"Bed and Breakfast" Part 1

INT. REARDON BOARDING HOUSE KITCHEN -- NEXT DAY

NOLA is clumsily dragging a heavy suitcase down the stairs into the kitchen. BRIDGET is in the kitchen reading a magazine. A KNOCK is heard at the front door.

NOLA: Bridget, can you get that. It is probably Quinton

BRIDGET: Yes mistress Nola

Bridget goes to get the door. She opens the door to QUINT holding a bouquet of heather

BRIDGET: Quint, it's you, what a suprise (indicating to heather) You shouldn't have.

QUINT: I didn't . . . they're for Nola

BRIDGET: (obviously feigning hurt) How could you do this to me?

QUINT: Very funny Bridget.

Quint looks over Bridget's shoulder and spots Nola struggling with the suitcases. He quickly runs past Bridget and puts the heather on the table.

QUINT: Let me help you with that.

NOLA: Thank you.

Quint carries the last heavy bag down the stairs. And moves to the table to get the heather.

QUINT: I brought you these.

He hands heather to Nola.

NOLA: They're beautiful. Thank you and thanks for the help with the bags.

Nola gently kisses Quint. Bridget looks at all the bags

BRIDGET: Gee Nola how long do you think you'll be gone?

NOLA: I'm not really sure. We'll be back when we're finished.

BRIDGET: (sarcastically) Didn't mean to pry. I mean it's not like you spend any time here anyway.

NOLA: I thought that would make you happy. Quinton, do you have the number for the bed and breakfast so I can give it to Bridget.

QUINT: I have it right here.

He pulls their itinerary out of the pocket in his jacket. He walks toward Bridget who copies it down on the chalk board in the kitchen.

BRIDGET: Don't worry, I won't call at night unless it's an emergency.

QUINT: Just keep an eye on J, if you don't mind.

BRIDGET: You baby that boy as much as Nola does. No wonder he's always getting into trouble. You'd have a lot less trouble if he thought you trusted him.

NOLA: Believe me we tried that too and it didn't work.

QUINT: J has apparently been seeing some mystery girl here in town and won't tell us about her so if you could just keep an extra eye out for him we would really appreciate it.

BRIDGET: No problem at all. So do you two have big romantic plans in Santa Barbara?

NOLA: Yes, we have very important plans.

QUINT: Nola, we really have to be going. Our flight leaves in less than two hours.

NOLA: Okay, okay, I think I have everything.

Quint grabs the two biggest bags and Nola grabs the one small bag.

NOLA: Bridge, thanks for everything. I'll call you when we get there.

BRIDGET: Great, have a fun time.

Quint and Nola leave.

INT. SANTA BARBARA BED & BREAKFAST -- THAT EVENING

NOLA & QUINTON enter a very Victorian looking entranceway. Quint is carrying three large bags and Nola drags another bag behind her. They both appear exhausted. They look around for some help.

NOLA: Are you sure this is the place?

QUINT: This is definitely the address.

NOLA: (spotting a bell): Maybe we should try ringing this.

Nola taps the bell. They both look around for a response. A scrawny MAN in his 40's lazily makes his way to the entranceway.

SCRAWNY MAN: Welcome, I'm Herman Cates and I run this establishment.

Quint extends his hand to Herman and they shake.

QUINT: I'm Quinton Chamberlain and this is my wife Nola. We have a reservation here.

HERMAN: Well hello . . . nice to meet you Quinton. You don't mind if I call you Quinton do you?

QUINT: No of course not. I wish you would.

Herman looks at Nola for a few moments then extends his hand to her. Nola shakes his hand.

HERMAN: Nice to meet you too . . . Mrs. Chamberlain . . . I mean Nora.

NOLA: It's Nola.

HERMAN: Excuse me?

NOLA: My name is Nola not Nora.

HERMAN: That's what I said . . . Nola.

Nola and Quint look at each other knowingly and Herman moves over to a large pine desk and opens up a worn looking registration book.

HERMAN: I just need you to both sign in here and you do remember that I only accept cash and I will need two nights in advance.

Herman starts to write up a receipt. Quint and Nola sign the registration book.

QUINT: Yes of course. I have everything with me.

HERMAN: So you will be staying for at least three nights?

NOLA: That's right.

Herman hands Quint the receipt and Quint gives him the cash.

NOLA: This house is really very beautiful and very well kept up for such an old house. Have you lived here long?

HERMAN: This was my grandmother's house and I lived with her since I was a baby. Parents both died tragically shortly after I was born.

NOLA: I'm sorry.

HERMAN: No need to be sorry. I never knew them and grandmother was wonderful. I turned this place into a bed and breakfast after she died. Grandmother had accumulated some debt which never came to the surface until after her passing and I needed the extra income.

QUINT: You must meet a lot of interesting people having a place like this.

HERMAN: We do.

NOLA: Oh, are you married?

HERMAN: No, I live alone.

NOLA: I thought you said "we".

HERMAN: I don't think so.

Nola notices a particularly beautiful crystal trinket on the desk and goes to touch it.

HERMAN: (quickly) Please, Nora, stop . . .that is very old and precious. (calms down a bit). It would be better if you didn't touch it.

Nola reacts to being called Nora again, but chooses not to say anything.

NOLA: I'm sorry. It is just so beautiful. I couldn't help myself.

HERMAN: I didn't mean to jump down your throat, but that piece does have a very special place in my heart. It was my mother's and before that it was her grandmother's, my great grandmother's.

NOLA: That's okay. I understand. I was just strangely attracted to it.

QUINT: Nola loves little objects like that. When we lived here in California she filled the whole place up with little trinkets that we found on our travels.

HERMAN: Have you two traveled a lot?

NOLA: I think we have been everywhere twice.

QUINTON: I am an archaeologist and until we settled in California we were pretty much gypsies for almost fifteen years. Now we're in Springfield Illinois.

HERMAN: That must be a culture shock for seasoned travelers.

NOLA: Actually it is a relief. I grew up there and there is something very comforting about that town.

HERMAN: Were you two high school sweethearts or something?

NOLA: Hardly, Quinton grew up in Mexico and we met about . . . well many years ago when I worked as his assistant.

HERMAN: Do you have any children?

QUINT: We have two children . . . a daughter and a son.

HERMAN: Must have been difficult raising two children with all your traveling?

NOLA: That's an understatement.

HERMAN: For some reason I sensed you two had a house full of children.

NOLA: That was the original plan, but with all the traveling it just wasn't practical. My mother had seven children and well that is actually one of the reasons we're here.

HERMAN: What do you mean?

NOLA: Oh, it's nothing. Really it's nothing. (yawning) I am so tired from the flight and would love to get some sleep.

HERMAN: I'm sorry to keep you.

Herman takes a key off a hook in the desk. It is a very old looking key unlike the other more modern looking keys. He hands the key to Quint.

HERMAN: Your room is the room on the third floor. It is really the biggest and nicest room if you don't mind the hike up the stairs.

QUINT: Is there a room number?

