Beginning, Section II
Jump to new as of July 2, 2000
Jump to new as of July 14, 2000
Jump to new as of July 20, 2000
Chapter 8 Posted on Tuesday, 18 July 2000
The headline dominates the paper. 'Everything All Right. Come Home, Darling,' Says Wickham."
Ellie's eyes freeze as she opens the paper, her heart sinks. Her father and Wickham have reconciled. With a shout, she could bring Will and this would all be over, she could go home to her husband. Husband, how can this man I barely know be my husband. Honestly I know Will better than I know my husband. Funny I can't remember why I married him now. I should be ecstatic and shouting for Will, but why won't my voice work, why can't I call to him and end this whole mad dash? Somehow Wickham, the reason she had endured this awful trip, was no longer foremost in her thoughts. Oh what is wrong with me? Wickham is my husband. I should be jumping out of this car and running for a phone. But why won't my legs move? Then William appears in the doorway of the motor inn and her heart jumps in her chest. That is why! Will begins walking toward the car. Ellie quickly stuffs the newspaper under her seat.
"All right brat." Says Will with little enthusiasm
"Any luck." Ellie says hopefully.
"He finally agreed to let us have a cabin."
"What about the money?"
"I told them we would be staying a whole week. We'll have to think of something before morning."
"That's swell."
"Yeah, well I'm glad you think so. If you ask me, I say it's foolish. There's no sense in us staying here. We could be in New York in three hours. I thought you were in such a hurry to get back."
"Well...who ever heard of getting in at three in the morning? Everybody will be asleep." I just want to have one more night with him. One night to figure out the rest of my life. I can't go home until I figure out what I am going to do.
"Okay cabin 6." Will motions to Ellie as she gets out of the car and walks to the cabin, Will follows behind with the car.
"There you go trusting people again." Screeches the inn owner's wife.
"But he looked like a nice trusting young fellow, Ma!" Cowers the inn owner.
They make their way to the cabin, both quiet and unhappy. Will starts putting up the walls of Jericho. This time instead of throwing the pajamas to her, he hands them to her nicely.
"Well we're on the last lap. Tomorrow morning, you'll be in the arms of your husband." Will spits out as if the words were painful to him.
"Yeah and you'll have a great story won't you?" Ellie says staring out the window.
"Yeah." Is all the reply he can manage. "Well, you certainly outsmarted your father. I guess you ought to be happy."
As they undress on their separate sides.
"Am I going to see you in New York?" Ellie asks hopefully with the tears threatening to invade her voice.
"Nope."
"Why not?" She asks sadly.
"I don't make it a policy to run around with married women." Especially those married to King Wickham.
"There is no harm in your coming to see me."
"Not interested." Will gruffly replies.
"Will I ever see you again?" Ellie almost cries.
"What do you want to see me for? I've served my purpose. I brought you back to King Wickham didn't I? That's what you wanted, isn't it?" Will snaps.
There are several moments of silence in the cabin before Ellie gets the courage to speak.
"Have you ever been in love Will?" Ellie says as she sits on the bed in his pajamas.
"Me?"
"Yes. Haven't you ever thought about it at all? Seems to me you, you could make some girl wonderfully happy."
You could make me wonderfully happy.
"Sure I've thought about it. Who hasn't? If I ever meet the right sort of girl. But, where are you going find her? Somebody that's real. Somebody that's alive. They don't come that way anymore. I've thought about it. I've even been sucker enough to make plans. I saw an island in the Pacific once. I've never been able to forget it. That's where I'd like to take her. She'd have to be the sort of a girl who'd jump in the surf with me and love it as much as I did." Will smiles up at the ceiling imagining whom he would be with in that perfect world. "Nights when you and the moon and the water all become one. You feel you're part of something big and marvelous. That's the only place to live. The stars are so close over your head you feel you could reach up and stir them around. Yeah, I've been thinking about it. Boy, if I could ever find a girl who was hungry for those things." He trails off as Ellie appears around the blanket.
"Take me with you Will. Take me to your island." She throws herself across Will's chest crying. "I want to do all those things you talked about."
"You'd better go back to your bed." Will says trying not to let his emotions through, trying to keep his arms at his sides, trying to stop himself from taking her into his arms.
