 |
Quint, My Life is Nothing Without You Originally aired February 18,1983 |
Quinton is in the hospital, just became critical and was put on a respirator after a confrontation with Rebecca. Nola was Maureen's Maid of Honor when she got the bad news about Quint. It has been established that Nola loved Quint, but this was her first "proclaiming her love" scene. The story focused primarily on Quinton falling in love with Nola, and how he adored her. While it was absolutely a given that she was deeply in love with him, up until this point Nola was given only one other on-screen love declaration. The viewer never saw the first time she told Quint that she loved him, as he was commenting about her always loving him, but she had never said it on-camera. Nola verbalizing her love for Quint became a rare treat for the Quint and Nola fan.
Nola enters Quinton's hospital room. Quint is attached to a respirator. Nola walks over to his bed and becomes emotional
NOLA: Oh Quinton, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I caused this to happen. All of this never would have happened, if I would have believed you . . .
(Pachelbel begins to play)
NOLA: I thought you were lying to me. (she sits next to bed) Hiding things from me about the past, your life now. Anytime I asked you a question, you couldn't answer. All the time, you kept saying it was for us . . . for our future together. Don't you see, it doesn't matter anymore . . . doesn't matter anymore (she starts to break down) . . . the past, the present, the future (crying) . . . oh . . . oh . . . . . Quinton, come back to me, please. Please give me another chance. I'll never leave you again. My life is nothing without you. (Nola uses Quint's favorite romantic line, and we love it!!!)
(Pachelbel continues to blare)
Nola takes his hand. She touches his hair and continues to hold hand. Nola kisses his hand. Quinton squeezes her hand. He tries to open his eyes. Nola sees this and rests her head on his hand.
 |
Quint History Lesson Original Airdate February 28, 1983 |
Nola had just found out that Quinton is Henry's son. Quint was preparing to go to Tanquir in hopes of resolving one of his past secrets. The following scene was from February 1983. Nola and Quint go out for a romantic candlelight dinner the night before he is to leave for Tanquir.
QUINT and NOLA are both elegantly dressed and sitting at a small quiet table at a restaurant. He is in a black tuxedo, and she is in a lovely long flowing red dress. The waiter leaves.
QUINT: I'm sorry, now where were we?
NOLA: Well, I was just saying I thought this night would never happen.
QUINT: I'm sorry to have worried you about that.
NOLA: Well, it wasn't only me. I mean it was mom, Maureen, Tony, everybody worried. I mean you're part of our family now, so once a Reardon is sick or in trouble or something everybody is there to help.
QUINT: Thank you. I wish I had the kind of family life you had.
Quint takes Nola's hand across table.
NOLA: Well, you didn't have any brothers and sisters, did you?
QUINT: No, no, it was just my mother, and I saw very little of her actually because she worked so hard to support us.
NOLA: Well, you were born in Chicago, right? I mean that's where your from, because that's where Mr. Chamberlain is from right?
QUINT: No, no, actually I was born in Mexico. You see my mother had worked for Mr. Chamberlain as a secretary in Chicago for many many years, and then when his wife passed away, that was Vanessa's mother, and the two of them became very close.
NOLA: Did they love each other?
QUINT: My mother loved him a great deal, but when she went to him and told him she was carrying his child; he said there wasn't anything he could do about it.
NOLA: Well, why not?
QUINT: My mother wasn't sure, but knowing what I know now, I'm sure it was because of Vanessa.
NOLA: So she took off and went to Mexico, and that's where you were born?
QUINT: Yes
NOLA: Henry Chamberlain never tried to get in touch with you?
QUINT: Evidently, he knew where we were all the time, because he used to send a monthly support check that I never knew about.
NOLA: Well why not?
QUINT: Because my mother had led me to believe that he wasn't alive.
NOLA: But you knew he was alive, I mean you knew who he was.
QUINT: Actually Nola, I knew very little about him except that he was from Chicago and what his name was. So then one day, I was reading an American newspaper, and there was an article about a coming out party for Vanessa Chamberlain. I went to my mother. I questioned her about it, and then I realized that my father was alive, he was a successful business man, and I had a half sister.
NOLA: Oh, my, that must have been a really weird feeling.
QUINT: Yes, it was. Especially since I didn't know about those monthly support checks, and thought all that time that he had deserted us and forced us to live the way we had. Well, I made up my mind to face him and tell him what I thought about him.
NOLA: Now wait a minute, you met Henry Chamberlain before you came and moved to Springfield?
QUINT: Absolutely, after I read the newspaper article I went to Chicago to face him.
NOLA: And you told him you were his son?
QUINT: Yes, I told him I hated him for what he had done, that I'd never forgive him. I think back, the poor man must have been devastated.
NOLA: Now wait a minute, there's just one thing I don't understand.