HERMAN: Oh no, that would be much too impersonal. Good night.

Herman starts to walk back into the Parlor.

NOLA: I'm sorry Herman . . . how will we know which room is ours?

HERMAN: Yes of course. I forgot you wouldn't remember . . . I mean know. Take these stairs up to the second floor and then go to the end of the hall and there is another smaller staircase up to the third floor. (Herman yawns) Okay, goodnight . (trying to get names right). . Quinton and Nora.

Herman starts to leave again.

NOLA: But which room on the third floor?

HERMAN: Forgive me. I get so forgetful sometimes. Your room will have a wreath on the door. It is a beautiful wreath of heather.

NOLA: (surprised) Heather?

HERMAN: Mother always loved heather. Good night.

QUINT & NOLA: (together) Night

Herman exits. Quint and Nola look at each other and start to slowly move up the stairs.

INT. BEDROOM OF BED & BREAKFAST -- A FEW MOMENTS LATER NOLA & QUINT enter their very rustic, but charming looking room. They are both out of breath from dragging the suitcases up the stairs. Nola pays particular attention to the wreath of heather on the outside of the door.

NOLA: Sure would have been nice to have a bell boy, but then you lose the character.

QUINT: Kind of reminds me of the place in Ireland.

NOLA: (agreeing) Doesn't it. That Herman was really . . . interesting.

QUINT: He seemed kind of odd to me.

NOLA: He kind of reminds me of Anthony Perkins in Psycho.

QUINT: Well that's a comforting thought.

NOLA: Did you notice how he kept calling me Nora? Isn't that weird?

QUINT: The two names are very similar. I'm sure he just got it confused.

NOLA: No one ever gets my name wrong. I think Nola is pretty easy.

QUINT: He is an unusual character so it doesn't particularly surprise me.

NOLA: I think it is weird that he called me Nora of all names. Also did you notice the way he referred to this as the "room on the third floor"?

QUINT: What's so odd about that?

NOLA: (playfully hitting Quint) You pick on me about some ringing phone in Hollywood and you don't remember the "room on the third floor".

QUINT: I'd say Hollywood was pretty memorable. The room on the third floor was nothing.

NOLA: Nothing. It wasn't nothing back then.

QUINT: It turned out to be nothing. I just used it to get your attention . . . To seem more mysterious to you.

NOLA: Well it almost worked so well that on many occasions even though I was in love with you . . . I was almost scared out of that house. Gracie kept telling me to leave.

QUINT: I thought Gracie liked me.

NOLA: You thought Gracie liked you. Gracie was scared of you. She didn't understand you the way I did.

QUINT: (moving toward Nola) I only cared that you understood. You were the one I always wanted.

He kisses Nola.

NOLA: So you don't think there is anything unusual about Herman or this place.

QUINT: Not at all. I like it.

NOLA: You would.

QUINT: You don't?

NOLA: I think it is charming and beautiful, but I may insist on sleeping with the light on.

QUINT: Don't worry, I will protect you.

NOLA: I bet you will. I am really tired. I wasn't just saying that to get away from Herman. We should get some sleep.

QUINT: Good idea.

They gently kiss and hug.

INT. BEDROOM BED & BREAKFAST -- LATER THAT NIGHT

QUINT is sitting in bed reading a book. NOLA comes out of the bathroom and takes off her robe and gets into the bed next to him.

NOLA: Are you nervous about tomorrow?

Quint puts down the book.

QUINT: Of course I am. How are you feeling?

NOLA: Scared.

Quint puts his arms around Nola.

QUINT: Everything will be alright. This is something we have to do. It's not going to be easy, but we have to do it.

Suddenly a KNOCK is heard at the door.

NOLA: Quinton, who could that be?

QUINT: I don't know. I'll get it.

Quint gets out of the bed and puts on his robe and goes to the door.

QUINT: Who's there?

No one answers.

QUINT: Hello, who's there?

Quint keeps the chain on the door and slowly opens the door.

NOLA: Quinton, don't open the door.

QUINT: It's still chained.

Quint looks into the hallway to see who is there.

QUINT: Herman, can I help you?

He unchains the door. Herman does not respond.

QUINT: Herman? Are you okay?

HERMAN: (snapping out of it and groggy) I'm sorry. I just wanted to make sure you and Nora were okay.

QUINT: We are fine. Everything is fine and my wife's name is Nola nor Nora.

HERMAN: I just can't get that straight. Guess she reminds me of a Nora.

QUINT: Herman were you sleep walking?

HERMAN: No, I just came to see if you were alright, that's all.

QUINT: We're fine and we were just ready to go to bed so we'll see you in the morning.

HERMAN: Having been a bachelor my whole life I guess I am just not in tune with "married life". You are a very lucky man Quinton.

Herman peers into the room looking for Nola

QUINT: Yes, I know. Good night.

HERMAN: Good night.

Quint closes the door and double checks that he locked the lock and walks back to the bed.

NOLA: He is so weird. Did you see the way he looked in here when he said "married life"?

Quint takes off his robe and gets into bed.

QUINT: I don't like it at all. I don't like the way he looks at you. There IS something odd about him calling you Nora. I swear he was sleep walking.

NOLA: He's just a lonely man . . . who gives me the creeps. I seem to recall someone I know who used to take to sleep walking too.

Quint ignores the last comment

QUINT: Would you like to find another place to stay tomorrow?

NOLA: I'm sure he's harmless and I really do like this room. It really does remind me of where we stayed on our honeymoon.

QUINT: Are you sure?

NOLA: I'm sure. It will be fine. He did say one thing that made sense though.

QUINT: What's that?

NOLA: "You are a very lucky man Quinton"

Nola laughs and kisses Quint.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST DINING ROOM -- NEXT MORNING

QUINT & NOLA are sitting at a large dining room table eating breakfast alone.

NOLA: I wonder where the other guests are?

QUINT: Probably scared away by weird Herman.

Herman enters carrying a pot of coffee.

HERMAN: Would you like some more coffee?

NOLA: I'd love some.

Herman pours Nola some more coffee and hesitates before moving away from her after he finishes pouring. Quint gives him a look which he doesn't notice.

NOLA: (trying to get him to move away) Thank you.

HERMAN: Quinton would you like some more?

Quint covers his cup.

QUINT: No, I'm fine.

Herman sits down across from Quinton and Nola.

HERMAN: So do you have big plans for the day?

QUINT: (shortly) Yes, we do.

HERMAN: I'm really sorry about last night.

NOLA: Don't worry about it. We appreciated your hospitality.

HERMAN: That is very sweet of you . . . Nola.

NOLA: I really need to compliment you on how you have decorated this place. It really is quite surprising for a bachelor. You should have seen how Quinton decorated his home before we met.

Quinton gives Nola look.

HERMAN: Decorators are always a big help.

NOLA: You must have had some input.

HERMAN: I did. My grandmother always had very nice taste. I guess I picked up a few things from her.

Nola looks around the room again taking in the decor. Her eyes stop on a portrait painting. She immediately gets up and goes to look at the portrait.