"I love you. Nothing else matters. We can run away. Everything will take care of itself. Please Will, I can't let you out of my life now." Ellie clutches at his chest burying her head there. "I couldn't live without you." She weeps and cries in his arms, totally submissive to him. He relents and holds her for a moment.
But the moment is all he will allow if she stays there a moment longer he won't be able to let her go. "You'd better go back to your bed." Will says coldly.
Ellie looks up and sees the coldness in his eyes. "I'm sorry." Returning to her bed, she throws herself on the bed and cries herself to sleep on her pillow.
After listening to her tears for a few minutes, aching to go to her, Will breaks the silence.
"Hey brat. Did you mean that? Would you really go?" His voice filled with hope and excitement. When she doesn't respond, he peers over the top of the blanket and sees her asleep.
She looks so peaceful, so beautiful when she is asleep. I could go to New York, write the story and get some money. Then I can come back and get her and we can go to that island. But I have to hurry I have to get back here before she awakens. He quietly dresses and leaves so he can go to New York. He stops for a moment and stares down at her sleeping form. He kisses his fingertips and places them on her lips, she stirs and smiles in her sleep. Full of hope at this sign he leaves the room.
As he drives down the road he realizes he will need some gas if he wants to get to New York. He has no money so he is forced to haggle with the gas attendant.
"Listen buddy, this suitcase is worth at least twenty dollars. All I want for it is a full tank of gas."
"I've already got a suitcase. But I haven't got a hat. If you give me that hat I'll give you your gas." The attendant slowly says.
"Well filler up man." Will cries as he slaps the hat onto the man's head.
He goes to his favorite bar and closes himself in the backroom to write the story of how a struggling newspaperman and an oil heiress fell in love on her mad flight across the country to see her husband.
"Hello Charlotte." He says as he breezes into the newsroom and rushes toward Bingley's door.
"Don't go in there. He'll shoot you on sight." Charlotte cries.
"Don't worry I haven't been shot at in a week." Will says as he bursts into the room.
"Get out, Get out." Charles says as he rushes toward Will.
"Now Charles."
"Don't Now Charles me."
"Now listen you know I've always done you right anytime I got a good story I always passed it on to you. Well, I've got one now. That wire I sent you was on the level. It's the biggest scoop of the year."
"You mean about that Bennet kid?" Charles's eyes begin to gleam.
"Here it is all ready to go. All I want is a thousand bucks."
"A thousand bucks, get out of here."
"Now listen. I need a thousand dollars and I need it quick."
"What's the thousand bucks for?" Charles says skeptically as he peruses the story.
"To tear down the walls of Jericho." Will replies cryptically.
"Huh?"
"Never mind. What if I was to tell you that Ellie Bennet was going to have her marriage annulled...and she's going to marry somebody else...do you think a story like that would be worth a thousand bucks to you...I've got it Charles.
"Who's the guy she's gonna marry?"
"I am Charles."
"Your drunk. I'm going home." Charles says as he rises to get his hat.
"Come on Charles, you know me. This is on the level. I met her on a bus coming from Miami. I've been with her every minute. I'm in love with her Joe...You have got to get me this money now. Quick. Minutes count. She's waiting for me in an autocamp, just outside Philadelphia. I've got get right back, you see, she doesn't even know I'm gone. You know, a guy can't propose to a gal without a cent in the world, can he?"
Charles looks at Will and the story in his hand then walks to his desk. "City desk please."
Will looks at him and smiles. In a few minutes Charles hands him the money and Will is back on the road to Ellie.
At the auto camp
"Zeke! What did I tell you he's gone." The inn owner's wife screeches at the sleeping man.
"Who?" Zeke sleepily queries.
"That young man. He left and took the car. Come on." The storm into the room and find Ellie alone.
"Young woman where is your husband?" The woman bellows at her.
"Isn't he here?" Ellie asks growing frightened. He left me?
"NO!! I suggest you be on your way now. We run a respectable establishment here."
Ellie get up and rushes around to get dressed. She comes out of the cabin dressed and dejected. "Could I use your phone please?"