QUINT: What?
NOLA: Why didn't he recognize you?
QUINT: Well Nola, I took him by surprise. I stormed right into that office, and I told him exactly what I thought of him. I think the only thing he would have remembered was the language I used and the names I called him. I hated him a great deal Nola.
NOLA: Well, from what you told me I understand why you hated him, but well you don't anymore do you? Do you?
QUINT: No, when I first moved to Springfield, I thought I would, but then I got to know him, and as I grew to know him I recognized a deep sadness in him, a lonliness in him. The more we knew each other, the more we'd talk. Then he would talk about mistakes he'd made in his past, and how they haunted him, and how he'd hurt someone once very deeply. I assumed that was my mother.
NOLA: Is she still alive?
QUINT: No, no, my mother died over a year ago before I first came to Springfield.
NOLA: Oh, gosh, I'm sorry. I mean she must have been a terrific lady.
QUINT: She was, she was, and as a matter of fact you remind me a great deal of her?
NOLA: Come on, you're just saying that because I had Stacey, and I was unmarried.
QUINT: No, I'm sure that may have been part of it, but you're as beautiful as she was, warm, resilient, charming . . .
NOLA: Oh, what was her name?
QUINT: Stephanie, Stephanie Ryan
NOLA: Stephanie Ryan, that's a beautiful name. But how did you get your name?
QUINT: McCord? Well that's part of the mystery I have to uncover on that dig.
NOLA: So your name is Quinton Ryan?
QUINT: No, actually, the name my mother gave me was Sean.
NOLA: Sean
QUINT: Sean Ryan
NOLA: Sean Ryan, that's a beautiful name.
 |
Farewell Scene - Quint leaves for Tanquir Originally aired March 4, 1983 | 
|
Quint and Nola are in the library of the Thornway Road house just before Quint leaves for Tanquir. They both know the danger that awaits him. If he is not killed or injured by Silas Crocker, he may be arrested by the Tanquir authorities for the death of Professor Renfield ten years earlier.
NOLA: Well, um, is there anything I can do for you, you know, uh?
QUINT: No, no I think I've packed everything already.
NOLA: Yeah. Guess you're all set to go then, huh?
QUINT: In a moment.
NOLA: Did you forget something?
QUINT: No. No, I haven't. (Quint goes to desk and unlocks drawer) Nola, do you remember me telling you about my mother?
NOLA: Oh, of course I do. I think she was a very brave woman.
QUINT: Yes, she was. Very brave. You remind me of her a great deal. She told me once when I was young that I would meet a woman, a special woman, (Pachelbel starts to play), a woman who would know my secret and still love and understand me for exactly what I was. And she said when I met that woman, I was to give her this, as a symbol of my undying love and devotion to her. (Quint is holding a small box) Well, I've met that woman, Nola, I've met that woman in you. Would you take this? (Quint opens box and shows emerald and diamond ring to Nola)
NOLA: (half-laughing, half-crying) It's beautiful.
QUINT: (almost whispering) Would you wear it?
NOLA: Wear it? (she smiles at him) Would you put it on?
QUINT: Of course.
(Quint slips ring on ring finger of Nola's right hand and Nola starts to cry)
QUINT: I love you, Nola.
NOLA: I love you. (She hugs Quint, crying) I'm so afraid I'm going to lose you.
QUINT: Don't be. Don't be. (He kisses her head and strokes her hair)
NOLA: Now you come back to me now.
QUINT: I will, I promise.
NOLA: Quinton?
QUINT: Yes?
NOLA: (Nola pulls away and wipes her tears) I want to say something before you go.
QUINT: What?
NOLA: I...I'm real sorry about...I just want to clear it up and I...I want to say I'm real sorry about getting you so angry about that Henry Chamberlain thing.
QUINT: It's all over with now. No damage was done.
NOLA: Yeah, but it could've been awful.
QUINT: Oh, I know it could've been, and it still could if...Henry were to find out I was his son before I was ready to reveal it to him. Would you promise me something?
NOLA: Anything.
QUINT: Sit down. (Nola sits on couch and Quint kneels in front of her and takes her hand) Nola (he kisses her hand), Nola, if there ever comes a time when you want to tell Henry who I am, for whatever the reasons - good, bad, indifferent - please, just look at this ring... and remember that it symbolizes the trust we share, and the secret we share. Promise me you'll never tell him.
NOLA: I promise.
QUINT: No matter how long I'm gone or no matter what happens to me.
NOLA: All right. I won't say anything if you don't want me to.
(Quint kisses her gently, they stand and he takes her in his arms)
QUINT: Nola, I love you more than anything on this earth,...but if you ever revealed who I was to Henry, there would be no hope for a future for us. You understand?