QUINT: Nola, what's the matter?

NOLA: Nothing, I just wanted to look at this painting.

HERMAN: That is a painting that was done of my mother before she married my father.

Quint looks at the picture and seems surprised as well.

QUINT: She is a very attractive woman.

Nola gets closer to the picture. It is a picture of a young woman in her early 20's with big brown eyes and auburn hair which is up in a twist. She is very pretty, but not overly beautiful. She has a mischievous smile.

NOLA: I feel like I have seen this picture before.

QUINT: (joking) You did. In the mirror about . . . I mean several years ago.

NOLA: Watch it!! . . . She doesn't look that much like me.

QUINT: Well not exactly, but she bears a definite resemblance.

HERMAN: I never noticed that, but . . . pardon the comment as I mean no disrespect . . . she does look a bit like you may have in earlier years.

NOLA: You think so. I guess the hairstyle and the clothing are throwing me off. What was her name?

HERMAN: (hesitates) Anne.

NOLA: If you don't mind me asking . . . how did she and your father die?

HERMAN: It was a car accident.

NOLA: How sad to die so young.

HERMAN: I was a late in life baby so they were not as young as you might think.

NOLA: Did they have any other children?

HERMAN: No, it was just me. I think she and father were too in love to complicate their lives with a child.

NOLA: So how old were they . . . when you were born?

HERMAN: Mother was I think almost 42 and father was almost 50. It was very dangerous in those days to have a child so late.

Nola seems speechless.

QUINT: How old were you when they died?

HERMAN: Just a few months. As I said I never knew them at all. All I have is pictures and grandmother's stories.

NOLA: Do you have any pictures of your parents when they were older?

HERMAN: Not really. The house my parents lived in burned down a few months before I was born and all their possessions were destroyed.

NOLA: How sad, so many tragedies in a row.

HERMAN: (nodding & becoming emotional) Yes . . . I really must be going a let you to finish your breakfast.

Herman gets up and Nola sits back down.

NOLA: Thank you for everything. All of the accomodations are very lovely.

HERMAN: I'm glad you're pleased.

QUINT: Yes thank you. Herman leaves the room.

NOLA: Quinton that is such a sad story.

QUINT: Aren't you shocked by that portrait?

NOLA: So she looks a little like me?

QUINT: Well she's not exactly a dead ringer, but there is a striking resemblance.

NOLA: So are you going to be the one to make something out of nothing now?

QUINT: I just think it partly explains why he keeps looking at you so strangely and calling you Nora.

NOLA: Quinton, he said his mother's name was Anne not Nora. I told you. He is just a harmless lonely man. That's all.

QUINT: If you are okay with this so am I.

Quint checks his watch.

QUINT: We do have a bit of a drive. I think we better get going.

NOLA: Are you sure we have to go right now?

QUINT: (assuringly) I think we should.

NOLA: (trying to be strong) Let me first go upstairs. I have something for . . . Sean and Stephanie. (a tear comes to her eye)

Quint gets up and takes Nola's arm and slowly leads her out of the room occasionally looking back at the portrait. Nola does not look at the portrait.

To Be Continued

"Not So Forbidden Fruit" 17

NOT SO FORBIDDEN FRUIT -- EPISODE 17"Bed and Breakfast" Part 2

EXT. CEMETERY BY THE OCEAN -- THAT AFTERNOON

QUINT leads NOLA onto a lawn with small plots. Quint seems to know where heis going and Nola hesitantly follows behind. Quint carries a small sack with him. They come to a cluster of plots under a tree. He searches under the tree until he comes to one slightly larger plot (more separate from the others) which says Chamberlain on it and underneath it are the names Sean Ryan and Stephanie Maureen, beloved son and daughter, November 1993. Nola can not look, but Quint kneels down to clear away some of the grass and debris that have accumulated. After he is finished clearing off the stone he turns to Nola who is turned away sobbing. He gets up and holds Nola.

QUINT: It's okay.

NOLA: I just can't. I can't look at it.

QUINT: You don't have to look right away. Why don't you just look around and see how beautiful it is? Can't you hear the ocean?

Nola nods.

NOLA: (through her tears) It really is peaceful.

QUINT: If you close your eyes and just listen to the ocean and smell the salt in the air, you'll almost forget where you are. This is why I chose this place. I knew they would always be okay here.

They both close their eyes and Nola starts to relax into his arms. He kisses the back of her head.

EXT. CEMETERY BY OCEAN -- A FEW MINUTES LATER

NOLA walks around a bit looking at the other plots. QUINT moves along with her. She walks to the edge of the cemetery and looks down at the rocks that lead to the ocean. She takes in a big breath of the ocean and then starts to walk back toward their plot. Quint continues to follow her. A few feet away from the plot she stops and turns to Quint and extends her hand to him. Quint takes her hand.

NOLA: Will you go first?

QUINT: Of course.

He leads Nola to the plot under the tree and he kneels down. Nola approaches the plot and looks away, but then looks down at it. Quint squeezes her hand. Nola's eyes fill with tears, but she doesn't cry.

NOLA: It really is them.

Quint nods.

NOLA: I guess if there is anyplace I feel it is safe for them to be, it is here.

QUINT: (assuringly) They are definitely safe.

NOLA: All it says is November 1993.

QUINT: For infants that's all they do.

NOLA: Quinton tell me again what they looked like.

QUINT: They were both very small, but they were still very beautiful. Stephanie had a tiny bit of red hair and Sean was almost completely bald except for a few light strands of hair. And they both had the biggest eyes just like their mommy.

NOLA: And what were they like?

QUINT: I only spent a few moments with Sean, but he seemed very brave. I spent more time with Stephanie and in spite of her small size she seemed to have as much fight in her as her mother. We thought she would make it. The doctors said it was incredible, but she almost beat the odds.

NOLA: Can I see that bag?

QUINT: Sure

Quint hands Nola the bag. She pulls out a flower arrangement that is done up like a child's mobile and carefully wrapped in cellophane.

NOLA: I had this made up specially by a local florist.

Quint smiles as Nola places the arrangement by the plot and kneels down next to Quint. She starts to cry a bit and Quint puts his arm around her.

QUINT: Just let it out.

NOLA: I wanted them so bad.

QUINT: I know, but they are safe now and they'll always be with us . . . in our hearts.

Nola nods and continues to cry while Quint comforts her.

EXT. CEMETERY BY OCEAN -- LATER

NOLA and QUINT are kneeling by Sean and Stephanie's grave. They are holding hands. Nola tries to hold back her tears. Quint is also visably emotional.

