Nola there’s someone here to see you.

What?

A lady is in the kitchen. She says she "must" speak with you. She’s a real piece of work Nola. Long black hair, lots of dead animals clinging to her body, smoking a really long cigarette. I didn’t know you knew women like that.

Bridget what are you talking about?

The lady – Helen something or other.

Helen… Helena Manzini?

Guess so.

Nola, darling.

What do you want Helena? Quint is not here. We’re not together.

Right to the point darling, of course. I have reason to believe Quint is in a great deal of trouble.

Helena, I’ve told you, Quinton and I are separated. He’s away on a dig.

Nola, I’m not in a position to mince words. I’m trying to tell you that Silas Crocker is alive.

The cave in. Quint saw…

Quinton saw nothing, you saw a cave collapse. Did you see a body? I didn’t. Crocker is in St. Croix.

(horrified)

St. Croix?

Your beginning to see the picture?

This is ridiculous. Quint is fine, Crocker is dead for years now.

You’re not understanding me. I’ve spoken with him. He sent me here.

(disgusted)

Youu’re working for him?

No. Please, I’ve been a virtual choir girl for years now. I’ve turned a new leaf. It wasn’t my choosing. One minute I’m sitting in a Paris café, the next Jamie Loomis is strong-arming me into a private plane.

When we landed in St. Croix I thought it was all a part of a horrible nightmare, but it was very real. Jamie took me to Silas. I didn’t even recognize him, its horrible. And then, Nola…

What am I thinking… why don’t you sit down darling.

Will you just talk.

Very well. Nola, its just horrible. Quinton, in this makeshift prison. I’ve never seen anything like it. Its like those awful Vietnam films about labor camps. To be cooped up there for years, working at Silas’ mercy.

Well, now I know your off your rocker. Quinton hasn’t been in St. Croix for years. The kids just saw him at Christmas time before he left for the dig.

I don’t know who your children saw at Christmas, but it wasn’t Quinton Chamberlain.

This doesn’t make any sense. It sounds like someone’s trying to pull something. So help me Helena, if your up to something. Helena: Look, I got to speak with him – for a short while. He begged me not to tell you about this. He doesn’t want you involved. But Silas insisted the only way Quinton will leave that camp alive is if you bring him the map.

What map?

The site map. The location of the Temple of Gold.

You know as well as I do it was destroyed. Covered in lava.

Well, I suppose Silas has some new information. Regardless, he wants the map. According to him, Quinton has hidden it in something that is very dear to you. Quinton refused to tell him the details, but sensory deprivation did allow him to uncover the fact that it’s a keepsake you hold dear. Something from your time in Tanquir.

(to self)

I must be crazy. Quinton Chamberlain is on a dig with his new co-ed girlfriend. (She laughs to herself) I never thought I’d want to believe that was true.

Dear Nola, The time has finally come to face the fact that I may never see you again. Beautiful, enchanting Nola. I've thought of you constantly during these past few days. Now at last I am finally beginning to understand what is truly precious during a man's short life.

Silas is dying, but I would save him if I could. In spite of all the sorrow he has caused, I can only feel pity for him. He was a sad man with a wasted life. For him there was no Nola, no Anastasia, no world of love. I am fortunate, my darling, for even now I am happy. Knowing I have your love, how could I be otherwise?

Silas is dead. Quinton was in the cave when he died. He wrote it, he was there.

This can’t be… How could I have never noticed?

Look, I know you can’t believe it. I can’t believe it. But its staring me in the face and you’re the only one I can trust. Please. beat) Thank you. Tomorrow morning then. I love you too.

Nola? Was that J? Is he coming home for a visit?

No. No. Vanessa, hi. It was Tony.

Your brother? Tony’s coming here?

Yes. I’ve got some… business to take care of – he’s coming to help.

What sort of business Nola?

I really can’t get into it Vanessa.

I realize we aren’t sisters in the true sense of the word anymore, but you’ve really been there for me Nola. If there is something I can help with, you know I’ll do whatever I can. Your obviously upset about something.

You’re not up to this Vanessa. But I promise you I’ll fill you in when I can. You need to rest.

(hurt)

I see.

No, Vanessa. I really appreciate that you still consider me family. I have a hard time forgetting that we aren’t anymore. Tomorrow Tony will be here and everything will be alright. Okay?

If you’re sure.

Never more sure.

Your entirely too serious Nola, and it frightens me beyond belief.

Trust me Vanessa. You know you can trust me.

Just be careful.

Matt look, I know things have been strained lately, but I think you need to talk to Nola. Something’s not right and she says Tony’s on his way here.

Then Tony can handle it Vanessa. You can’t get yourself involved. You need to think about your health.

I’m asking you to handle it. She’s your father’s sister Matt. You need to do this.

Ok, listen. I’ll head over there tomorrow. Talk to Nola and Tony and see if I can figure out what all the secrecy is about. Will that make you happy?

I know Nola – it won’t be easy. She thrives on secrecy Matt. I know I’m asking a lot, but see this one though, ok?

Its hard to believe you going the distance for Nola. You two are like oil and water.

Time changes a lot of things.

Quinton, are you out there?

Nola?

Quinton?

Nola?

