Home for the Holidays

by Denise

J. and Bridget are engaged in an intense conversation in hushed tones. Nola strolls up humming "Blue Christmas" carrying a large handful of mail. J and Bridget suddenly clam up and eye her expectantly.

J: Any love notes in there for me, Mom?

Q: J, what are you doing here in the middle of the day? Shouldn't you be in class?

J: Hey, I just got done with my last final for the semester...I've got three and a half weeks of well deserved Christmas vacation coming my way.

B: What do you mean well deserved? I didn't see you crack a book all term.

J: Now Bridget, you know I had to work hard. I passed every class I took.

B: You mean you managed to keep a C average? I can't believe it

J: Gimme a break, Bridge, I worked here at Company a lot while you were no where to be seen.

N: (shuffling mail)Will you two quit squabbling... Here Bridget these are for you...J, I don't see anything here that looks like a love note, just a car insurance bill. I can tell you still haven't paid Bridget for the last one. I guess you'll be spending your break working at Company to get the money to pay for this.

J: Geez, Mom I wanted to go to Aspen with the guys from school. They said there are some cute little snow bunnies up there.

N: Yes J, I'm sure you'd just love to shush your way through the women in Colorado, but I'm not paying your way there, and niether is your father. The holidays are pretty busy around Company, and Bridget and I can't deal with it by ourselves.

Nola shuffles through more junk mail, separating the Christmas cards from the bills and the flyers. She stops as she comes across a particularly crisp, hefty card addressed in a fancy engraved script, then another just like it, and a third.

N: Hey, I wonder what this is? Look, J. you got one too... and you Bridget...

Bridget and J eye their cards and slowly begin to open them, carefully sneaking looks at Nola as she enthusiastically rips hers open.

N: Look at this...The Spaulding's are throwing a fancy Christmas party at the country club.

B: How about that...looks like one of those great fancy dress up Holiday bashes, with a bunch of stiffs standing around staring at each other... I'll pass.

J: Hey, not me...free eats, maybe an heiress or two to charm... I'm there.

B: How about you, Nola? I'll cover Company for that night...I know you've been taking more than your fair share of the shifts lately.

N: Oh, I don't know...I'm not really that much in a party mood. The holidays aren't what they used to be, you know?

Nola sighs, remembering a long ago gathering on Thornway road, with family and friends gathered around, Stacey asleep in her arms. She sighs heavily.

N: No, I think I'll pass too and just help you handle the holiday crowds.

J: Oh come on Mom, it will be fun. I bet half of Springfield will be there.

N: (Wistfully)No, I don't have anything to wear, and I certainly don't have time to shop for a dress. My goodness, I've still got half my Christmas shopping to do, some cards yet to send out...and I'd better be around in case Bridget needs help.

J: No way, Mom, I'm not going without you. We can really cut loose and have a good time. Bridget can handle it. And you don't have to shop for me...good old American dollars are all I want for Christmas. I can't believe how these insurance companies rip people off. Especially guys like me. It's not fair. Why should I have to wait til I'm 25 or get married, god forbid, just to get a break on my rate. I'm gonna have to work like a dog to get this paid for.

B: Sounds like you should stick around and cover in case I need help J. You could use the hours and the tips. And Nola, I'm sure we can find something for you to wear. Didn't I see an old trunk of yours up in the attic? What does that have in it?

N: I have no idea...that's probably a bunch of stuff I stored here before we took off for that dig in Tanquir.

B: (Commanding) Come on, Nola. Let's go have a look. J get in there and see if things are ready for the noon rush.

J: (Irritated)Yes ma'am...anything you say.

Nola rolls her eyes at J and follows Bridget, who is pulling her by the sleeve up the steps.

SCENE 2, BOARDING HOUSE ATTIC, DIMLY LIT.

Bridget and Nola are surrounded by piles of old clothes, photo albums, exotic memorabilia, and strangely, two huge elephant tusks. Bridget sifts through clothes in trunks, while Nola flips through a photo album with a sad look on her face. Suddenly, her face brightens as some postcards fall out of the album. They are of the La Brea Tar Pits, the Hollywood Sign, and various southern California landmarks.

N: (to herself) Wow does this bring back some great memories...I should call Gracie...Hollywood is for lovers...Quint got the hint...if it wasn't for the stupid phone ringing...

B: What, Nola? Did you say something?

N: No, just remembering that trip Quint took me on before we were married...It was my Christmas present from him that year. I was so young...we went everywhere...I told you about that trip didn't I?