"You can use the one at the sheriffs office. You ain't sticking me for a phone call."
Ellie walks away slowly and sadly. I guess I scared him off. He really wasn't' talking about me when he was talking about that island. This was his kind way of telling me he doesn't care for me. There is nothing to do now but go home and face to music. I married King Wickham and put on this grand show for him, Will is right I am a brat and now it is time to reap the crop I have sewn. It is time to go back and be his wife.
New York
As Charles prepares to put the paper to bed two men storm in.
"Mr. Bingley, it has happened. Ellie Bennet called her father. He and King Wickham are going out to pick her up together. She is in some small town in Pennsylvania."
"Charlotte!" Charles screams as Charlotte rushes to the door. "Charlotte, call the doctor, I think I am having a heart attack. On second thought call the police because when I find Will Darcy I am going to kill him." He says as he sinks into his chair.
On the road to Pennsylvania
Will is driving down the road thinking of Ellie singing to the birds when a police procession leading a limousine passes him on the opposite side. He looks inside the car and at first does not comprehend. It takes a few moments before he realizes that it is Ellie with King Wickham's arm around her. Will's world goes from sunny to dark in a matter of seconds. He pulls over to the side of the road and rests his head on the steering wheel.
Chapter 9 Posted on Tuesday, 18 July 2000
The next day the headlines screamed:
"ELIZABETH BENNET RETURNS HOME,"
"'GLAD TO BE HOME,' SAYS ELLIE,"
"LOVE TRIUMPHANT - FATHER YIELDS TO LOVERS' DEMANDS,"
"BENNET INSISTS ON REAL MARRIAGE CEREMONY!",
"ELIZABETH BENNET AND WICKHAM TO HAVE CHURCH WEDDING,"
"LOVE TRIUMPHS AGAIN."
At the reading of the last headline Will throws the paper in the trash as he tries to pull himself together to go in to the newsroom. She is just a dame and they are a dime a dozen. If she is going to marry that fake than I never really cared about. Will tries to convince himself that all of these statements are true but he knows in his heart that his heart and life were touched by Ellie's magic eyes and beautifully smile.
As Will makes his way to through the newspaper office he looks terrible and is obviously drunk. He hands the money back to Charlotte.
"Tell him I was just kidding." Wills somehow stammers out.
Charles hears Will's voice in the outer office and chases him down.
"Will wait!" Charles shouts.
"I'm sorry. It was just a little gag of mine. I thought I'd have some fun with it...it wouldn't have made a bad story though would it?" Wills heart clearly on his sleeve.
"It would have made a great story. Come back in when you sober up and we'll talk." Charles says as he slips some money in Wills pocket.
"Thanks, Charles." Will says somberly as he clasps Charles hand.
The Bennet Estate
Mr. Bennet knocks on Ellie's door when there is no answer he enters and finds her lounging on a settee, staring into space. "Ellie?" Mr. Bennet asks in a worried voice.
"Hello Dad." Comes Ellie's depressed listless voice.
"I knocked several times."
"I'm sorry I must have been daydreaming."
"Well everything's set. Creating quite a frenzy. Great stunt King's going to pull."
"What stunt?"
"Landing on the lawn in that auto gyro thing."
"Oh yes. Yes, I heard." Ellie replies disinterested.
"Yes, I think it's silly too. You are beautiful dear. Are you pleased with the gown?"
"Oh, the gown. Yes it's lovely. Thank you dad." She moves to the bed and sits down sadly.
"What's the matter Ellie?"
"Nothing."
"You haven't changed your mind have you?" Mr. Bennet says hopefully.
"Oh no!"
"You know it's not too late. You know how I feel about him but you gave me such a scare when I couldn't find you. You know the old ticker isn't what it used to be. I just didn't know what I would do if I lost you." Her father says as he puts his arm around her.
"I'm so sorry father. You know I wouldn't hurt you for anything."
"What's the matter child? Aren't' you happy?" Ellie bursts into tears. "There, there, I knew there was something on your mind. You haven't fallen in love with someone else have you? I haven't seen you cry since you were a little girl. This must be serious. Where did you meet him?" He says as he pulls her away from him and pulls her chin up to look him in the eye.
"On the road." Ellie sobs.
