
me, especially at this nadir in my life. I suspected it was her flair for
gossip mongering and unscrupulous exaggeration that was the source of my near
heroic status in the newspapers, so I did my utmost to make myself unappealing.
MOLLY
...and the best part was they had a luncheon
in my honor, hosted by Mrs. Crawford Hill! After all the grief those Denver
society ladies have given me!
CAL
Well, it seems you are thoroughly enjoying
your newfound fame, madam. Not many have fared as well as you...like the
Duff-Gordons, for example. The dreadful gossip about them has dragged on long
enough.
MOLLY
I'm no expert on etiquette, Cal, but you have
to admit what they did was pretty tasteless.
CAL
The man merely offered to pay for those
firemen's kits. They said they'd lost everything.
MOLLY
But there were people dying all around them.
You'd think they'd be talking about going back to save some of them.
Molly is unsure if Cal's defense of the
Duff-Gordons is motivated by tolerance or by callousness. Given his demeanor,
she decides on the latter. She feels disappointed in Cal. A little boy (2) runs
in to the room. He trips and lands face down on the floor, but appears
unscathed.
The tension in the room breaks. Molly laughs.
MOLLY
Hey, watch it there, buster!
Sheila rushes in. She leads the boy back out
of the room.
SHEILA
Sorry, sir.
A big smile comes to Molly's face. She loves
children.
MOLLY
So there's one of your little tikes! Are all
of them still here?
Cal nods absently. Molly's faith in Cal
returns.
MOLLY
Where do you find room for them all? I'm
surprised I don't see more of them.
CAL
They stay upstairs. Most are off at school.
The younger ones are in the ballroom, which we've converted to a nursery.
MOLLY
How do you manage? Why, seventeen kids would
wear the pants off of anybody!
CAL
The women you sent me are excellent
caretakers. I don't see much of the children.
Mrs. Bingham comes in to serve up seconds.
CAL (VO)
Margaret Brown was a good-hearted woman, and
I could tolerate her presence, if only she was not such an unabashed and
tenacious meddler. It wasn't long before I became one of her projects.
MRS. BINGHAM
Mr. Hockley! You've hardly eaten anything.
CAL
And that is my prerogative, is it not, Mrs.
Bingham?
MRS. BINGHAM
(sheepishly) Yes, sir.
Molly waves Mrs. Bingham over to get seconds,
to show her efforts are appreciated.
MOLLY
She's right, Cal. That meat's delicious...and
you haven't touched your asparagus.
CAL
(petulantly) Mrs. Brown! When the position of
mother to me comes open, I assure you, you'll be the first I'll call. But for
the time being, Mrs. Bingham fulfills the role more than adequately!
Mrs. Bingham sees she is dismissed, and bows
out. Rendered speechless by his little display, Molly watches Cal stare sulkily
at his plate, as he cuts himself a piece of ham. Molly sees people have taken
to managing Cal's affairs for him, since he doesn't seem capable of doing it
himself. Molly generously offers a sympathetic ear.
MOLLY
What's going on Cal? You're not your old
self. You're still real torn up about Rose, aren't you?
Cal squirms. He sees Molly's genuine concern
as an intrusion.
CAL
I have too many people meddling in my
affairs. That is what is wrong.
MOLLY
Not enough people, it looks like. Don't you
ever have anyone over, or go out and do anything?
Cal angrily slams down his fork.
CAL
I will tend to my own business, thank you!
Molly falls silent, shocked by this almost
violent outburst. Cal grabs his fork and resumes staring at his plate. Molly
glances cautiously in his direction as he angrily stuffs a piece of food in his
mouth.
MOLLY
I'm sorry, Cal. I just wanted to make sure
you're all right, that's all.
A sense of embarrassment over his rude
behavior overcomes him.
CAL
My apologies, Mrs. Brown. You are most kind.
INT. CAL'S BEDROOM - DAY
Cal packs a suitcase.
CAL (VO)
Mrs. Brown returned to her summer home in
Newport, and I was once more allowed some measure of solitude. Soon after,
however, I got word that my father was ill, and I was obliged to visit him at
his new vacation home in Atlantic City.
EXT. NATHAN HOCKLEY'S HOUSE - ATLANTIC CITY -
DAY, OCTOBER, 1912
Max grabs a single suitcase from the trunk of
his car, and follows Cal to the front door.
CAL (VO)
Though I was alone in the world otherwise, I
did still have a father. I thought that perhaps I could discuss my situation
with him. There WERE times the old badger seemed almost human.
INT. NATHAN HOCKLEY'S STUDY - DAY
Cal sits with his father, NATHAN HOCKLEY.
Bundled in a bathrobe, Nathan scolds a business associate over the phone.
NATHAN
Well, tell him we'll see to it he's out of
office if he can't do any better than that!
Nathan slams the receiver down.