B: I think so...California, wasn't it?...your friend Gracie worked for some old time movie star...Joan something...

N: Joan Bennett. Yes, Gracie got us into the studio... we even took one of those tours where you drive by the stars homes...Look, here's the map...I think I saved everything from that trip. Fred McMurray's house, Lucille Ball's mansion...

B: (At the same time)Fred who?...I remember her, I Love Lucy

N:...that was such fun. Quint let me go sightseeing and shopping...I really wore him out one day...

B: (excited) Look, Nola! What's this?

She holds up a rather elegant, classicly cut, but sexy red dress.

N: (smiling) Oh, I remember that dress. I wore that the night before Quint took off to Tanquir. We had a lovely dinner and came back to have brandy in front of the fire in his study.

B: Wow Nola, that sounds really romantic.

N: It was...but poor Quint, he was so tired out...he fell asleep. I don't know, Bridget, I don't think that would even fit anymore.

B: Come on...just try it on...I bet it'll look great. Quint would never fall asleep again if he saw you in it.

N: Oh alright...I'll try it on...but that doesn't mean I'm going to that party.

SCENE 3, NOLA'S BEDROOM

Nola stands before a full length mirror gazing at herself, looking fantastic in the still slightly rumpled dress.

B: See, Nola, I told you it would fit. You look like a movie star yourself...very hot!

N: I can't believe this...I didn't think I still had this...you even found the scarf that goes with it.

Nola poses a bit, playing with the scarf, wrapping it artistically about her neck.

B: Come on Nola! You have to to to that party! You'll blow them away in this dress!

N: Well...I am catching a bit more of that festive holiday spirit...Maybe it's the red color.

B: All right! You'll just knock him..um, them dead!

to be continued.....

SCENE 4, THE EVENING OF THE PARTY, BOARDING HOUSE KITCHEN.

J, dressed in jeans and a Springfield U. sweatshirt, swigs milk from the carton at the refrigerator, then hears the door to the stairway open and turns to look. He stops mid-swallow, looks at Nola descending the last few steps in her sexy red dress, and has to quickly gulp down his milk. He stares at her with a milk mustache and a goofy look both plastered across his face.

J: (amazed) Moooom! You are my mom, aren't you?

N: (laughing) Nope, not tonight...I'm no one's mother tonight. I'm just going to cut loose and do whatever I please tonight. No cooking, no laundry, no kids, no Company. Just holiday fun for me.

N:(grinning wickedly) I have visions of mistletoe dancing in my head.

J: Mom! I mean Nola! You better be careful...You never know who might catch you under the mistletoe.

N: (giggles)Or who I might catch there.

Nola pauses, eyes J's attire critically.

N: I take it you won't be accompanying me to the ball?

J: (glumly)Nah, Bridget's got me scheduled to bar tend, bus tables, wash dishes, and generally follow her every command. She sure has been commanding lately. I think it's been too long since she's gotten any....

He stops, embarrassed at what he was about to say to the gorgeous woman who used to be his mother. Nola ignores him and starts transferring her lipstick and compact to her red evening bag, humming softly to herself.

J: (pointing to a large white box on the kitchen table) Matt sent that over. He said he found it with Vanessa's stuff and she had left a tag on it with your name on it.

N: (opening the box) My fur coat! Wow, I haven't seen this in so long. Vanessa must have kept it stored with her coats all these years.

J: It's lucky he sent it over today. You'd freeze in that thing. Does it have to be so low cut? Geez..

N: (slipping coat on) Perfect! Now where have you hidden my car keys?

J: Check with Bridget. She's the one who picked up the junk around the house today.

SCENE 5, COMPANY, MINUTES LATER

J walks in first and Bridget hands him a tray full of dirty dishes to take back to the kitchen to wash. Nola enters slowly and surveys the room as she gracefully descends the steps. She fails to catch Bridget's attention and is forced to follow J and Bridget as they bicker on their way to the back of the room. Several male heads turn as Nola slinks prettily through the crowded room. She finally catches up to Bridget at the bar. Sitting at the bar near Nola is an older man in a dark uniform. He has his back turned and hasn't yet noticed the lady in red.

N: Bridget, have you seen my car keys? I'm flying solo tonight and I'd like to get going.

As the man next to Nola turns around and finally sees her...

B: Nola, I have no idea...

The man, who turns out to be Hawk Shayne in his chaueffer outfit interrupts

H: HOOWEE! Now look at you. You look like Cinderelly all dressed up for the ball.

N: Why, thank you Hawk.