NOLA: Hi sweethearts. Your mommy and daddy are here . . . and we love and miss you very very much . . . We are sorry that you weren't able to spend more time with us . . . but we will always remember and love you . . . mommy and daddy really wanted you and I just thought you both should know that . . . You also have a big sister named Anastasia and a big brother named Anthony James and they love and miss you too . . . Your daddy tells me that you were both very brave and strong and beautiful . . . I wanted you to know that I wanted to see you, but I couldn't because I was hurt like you were . . . But even though I never saw you . . . I know you because you were a part of me and will always be a part of me . . . I'm sorry I didn't come here sooner, but I was just too sad to, but there was never ever a time when I wasn't thinking about you both . . . wondering who you would have grown up to be . . . if you were going to look like your daddy and be as smart as your daddy . . . or if you were going to look and be like me . . . please take care of each other . . . There are a lot of people up there who I hope are watching over you . . . Your Grandma Stephanie . . . Your Grandpa Henry & Grandpa Tom. . . Your Aunt Maureen and Aunt Vanessa . . . I love you Sean . . . my sweet boy . . . And I love you Stephanie . . . my sweet girl.

Nola quietly cries and Quint holds her close.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST ENTRANCEWAY -- EARLY EVENING

QUINT and NOLA enter. HERMAN is sitting at his desk going through his receipts. Nola's eyes are all red and swollen from crying, she nods at Herman trying not to let him see her face and immediately runs up the stairs to their room.

HERMAN: Quinton, is Nola okay?

QUINT: We had a very emotional day.

HERMAN: I'm sorry to hear that.

QUINT: No, it was for the best in the long run.

HERMAN: Maybe you should go see if she is okay.

QUINT: I think she needs some time alone. Did we get any messages while we were out?

HERMAN: No nothing at all. I think the phone only rang today, but once.

QUINT: That's strange. We were expecting a call from our daughter Stacey.

HERMAN: I'm sorry, nothing came through.

QUINT: Maybe I should see if Nola is okay

HERMAN: Will you be down for dinner.

QUINT: Not tonight.

HERMAN: Can I send something up?

QUINT: We had a late lunch and will probably be fine, but if we need anything I'll give you a call.

HERMAN: Please don't hesitate to call for anything.

QUINT: I won't. Good night.

HERMAN: Good night Quinton

Quinton ascends the stairs.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST BEDROOM -- LATER THAT EVENING.

NOLA is asleep in the bed and QUINT sits in the bed next to her reading a book. Nola starts to stir.

NOLA: (sleepily) What time is it?

QUINT: It is about 10:00

NOLA: I can't believe I slept almost four hours.

QUINT: You needed it.

Quint puts down the book.

QUINT: How are you feeling?

NOLA: Much better after that rest. Did you have anything for dinner?

QUINT: No, I wasn't really hungry.

NOLA: Do you think it would be too late to get something now?

QUINT: I don't think so. What would you like?

NOLA: I don't know maybe a sandwich or something.

QUINT: I'll call Herman and see if he can send something up.

Quint picks up the phone and calls Herman.

QUINT: (into phone) Hi, it's Quint. Can we still get something to eat? . . . Great . . . Maybe some sandwiches . . . just something easy and light. . . Thanks.

Quint hands up the phone.

QUINT: He certainly is accommodating. He was ready to bring us up a seven course meal.

NOLA: I told you he's harmless.

QUINT: So are you sure you're okay?

Quint touches her hair and face.

NOLA: I feel a lot better now that I did it. I didn't realize what a gorgeous place it was when I was there for the . . . funeral.

QUINT: I wanted someplace very peaceful.

NOLA: (changing subject) How long did Herman say he would be?

QUINT: He said about twenty minutes.

NOLA: Great, that gives me a chance to take a nice hot bath. I think that would really relax me.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST BEDROOM -- LATER THAT NIGHT

NORMAN wheels in a small table with a tureen of soup and sandwiches on fancy china. QUINT seems surprised at the presentation.

QUINT: You really didn't have to go to such trouble.

HERMAN: It was no trouble. I do this for everyone.

QUINT: I don't think I have seen one other guest since I've been here.

HERMAN: People tend to keep to themselves here. Where is Nola?

QUINT: She's finishing up her bath. She should be out shortly.

HERMAN: Well I'm sorry to miss her. I hope she is doing better.

QUINT: I think her wanting to eat is a very good sign.

NOLA emerges from the bathroom in a robe.

NOLA: Talking about me?

HERMAN: I was just asking Quinton how you were doing.

NOLA: I'm doing much better. I apologize if I was rude earlier.

HERMAN: Apologies aren't necessary. I understand.

NOLA: We had a very difficult day.

HERMAN: I had hoped you came to Santa Barbara for pleasure.

NOLA: No . . . well actually we came to visit . . . our children.

HERMAN: I thought your children were back in Springfield.

QUINT: Our oldest daughter is in college in Los Angeles and our son just started college in Springfield . . .

HERMAN: I'm confused, I thought you said you had only two children.

NOLA: We do . . . but we lost twins three years ago. We were visiting them at the cemetery.

HERMAN: Oh, I'm so sorry. How old were they if you don't mind me asking?

Nola shakes her head, but can't answer him. Nola looks to Quint.

QUINT: Our son only lived a few hours and our daughter just a little over a day.

HERMAN: Late in life children. (trailing off) They are usually the greatest blessings. I'm sorry about your lose.

NOLA: Well they weren't' that late, but thank you.

HERMAN: I hate prying, but what happened?

QUINT: Nola and I were in a very bad car accident in her sixth month.

HERMAN: Thank God that you both survived.

NOLA: I'm sorry, that reminds you of your parents? Doesn't it?

HERMAN: (quietly) Yes, it does. I really should get going and leave you two to your privacy. Just push the table into the hall when you are finished and I'll clear it away.

QUINT: Thank you.

NOLA: Good night.

HERMAN: Good night.

Herman leaves.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST BEDROOM -- LATER THAT NIGHT

QUINT & NOLA are lying together in the bed.

NOLA: I feel sorry for Herman. He is just so sad and lonely.

QUINT: (suspiciously) I guess so.

NOLA: I remind him of his mother, that's all.

QUINT: I don't know. The way he looks at you is not the way someone looks at their mother.

NOLA: You are just being silly.

QUINT: You seem to be in much better spirits.

NOLA: I do feel much better. (suddenly some tears start to well up in her eyes). See I can be fine one minute and then the next I am a mess.

QUINT: I shouldn't have said anything.

NOLA: No, we need to talk about it. I guess it will just be like this for awhile. I spent almost three years pretending it didn't happen. You can't do that.

QUINT: I'm glad to hear you say that.

Nola snuggles closer to Quint as a few tears run down her cheek. Quint brushes them away.

QUINT: Nola, it's really okay. Everything will be fine.

NOLA: I know. As long as I have you everything will be okay.

Nola kisses Quint and they look into each others eyes. Nola's tears continue. Quint kisses each tear away and slowly their kisses become more passionate.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST LIMBO AREA -- AT THE SAME TIME

HERMAN sits in a dark room except for one weak beam of light that comes through a small hole in the wall through which he looks. We see that the hole looks into Quinton and Nola's room. Through the hole we see Quinton and Nola on the bed starting to make love. Herman reacts to the scene and almost appears angry and then sad.

