Sally's dropping Catlin off. Kissing him good-bye when Joe dashed up. She called him Officer Barrett. He said she may've spoken too soon. The Academy can only afford to produce 4 new policemen so they're knocking off 4 this week and 4 next. Catlin hadn't mentioned it to Sally. He said it wasn't anything for her to worry about. Graham waltzed past and said "Maybe not, Ewing, but if the odds are right one of you is in for a bad day today." (I don't somehow think that's what Catlin meant . . . not burdening her is more like it.)
Tom and Nancy are at the hospital discussing a patient. Katie McCormick, young darling. Carter arrived and asked Alice if he could borrow Tom and an empty room. He had flowers. Carter: Look. I've asked you this before and we've been through so much craziness and I want to do it properly this time since this is the most important thing I've ever done ever will do I want to do it right, okay? Come on.
Donna's been up all night. Peter has further consulted the accountant and it seems they have lost everything except: their mansion and the grounds, Marley's trust fund, and the odd reserve Carl missed. Donna says they'll fight this (they lost their Bahamian land). She refuses to let Carl win. They'll economize. Peter warned her not to tell anyone. Donna doesn't want anyone to know. Marley offered her trust fund. They refuse to accept it. Donna won't cancel the party. Donna told Peter they still have the hospital. Peter said the hospital is a losing proposition. Donna said it could be turned around. She hinted to the chairman it would be in everyone's best interests if he resigned so he's going to. She's going to prepare her own breakfast. She WILL NOT let Carl or any similar person cow her. Peter said he loved her. He left. She called Blaine.
The list was posted. Joe was on it. He's happy. Catlin is on it too. Sally's pleased. Catlin's not thrilled yet. He's not sure he'll make it next week. Sally insisted he take her out to lunch and left. Joe tried to cheer him up. Catlin said that not as much depended on Joe's being a cop. "You're a bachelor. Me, I'm going to have a wife and kid in a couple of weeks . . . I need this job. I can't let Sally down."
Carter: I love you, Thomasina. I think I've loved you since the first time I saw you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife? Tom: Carter, I love you. Carter: Does that mean yes? Tom: Yes. Yes. Carter: I love you, Thomasina. Didn't I already say that? Tom: I don't think so. Carter: Yeah, well I do. I want everybody to know it, too. Opening of door. HEY, I LOVE THOMASINA AND WE'RE ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED. Closing of door. Tom: Engaged to be married. Carter: That's right. Not quite. Not officially. Tom: I already accepted. Carter: Yeah, but I want to do it right this time, remember? Tom: What's this? Carter: I can't afford the real thing yet, okay, so I want you to wear this. Tom: Oh, Carter, that's your class ring. Carter: No, that's your engagement ring. Will you wear it? Tom: I'll be proud to wear it. Perfect fit. Carter: Yeah, right. Now it's official. Kissing. I'm going to be the best husband father. I'm going to make you and the baby so happy. Tom: We're happy now. Carter: Everything's going to be fine, Thomasina. You'll see. I love you. There must be an echo in here somewhere. Laughter & kissing.
Ben's swotting up in Smiley's. Carter came in thrilled to death and hungry as hell. He asked why Ben had to study. Ben's swotting for college. If he manages California he can manage Bay State later. He's not told Marley. This is his last ditch attempt. Carter told him of the extremely definite wedding plans.
Nancy was squealy over the marriage. Tom sounds calmly happy. Nancy said they're just teenagers. Tom told her she's pregnant. Nancy's taken aback. She said she hopes they're not getting married just because of that. Tom assured her they love each other. Nancy rushed off to be with Katie. She left Katie for a minute to do something. She riffled through some files and Alice caught her. She says if she does it again she'll be sacked. She's worried about Katie and wants to find out what's wrong with her. Alice softened but she says the condition is confidential. Nancy ran into someone with her cart.
Blaine asked Donna over at Donna's request. Donna apologized for being kissed by Sandy. Blaine is forgiving. Donna told her she wanted Sandy for hospital administrator and if Blaine was against it she'd not mention it to Sandy (adding that it would make her sick if it failed). Blaine will consider it.
Sally has baked Peter a cake for his return to Cory. She refused to partake. (Hopefully it's poisoned and she won't be found out.) She's glad he's back. He thinks he might have to leave Cory to take over bits of the hospital. He suggested they make it really like old times and have lunch (Hm. I remember what passed for lunch in those days). Catlin entered and said none too friendlily that she already had a date. Commercial. Everyone was terribly polite. Catlin's not terribly thrilled that Peter's back. Sally suggested they pick up Kevin and go to Smiley's. Peter thanked her for his surprise.