Oh, Tony. I thought… never mind. Hi. (she rises from the table and hugs him) Thank for coming.

I need to know that we’re not on a wild goose chase here Nola. If you and I are going to St. Croix I think we need more than the word of that woman.

I can’t put my finger on it Tony, but… the kids say they haven’t heard from him in months. He wouldn’t do that. Even if things are not great between us.. he would never abandon J and Stacey. You know that.

Maybe the guy just needs some space. Look honey, I know this has been difficult for you too – but from everything I’ve heard, Quint has been pretty bowled over by this separation.

Divorce.

Whatever. Listen, the guy did something…

Unforgivable.

He’s human Nola. I’m not excusing what he did, but did you ever consider the fact that the two of you have an incredible history. Some mistakes are best forgiven – even big ones.

Look, we can deal with all this after we figure out what’s going on here. Obviously, I care enough about the guy to want to know if he’s dead or alive. (beat) Oh, Tony. You don’t think…

I don’t even think this is an issue. Helena Manzini is a crazy broad. Who knows what she’d say… I mean, I think Quint’s just finding himself some answers somewhere.

Then what is this?

What does it prove.

Helena couldn’t have known that this map existed. Silas couldn’t have know it either. Only Quint knew he put this here. Heck, I didn’t even know. Tony, somehow Silas Crocker survived and I think he’s trying to get Quint to find him the golden cradle.

The Golden… Nola, that thing was covered in hundreds of feet of lava.

And you think that would stop Silas Crocker?

A huge boulder and a cave-in stopped Silas Crocker years ago.

Ok, I’ll go. But you’re staying right here.

Oh no I’m not.

Oh yes you are.

Sorry I was eavesdropping, but Vanessa was sure something was up. You think Quint’s in trouble?

Nola seems to think so.

Your going?

It looks that way.

Then I’ll be joining you.

Just hold on a minute here. Before the two of you go charging off to St. Croix to god knows what. You are forgetting that I have been there. I know the island. Know the dig site. I’ve been working digs for a third of my life. I’m going with you.

This is insane, but she’s right.

Vanessa will kill me. (beat) When do we leave?

Helena says there is a private jet waiting at Springfield Airport the second we’re ready.

And who chartered this jet? If Helena says Silas sent her, do we really want to fly to St. Croix on the plane of a crazy man? We know where we’re going. The Chamberlain jet will be much smarter.

Fine. We leave in the morning?

I can’t believe this – but, ok. I hope your wrong about this sis.

So do I, really. So do I.

Well, old man. I have some good news. I think you may just get out of this place after all. Today, I got one step closer to the Golden Cradle, and you got one step closer to freedom.

What are you talking about. We’re months, years from finding the site.

With you blinding digging all over the island we were months away. But as of tomorrow we’ll only be a few days from my greatest discovery.

You’re mad. You couldn’t possibly uncover the treasure in days, unless you had a…

A map? Well, fate has it that one does exist. Or so a little birdie told me under some very heavy sleep deprivation treatment. And tomorrow morning it will be in my possession.

What have I done?

Don’t worry. As long as she delivers the map to me, she’ll be fine. I’ll send her on her way. But one deviation and… well, you know I’ve always been fond of that wife of yours.

If you harm one hair on her head, so help me…

Sit down old man. You’ll need your rest. In a few days we’ll be uncovering your greatest treasure. And it will be mine, at last. Who knows… maybe there are more treasures to be had on this dig than just the Golden Cradle. After all… she is free, isn’t she.

I swear you’ll never leave this island alive.

You’re in no position to make threats Quint. Be nice, or when the former Mrs. Chamberlain arrives, I won’t be.

Nola, Nola what have I done? First I destroy our love, our marriage, our lives… and now I’ve returned you to danger. How could I have let it slip? I don’t even remember… Nola, please have the sense not to come. Please.

Helena. Damnit, Helena, I begged you not to go to her. Nola, oh Nola. I only hope you are so angry with me still that you

refuse to see it though. I deserve his worst. You deserve nothing but kindness. What have I done now?

Once we finish our search here, we'll be even closer. I'll take you somewhere, where we'll be all alone and I'll tell you... well, I'll try to tell you everything about me, things that I've never told a living soul, save Mrs. Renfield.

I just pray to God you'll understand.

Well, I told you a lot of things about myself and... and you understood. I never thought you'd speak to me again.

I'd never leave you, Nola. I love you.

How did I let this happen? What happened to those two people? Hell or high water couldn’t stop them. But my careless mistake… I’d do anything to change things. But please Nola, be angry, be hurt, but don’t come here. And I swear by all that is holy, someday I’ll get out of here and make everything up to you. If you’ll let me. Just stay away.

He collapses on the cot and lowers his heads to his hands again.

Where is she? Where’s the map?

The plane never arrived. But I did find out that another plane landed about an hour earlier, from the United States. Two men and a woman. I did a little checking and it’s a private jet. A Chamberlain jet.

Oh Nola. Helena should have warned you not to cross me. That map is mine, and that ex-husband of yours will pay if you don’t come across with it very soon.

Find them! And bring her to me.

And the others?

What do you think?

I was hoping you’d make this difficult on your self Mrs. Chamberlain.