HERMAN: (morosely) Nora, you'll never change.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST DINING ROOM -- LATE THAT EVENING

NOLA has come downstairs in her robe to get something to drink. She turns on the LIGHT in the dining room and moves over to the portrait painting. She looks very carefully at the woman in the picture and touches her own face. Then she touches the picture. She looks at the picture for a long time and then notices in the bottom left hand corner a signature and a date. Nola hesitates and then looks concerned. She quickly leaves the room forgetting about getting something to drink.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST BEDROOM-- A FEW MOMENTS LATER

NOLA comes running into the room and jumps up onto the bed. QUINT is asleep. Nola tries to wake him up.

NOLA: Wake up

QUINT: (groggily) What's the matter?

NOLA: It's that portrait downstairs.

QUINT: What about it?

NOLA: I was just down there to get something to drink and I was looking at it again. Trying to see if I thought she really looked like me and there was a date on the picture. It said 1905.

QUINT: (sleepily) So what does that mean?

NOLA: It means that there is no way that is Herman's mother. Unless of course our Herman is like 70 years old and just keeps himself up very well. Why do you think he lied about that?

QUINT: I guess he likes stories as much as you do.

NOLA: But Quinton, he made up this whole story about the picture. It wasn't just one lie.

QUINT: We'll ask him about it in the morning.

NOLA: No I don't think we should let on that we know. But we do need to find out who that really is in that picture and why she looks so much like me. And why does he keep calling me Nora and who exactly is Herman Cates?

INT. BED & BREAKFAST DINING ROOM -- THE NEXT MORNING

QUINT & NOLA are again having breakfast alone.

NOLA: (whispering) Quinton, I am starting to think that we are the only guests here.

QUINT: I know what you mean.

HERMAN enters with a tray of croissants.

HERMAN: These are fresh out of the oven. Would you like one?

NOLA: That would be nice. Thank you.

Herman places a warm croissant on Nola's plate and then one on Quint's. Nola tears off a piece of the croissant and eats it.

NOLA: Do you do this or does someone help you?

HERMAN: I have a lady who comes in a few times a week to do some baking. She really is wonderful.

NOLA: These are really delicious.

Quint pours himself some orange juice.

HERMAN: Do you have plans today?

QUINT: We have a few things in mind, but mostly we just plan to take it easy.

NOLA: Yeah

HERMAN: Sounds like a good idea.

Herman starts to leave.

NOLA: Herman, I was wondering, when did your grandmother die?

HERMAN: About seven years ago, why?

NOLA: No reason really. I was just wondering how long this place has been a bed and breakfast.

HERMAN: She died in 89 and I turned this place into a bed and breakfast the following year. As I told you I had some debt to take care of.

NOLA: What was her name?

HERMAN: (hesitates) Colleen.

NOLA: Oh, a very nice Irish name. We're both Irish so we always appreciate a nice Irish name. How old was she when she died?

HERMAN: She was very old. Actually she was quite famous in this town for being well past her 100th birthday, but you would never know it by her energy and spirit.

NOLA: That's wonderful. To live to be 100.

A TEA WHISTLE is heard in the other room.

HERMAN: I better go get that.

Herman rushes into the other room.

NOLA: Quinton, I think that picture might be of his grandmother. The dates all make sense.

Quint thinks about it.

QUINT: Colleen would have been born sometime in the 1880's which would have put her in her 20's at the time that picture was painted.

NOLA: The woman in the painting does appear to be in her 20's. But why wouldn't he just tell us the picture was of his grandmother? It doesn't make sense. Unless he's trying to hide something.

QUINT: And if I know you, you will find out what that something is.

NOLA: Exactly. I also bet that somehow someone named Nora fits into this equation.

QUINT: Possibly.

NOLA: I think I will also do some snooping around here today while you keep Herman occupied.

QUINT: I don't want to spend any time with him.

NOLA: Please do it for me. Don't you want to know why he looks at me like that?

QUINT: Well yes . . .

NOLA: Then you'll do it.

QUINT: I guess I have no choice.

Nola gets up and puts her hands on Quint's shoulders.

NOLA: Now don't you think after "everything", that you could do me this one teeny tiny favor?

Quint roles his eyes.

QUINT: Okay, I'll keep weird Herman occupied while you snoop.

Nola hugs him

NOLA: Thank you. I love you.

Nola runs out of the room.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST PARLOR -- LATER THAT MORNING

NOLA sneaks around the parlor making sure no on sees her. She goes over to the book cases trying to find something with information. She finally spots on the bottom shelf an old photo album. She gingerly pulls out the photo album and starts leafing through it. The pictures appear very old, but she does not see any pictures of the woman in the painting. She finally gets to the back of the book where there are some more current photographs. The style of the clothes of the people in the pictures appears to be 1970's. Nola recognizes a younger Herman in some of the pictures.

NOLA (to herself) Now we are getting somewhere.

She turns the pages and starts to notice spaces where obviously pictures have been removed. As she turns the pages she finds that more and more pictures are missing.

She then notices several shots of a vibrant older woman.

NOLA (to herself) I wonder if that is Colleen?

She shakes her head and then comes to the end of the book.

Nola spots another photo album and flips through it too. These photos are really old maybe from the 20's and 30's. See sees several pictures of a woman who appears to be an older version of the woman in the painting with a young girl with curly hair and a freckled face.

NOLA: (to herself) That is Colleen and that must be Herman's mother.

She flips through the book and sees more pictures of the same woman with the same girl at various ages through the girls' teenage years. She puts the photo album back.

QUINT: (O.C. loudly) Thank you for showing me around the garden. It really was lovely.

Nola quickly sits down and starts looking at a decorating magazine on the end table.

QUINT and HERMAN enter the Parlor.

QUINT: Nola what a surprise.

NOLA: I was just exploring the house trying to get some ideas for our new house.

HERMAN: You are buying a new house?

NOLA: Yes, we are trying to find a nice house in Springfield. We've kind of been living out of a hotel lately.

HERMAN: That doesn't sound very cozy.

QUINT: Yes and we would love to find a beautiful old house like this one to fix up.

HERMAN: Fixing a place up can be very rewarding, but it's a lot of hard work.

The phone RINGS in the other room.

HERMAN: Excuse me.

Herman leaves to get the phone.

QUINT: So did you find anything interesting?

NOLA: I saw some photo albums that had pictures of Colleen with a young girl whom I assume is really Herman's mother. I also saw a photo album with some pictures of Herman probably from sometime in the 70's based on what people were wearing, but the strange thing is that many pictures have been taken out of that album from that time.

QUINT: Maybe they were pictures of some woman that broke Herman's heart and whom he wanted no reminders of.

NOLA: You may be right, but it seems more likely that he doesn't want anyone to see those pictures for some reason.

QUINT: What are you going to do next?

NOLA: More snooping. I bet everything we need to know is in this house.

QUINT: What did Herman's mother look like?

NOLA: I only saw pictures of her as a young girl, but she was very cute with curly hair and freckles. All the pictures are black and white so I can't tell what color her hair is, but I would assume that she has red hair because of the look of her hair and the freckles.