Stranger: Cat in the Hat. Heidi. Alice Through the Looking Glass. Great, although I prefer the Babar stories myself. Have you read Babar Comes to America lately? I couldn't put it down. Nancy: For your information, these are not my books. They're for one of my patients. A little girl. Stranger (is it one of Catlin's strangers?): I was pretty fond of Babar though, were you? What a guy. Nancy: He was not a guy, he was an elephant. Now may I please have my books? Stranger: Sure. Nancy: You must be new around here. Stranger: That's right. I'm just trying to find my way around. Nancy: Yeah, well it might help if you opened your eyes. Stranger: You were the one that ran into me, remember? Nancy: Maybe I did. Stranger: And the pleasure was all mine. Now, don't forget: Babar Comes to America. A real page turner. Nancy: Yeah, I know. I already read it. Stranger: See ya. Perry arrived and asked her to lunch. She said she'd promised to read to a patient. He said he had to leave town to settle Carl's estate. She said she'd miss him.
Blaine welcomed Sandy. She missed him. Sandy doesn't want to return to Cory. She wants him to be sure. He needs something new. He wants a challenge. Blaine told him of Donna's visit.
O dear. It seems Carter went down on his knees. How romantic, sighed Marley. They'll be so happy. Tom attacked Ben for not congratulating her. They want their friends at their wedding. Catlin and Sally arrived with Kevin. Maisie greeted them. She told them about Tom and Carter. They're thrilled. The young folk were surprised to hear that Nancy's still working at the hospital during lunch.
Hospital. Nancy's doing something devious to find out about Katie.
Sandy talked to Donna. She told him of the chairman's resignation (not letting on that she'd had a hand in it). He thinks it's for the good of the hospital. She asked him to be administrator. She told him it would be a challenge. She wants it revamped. She wants a dynamic man to take charge.
Catlin and Sally are happy for Tom and Carter. Catlin's still somewhat despondent about the cutbacks.
Ben suggested they all go over to the McKinnons'. La Marseillaise.
Sally's sure Catlin will make the finals. He suddenly sounded as though something else had caught his attention. Sally talked about their first meeting but he was abstracted. Sally asked if something was wrong. He said he'd left his wallet in the car and walked out.
Nancy's pushing buttons. Alice's voice coming close.
Sandy said it was sudden and Donna said she needed him. Peter arrived and said it wasn't just her decision.
Okay, Weller (?), just what are you doing here? said Catlin.
What brings on La Marseillaise?
Why should Catlin's stranger (if it was indeed Catlin's stranger) look for him in a hospital? OH, BECAUSE HE KNOWS HIM AS ONE WHO RUSHES ABOUT SHIRTLESS. Of course.
Peter seems to be holding up well after losing Emily and all. The man is made of cast iron (or castor oil, or something equally repulsive and disgusting).
Can we not see Nancy falling for the stranger in Perry's absence. It sounds probable. I can't say how it would look.
It's a curious thing. I allus get La Marseillaise and The Halls of Montezuma fuddled.
After speaking to my visual source I have discovered that Catlin's stranger was a sexy brunette. Well. (Calls to mind the blonde Sexbombe from Geheime Mission, nicht wahr?) And Nancy's stranger was for more masculine. And sinister. And when she heard Alice she ducked into a closet and was smothered by him. To an extent. Weller is probably far off base and she'll be called something much more like Wanda or Wilhelmina. (The only W names I can conjure up like this.)
"It seemed that there was something about me that aroused the baser passions in men who were eight feet tall and six across. I took this up with Jeeves once, and he agreed that it was singular."
I keep trying to formulate an argument around the hypothesis that there is NO SUCH THING as a sexy brunette and then I realise that that is not true. By the way was she chic sexy or sleazy?
What was the name of that giant as made folk fit the bed? [Procrustes.] Can't you imagine Catlin and Sally carrying out similar plots? Except they'd have to lengthen everyone, so long be that bed. Of course stretching is more convenient . . . no limbs to dispose of. It's not the right sort of bed, though. Too much for sleeping etc. Hard to imagine Catlin and Sally carrying on like an old Greek giant.
When someone discovers that all of the females present with whom he is acquainted are folk with whom he has been sleeping (and would like to keep from any or all of the others) he's in trouble.
"A fruitlessly worrying male is a nuisance. The best thing he can do is disguise his worry, and stand staunchly by, impersonating a pillar of strength . . ."
Catlin can't've done anything that should repel Sally utterly. Consorting with men in vans (for the reasons she had) is pretty reprehensible.
Tom is so thrilled by the class ring she says she won't give it up for a real one. That's the most understandable thing she's said all day. She's become such a drip since sleeping with Carter.