NOLA: I understand. (Quint kisses her forehead) I...I love you more than I ever thought I could love anybody on this earth.
QUINT: I love you too.
(They kiss passionately)
NOLA: Oh, please come back to me.
QUINT: (his voice breaking) I will, Nola. I...I promise
(Nola moves out of his embrace)
QUINT: Take good care of yourself.
NOLA: I will. You take care of yourself too.
QUINT: I will. Kiss Stacey goodbye for me, will you?
NOLA: I will.
QUINT: Alright.
NOLA: Yeah.
(He kisses the top of her head)
QUINT: I'll call you from Tanquir.
NOLA: Okay.
(Quint starts to walk toward the door)
NOLA: Oh, please don't...
(Quint rushes back to her and takes her in his arms for a few seconds, then backs away toward the door, looking at Nola as he speaks)
QUINT: Now, remember Nola, remember, no matter what happens, that I'll always love you.
(Scene ends with Nola in tears)
Dear Nola,
The time has finally come to face the fact that I may never see you again. Beautiful, enchanting Nola. I've thought of you constantly during these past few days. Now at last I am finally beginning to understand what is truly precious during a man's short life. Suddenly finding the truth about what happened 10 years ago seems very insignificant when I compare it to the truth that radiates from your smile. I know now that each man is given a few priceless gifts in his lifetime, gifts that are his alone to cherish and fill his days with wonder. You are my greatest gift, Nola.
Even now the thought of you bursting into a room filled with plans and hope brings joy to my heart. I was born a melancholy man. As a child I knew great loneliness, and I've always lived with an awareness of the sadness and the sorrow of this world. Perhaps that's why I retreated to the past and chose a life where I could dwell on the beauty and the permanence of ideas, objects, and be untouched by the mutability and pain of human emotions. I know now that I was wrong to turn my back on the present. For you have shown me how exhilarating it can be. You are my teacher, my catalyst, my guardian angel. You have taught me the simplicity of love. I used to marvel at how natural the art of living was for you, Nola. It's always been so difficult for me. But I was beginning to learn. I have seen the world through your eyes, and I truly believe that tomorrow can be better than today, for all the pain in the world is worth enduring when you can share the incredible sweetness of the woman you adore. Thank you, Nola. Thank you for teaching me to love.
Silas is dying, but I would save him if I could. In spite of all the sorrow he has caused, I can only feel pity for him. He was a sad man with a wasted life. For him there was no Nola, no Anastasia, no world of love. I am fortunate, my darling, for even now I am happy. Knowing I have your love, how could I be otherwise?
This is the end, my darling Nola, and still there is so much that I must say to you, so many things I want you to know, so many memories I want you to preserve. Our first kiss, when was it? It seems years ago, back before the start of time, when life seemed endless. And now, there is no time. No time to tell you how I feel, no time to tell you what we could have done. The children - our children - they would have been so strong, so happy. And we would have loved them, Nola. Just as I love you. Dearest Nola, I do love you. I've always loved..
 | Reunion - Tanquir Tent Scene Original Airdate April 1, 1983 |
When Quinton left for Tanquir, he made Nola promise not to tell Henry Chamberlain that he (Quint) was Henry's son, no matter what happened. Naturally, when Nola realizes things have gone terribly wrong for Quint in Tanquir, her only chance of saving Quint's life is to break that promise. After Quint is rescued from the cave-in, first Henry and then Mrs. Renfield visit with Quint in his tent. Finally Nola enters Quinton's tent, worried about his reaction since she broke her promise and told Henry that Quinton was his son.
(Pachelbel starts playing in the background as Nola steps into tent. Quint is lying on the cot looking up at Nola as she stands by the cot.)
QUINT: Nola. It really is you, you're really here.
NOLA: Oh (on the verge of tears). I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
QUINT: I love you. I love you so very, very much.
(Nola sinks to her knees by the cot and Quint takes her into his arms and keeps running his hand through her hair.)
QUINT: (almost a whisper) Nola
NOLA: (crying) Oh... I...I love you.
QUINT: (whispering) I love you, too. It's all right.
NOLA: (still crying) I'm sorry ... did I hurt you? (Pulling back to look at Quint)
QUINT: No, no. I'm fine, I'm fine.
NOLA: Oh, it feels (clasping his hands in hers and kissing them) it feels so good to hold you again. I missed you so much. All the waiting and everything.
QUINT: (brushes Nola's hair away from her face) The thought of you. . . was the only thing that kept me going in that cave, the only thing. Now I'm well, and safe, and I'm going to be just fine.
NOLA: It was just so awful, so awful waiting and not knowing what was going on, I tried to call Tanquir and I couldn't get anybody on the phone or anything, and then I found out that that Llewellyn guy was working for Silas Crocker.
QUINT: How did you find out?