"Now don't tell me you fell in love with the bus driver. Who is he?"
"I don't know very much about him. Just that I love him."
"Well, if it's as serious as all that, we'll move heaven and earth to get you to him."
"No, it's no use. He despises me." Ellie says as the sobs grow once again.
"Oh, come now."
"Yes he does. He despises everything about me. He says that I'm spoiled and selfish and pampered, and totally insincere."
"Oh that's ridiculous. Who could think that of you?"
"He doesn't think so much of you either...he blames you for everything that's wrong with me. He says you raised me stupidly. That you spoiled me."
"Now that's a fine man to fall in love with." Mr. Bennet says with a smile. I like this man already.
"Oh, he's marvelous!" Ellie says with a far away smile.
"Well what are we going to do about it? Where is he? I would like to have a talk with him."
"It wouldn't do any good. I practically threw myself at him, and he made it perfectly clear that he wanted nothing to do with me. That I was just a story to him."
"Well don't you think we should call things off?"
"I don't want to stir up any more trouble. I've done it all my life. I've made your life miserable and mine too. I'm tired Father. I'm tired of running around in circles. He's right that's what I have been doing my whole life. I've got to settle down. It doesn't matter how or where or with whom. I can't walk out on King now - that would make us all look ridiculous. What difference does it make? What difference does it make who I marry, I'll never see Will again."
"Will?"
"William Darcy."
"William Darcy." Mr. Bennet says in a voice of recognition.
"You haven't you heard from him have you?" Ellie says a light suffusing her face her finger clutching at his jacket. "Oh no, oh please tell me what you have heard."
"Well." She pries open his pocket and reads the letter.
Dear Sir:I would like to have a talk with you about a financial matter concerning your daughter.
William Darcy
"Well I guess that was his only interest. The reward. Are you going to see him?" Her face falling, her hopes dashed into the dust. I never thought Will would turn out like all of the rest.
"I suppose so."
"Pay him off. He did an excellent job. It will be worth every penny he kept me thoroughly entertained." Ellie says squaring her shoulders and retreating back into her ice princess shell. There is a knock on the door and Wickham enters.
"I'll be going." Mr. Bennet leaves.
"You're just in time King. A toast to us. We are starting on a merry-go-round of life. Never a dull moment. Promise me we'll never get off, darling. Never." Ellie says as the grasps him tightly her words tumbling over themselves as she tries to convince herself she will be happy with King.
"Of course, darling! Whatever you say. Our lives will be non-stop excitement from here on out."
Will's apartment
Will is sitting in his apartment with a bottle and the papers. The one on his lap has a picture of Ellie smiling up at him. He stares at the face and would have gone on staring were it not for the ringing of the phone. "Hello, yeah, who? Why can't I see you at your office? But I don't like the idea of cutting in on you little party. On second thought, I'd like to get a load of that three-ring circus you're pulling. I want to see what love looks like when it's triumphant." Will hangs up and begins preparations to go out.
The Bennet Estate
Will is astounded by the activity of the house. The bravado he professed on the phone is wearing thin. I don't think I can do this. I don't think I can be in this house so close to her and not be able to see her. I don't know if I can stand silent while she ruins her life.
Will paces the floor of Mr. Bennet study momentarily pausing to look out the windows.
"Mr. Darcy?" Mr. Bennet says as he looks at the man pacing in his office.
"Yeah."
"Please sit down." Mr. Bennet gestures as he makes his way to his desk.
"Thanks." Will warily sits down his every nerve singing as he is in her house.
"I was surprised to get your note. My daughter hadn't told me anything about you, about your helping her." Mr. Bennet eyes Will, liking what he sees.
"That's typical of your daughter. Take those things for granted. Why did you think I lugged her all the way from Miami - for the love of it?"
"She thinks you're entitled to anything you can get."
"Oh she does? Now isn't that sweet of her. You don't, I suppose."
"I don't know. I'll have to see on what you base your claim. I presume you feel justified." Mr. Bennet says trying to draw Will out.
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be here." He pulls a list from his pocket. "I've got it all itemized."