H: I'll be jiggered if'n you don't rival ole Sister as the lady in red tonight. DId I hear you rightly? Ya caint be fixin ta drive yerself ta them fancy digs!

N: Well I have to get there somehow.

H: Allow me little lady. I done snuck off from that shindig in Queenie's rolls. Queenie's been having a tizzy all day, afraid that that Malibu madam's about to pull some trick, so to speak, that'll be the ruination of her fancy schmancy party. I reckon I'd enjoy playin' coach fer yer Cindy.

N: How kind of you! You won't turn back into a mouse and the rolls back into a pumpkin at midnight will you? (She giggles)

H: No missy, heh, heh, that's a good one. Step right this way.

N: O.K., I'm off. Don't wait up gang!

Nola grins and waves merrily to the crowd on her way out as they all bid her farewell. She's been transformed ...no longer the sophisticated vamp, but a schoolgirl off to her first dance.

SCENE 6, COUNTRY CLUB PARKING LOT, NEAR THE REAR OF THE CLUB. AS THE ROLLS PULLS IN AND PARKS.

N: Not the valet entrance, Hawk?

H: Sorry little lady, but I'd jest as soon avoid Queenie knowin' I snuck off like that. She's cute when she's got a burr under her saddle, but I'm afraid she's already had half a dozen a them under there t'day and one more jest might blow 'er sky high. I kin jest show ya in the back ways here and she'll be none the wiser.

H:(he helps Nola out of the rolls)Watch yer step now. They's an icy patch raht'chere.

They make their way to the entrance and Hawk helps Nola off with her fur coat. They go down a short hallway near the kitchen. Suddenly, Hawk stops short and pulls Nola aside into a nearby doorway leading off the hall and quickly shuts the door behind them.

H: Dagnabit! That was Queenie herself, a headin fer the kitchens. My goose is cooked now. I'll be on her list fer days ta come. Oh well, she sure is a fiesty one I'll give ya that...

Nola turns around, somewhat bored as Hawk's tale of woe continues. She notices the room is glowing with the light of hundreds of candles and there is only one table set up. It glows with elegant chrystal and china -- a table for two set next to a small dance floor. A tall, familiar, tuxedo clad figure stands in the far corner. His back is turned and he is consulting with a quartet of musicians...

to be continued...

Nola takes in the beautiful setting for a moment. She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath and a smile spreads slowly across her face. She smells a set up, but with this red dress working its magic on her, it smells pretty damn good...

H: (muttering to himself) I reckon I best go face her royal highness...let me go check this coat for you...(He leaves)

N: (quietly) You do that, Hawk. Thanks for the lift.

The consultation with the musicians ends and they begin playing soft, romantic music. Quint listens for a moment as if in deep concentration, nods his head absently and turns to check the table. He looks at the seat of one of the chairs and adjusts something resting there. He adjusts the placement of a couple of the candles, all the while talking to himself under his breath. Nola watches in endeared amusement as his nervousness about the preparations becomes apparent. She steps a bit further into the room, but Quint still hasn't turned in her direction yet. Finally satisfied with the room, he turns to head for the door....sees Nola standing there looking sexy and gorgeous...and stops dead in his tracks.

Q: Nola!!!...I....you...

N: (slow and sexy) Yes, Quinton?

Q: (walking slowly toward her, recognizing the dress and remembering..) My dear precious Nola...you're so beautiful...

N: Why thank you Quinton. Well, I can see you're busy, so I'll just be on my way to the Spaulding party.

Q: (coming back to the present and the reality before him) No, Nola, wait...I was just going over there to get you. You're supposed to be at Alex's party so I can sweep you off your feet and now you're here already and I can't sweep you off your feet and...

He stops walking.

Q: How did you get here? I wanted to surprise you.

N: (smiling) Oh, you surprised me all right. Looks like I surprised you too. Close your mouth, dear.

Nola walks the rest of the way across the room to meet Quint. He can't take his eyes off her, the look on his face expressing so many emotions, from surprise, to deep love, to something akin to lust.

Q: Mrs. Chamberlain, may I have this dance?

He bows slightly, takes her hand, and kisses the back of it and then slowly turns it over and places a lingering kiss on her palm. She's visibly shaken by the force of her reaction to his intimate touch. She follows as he leads her to the dance floor. Their gazes locked the entire way. They melt into each other's arms and sway together to the soft sounds of the string quartet. As the song ends, he leads her to the table and pours some champagne for them both.

Q: Nola, do you know how very, very, much I love you? How much I have always loved you?

N: It's been a long time...but I think so...