NATHAN
Idiots! Not one of them worth a damn, except
for Crumpton!
Nathan struggles to stand, then shuffles over
to his liquor cabinet.
Nathan pours himself a drink. He offers Cal a
drink, then a cigarette. Cal declines both with a taciturn nod.
NATHAN
Oh, don't be such a drudge, Caledon! It's
time to pick up and move on with your life.
Cal still refuses both. Nathan gives it up,
unable to understand his son.
Cal sees an opportunity to talk about his
problems and prepares to speak, but his father cuts him off.
NATHAN
Now, where were we? Ah, yes...I must concede
that your move to hire on those Titanic survivors was a good call. You've
diverted negative attention from yourself with the skill of an old master.
CAL
Uh, thank you, sir--
NATHAN
(snickering condescendingly) But about these
orphans, Caledon...don't you think you've gone, well, a little overboard, shall
I say? And haven't you found homes for them yet? Where will you hold your
parties, put up your guests?
CAL
Uh...I'll work on it, Father.
Nathan begins to pace.
NATHAN
Whatever possessed you to take in those
little ragamuffins, and so many of them? Why, how many are there, a dozen?
More?
CAL
I didn't realize quite what I was getting in
for at the time, sir, but they--
NATHAN
Well, be more careful next time! You must
learn to think of everything as a business decision. Think of what you have to
gain and what you have to lose...and for God's sake, read the fine print!
Sentimentality is all very well and good, but it will get you nowhere in this
world. It's like that girl, Rose, son.
Cal wilts in his chair.
NATHAN
I told you you were not getting enough with
that match, but you wouldn't listen to your father, no! And look where you
ended up! Embarrassed by an ungrateful little wretch who runs off with some
guttersnipe that sleeps under bridges! Ha! You must learn to do better than
this!
Nathan has worked himself up into a frenzy,
and feels ill. He stops pacing, and supports himself on the liquor cabinet.
Cal's energy has been sapped by every sentence his father has turned out.
CAL
Perhaps you should get some rest, sir.
NATHAN
Now, just look at what your antics do to me!
Humph! Children! You give them so much and get so little in return. They're
just a bad investment!
He grumbles to himself, as if his 30-year-old
child were not even in the room. He lets out a raspy cough.
Pushed to his limits, Cal rises from his
chair.
CAL
I had better be going.
Nathan shoos Cal out the door.
NATHAN
Fine. Get your father all worked up, and then
leave him when he turns ill. But don't expect any more support from ME!
Cal makes his way to the door instantly, with
a bound of angry energy.
Cal lingers in the doorway. He turns around,
as if to speak. He realizes it's hopeless, and shuts the door in disgust.
EXT. NATHAN HOCKLEY'S HOUSE - DAY
Cal slings his suitcase in the back of the
car, then gets in and slams the door. Max drives off.
CAL (VO)
Although I was, in those days, thoroughly
ravaged by remorse, my father could not make me feel in the least bit guilty,
no matter how hard he tried. At that moment, I resolved never to be like him.
EXT. PHILADELPHIA CEMETERY - DAY - LATE
NOVEMBER, 1912
Cal stands alone under an umbrella at his
father's funeral, on a cold, dismal, rainy day. His face is vacant and
expressionless.
CAL (VO)
That was the last time I was ever to see him.
The old curmudgeon died of a heart attack a month later. I think he did it just
to spite me.
Nathan's old BUSINESS ASSOCIATES (ages 55-65)
surround Cal like a flock of buzzards. The minister's eulogy falls on deaf
ears, except for Cal and JOHN BLAIR (45). Mr. Blair is the only one who feels
for Cal. The others are all soulless husks.
CAL (VO)
It was just me and the men from the steel
business. There was not a complete personality among the lot of them combined,
with the notable exception of Mr. John Blair. I remembered liking him when my
father took me to the steel plant as a child. He was the only one who knew how
to smile.
Blair is the only upper manager, within the
oppressive Hockley regime, who has a social conscience. His gentle nature
imparts a positive attitude to those under his direction. It is also he who has
the best knowledge of the plants' operations. He is the Thomas Andrews of the
steel company.
INT. HOCKLEY STEEL OFFICE - MARKET STREET -
DAY - NOVEMBER, 1912
Two middle managers talk and laugh.
CAL (VO)
It wasn't long before I took my father's
place as the most feared man in Philadelphia. He had built an empire that
stretched across the state of Pennsylvania, and his reputation as a steel man
in certain aspects of character as well as in profession stretched well beyond
the state's boundaries.
MANAGER 1
I hear he's a chip off the old block.
MANAGER 2
Heaven help us!
They become deadly serious, as Cal grimly
walks in the door, followed by two stodgy old geezers, MR. CRUMPTON (65) and
MR. PEEBLES (60).
Cal has overheard the managers, but just
gives them a quick nod as he walks past. The men shrink in deference to their new
master.