Reading the list aloud " 'Cash outlay, $8.60; topcoat, $15; suitcase, $7.50; hat, $4; three shirts, $4.50. Total, $39.60. All the above items had to be sold to buy gasoline." Mr. Bennet's eyes pursue the list and the man in front of him impressed at his honesty.
"And I sold some shorts and socks too. I'm throwing those in." Will says gesturing to the list.
"Yes, I know."
"What's the matter? Isn't it cheap enough? A trip like that would cost you a thousand dollars. Maybe more!"
"Now let me get this straight. You want $39.60 in addition to the $10,000?" Mr. Bennet asks incredulously.
"What $10,000?"
"The reward."
"Who said anything about a reward?" Will's anger rising. Who do they think I am King Wickham, I don't do things for money, I did it for her!
"I'm afraid I'm a little bit confused. I assumed that you -"
Will rises and begins pacing, he is too annoyed to sit. "Look, look, look, all I want is $39.60. And if you give me a check for it, I'll get out of this joint. It gives me the jitters."
"You're a peculiar chap." Mr. Bennet says smiling and writing the check.
"Yeah, well, we'll go into that some other time." Will says as he begins to pace even faster.
"The average man would go after the reward. All you seem to -"
"Listen, did anybody ever make a sucker out of you? This is a matter of principle. Something you probably wouldn't understand. But when anybody takes me for a buggy ride, I don't like the idea of having to pay for the privilege."
"Were you taken for a buggy ride?"
"Yes. With all the trimmings. So how about the check? Do I get it?"
"Certainly."
"Thanks."
"Here you are." Mr. Bennet says as he hands him the check.
"Thank you." Mr. Bennet says, as Will starts to head for the door.
"Oh, ah, do you mind if I ask you a question frankly? Do you love my daughter?"
"Any guy that'd fall in love with your daughter ought to have his head examined."
"That's an evasion."
"She picked herself a perfect running mate: King Wickham! The pill of the century! That guy is so phony that a child could see through him. What she needs is a guy that'd take a sock at her once a day - whether it's coming to her or not. If you had half the brains you're supposed to have, you'd have done it yourself long ago." Will voice rises a little.
"Do you love her?" Mr. Bennet says his voice rising to match Will's.
"A normal human being couldn't live under the same roof with her without going nutty. She's my idea of nothing!"
"I asked you a simple question! Do you love her?"
"Yes, I love her! But don't hold that against me. I'm a little screwy myself." Will says as he leaves the room and slams the door coming face to face with Ellie.
"Well, here's to the merry go round." Says Ellie toasting a group of stylish people on the stairs.
"Perfect. Now you look natural." Will says as he sees Ellie.
Ellie looks shocked to see Will but sees the check in his hand and grows angry as she walks toward him. "I hope you got your money"
"You bet I did."
"Congratulations." Ellie says half-heartedly.
"Thanks, same to you." Will says sarcastically.
"Stay around and watch the fun. You'll enjoy it immensely." Ellie says trying her best to sound patronizing and uncivil.
"I would, but I've got a weak stomach." And he storms out of the house.
"I just had a long talk with him." Mr. Bennet says as he comes up and puts his arm around Ellie.
"I'm not interested." Ellie says as she tries to walk away.
"Now, Ellie"
"I don't want to hear another word about him." She storms away.
King lands in his plane on the lawn and the crowds rush toward him. He laps up the attention and smiles his little fake smile and the wedding begins.
As Mr. Bennet walks Ellie down the aisle, he tells her, "You're a sucker to go through with this. That guy Darcy is OK. He didn't want the reward. All he asked for was $39.60, what he spent on you. Said it was a matter of principle. You took him for a ride. He loves you Ellie. He told me so. You don't want to be married to a phony like Wickham. I can buy him off for a pot of gold, and you can make an old man happy and you won't do so badly for yourself. If you change your mind, your car's waiting back at the gate." He kisses her on the cheek and lets her go to Wickham.
What am I doing here? Can I really live with this man for the rest of my life. Will was so close can I just let leave my life forever?
The ceremony begins and she stares in shock at Wickham.
"If anyone here knows any reason why these two should not be joined let him speak now or forever hold their piece." No one speaks.
"Do you King Wickham vow to love honor and cherish this woman?"