Q: I'm trying to show you...Nola, I know I haven't been myself lately. I realize how preoccupied with work I have been these last few weeks, what with analyzing those wonderful pottery shards and winterizing the dig site...I was so wrapped up in the details of my work,... and Thanksgiving came and went and I realized that work is not what I should be concentrating on. You are.

N: Oh, Quint.

Q: Nola, I realized how much of our lives we have spent on dig sites the world over, chasing down clues to the past. Here we are back in Springfield, where the most wonderful thing in my entire life happened...a young lady named Nola Reardon walked into my life and awakened me from my lonely, wretched existence. She stole my heart and taught me how to love and how to look at the world in an entirely new way.

N: Quint...

Q: Shh, Nola please let me finish. I've wanted to tell you this for weeks now and just couldn't find the right way. The dig site is not the most romantic of places and the lack of privacy is appalling, what with J and Bridget and Bill all traipsing through at the worst times.

N: Quint, when, in all these years, have we not been interrupted?

Q: I know Nola, we seem to be eternally surrounded by people with atrocious timing. But this, my dear, is my way of showing you that the interruptions wi ll stop...and perhaps we can put our priorities back where they belong, on each other, if you're willing to...just tell me your hopes and dream and desires, and so help me, I'll move heaven and earth to fulfill them, my dear, sweet Nola.

N: My hopes, dreams, and desires...

Q: Yes, Nola?

N: You, Quint...it's always been you, no matter what has happened, no matter...(leaving much unsaid, but all understood). I've hoped for, dreamed about, and desired you.

Nola pauses, and "looks" at Quint who "looks" right back. She takes his champagne flute and sets both glasses back on the table, takes Quint by the hand and leads him a few steps away, and folds herself back into his arms.

N: Quinton Chamberlain, I love you, I want you, and I need you.

She breaks the look passing between them and glances at the ceiling. Quinton's eyes follow hers and he spies the mistletoe he had placed there earlier. Nola places a hand on either side of his face and draws him down into a deep, sexy kiss that lasts and lasts as they wrap their arms about one another.

A waiter silently enters the room and skillfuly places the entrees on the table without making a sound. He exits just as quietly. The musicians file out silently as well.

Quint and Nola finally come up for air.

N: Something smells delicious. I didn't realize how hungry I was. This wasn't there a minute ago. How did that happen?

Q (smiling) Magic...I told you, we won't be interrupted any more. Come my dear, I've had all your favorites prepared.

He leads her to her chair and pulls it out for her, and gently lifts the bouquet of heather from the seat and places it her arms. He breaks off a sprig and slides it into her hair.

N: Oh, Quint. You're bringing back so many wonderful memories, that lovely church in Ireland, Johnny and Nora.

He slides the scarf from around her neck, brings it to his face and breathes deeply, then gently kisses Nola's neck where the scarf had been.

Q: This dress brings back some wonderful memories for me too. You are more beaurtiful now than the first time I saw you in it. You really took my breath away. Please darling, have a seat. Let's enjoy this feast and you can tell me what else you dream of ...surely there is something else you desire that I can give you....you already have me. And you always will.

to be continued....

======================================================= N: Quinton, right now I just want to enjoy this evening alone with you. I don't know how it happened, but somehow I feel just like I did when we were falling in love. Only this is better, there are no secrets between us.

Q: And there never will be again. I promise you, honey.

N: I know we need to talk about...everything...just not tonight.

Q: As you wish, my dear.

Nola and Quint spend the better part of an hour pretending to eat and staring into one another's eyes, speaking very little. Their hands are joined across the table top, and one of Nola's shoes is dangling from her toes, while the rest of her foot explores the familiar feel of Quint's leg under the table.

Q: Dessert, Nola?

N: No thanks.

She looks down at the amount of food left on her plate.

N: I guess I wasn't as hungry as I thought.

Q: Would you like to dance again? I can call the musicians back in, they are waiting in the next room.

N: No...(she removes her foot and draws back her hand) Quint why don't you just tell them to go home, and thank them for me. The music was beautiful. I think I'd like to go now.

Q: (confused and visibly disappointed) So soon? Alright, I'll be back in a moment to take you home.

As Quint leaves, Nola realizes he has misunderstood her meaning and thinks she wants their evening together to end. She considers keeping him in the dark but decides it would be too cruel.

Quinton returns looking determined. He grabs Nola and pulls her into his arms.

Q: Nola, please...

Nola laughs hysterically. Quinton stares at her.

Q: What's so funny young lady?