NOLA: Helena...Helena called. I...I thought that I'd lost you.
QUINT: No, you haven't lost me. Nothing will keep us apart, I promise.
NOLA: (sighs) I love you.
QUINT: How's...how's Anastasia?
NOLA: Oh, she's fine, she's staying with Mom. Look, I...I...I want you to understand, I didn't mean to break my promise that...that I made to you...I...it was...well, we just didn't know what was going on and I thought Henry Chamberlain was the only one who could help and I...I had to risk losing you to...I had to risk losing our relationship to save your life.
QUINT: It's all right. It's all right. I'm glad you did. It was the absolutely right thing to do. I'm glad you told him, so very happy that you told him. And maybe soon, we'll all be one real family. (Quint strokes Nola's face)
NOLA: Then you don't hate me?
QUINT: As if I could ever hate you. (pulling Nola into his arms)
NOLA: Quinton. (pulling away to look at him) They...they...they gave me this letter that you had written. They...they found it in...in the cave.
QUINT: I'm glad that you got it. I meant every word of it.
NOLA: It's beautiful.
QUINT: I'm going to be with you, Nola, for the rest of my life, because when I was there in that cave, not knowing if I'd ever come out alive, I realized that you...you, my precious Nola, are my life...and my love. You are a vital part of me, I...I can't live without you.
NOLA: I don't want to live without you.
QUINT: Nola (pulling her back into his arms), Nola, my darling Nola, thank God for you. Thank God.
(Fade)
 |
"Let's Wait" (Welcome to the NSBR) Original Airdate April 8, 1983 |
Quint and Nola are dancing in their suite on the cruise back from Tanquir. They share a long kiss (and we think we know what is going to happen . . . no interruptions, no annoying friends or family members . . . nothing to stop the inevitable . . .or maybe there is? There is also an alternate theory that Quint and Nola did actually make love on the cruise, just not that night and not on-camera. This is based on the theory that it is impossible to believe that two adults so much in love and presumably wildly attracted to each other would be able to restrain themselves for a whole week confined to a private and romantic stateroom on a cruise. The scene could truly be interpreted either way, and there are hints when they return home that suggest either scenario.
NOLA: I love you.
QUINT: I love you too. You know that don't you?
(Nola walks away from him.)
NOLA: Of course, I do
QUINT: What's wrong?
(Nola turns to look at him.)
NOLA: You know, I've never been happier in my whole life.
QUINT: Nola, tell me what you're thinking.
NOLA: Um, I don't know. I'm not the same person when I first went to work for you. I've changed.
QUINT: How?
NOLA: Um, I just feel different.
QUINT: What is it Nola?
NOLA: Uh, I made a lot of mistakes. Wait a minute. Let me just start from the beginning here. You know I love Stacey, and thank God I have her, but uh, you see, before I got pregnant (very emotional) I hurt a lot of people. You see, I wanted Kelly more than anything in the whole world. And I hurt, and I used a lot of people. I hurt Kelly, I hurt Floyd, and I hurt myself. And then when, you know . . . that the truth came out, that I had tried, that I had tried to trick . . . to trick Kelly into marrying me by getting pregnant with Floyd . . . a lot of people, well . . . a lot of people, they didn't like me very much. I didn't like myself very much . . . But I was just searching for something. I was searching for a love that never existed. And then I met you. You treated me like I was somebody special.
QUINT: You are.
NOLA: See, the thing is, you didn't know about my past, and nothing mattered. You see, I finally found someone who really loved me, that loved me, just me. Do you understand that? Do you understand that? (Nola runs into his arms crying. They hug, and she backs away a bit)
NOLA: But you see the . . . look . . . I uh, I want to make love with you.
QUINT: I want to make love with you, but you want to wait don't you?
NOLA: Yeah, I want everything to be right with us. I don't want to make any more mistakes.
(FANS all go AAARGH)
QUINT: I understand, Nola. I understand what you're saying. Listen, when we make love (wipes away her tears), I want it to be right for both of us, right time, right place, perfect. I don't want it to be just another man and woman in bed. (FANS: What's so wrong with that? Quint and Nola hug.)
NOLA: You know you're more than I ever dreamed of.
QUINT (kissing her cheeks): Why don't you and I take a stroll on the deck, hmmm, and watch the sun come up? Everything will be all right. I promise you. I'll make everything all right.
(FANS: There's only one thing that will make this right, Quinton. Quint and Nola walk out to the deck arm in arm. She turns to him and they lightly kiss.)
FADE OUT
(Alternate theorists, who believe this was actually the SBR, believe that Nola said she wanted to wait that first night, because either she was simply overwhelmed and would get over it within a day or two OR she had other more personal reasons for not doing it that particular night.)
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
"Quinton, come back to me...please." 