"I do."
"Do you Elizabeth Bennet vow to love, honor and cherish this man?"
Chapter 10 ~ Conclusion Posted on Wednesday, 19 July 2000
Ellie looks at King and then Will's face flashes into her mind.
"Ellie" King hisses as he elbows her.
King's elbow awakens Ellie and she stares at Wickham for a moment, then she looks around the crowd of faces staring at her. Her resolve almost weakens and then she remembers Will's smile, Ellie flashes King a smile and she runs for her car.
King stares after her for a moment and then begins chasing after her. My forty million is getting away I have to catch it. But she has a head start on him. By the time he gets to the road there is just a trail of dust. After she is gone King returns to Mr. Bennet.
"What happened?" King forces out between breaths.
"I haven't the slightest idea!" He says with a smile.
Ellie sits in the car for a few moments stunned at her decision.
The driver breaks her from her reverie. "Ms. Bennet."
"Oh I am so sorry Andrews, I don't know where I am going." Ellie says as she begins to look about the car for the answer.
"Ms. Bennet, this is from you father." He says as he hands her an envelope.
Ellie breathlessly tears the letter open.
I am so proud of you my girl. I have told Andrews where to take you. Just tell him what is in your heart and he will be a lost man. I will miss you but I am proud of you for finally thinking like a Bennet and reaching out for life and grabbing it with both hands. I wish you both the best of luck and don't worry about King Wickham it will be my pleasure to have your marriage annulled as soon as legally possible.
All my love,Dad
The tears begin to course down her cheeks as she finishes the letter. She had finally grown up in her father's eyes. Before she has a moment to worry they are at Will's apartment building. Well, I had just better go straight up, if I stay out here I won't be able to say anything. Ellie takes a deep breath and runs up to the building, and finds Will's apartment number near the buzzer but before she can ring the bell another tenant comes out and Ellie nearly knocks him over in her rush to get in the building.
"Thank you!" Ellie cries to the shocked man who isn't sure he really saw the vision in white that just flew past him.
Ellie reaches the door and attempts to compose herself. She bangs on the door.
Will hears the knock at the door and tries to ignore it as he packs his bags, he doesn't know where he is going but he has to get away from her face. The banging simply will not go away.
"I'm coming!" He bellows as he flings open the door and sees Ellie glowing like and angel.
"Will," is the only word she can strangle out as the sobs overtake and she flings herself into his arms. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry."
Unconsciously his arms go around her, "What for darling?" He says as he cradles her in his arms and strokes her hair and kisses the top of her head.
"For almost losing you, please tell me that there is a small chance that you care for me."
"Small, Elizabeth Bennet, there aren't words in the world to tell you how I feel for you."
"Oh Will!" Ellie pulls away and looks into his eyes. She sees reflected there the feelings of her heart and there is no need for words.
A Few Days Later
"Mr. Bennet, it's Mr. Wickham." The secretary's voice comes over the speaker
"Put him on. Hello, my would-be-ex son-in-law. I sent you a check for $100,000 King, quite smart of you to sign those annulment papers. Well, I'm not complaining. Oh no, not complaining. It was dirt-cheap. Better luck next time!" Mr. Bennet laughs as he hangs up the telephone.
"Mr. Bennet there's a telegram from Will. They are in Glen Falls Michigan."
"What's holding up the annulment, you slowpoke? The walls of Jericho are a-toppling." Mr. Bennet reads aloud. "Send them a telegram right away. Just say, 'Let 'em topple.'" Mr. Bennet says as he pours himself a drink and makes a toast to Will and Ellie.
Glen Falls Michigan
"Funny couple, ain't they?"
"Yeah."
"If you ask me, I don't believe they're married."
"They're married all right. I just seen the license."
"They made me get them a rope and a blanket on a night like this. What do you reckon that's for?"
"Blamed if I know. I just brought 'em a trumpet."
"A trumpet?" The puzzled woman replies.
"Yeah, one of them toy things. They sent me to the store to get it."
"But what in the world do they want a trumpet for?"
"I don't know!"
The last thing we hear as we leave is the sound of a trumpet blaring and the lights dimming in the cabin.
The End.