N: (still giggling) You are...you thought I wanted to go back to the boardinghouse....(giggles more) and you're bound and determined to keep me here (giggles)

Q: (incredulous) You don't want to go home?

N: No, silly. I just decided that I wanted to go some place a little more private. I certainly wouldn't call the boardinghouse private.

Q: More private?

N: Quinton, if we don't get out of here quick, I'm going to jump you right here in the middle of this dance floor, and half of Springfield is at that party down the hall, and come to think of it, I don't think I ever want to go back to that Boardinghouse, not to live anyway, of course, I'd go visit Bridget and Peter and J, but J's grown now and he needs to be on his own, to make his own mistakes, God knows I did at that age, but he'll just have to learn for himself, and ...

Q: Wait, Nola!!! Say that again.

N: What? I said, J will just have to learn for himself. I've decided Its time to cut the apron strings..

Q (interrupting before she goes off on another tangent) No, Nola, not that part. Back up to the first part..."If we don't get out of here quick..."

N: (whispers sexily) I'm going to jump you right here on the dance floor.

Quinton squeezes her tighter and shuts his eyes, trying to exert enough self control to get the two of them out of there as Nola had requested. He sighs, kisses the top of her head and reluctantly breaks their embrace to lead her out of the room. As they leave, the waiter enters and begins blowing out all the candles.

SCENE 7: NEAR MAIN ENTRANCE OF SPRINGFIELD CC.

Q: Nola, didn't you have a coat?

N: Yes, Hawk checked it for me.

Q: Hawk Shayne?

N: Yes

Q: J didn't bring you? He and Bridget were supposed to make sure you were here at the party by 7:00.

N: Well they didn't have to, somehow, I just felt like I had to come tonight. I put on this dress and I had to get out of there. I was going to drive myself over, but Hawk was in Company so he brought me over in Alex's Rolls Royce.

Q: But how did he know to bring you to the private dining room?

N: He didn't. He was just trying to hide from Alex.

Q: He was there with you? I didn't see him.

N: You were busy checking things over. You were so cute.

Q: Cute? How long were you standing there?

N: Long enough to know how much thought you put into making everything perfect for tonight. And it was perfect. Thank you, Quinton.

Nola kisses him, and the kiss extends into several more.

Q: (breaking away) Nola, we really need to get out of here. Let me get our coats and we'll be on our way.

He gives his ticket to the valet, and returns wearing his topcoat, which has Nola's scarf draped around the neck, and helps Nola into her coat. They exit arm in arm. Quint helps her into his Jeep, tips the valet, and begins driving.

Q: Well, honey, this is no Rolls, but at least we're alone.

N: True. Where are we going Quint?

Q: I've taken the honeymoon suite at the Springfield Towers. Will that be private enough, Nola?

N: Yes, but it's all the way downtown. You were pretty sure this would work weren't you?

Q: No, Nola, I was frightened to death that it wouldn't work at all. I learned something going on all those digs, though...be prepared.

N: Quint, that's the Boy Scouts' motto. You were never a boy scout.

Q: Well, I knew I'd heard it somewhere. It applies to more than scouting you know.

N: What if all your preparations hadn't worked?

Q: I would have been very disappointed, but I would have just tried to think of some other way to show you how much you mean to me and how badly I wanted us to start over.

Quint grabs her hand and holds it gently and they ride in silence the rest of the way.

SCENE 8: HALLWAY OUTSIDE HONEYMOON SUITE, A FEW MINUTES LATER.

Quint opens the door to the suite but stops Nola before she can go in. He picks her up and carries her over the threshold, a groom following prescribed tradition with his bride. He kisses her tenderly as he sets her down.

Q: I'll be right back.

As Nola removes her coat, Quint returns to the door and puts out the "Do not disturb" sign and locks both locks. Nola notices a tray on the coffe table with a bottle of brandy and two snifters nearby. She pours them each a glass while Quint removes his coat and tuxedo jacket. Nola hand him his glass.

Q: To new beginnings...

N: And to complete and total privacy...

After a brief sip, they both set down their glasses and Nola glides into Quints arms. She begins showering light kisses all over his face and down his neck, while she unties his bow tie. She grabs both ends in one hand and leads him off to the bedroom. One dim light is burning and the king-size bed has been turned down.

Q: (whispering) Is this where you jump me?

N: (mischievously) It'll do for now. I have other plans for tomorrow.

Q: Ooh, I can't wait...I await your command, night or day, my dear.

N: That's what I like...a real 24/7 kind of guy....

To be continued.....

Go to next chapter of " Home for the Holidays "