QUINT: So I guess Herman has a history with red heads. Do you think Anne is really his mother's name?

NOLA: I do, but I am mostly interested in the pictures missing from that album.

QUINT: Where do you think you might find them?

NOLA: In Herman's room.

QUINT: Nola you can't go sneaking around the man's bedroom.

NOLA: Yes I can and I will.

QUINT: Nola

NOLA: Just keep Herman occupied for just a little while longer and I promise . . .

Nola whispers in Quint's ear. Quint smiles.

QUINT: Guess I can't turn down that offer.

NOLA: You are really too easy you know? You could have held out for more.

QUINT: Don't give me any ideas.

Herman enters the room.

HERMAN: I am so sorry when I got that call I remembered that there were two calls for you earlier, but I couldn't find you when they came in. Here are the messages.

Herman hands Quint messages. Quint reads the.

NOLA: What does it say?

QUINT: (shaking his head) It's from Bridget. She said that J didn't come home last night.

NOLA: (worried) Is he okay?

Quint reads the other message.

QUINT: This one says he called and everything is okay and that he stayed at the suite.

NOLA: We told him not to do that.

QUINT: This shouldn't surprise us. (to Herman) Our son is not exactly known for respecting the wishes of his parents. (to Nola) I'll call him later and talk to him.

NOLA: Okay . . . Quint did you get a chance to see the gazebo in the back yet?

QUINT: (getting the hint) No I didn't. (to Herman) Could you show it to me?

HERMAN: I'd love to. Nora . . . I'm sorry I mean Nola . . . I don't know why I keep getting that wrong . . . would you like to come along?

NOLA: You know I am actually really tired and would love nothing better than an afternoon nap.

HERMAN: You were up most of the night.

Quint shoots a look at Herman.

NOLA: How did you know that?

HERMAN: (covering) I heard you out in the hall . . . talking to the cat late last night.

NOLA: Oh

HERMAN: So Quinton are you ready to go?

QUINT: I'm ready.

Quint kisses Nola

NOLA: I'll see you two later.

QUINT: Have a nice nap.

Quint winks at Nola and he and Herman leave.

INT. HERMAN'S BEDROOM -- A FEW MOMENTS LATER

NOLA slowly opens the room to Herman's room. The room is completely dark and filled with very nice furniture, but totally not kept up. Some of the furniture is even draped in white cloth. The room is also very cold. Nola sneaks into the room and closes the door behind her and then takes in her surroundings.

NOLA: (to herself) Cold.

She wraps her arms around herself to warm up. She moves to his bed and opens the drawer in his end table and rustles through the contents. She moves to his desk and looks through the items on the top of the desk. She finds some business cards that say "Herman Cates -- Innkeeper". She seems disappointed with what she finds. Nola moves to his closet and opens the door. She spots some small boxes on the top shelf of the closet. She goes to reach for a box when she notices a door at the back of the closet. The door is partly open and some light is coming through it.

NOLA : (to herself) Oh my.

Nola ducks down and starts to enter the secret door when she hears a crash outside the room. She quickly moves out of the closet and closes the door behind her and then runs to the door out of the room. She listens if she hears anything outside and then sneaks out of the room.

INT. HALLWAY OUTSIDE HERMAN'S ROOM -- THE NEXT MOMENT

NOLA closes the door behind her and looks around for the cause of the crash. A LONGHAIRED BLACK CAT rubs up against her leg and purrs. She spots a broken vase that has fallen off an antique pedestal.

NOLA: (to cat) Bad cat . . . look what you did . . . you scared me to death . . . maybe it was a sign.

TO BE CONTINUED

INT. SPRINGFIELD TOWERS SUITE -- LATER THAT DAY

J is lying on the couch watching television. The suite is in an absolute shambles. J's clothes are all over the place. A half eaten pizza is in a pizza box on the floor. The PHONE rings. J crawls over to the other side of the couch and goes to answer the phone, but then hesitates wondering who it might be. He answers the phone trying to disguise his voice.

J: (disguised voice) Hello

The expression on his face is one of relief.

J: I'm glad it is you . . . so what's going on? . . . . . . I was hoping that maybe you could come by later . . . I mean I have this whole place to myself and I would hate for it to go to waste . . . Great . . . You gotta go? . . . I'll see you tonight.

J hangs up the phone and then dials the phone again.

J: Housekeeping please . . . . Hi, this is Anthony James Chamberlain in the Penthouse Suite . . . could you send some up immediately ? . . . Thanks.

He hangs up the phone and it immediately rings again.

J: Hello?

CUT TO INT. BED & BREAKFAST ENTRANCEWAY

QUINT is on the phone to J.

QUINT: J?

J: Dad . . . what's up?

QUINT: What are you doing there?

J: It's just more comfortable here than that crowded boarding house. It's so noisy there . . . I couldn't study.

QUINT: So you expect me to believe that you are there alone studying?

J: Of course. I really want to do well so I won't be the big disappointment of the family.

QUINT: You are not fooling me. Your mother and I want you to stay at the boarding house with Bridget. Bridget left a worried message this morning that you never came home last night.

J: I already called her and told her everything was cool. I was studying here last night and just fell asleep.

QUINT: J!

J: I swear dad, I was just studying.

QUINT: I hope you aren't bringing any girls there.

J: I'm definitely not bringing any girls here. How's mom? How did everything go yesterday?

QUINT: Your mother is fine and yesterday was very emotional.

J: Tell mom I love her.

QUINT: I will. Now I really want you to go back to the boarding house tonight.

J: I will, but I do have a date tonight so I might get in a little late.

QUINT: I want you in the boarding house by midnight and no girls in that suite.

J: Dad!! . . . midnight!!

QUINT: Yes midnight.

J: Fine, if you want all my friends to think I am a big loser just go right ahead.

QUINT: I mean it J.

J: I know.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST BEDROOM -- LATER THAT NIGHT

QUINT is sitting in a chair reading and NOLA rushes into the room and closes the door behind her.

NOLA: (excitedly) Quinton you are just not going to believe all the things I found out today!

QUINT: Slow down and tell me.

NOLA: First of all Herman has a secret door in his closet. I didn't get to see where it led, but I will try again later.

QUINT: A secret door?

NOLA: Yes apparently this place has secret passageways just like Thornway Road.

QUINT: (lasciviously) I love secret passageways.

NOLA: Come on this is serious. I also found out that Colleen was an orphan. Her mother apparently died in childbirth and she grew up in an orphanage. I also think Herman lied about never being married.

QUINT: How did you find this out?

NOLA: I found this box of old documents in Herman's study. Mostly it was old letters. It had letters from the orphanage where Colleen grew up and some documents about donations that Colleen later made to that orphanage. There were also some letters to Herman from a few friends that talked about his impending marriage and then a few where his wife was mentioned.

QUINT: What was his wife's name?

NOLA: The letters never mentioned her name. I looked through several and not one said her name. They just kept referring to her as his wife.

