"The One With the Gazebo" - 1

A.) BOARDINGHOUSE/QUINTON'S TENT -- THE NEXT MORNING

NOLA ANSWERS THE RINGING PHONE. IT'S QUINT.

NOLA: Hello.

QUINT: Hello. How do you feel this morning?

NOLA: I can't believe you got me drunk.

QUINT: You got yourself drunk, I just poured the champagne.

NOLA: We have to talk about last night.

QUINT: Didn't you have a good time?

NOLA: Too good a time.

QUINT : There's no such thing. Where would you like to go tonight?

NOLA: I can't see you tonight.

QUINT: Why -- do you have plans with your boyfriend?

NOLA: I just think we should slow things down a little bit.

QUINT: What about what you said last night about enjoying life every second?

NOLA: That doesn't mean I have to be with you every second.

QUINT: I'm not talking every second, I'm just talking dinner. At least for now.

NOLA: Not tonight, Quinton.

QUINT: Please, Nola. I'll bring more heather.

NOLA: No, Quinton.

QUINT: Will you at least come to the dig site for lunch?

NOLA: I can't.

QUINT: Why not? Lunch is safe. And I promise, no champagne.

NOLA: I would, but I have to go to the university today.

QUINT: A.J. can't register for his classes by himself?

NOLA: He's not registering, I am.

QUINT: You're going to finish your thesis?

NOLA: I thought it was about time.

QUINT: That's great, Nola.

NOLA: You really think so?

QUINT: Of course I do.

NOLA: Thanks.

QUINT: Can we have dinner to celebrate?

NOLA: You're a sneaky one, Quinton Chamberlain.

QUINT: It's a legitimate excuse to have dinner, Nola.

NOLA: Maybe this weekend, okay?

QUINT: Are you trying to torture me?

NOLA: I think you deserve it.

QUINT: You got me there.

NOLA: Do I?

QUINT: What, have me? You do if you want me.

NOLA DOESN'T ANSWER.

QUINT: So, do you?

NOLA: Let me get back to you on that. Goodbye, Quinton.

SHE HANGS UP WITH A MISCHIEVIOUS SMILE.

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B. QUINT'S DIG SITE -- TWO HOURS LATER

A.J. ENTERS AS QUINT IS WORKING AT THE COMPUTER.

A.J.: I got that map you wanted, Dad.

QUINT: Great, A.J., put it on the bed.

A.J.: It's just J now, Dad.

QUINT: Your mother gave you a perfectly good name, I don't know why you don't use it.

A.J.: J's more my style. How did your date go last night?

QUINT: Fine.

A.J.: Just fine? QUINT: Just fine.

A.J.: I thought from Mom's mood this morning that it went a lot better than just fine.

QUINT: She was happy?

A.J.: I haven't seen her that happy in a long time.

QUINT: I haven't been this happy in a long time either.

A.J.: So when are you going to see her again?

QUINT: Whenever she agrees to see me.

A.J.: She giving you a hard time?

QUINT: You know your mother.

A.J.: You really didn't expect her to make it easy for you, did you? Not after the way you hurt her.

QUINT: I know it's not fair for me to expect that, but things have been wrong for so long that I'm anxious to make them right as quickly as I can.

A.J.: Are you really sorry for everything you did?

QUINT: I'd do anything to take back the last year and a half. Anything to take back how stupid I was, anything not to have hurt you and Stacy and especially your mother.

A.J.: So there aren't going to be any more Jessicas?

QUINT: Never. Your mother is the only woman for me. She always has been, since the first day I saw her in the gazebo at Thornway Road.

A.J.: Maybe you should remind her of that.

THIS COMMENT GIVES QUINT AN IDEA.

QUINT: That's exactly what I'm going to do. But I'll need your help.

A.J.: Me? What can I do?

QUINT: Get your mother to your grandfather's house tonight.

A.J.: What are you planning?

QUINT: An evening she is never going to forget. Will you get her there?

A.J.: What's in it for me?

QUINT: The pleasure of seeing your mom happy...And your car insurance paid for the rest of the year.

A.J.: Awesome. I'll have her there about seven. Do you need help getting things ready?

QUINT: No, I'll handle everything myself. Just get Nola there.

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C. QUINT'S DIG SITE -- LATER THAT NIGHT

A.J. IS ON THE PHONE ONE-WAY TO NOLA

A.J.: I don't know what's wrong with it, Mom, it just won't start....I'm at Grandpa Henry's...Dad sent me to pick up something. I tried to reach him to come get me, but he's not answering the phone. I guess he's still out in the field. So can you pick me up?....Cool. Thanks, Mom. See you in a few.

