ACT 4 SCENE 1

(EXT) Evening 6th day, outside Plumfield

(Nick, without a coat on, is chopping wood and keeps chopping as Jo approaches and while they talk. He doesn't even look at her. He's taking all of his anger and frustration out on this wood. Even without a coat on in the cold, he's sweating. The conversation begins rather strained, but rhythmic like the blow of the axe. Both are uncomfortable. They have barely spoken since that night in the kitchen.)

JO: I brought you your coat. You must be cold.

NICK: I'm alright. (Swings axe.)

JO: What you did for that puppy…

NICK: Couldn't let her drown. (Swings axe.)

JO: You must be hungry.

NICK: Been hungry before. (Swings axe.)

JO: You haven't eaten all week.

NICK: Gone a lot longer than that without eatin'. (Swings axe.)

JO: Nick, you cannot keep going like this.

NICK: I'll manage. (Swings axe.)

JO: Do you plan to eat in town?

NICK: Not exactly welcome there, either! (He looks up at her just for a second.)

(Reaction Jo)

NICK: (Sees Amy and Laurie walking in the distance) They come to take Bess and Nan to town again tonight? (Swings axe.)

JO: No. They came for dinner and we would like you to join us.

NICK: Hah! (Meaning yeah, right) (Swings axe.)

JO: Really Nick. (She moves closer, forcing him to stop chopping the wood.) I want you to know, we all want you to know that we believe you. (She puts her hand on his arm.)

(Nick looks at her intently, right into her eyes, right into her soul.)

JO: Will you join us? (He looks away and then looks back into her eyes again) Please?

NICK: (He's still looking. Beat. Then he nods his head.) Alright.

JO: Good.

END OF SCENE

ACT 4 SCENE 2

(EXT) Afternoon 7th day outside school

(Nick is working as kids leave school. Kids race out to Nick. Dan gets there first.)

NICK: Hey there. What's the hurry?

DAN: Now that I'm finished with that book report I thought I could help you with the fence.

EMIL: Yeah, me too Nick.

NICK: Alright guys.

(Nan arrives next, followed by the others.)

NAN: Nick, where's the puppy? I want to help you with her. She's so sweet.

NICK: Found her Ma this morning. She's home now.

NAN: Oh, I was hoping we could keep her around for a while.

NICK: No use gettin' too attached, Nan.

TOMMY: Nick? Tonight after dinner would you teach me how to play chess, like you taught Emil last night?

NICK: Sure, Tommy, it would be my pleasure, until Edward comes, that is. Got a lot ta do tonight.

NAT: Would you teach me, too?

NICK: Of course, Nat

TOMMY: Tonight is my turn, Nat. I asked first.

EMIL: And I want a chance to play again sometime.

NICK: Hey, wait a minute. Mrs. Jo knows how to play and so does Bess. There's chance for all of you to learn.

TOMMY: But I want to learn from you, Nick. (Others agree)

NICK: Well, sure hope I can clear my name so's I can teach all of you then.

DAN: Besides, Nick, if we keep you here playing chess at night then you can't get into any more trouble in town, right? (He smiles)

(Kids look at Nick unsure what his reaction will be)

NICK: (Laughing) Yeah, I s'pose you're right, Dan.

NAT: We sure like having you here, Nick.

EMIL: Can't imagine Plumfield without you. (The other kids agree.)

NICK: (Embarrassed, he changes the subject) Come on, let's stop talking and get these chores done.

(Kids all start doing their chores. Nick stands there alone, shakes his head and goes back to work.)

END OF SCENE

ACT 4 SCENE 3

(EXT) Afternoon 7th day far pasture

(Nick, Dan and Emil are finishing up the fence.)

EMIL: It looks so pretty it seems a shame to put a fence up.

NICK: Nothin' wrong with fences Emil. Keeps things in order. Makes everything stay in it's proper place and if you make 'em right you hardly notice 'em. Like this one.

(There is an awkward silence as they work.)

DAN: Nick?

NICK: Yeah Dan.

DAN: I want to apologize.

EMIL: Me too Nick.

NICK: No apologies needed guys.

DAN: We were so busy following the crowd we didn't think about you - how you couldn't have done something like that.

NICK: It's alright guys. (Beat) Nat told me about that book y'all had to read. Sounds interestin'.

DAN: Yeah, it really was, once we finally read it….

(We fade out as they tell Nick about the book.)