QUINT: That's weird.

NOLA: I guess a lot of things are weird around here. Also the orphanage that Colleen grew up in is in Ireland.

QUINT: Do you think if we called the orphanage first thing in the morning that we could get more information?

NOLA: That is exactly what I was thinking. Have you learned to read my mind?

QUINT: I think maybe I can. To change the subject, I spoke with our son earlier today.

NOLA: What did he have to say for himself?

QUINT: He claims he was studying last night at the hotel and just fell asleep.

NOLA: You didn't believe him did you?

QUINT: No, but he sounded okay and he promised to stay at the boarding house tonight and he promised not to bring any girls to the suite.

NOLA: Who do you think this new girl is?

QUINT: I have no idea, but he said he has a date tonight.

NOLA: I just can't even think about it . . . it makes me too crazy.

INT. SPRINGFIELD TOWERS SUITE -- THAT NIGHT

The suite is all cleaned up and J is casually dressed making the last preparations for his guest. Preparations that include a chilled bottle of champagne. A KNOCK is heard at the door. J moves to the door. He opens the door and REVA is standing there.

J: Reva . . . it is good to see you again.

REVA: Thanks for inviting me over . . . Joshua and I had another argument.

J: Why any man would want to waste time with you arguing is beyond me.

REVA: You are very sweet. This is some place. Your daddy must be spending a pretty penny on this. Is this where he has been staying since he's been in Springfield?

J: He's only been staying here since he and mom got back together before that he was staying in a tent near the dig site.

REVA: A tent? Now that's dedication.

J: My dad's tent was not exactly your run of the mill tent. That tent had almost all the conveniences that this place has.

REVA: Really. (she notices the champagne) Maybe I should go . . . is your dad planning something special with your mom tonight?

J: No why do you say that?

REVA: Well, the expensive bottle of champagne.

J: I ordered it for us.

REVA: For us? J you really shouldn't have done that.

J: I wanted to. You have been so nice to me and I thought after all your troubles with Josh that you deserved a little special attention.

J moves close to Reva and Reva backs up a little.

REVA: So what time will Nola and Quint be in?

J: They won't be. They are in California. So it's just you and me.

REVA: J, I like you a lot, but I don't want you to get the wrong idea.

J: I like you a lot too.

REVA: J, I am as old as your mama.

J: That's okay. I grew up around adults. My sister Stacey and I had tutors most of our life and I just don't feel as comfortable around people my own age.

Reva sits down on the couch.

REVA: I guess we shouldn't let that bottle of champagne go to waste, but aren't you under age.

J: I grew up all over the world and no other country I was in had such puritanical rules about drinking . . . besides if one can afford a bottle of Cristal then age is not an issue.

REVA: Are you paying for that bottle or is it on daddy's tab?

J: Chamberlain money is Chamberlain money.

Reva can help, but laugh at his spunk. J goes to open the bottle of champagne. It makes a loud POP. He pours Reva a glass, but he pours too quickly and it overflows.

REVA: You better watch that. I think that stuff is a dollar a drop.

J: Money is not an issue for me.

J pours a glass for himself.

REVA: So I bet you have yourself a big fat trust fund.

J: I'm a Chamberlain, what do you think?

He brings Reva the glass of champagne and sits on the couch next to her.

REVA: (toasting) To new friendships.

They clink glasses.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST BEDROOM -- THE NEXT MORNING

NOLA is sitting next to QUINT on the bed.

NOLA: Maybe we should use your cellular phone so Herman won't know.

QUINT: That's a good idea.

Quint goes to get his cellular phone out of the pocket in his jacket and walks back to Nola.

NOLA: I think this is the number.

Quint dials the number and tries to hold the phone so Nola can hear too.

INT. IRISH ORPHANAGE

An OLDER WOMAN sits behind a very old desk in a very cluttered looking office.

WOMAN: (thick Irish accent) Hello

QUINT: Hello ma'am, my name is . . . Sean Ryan

Nola gives him a "good going" look.

QUINT: (con't) And I am looking to make a donation to the orphanage fund in honor of an old friend of mine.

WOMAN: That would be lovely. And what is your friends name?

QUINT: Her name is Colleen . . . Colleen Cates.

WOMAN: Let me look through my files here . . . what was the name again?

QUINT: Colleen Cates.

WOMAN: I'm sorry I don't have any listings for a Cates.

QUINT: That might have been her married name. I don't think I know her maiden name.

WOMAN: Do you know when she might have been here?

QUINT: Yes, it would have been the late 1800's.

WOMAN: I didn't realize you were talking about that long ago. Those babies aren't listed here. Hold on one second. When might she have first come here?

QUINT: I don't know . . . hold on a second.

He covers phone and turns to Nola.

QUINT: When would she have come to the orphanage?

NOLA : (figuring) She died in 1989 and was over 100 so say maybe 1886.

QUINT: About 1886.

WOMAN: Hold on a moment.

The woman walks off to find the right

QUINT: (to Nola) She told me to hold on.

Nola nods.

WOMAN: Are you there Mr. Ryan? (woman sneezes)

QUINT: Yes, I'm here.

WOMAN: Pardon me, these books are very old and dusty. I have a journal here that lists all orphans that were here from 1880 through 1895.

QUINT: That's wonderful.

WOMAN: The ink is really smudged, but I can make out most names. You said her name was Colleen. Let me look here.

QUINT: Take your time.

WOMAN: Here is a Colleen. She was brought to the orphanage as an infant in March 1884. It says that her mother died in childbirth and that the father is . . . unknown. But then next to that it says that the father was killed in war, but that was crossed out.

QUINT: What is Colleen's last name?

WOMAN: That is crossed out too, but I can't make it out. It looks like the name starts with a P maybe or maybe it is an R. I just can't tell.

QUINT: Does it say anything else?

WOMAN: Yes, it does. It says the child is a poor lost soul.

QUINT: A poor lost soul? What does that mean?

WOMAN: I think in those days it meant that the parents weren't married.

QUINT: Does it list the name of the mother or the father?

WOMAN: It gives the mother's name, but her last name is scratched out too.

QUINT: What was the name?

WOMAN: I believe it says Nona . . . what an unusual name.

QUINT: Are you sure it isn't Nora?

WOMAN: Yes, it definitely is Nora. Sir, how much of a donation can I put you down for and how would you like the notice to go out?

QUINT: Of course. You can put me down for a thousand dollars and the donation can be in memory of Colleen and Nora . . . two lost souls.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST BEDROOM -- A FEW MOMENTS LATER

QUINT closes the phone and gets up stunned. NOLA looks at him waiting to hear what he heard.

NOLA: What is this about Nora?

QUINT: There are some very unusual coincidences.

NOLA: (excitedly) Like what? Like what?

QUINT: Well Colleen's mother's name was Nora. Colleen was brought to the orphanage as an infant in March 1884. Her father had been killed, but actually the official records list him as unknown.

NOLA: What about the lost souls?

QUINT: That was apparently what the orphanage called children born to unwed mothers back then.