HE HANGS UP THE PHONE.

I did my part, Professor, the rest is up to you.

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D. THE GAZEBO -- 7:OOp.m.

CANDLES ALL AROUND THE GAZEBO CAST ROMANTIC SHADOWS. THE TABLE IS ELOQUENTLY SET, WITH A BOUQUET OF HEATHER AS THE CENTERPIECE. QUINT (IN HIS BLUE BLAZER, OF COURSE!) NERVOUSLY DOUBLE CHECKS ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS AS THE SOUND OF AN APPROACHING CAR IS HEARD IN THE DISTANCE.

"The One With the Gazebo" - 2

A) CHAMBERLAIN BACK YARD AND GAZEBO -- 7:00p.m.

NOLA COMES AROUND THE BACK OF THE HOUSE LOOKING FOR A.J.

NOLA: A.J., A.J. where are you?

SHE STARTS TO PANIC A LITTLE WHEN HE DOESN'T ANSWER.

NOLA: A.J. J?

QUINT APPROACHES.

QUINT: I think he's still at the dig site.

NOLA: Quinton, what are you doing...You tricked me.

QUINT: Tricked you?

NOLA: Don't act so innocent, Quinton Chamberlain, I know how you operate.

QUINT: Well, you were being so stubborn about seeing me again.

NOLA: So you used our son to lure me here.

QUINT: I didn't use him, he was more than willing to help.

NOLA: For how much?

QUINT: It doesn't matter, he got you here.

NOLA: So what do you have planned for me?

QUINT: Come see.

HE HOLDS OUT HIS HAND, BUT SHE DOESN'T TAKE IT. UNFAZED, HE PUTS AN ARM AROUND HER AND LEADS HER TO THE GAZEBO. NOLA CAN'T HELP BUT REACT TO THE GAZEBO AND ALL THE ARRANGEMENTS QUINTON HAS MADE.

NOLA: You're definitely not playing fair.

QUINT: I knew playing fair wouldn't get me anywhere.

NOLA WALKS AROUND THE GAZEBO, TAKING IN THE FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS.

NOLA: I never thought I'd ever be in this gazebo with you again.

QUINT: I wasn't sure how you would feel about being here.

NOLA: It's kind of bittersweet. I have so many wonderful memories of this gazebo. But the last time I was here was with Henry. And neither of us were very happy.

QUINT: You must have been talking about me.

NOLA DOESN'T ANSWER, NOT WANTING TO HURT HIM.

QUINT: I know he thought I was a fool for letting you go. And he was right. I only wish I had come to my senses in time for him to see.

NOLA: He may have been disappointed in your actions, but that never changed the way he felt about you.

QUINT: I hope you're right.

NOLA: Trust me.

QUINT: I do. And I hope that someday you'll be able to trust me again.

NOLA: So do I.

THEY HOLD EACH OTHER'S GAZE FOR A LONG MOMENT. QUINT GENTLY TOUCHES NOLA'S FACE.

QUINT: I love you so much.

NOLA: Quint...

HE PUTS HIS HAND ON HER LIPS.

QUINT: Shh. No more talking tonight.

HE TURNS ON A TAPE PLAYER SITTING ON THE TABLE. SUDDENLY THE SOFT STRAINS OF PACHEBEL BEGIN TO PLAY.

QUINT: Dance with me.

HE TAKES HER INTO HIS ARMS AND BEGINS TO DANCE SLOWLY. NOLA DOESN'T RESIST, EVEN WHEN HE PULLS HER CLOSER.

"The One With the Gazebo" - 3

QUINTON AND NOLA ARE STILL DANCING

NOLA: You always do this, you know.

QUINTON: What?

NOLA: Use romance to distract me when you don't want to talk about something.

QUINTON: It works, doesn't it?

NOLA: Too well. You would think after all these years I would have learned not to fall for it.

QUINTON: I think you have, you just let me get away with it.

NOLA: You know me too well.

QUINTON: I don't think I could ever know you too well. Although I'll have to spend the rest of my life with you just to make sure.

NOLA: Don't go making promises you don't intend to keep Mr. Chamberlain.

QUINTON: I'm not, Mrs. Chamberlain.

THEY HOLD EACH OTHER'S GAZE FOR A LONG MOMENT. NOLA FINALLY BREAKS AWAY.

NOLA: Is there really food under those dishes, or are they just part of the romantic atmosphere?

QUINTON (grinning): There's really food.

NOLA: Great, because I'm starving.

QUINTON: I got that cappellini primavera from Valencia's that you used to like so much.

NOLA (half to herself): Pasta a la gazebo.

QUINTON: What?

NOLA (sighing): Oh, nothing.