END OF SCENE

ACT 4 SCENE 4

(INT) Night 7th day, Plumfield parlor

MEG: Jo, how are you holding up? You look very tired.

JO: I'm fine Meg, really. It's Nick I'm concerned about.

MEG: We all are, Jo. Edward will do everything he can to help him.

JO: Did he tell you what he thinks so far?

MEG: (Hesitates.)

JO: Meg?

MEG: He said it does not look good for Nick. (Tears well up in Jo's eyes.) The town is pretty convinced that he's guilty already and the new judge won't allow the trial to be moved.

JO: I can't believe that they removed Father's friend from the trial.

MEG: He did Nick a favor by letting him out before the trial, Jo.

JO: Oh Meg! (Jo begins to cry. Meg puts her arm around her to comfort her.) I can't believe I doubted Nick, and for so long.

MEG: It's all right Jo.

JO: (Still crying.) He's been so good about it, but I must have hurt him fiercely.

MEG: You had a right to be unsure, Jo. And you have all of these children to protect. You were only doing what you felt was right.

JO: I was so afraid of what would happen to him. I didn't want to care. Thinking he was guilty, well, it didn't hurt as much. It was easier to be angry. And then the children followed my example and shunned him as well.

MEG: Oh, you poor thing. This has been so hard for you. Let me get you a cup of tea. It will help you calm down.

JO: (Holding on to Meg's arm.) Please don't leave me.

MEG: I'm right here Jo.

JO: (Crying hard.) I don't want to lose him, Meg! I couldn't bear it.

MEG: You won't lose him.

JO: (Still crying.) Edward said it doesn't look good. If they find him guilty they'll hang him Meg. What can we do?

MEG: I don't know Jo. Just be here for him, I guess.

JO: The one thing I can do for him and I haven't done it. I've been so busy avoiding him. It's unforgivable.

MEG: He is not angry with you, Jo. You have to forgive yourself.

END OF SCENE

ACT 4 SCENE 5

(INT) Night 7th day, Same time, Plumfield Dining room

(Edward and Nick are seated. Nick is leaning forward, his elbows on his knees, his head in his hands.)

EDWARD: Are you all right?

NICK: (Looks up.) Yeah.

EDWARD: So let me get this straight, you spent six months in a Mexican prison, but you were the witness to the crime?

NICK: That's right. They didn't like what I saw. But they said they was holdin' me for my own protection. I tell ya Edward, important people and bad timin' don't mix good. I've learned' that lesson the hard way.

EDWARD: There was never a trial?

NICK: What good is a trial, there or here? They were as sure he was innocent as this town's sure I'm guilty.

EDWARD: You will get a fair trial, Nick.

NICK: They're already buildin' the gallows, Edward.

EDWARD: (Shaking his head.) A Mexican prison. Was it as bad as they say?

NICK: (Clenching his jaw.) Can we just get on with this?

EDWARD: Nick, I realize that this must be extremely difficult for you, but I need to know as much as I can about your record. I do not need any surprises at the trial.

NICK: (Stands up and moves toward Edward, angrily.) So what d'ya need ta know? How many times a week they beat me or whipped me so I'd change my story? How the doctor would come and fix me up so they could beat me again?

EDWARD: Nick. (He rises from his chair and moves toward Nick.)

NICK: Or do ya need ta know how many times a month they let me eat that bug infested food?

EDWARD: Nick.

NICK: (Shaking with anger.) Ya ever been whipped Edward? Your back all torn apart, your hands tied up tight so ya can't do nothin' 'bout it? Nah, I don't s'pose ya have. Don't s'pose a man like you's been beaten either. Heck, I bet ya ain't never even been hit. Have ya? (Beat. He looks at Edward who looks down. Nick gives a sarcastic laugh and shakes his head.) Ain't never even been hit. Ya must be associatin' with the right sort o' fellas Edward.

EDWARD: (Beat. Firmly.) Are you finished?

NICK: (Startled, but still angry.) Yeah, I'm finished.

EDWARD: (Putting his hand on Nick's shaking shoulder and looking him right in the eye.) Nick, take it easy. (Nick takes a deep breath as he calms down.) They are going to be asking you many difficult questions at this trial and they will love it if you lose your temper like that.

NICK: (Nodding his head.) You're right. Sorry.

EDWARD: (Takes his hand off Nick's shoulder and nods his head.) And I am sorry I asked that. I shouldn't have. I was just curious.

NICK: I understand. (He drops back into a chair.) Couldn't begin to describe it, Edward.

