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At dinner that evening, Nola is aware that everyone is acting odd. Anne seems wary of Quinton. Rose and John ask lots of questions.
JOHN: Tell me, where do you two live?
NOLA: Well, we've lived lots of places, we lived in California for a long time.
QUINTON: We're looking for a house here in Springfield now.
ROSE: Quinton, where is it you're teaching? I don't think you mentioned.
QUINTON: I'm not teaching right now actually. I've been finishing writing a book.
ARCHIE: Oh really, what's the book about.
QUINTON: It's about the history of the ceremonial practices of New Guinea.
ARCHIE: That's quite a specialized book for a history teacher.
QUINTON: Well, uh, archeological history has been a "pastime" of mine for years.
NOLA: Oh yeah, he even subscribes to a magazine about it.
Quinton smiles that half smile.
NOLA: Anne, how old is your baby?
ANNE: James is almost 6 months.
JOHN: As soon as we get home, we're going to start looking for a house too. I'd just love to find a place with a yard as big as the one here.
ANNE: That may be a little too large for the three of us. I'd think a child would get lost out there.
NOLA: Oh no, When Stacey was little she just loved running around in that garden... (Nola points in the direction of the garden)...I mean the garden at the house we lived in.
ROSE: How did you two meet anyway, Nola?
NOLA: I worked for Quinton. I was his....secretary.
ARCHIE: A history teacher with a secretary? I should have taught in California.
Everyone laughs.
QUINTON: I'd love to hear more about your work, John. How did you get started in the news business?
JOHN: Well, I started as a reporter in college. I did a internship in El Salvador with the AP.
ARCHIE: El Salvador, I hear it's very beutiful there.
JOHN: Yes it...
NOLA: Oh, the mountains are just incredible. It is just the most...
QUINTON: Uh..Nola, would you like some more peas?
NOLA: Yes...um...thank you.
QUINTON: Rose, the dinner is just delicious.
ROSE: Thank you, Quinton. I love to cook. I feel as if I'm cooking for my family when my guests are as charming as you all.
ANNE: It is such a lovely home and so large. I would think I would lose things here and never run across them again. (She looks at Quinton for a reaction)
Quinton doesn't react, Anne seems dissapointed. Rose continues, also looking at Quinton.
ROSE: Yes, I'd imagine you could hide something here and no one would find it for years.
NOLA: You know, I once lost a suitcase upstairs and I don't think I ever found that...thing....in our house in California.
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After dinner, the group goes into the study.
NOLA: (to Quinton) I think I'll take a walk around the garden.
QUINTON: It's not too dark out there is it Nola? Do you want me to come?
NOLA: Oh no, I could find my way around there with my ...uh, why don't you come out after your visit.
QUINTON: O.K., I will.
Nola kisses Quinton and leaves.
ROSE: Anne, would you like me to show you the...the drapes in the sitting room?
ANNE: Yes, I'd love to see the drapes.
Anne and Rose exit to the foyer. They whisper.
ROSE: Maybe we've been watching him when the whole time she was going to get it.
ANNE: You're probably right. It must be at the gazebo. They both keep going there.
The men sit in the study.
JOHN: Well, Anne may think this house is too big, but I'd love to have a study like this.
QUINTON: Yes, there is something comforting about it. (He looks around contently) I'm surprised how much I've missed it...having a study I mean.
ARCHIE: This room seems to have so much history, doesn't it? Boy, if these walls could talk. I bet they could some interesting tales.
Quinton thinks for a moment and nods.
QUINTON: Oh, yes.
ARCHIE: Can I get you a drink....cognac?
QUINTON: Yes, I'd love some.
JOHN: I'll have a scotch if you have it Archie. I'm not much the cognac type.
ARCHIE: Well I wasn't either, but I tell you it's odd, I come in here and I just feel like I should drink cognac.
JOHN: Quinton, you and Nola are looking for a house?
QUINTON: Yes, we are.
JOHN: Do your children live with you?
QUINTON: Our son does. Stacey is in California at UCLA and J is at Springfield University.
ARCHIE: What are your children studying?
QUINTON: Well, Stacey is completing her undergraduate degree in..."history".
JOHN: So your daughter is going to be a teacher too?
QUINTON: She may. She hasn't made any commitments yet.
ARCHIE: How about your son?
QUINTON: J is...J is treating college like one 4 year party.
JOHN: Yeah, well don't worry Quinton. I guess that's what happens. A son grows up and sees his father with a job that's the same day after day routine and he just thinks he wants to have a little fun instead. I'm sure he'll come around and settle down like you did.
ARCHIE: Don't underestimate the teaching profession, John. I bet Quinton and I could tell you some stories that would curl your hair. Couldn't we Quinton?
QUINTON. Oh yes. I'm sure we could.
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Nola walks around the garden and goes to the gazebo. She steps onto it.
She hears rustling in the bushes.
NOLA: Quinton? Is that you?...Is anyone there?
She waits but no one answers. She goes to a bench and sits and looks around again.
NOLA: (to herself) Hmmm..I could have sworn I heard someone.
Nola is sitting on a bench and remembers the first time she met Quinton at the gazebo.
--- Flashback to first meeting. Which I would describe but I can't remember it enough :-( ----
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Rose and Anne quickly come back through the front door.
ANNE: She isn't letting on about anything, Rose.
ROSE: Maybe she's just making sure she's not being watched.
A short time later Quinton excuses himself from John and Archie to go to Nola. He exits throught the study door to find Rose and Anne whispering in the foyer.
ANNE: What do you think it is they are....
They both jump and gasp when they see him.
ANNE: Quinton...you startled us.
QUINTON: I'm sorry. I was just going out to the gazebo. Nola's waiting for me.
ROSE: Well, don't keep her waiting. We'll leave the door unlocked. Stay out as long as it takes...I mean as long as you'd like.
QUINTON: Thank you, Rose.
Quinton looks at them curiously and leaves.
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Quinton comes up behind Nola and touches her shoulder. She jumps.
NOLA: Quinton, don't ever do that again.
QUINTON: I'm sorry. I thought you heard me coming. You know, when I left the study, Rose and Anne were in the foyer and they jumped and squealed the same way Gracie always did when I entered the room.
NOLA: I guess you just have that affect on some women.
QUINTON: Where were you just now?
He sits next to her.
NOLA: I was thinking of the first time we met.
QUINTON: I've been doing that a lot also.
NOLA: I know this isn't our gazebo, but being here with you and the house is really incredible. It's a little odd though?
She gets up and walks to the railing.
QUINTON: Odd? In what way??
NOLA: I don't know,I feel like I'm being watched. It's weird. I heard noises in the bushes earlier. I keep waiting for Lucifer and Damien to come running out....I'm just nervous, it's just weird.
Quinton goes to Nola and puts his hands on her shoulders.
QUINTON: Nola, You're so tense.
NOLA: I know...I'm o.k.
QUINTON: You were nervous and tense the first time we met to.
He puts his arms around her and kisses her neck. She smiles.
NOLA: Yeah, I was, but you made me feel comfortable and relaxed right away.
QUINTON: Well, why don't we go and see if I can get rid of the tension again.
Nola turns to him.
NOLA: I don't remember that from the first time we met.
QUINTON: Well, that's because I was a gentleman.
NOLA: And you're not anymore?
QUINTON: Not tonight.
He pulls her closer to him and kisses her. He moves back and looks at her as he takes her hands. Quinton begins to lead Nola out of the gazebo.
NOLA: Um, Quinton, the house is that way.
QUINTON: That's not where we're going.
To be continued..... To be continued