NOLA: I didn't know that even happened back then.

QUINT: I guess no one talked about it. Even her last name was scratched out of the book obviously to protect the reputation of the family.

NOLA: Quinton all these things make me think about . . .

QUINT: I know . . . John and Nora.

NOLA: You think that Nora was pregnant before John was killed?

QUINT: I don't know what to think.

NOLA: How weird that all these years later we would be staying in a room that looks just like our honeymoon room and possibly be dealing with John and Nora again.

QUINT: I know.

NOLA: All the dates and names make sense. Colleen was John and Nora's daughter?

QUINT: Apparently Nora died in childbirth.

NOLA: That's awful, but Seamus always said she died of a broken heart.

QUINT: I'm sure that was the story at the time.

NOLA: I wish I could find those pictures that were pulled out of the photo album.

QUINT: Where do you think you might find them?

NOLA: I am sure they are in Herman's room.

QUINT: Nola, you can't go back there. I don't like the idea of you in his bedroom and besides if he found you there, there is no telling what he might do.

NOLA: Quinton I have to . . . besides I have to see where that secret door leads.

QUINT: Nola, I don't feel good about you doing that. Let me go with you.

NOLA: You can't. You have to keep Herman occupied.

Nola goes to get a piece of paper out of the desk.

QUINT: What are you doing?

NOLA: I want to write everything down so that I can solve this puzzle.

Nola sits at the desk and starts to write.

NOLA: (reading outloud as she writes) So far we have Nora and John having Colleen in 1884. Nora dies and Colleen goes into an orphanage. Colleen has a daughter who presumably is named Anne and Anne has Herman at a late age. Herman married some woman, but we don't know her name and he claims to have always been a bachelor. There are pictures missing from a photo album. Pictures probably from the 70's and probably of Herman's wife. Is that it?

QUINT: I think you got it all.

NOLA: A lot of this is just not making sense.

Quint walks up behind Nola and starts to massage her shoulders.

QUINT: So do you need the entire day to snoop or can we go out and do something fun . . .

He leans down and kisses the side of her face and whispers into her ear

QUINT: And romantic

NOLA: (interested) Romantic? You know I can NEVER resist romantic. What do you have in mind?

QUINT: I was thinking maybe a nice slow walk on the beach and then maybe a leisurely late lunch and then maybe we could come back here for a little nap and a little . . .

Quint kisses her neck.

QUINT: And then you could snoop away

NOLA: That sounds like a wonderful idea.

Nola turns her head to kiss him.

EXT. WINDY BEACH -- THAT AFTERNOON

NOLA and QUINT slowly walk hand in hand along a very non-crowded beach. The seagulls are very loud and the ocean pounds on the shore. Occasionally they see a person or a family or a couple.

NOLA: (continuing) I just think it is weird that Herman keeps calling me by the name of a woman he never met even if it is his great grandmother.

QUINT: Nola, I really would rather not talk about Herman right now. I would rather talk about how beautiful it is here and how nice it is to be alone . . . and together.

NOLA: You're right. You know what these loud seagulls remind me of?

QUINT: What?

NOLA: That cruise we took from Alexandria.

QUINT: You mean the cold shower cruise?

NOLA: What?

QUINT: The cold shower cruise.

NOLA: Why do you call it that?

QUINT: Because I took more cold showers in a one week period than I ever took in my entire life.

NOLA (realizing) I'm sorry about that. I don't know what I was thinking.

QUINT: I never figured that out either, but I loved you so I wanted to respect your wishes.

NOLA: I have something to admit . . .

QUINT: What's that?

NOLA: I took a lot of cold showers too.

QUINT: You DIDN'T need to do that.

NOLA: Well, I kind of changed my mind by the second night, but I was too embarrassed to tell you.

QUINT: Nola, you're kidding.

NOLA: No, really, I kept trying to give you signals, but you weren't getting them.

QUINT: I thought you wanted to wait and I didn't want to pressure you.

NOLA: I did want to wait . . . that first night, but then I went to bed that night and wondered if I had been in some alternate reality when I said that.

QUINT: I can't believe I'm hearing this.

NOLA: A couple of times I almost went to your room at night, but then I would always chicken out or I would run into you and get all flustered.

QUINT: (playfully sarcastic) You would run into me so many times at night because I would spend most of my nights pacing the floors . . . thinking should I give up on this gentleman thing and just go into her room . . .

NOLA starts to laugh.

QUINT: Why are you laughing?

NOLA: It's so ridiculous

Quint starts to laugh too.

QUINT: You're right.

NOLA: I mean we were two adults who were in love and wanted the same thing . . .

QUINT: But instead all we did was manage to stay . . . unbelievably clean.

NOLA: When I got back I called Gracie to tell her all about the trip. You should have heard her scream when I told her we didn't . . .

QUINT: Do you tell Gracie everything?

NOLA: I used to . . . back then. She really thought I was a fool.

QUINT: You have definitely made up for it.

NOLA: Stop, you embarrass me.

QUINT: Now what am I going to say?

NOLA: I know, I know, "don't be embarrassed about that".

QUINT: Very good.

They continue to walk along the beach. Nola pulls him closer to the water.

NOLA: (getting an idea) I know what I have to do.

Nola takes off her sandals and leaves them on the beach and she wades into the water. A big wave comes and gets the bottom of her dress wet.

NOLA: It feels great. Come in.

Quint looks hesitant, but then takes off his shoes and socks and rolls his pants up a bit and wades in the water with her.

QUINT: It's warmer than I thought it would be.

NOLA: I told you it feels great.

Nola starts to splash Quint.

QUINT: Stop it.

NOLA: Make me.

She continues to splash him and he runs after her trying to get her to stop. He finally catches her and kisses her. Meanwhile a big wave comes and Nola starts to lose her balance. The wave knocks her over and she falls completely into the water. Quint laughs.

NOLA: (playfully) You think this is pretty funny don't you?

QUINT: Yes, I do Nola gets up and chases Quint.

QUINT: Nola

NOLA: I'm not going to be wet alone.

Quint lets Nola catch him and she throws herself on him. They kiss lustfully.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST BEDROOM -- LATE AFTERNOON

NOLA and QUINT are sweating up the sheets. Nola's laughs and squeals echo through the room and out into the hallway.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST OUTSIDE QUOLA ROOM -- THE SAME TIME

HERMAN walks up to Nola and Quint's door and is ready to knock on their door when he hears NOLA'S HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL. He reacts turns away and walks toward the stairs down to the second floor.

INT. BED & BREAKFAST BEDROOM -- THE NEXT MOMENT

NOLA and QUINT continue rolling around in the bed. Nola makes another even louder squeal.

QUINT: (whispering) Someone is going to hear you.

NOLA: (breathlessly) It would make Herman's day.

Quint laughs. Nola silences him with kisses and they continue. Nola shamelessly continues her loud squeals.

INT. HERMAN'S BEDROOM -- THE SAME TIME

HERMAN runs into his room and quickly disappears into his closet.

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