MANAGERS
Good morning, sir.
INT. HOCKLEY STEEL OFFICE MEETING ROOM - DAY
Cal enters the large, echoey room, and finds
himself at the head of a vast empire. He feels incredibly awkward, being the
center of attention, but attempts to summon an authoritative air. Cal claims
the chair at the end of a long table, one as far away from Crumpton as
possible. Crumpton makes a play at crushing him.
CRUMPTON
Your father always sat at this end, sir.
CAL
(annoyed) Fine.
Cal resolves not to let the old vultures push
him around, as he takes his seat at the head of the table. Mr. Blair sits at a
seemingly infinite distance, midway down.
Cal examines some papers, then turns to his
right, toward Crumpton.
CAL
Please advise me of our current situation,
Mr. Crumpton.
Crumpton blathers on in a condescending tone,
as a seasoned professional breaking in a greenhorn.
CRUMPTON
Our new machining facility in Kensington...
CAL (VO)
I wanted nothing more than to leap out of
that room and land somewhere where they would never find me, but I had duties
to perform. I made the decision to do the unthinkable, the unexpected...to do
what was right for a change.
CRUMPTON
...and our Pittsburgh facility is running at
full capacity--
CAL
That will be all, Mr. Crumpton. Gentlemen, a
good portion of Titanic's construction was Hockley Steel. I want our entire
process re-evaluated until we are certain we are turning out a quality product.
That will be all.
Cal stands and readies himself to leave the
room. The old men are shocked and up in arms.
CRUMPTON
But sir...our products are already of as fine
a quality as is available anywhere.
CAL
But that might not be quite good enough. Mr.
Blair, it is time for a tour our new plant.
BLAIR
Yes, sir.
INT. KENSINGTON MACHINING PLANT - DAY
Mr. Blair and Cal examine a machine that has
a large unguarded pulley that whirls around ominously fast. Blair ventures to
test out his new employer, and puts a word in for the workers.
BLAIR
I've had some concerns about this area.
There's a high risk of injury here.
A couple of workmen walk close by the
machine.
CAL
Yes, I see. I suppose my father has
historically ignored your admonishments?
Blair nods, encouraged by his new boss's
receptivity. Cal takes Blair aside, and leans conspiratorially toward him.
CAL
Mr. Blair...John...I have been told Crumpton
is retiring.
BLAIR
Yes, in about three weeks, sir.
CAL
Then, I will need to appoint a new
vice-president, will I not?
BLAIR
Yes, sir. Peebles has the most seniority,
sir. It is probably expected--
CAL
I don't plan to always do what is expected,
Mr. Blair! I want you to take over the job.
BLAIR
ME, sir?
CAL
I will have it no other way. I trust your
judgment, and I cannot say that of the others. I know you'll set things right.
Cal and Blair shake hands, warmly.
CAL (VO)
Perhaps I would be regarded as a traitor to
my class, but I felt, then, that I could only justify my eminent position,
indeed my very existence, by improving the lives of the people around me. If
someone needed my help, they only needed to ask, or sometimes, not even that.
INT. DINING ROOM - 1811 WALNUT STREET - NIGHT
- DECEMBER, 1912
CAL (VO)
I did my best not to look like a champion of
the ill fated in the process. For the look of admiration in the eyes of others,
under such false pretenses, only served to make me more reprehensible in my
own.
Cal and Ruth eat dinner together. Ruth soon
plans to disappear from Philadelphia society forever, her life in ruins. She
hasn't revealed her troubles to Cal, fearing he will realize she pressured Rose
to marry him for his money.
Cal does not let on that he already knows all
this, and tries to look as casual and flippant as possible.
CAL
Ruth...I have heard that you are moving. Have
you managed to sell your place yet?
Ruth flushes with embarrassment. She tries to
make light of it.
RUTH
Yes, just last week...to new money, I'm
afraid.
CAL
And what for you now? Joining the exodus out
to the Main Line?
RUTH
Oh, my plans haven't been finalized. I think
I will travel some, see the world.
CAL
Well, I have a business proposition for
you...once you tire of travel, of course. I was wondering if you would consider
doing me a monstrous favor. I need someone of breeding and taste to supervise
the decoration of my father's house in Atlantic City. I have been told I have
no artistic sensibility...
Cal and Ruth smile weakly at this reference
to Rose.
CAL
...then to keep an eye on the place. I don't
know what to do, you see. I'm really in quite a pickle.
Cal sips his coffee, looking expectantly over
his cup at Ruth. Ruth is overwhelmed with gratitude, but tries not to show it.
RUTH
Cal, I--
CAL
I hope you will accept a salary as well. I
know we are friends, but I must insist upon this.
RUTH
Why, yes. I will certainly give it some
thought.
Ruth would like to get up and click her
heels, but maintains her equanimity. She knows he must really be doing this for
her. She begins to form a new impression of him.