EDWARD: (He sits back down.) You don't have to. What I do need to know is how you got out of there.

NICK: (Takes a deep breath, shifts in his seat, and looks away.)

EDWARD: (Shakes his head in exasperation.) Oh no, Nick. Don't tell me.

NICK: 'Fraid so. They didn't LET me leave, that's for sure.

EDWARD: (Makes another note in his pad. Frustrated.) If anyone hears about this… (Shakes his head as he looks at his notes.)

NICK: Never tol' nobody but you, but ya got my whole life wrote out on that pad for the whole world ta see.

EDWARD: You're right. (Looks at the pad, flipping back through the pages.) Jo could use this stuff for her books. (Nick begins to chuckle.) She would have to tone it down, though. It's a little rough even for her.

(Nick is laughing hard now and Edward is laughing, too. They calm themselves, shaking their heads as Jo and Meg walk in.)

JO: I can't imagine what you could be laughing about in here.

(The men look at each other and start laughing again.)

MEG: Edward, what is so funny?

EDWARD: (Trying to stop laughing.) I'm sorry, but my conversation with Nick is confidential.

(Jo and Meg look at each other questioningly as Nick and Edward calm themselves, wiping the tears of laughter from their eyes.)

NICK: (Notices Jo's swollen, bloodshot eyes and he suddenly becomes serious again. He rises from his chair and goes to Jo, concerned.) Ya alright?

JO: Of course. (She looks down and smoothes her dress.)

NICK: (Doesn't believe her but knows she won't talk.) Sorry Jo, Meg but we ain't done here, yet.

EDWARD: Nick, you look exhausted. We could finish this in the morning. I am staying right upstairs. We could meet over breakfast.

NICK: (Turns wearily to Edward and nods his head.) Alright. (He looks at the three of them.) G'night. (They watch him leave.)

MEG: How is he holding up, Edward?

EDWARD: Better than anyone else I have seen in his situation, and considering I think he is innocent, he is doing incredibly well. I just wish he would not worry so much about paying me. He does not need any more stress.

JO: (Shaking her head and smiling.) That sounds like Nick. He won't rest until he's paid you every penny. But it was so good to see him laughing. Thank you Edward.

END OF SCENE

ACT 4 SCENE 6

(INT) Morning 8th Day, Inside schoolroom

(Dan is standing in front of the class reading from his book report.)

DAN: In conclusion, "Oliver Twist" is a thrilling story filled with interesting characters and plenty of excitement. Many of the characters are as complex as real people, with difficult choices facing them all the time. The story contains many twists and turns which keeps the reader's attention through the whole book. I liked the story especially because I could relate to many of the things that happened to Oliver.

FRANZ: Thank you, Dan. That was excellent. You may sit down. (Dan moves to his desk and Franz moves to the front of the room.) It sounds to me like the three of you rather enjoyed the book. (Dan shakes his head yes.)

NAN: Yes, sir.

EMIL: Yeah, I really liked it.

FRANZ: Can you please explain to me, then, why your reports did not reflect that the first time around? (The three of them look at each other.)

DAN: (Looking apologetic.) You were right, Franz, I didn't read the whole story the first time. I thought it was kind of boring so I didn't read anymore. When I read it the second time, though, I realized how exciting and interesting it got.

EMIL: Same with me.

NAN: The first time I thought it would be no big deal to just read parts of it. I kinda figured that I knew enough and it wasn't important to read everything.

FRANZ: Have you learned anything from this?

EMIL: A book can be more exciting than it seems at first, but you have to read it to find that out.

NAN: If you want all the facts and a good grade you have to read the whole thing.

DAN: I learned that it's not real good to jump to conclusions. I read a little bit and I'd had enough. Decided that fishing would be a lot more fun. (The kids laugh.) But you can't write a proper report (He looks at Nat.) or come to the right conclusion without looking at the whole story. Did the same thing with Nick. I got so caught up in what everyone was saying that I didn't even think about what I already knew about him. It was just like not reading the whole story.

FRANZ: Very good then. Now let's all try not to make any more hasty conclusions because you only cheat yourselves when you do. As Dan pointed out to us, this is a lesson for life as well as for school. You simply can't make good judgments or draw proper conclusions without all of the information available. By not reading the whole story or considering all you know about something you impede your path to knowledge. (Dan looks at Nat, confused.)

NAT: (To Dan) He means like putting up a fence. (Dan nods his head, understanding.)

END OF ACT 4