HE PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER.

QUINTON: Remember how happy we were that day? Father was so excited to have his whole family under one roof, and you and I were looking forward to the wonderful future we would have together.

NOLA: And we had it, too. For awhile at least.

SHE PULLS AWAY FROM HIM, BUT HE FOLLOWS HER.

QUINTON: We can have it again, Nola.

NOLA: So you keep saying. But actions speak louder than words, Quinton.

QUINTON: I was going to take action, but I thought you might slap me.

NOLA: Slapping's a little extreme. I probably would have just asked you not to.

QUINTON: Probably?

NOLA: Or I may have let you kiss me.

QUINTON: Oh, really?

NOLA: Well, I am kind of curious to see if I'd enjoy it as much without the champagne. And you know when I get curious about something I don't stop until I get an answer...

SHE CATCHES HIM BY SURPRISE WHEN SHE SUDDENLY KISSES HIM. HE RECOVERS QUICKLY AND RETURNS HER KISSES.

QUINTON: I always did love that curiosity of yours. Did you get the answer to your question, or do you need to do more research?

NOLA: I got my answer. Let's eat.

SHE SITS AT THE TABLE AS A SOMEWHAT BEWILDERED QUINT LOOKS AT HER.

QUINTON: What just happened here?

NOLA: I got the answer to my question.

QUINTON: Would you care to share it with me?

NOLA: I think you already know it.

QUINTON: If you're trying to torment me, Nola, you're doing a very good job.

NOLA: I can't lie and say I don't feel it all the way down to my toes when you kiss me like that, Quinton. And I would like nothing more than to sit out here half the night making out the way we used to do.

QUINTON: So what's stopping you?

NOLA: You know the answer to that. But this isn't something I want to talk about here. I don't think either of us wants to spoil all the wonderful memories we have of this place by bringing up that subject.

QUINTON: You're right. So let's eat and talk about safe subjects, like the kids. Or about what's up with Vanessa.

NOLA: What about Vanessa?

QUINTON: When did you two suddenly become friends?

NOLA: Who said we were?

QUINTON: I've been on her since I got here to have dinner, but she keeps putting me off, and I figured she was still angry at me about the last time I was here. You know, she really let me have it for hurting you.

NOLA: She's not putting you off, she's just had a lot on her mind lately.

QUINTON: Like what?

NOLA: She's running Lewis Oil practically by herself, raising a toddler and a teenage boy, she has a daughter who's married to Roger Thorpe.

QUINTON: Is that all?

NOLA: I think that's enough to make anyone stressed, even Vanessa.

QUINTON: No, I mean are you sure it's only stress? Because after you and I talked the other day I finally went over to Vanessa's to try to straighten things out with her, too, and she was really wasn't herself.

NOLA (worriedly): Was she OK? What happened?

QUINTON: Something is wrong, isn't it? And you know what it is. Tell me, Nola. What's happening with my sister?

NOLA: How would I know, Quinton? I'm the last person Vanessa would ever turn to if something was wrong.

QUINTON: I thought you two were getting closer.

NOLA: What makes you think that?

QUINTON: She had some nice things to say about you the other day.

NOLA: Vanessa?

QUINTON: I was surprised, too.

NOLA: You shouldn't be. I don't think Vanessa and I will ever be friends, but I like to think we've gotten past those petty differences we used to have.

QUINTON: Father always said you would.

NOLA (murmuring): I wish he could be here now for Vanessa.

QUINTON: What about Vanessa?

NOLA (sadly): Oh nothing.

HE DOESN'T FAIL TO NOTICE HER SUDDEN CHANGE IN MOOD.

QUINTON: What's wrong?

NOLA: I'm just tired. It's been a hectic day.

QUINTON: That's right, you were over at the University today. How did it go?

NOLA: Really well actually. They're going to transfer just about all the credits I've already earned, and the professor I talked to thinks I should be able to get some life-experience credits for all the work we've done, too.

QUINTON: I don't see why not. You have enough field experience for three or four degrees. In fact, you probably know more about archeology and geology than that professor does.

NOLA: Probably. He was really impressed when he learned I was your wife. He kept telling me about all your accomplishments, and I didn't have the heart to stop him by reminding him that I was there for all of them.

QUINTON: That's a good sign.

NOLA: What?

QUINTON: That you still tell people you're my wife.

NOLA: Well, legally my name is still Chamberlain, at least for the next month or so.

QUINTON: Um, it may be longer.

NOLA: What?

QUINTON: Nola, I have a confession to make, and I hope you're not going to be angry with me.

NOLA: For what?

QUINTON: I never filed the divorce papers.

To be continued...

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