Cass is looking for Dee at Smiley's.
Mac and Rachel and Ada and Nancy are thrilled to be going to New York. Mac congratulated Sandy on his new job. Sally brought in some ideas for the new magazine. Left alone with Blaine Rachel warned her to be careful of Donna Love.
Donna is putting "less expensive" wine in opulent bottles. Marley thinks people will notice. Donna says by the time anyone gets any of it to drink he (or she)'ll've had so many cocktails he (or she) won't be able to tell the difference. Donna's proud of herself. She's done the dinner herself for less than $100. She forgot dessert and there's no time. Marley'll do something.
Blaine doesn't mistrust Donna very badly. She thinks Donna's changed. Rachel doesn't believe that. Blaine's going to give her the benefit of the doubt for Sandy's sake much as she'd like him to work for Mac. She's not looking forward to the party. The Corys' New York residence's boiler exploded. They have to stay elsewhere. The art broker offered them his suite.
Tony and Rocco rushed over to Smiley's for rhubarb pie etc. They want to stop by and see Dee. Cass and Kathleen tried to talk him out of it. They left and Tony and Rocco agreed summat was afoot. They're going to Cecile's.
Peter missed Mac and Rachel. Blaine and Sandy left. Catlin's coming by to get Sally later. Sally's excited about the new magazine. She and Peter are going to discuss it in the 1/2 hr before Catlin gets there. Hear Peter drool.
Catlin thinks Graham lies awake at nights trying to think of questions he hopes he can't answer. Joe thinks there's not a helluva lot Catlin can't answer. They're having a written test tomorrow. Catlin's afraid he'll freeze up. Joe told him he shouldn't put so much pressure on himself. Catlin's not looking forward to Donna's party. Joe's welcome to go in his place, he said. Joe said he thought Donna might notice. They're leaving. Catlin: What are you doing here? Willa: Catlin, I need your help. I'm in big trouble. (And if Catlin helps her he'll be late getting Sally. And if he's late getting Sally she'll get upset and spend a lot of time with Peter waiting and he'll make the most of it.)
Nancy's waiting for Perry impatiently. Jake's there at Smiley's. Virtue is its own reward he says. He invited her to come up to his room when he's got it in order. She told him about New York. He sounds like he thinks he could show her a better time than Perry. Marley arrived and was introduced. Jake reinforced what he's heard from Ben (beauty). Marley wants to buy 4 strawberry-rhubarb pies from Maisie (for Love desserts?). Ben's going to the party. Marley invited Jake. Perry's been delayed. Marley left. Nancy complimented Jake on his invitation wangling skills. She said he was also a terrible flirt. (He sounds it.) Not. He says. Nancy left.
Dee's nowhere to be found. Lily says they'll be fashionably late. Wallingford: Yeah. The late Cass Winthrop. Cass is unthrilled. They can't figure out why Dee took off. The doorbell rang. That'll be Dee said Cass. 'Twas not. 'Twas beloved Uncle Tuna. Why do I feel like I've been through this before, sighed Kathleen.
Catlin: you promised you would stay out of my life. Willa: I am in TROUBLE, Catlin. I didn't know what else to do. Catlin: What kind of trouble? Willa: I can't talk about it here. Catlin: Look, I've got enough troubles of my own. Willa: I don't have anyone else, Cat. Catlin: I'm sorry. You shouldn't've come here. Willa: Well, maybe you'd like it better if I showed up at your cabin while you and the girl were there. You'd talk to me then. Catlin: All right. There's a bar called the Pig Whistle on Water Street. I'll meet you there tomorrow afternoon. Willa: Tonight. (Say, Peter couldn't be Willa's employer, could he?) Catlin: I can't do that. I'm going out with Sally tonight. Willa: Well, tell her you'll be LATE, OFFICER. Catlin: I can't. Willa: I don't want to but I could make things very difficult for you. Catlin: You already are. (Long silence.) All right. I'll meet you at the Pig Whistle in an hour.
Peter and Sally magazining. Catlin arrived. Peter left. Catlin told Sally he had to go to a lecture and she could go on ahead and he'd meet her at the party. She says he seems edgy. He pleaded big exam tomorrow. Is that all? she said. Isn't that enough? he countered. He doesn't want to be turfed out. She's sure he won't be.
Cass tried to convince Tony he'd upset Dee if he saw her. Kathleen then claimed Dee was having her dress altered. Dee called and said she was having her hair done and she'd meet them at the bash. Tony talked to her. All is hunky dory there (from the sound of Dee at the other end I'm afraid her hair may be peculiar or her dress Felicia's or Cass' mangled. I'm not sure but someone said she looked sensational.)
Marley returned. Donna was worried. She burned her soufflé and ruined a casserole. So she went to the supermarket and bought a lot of frozen food wot she'll heat up in the microwave (which she saw Cook use once).
Wallingford told Lily his anger story. He's worried about Dee. They're agreed that Dee is nice but mixed up. Gin said Wallingford. I'll swear these cards are marked said Lily.
Donna's telling the world (viz. temporary help) that the cook's family is on vacation and she and her sister think it's a bit of a lark to be having a dinner party themselves. And that Jenkins the butler has influenza. Cass and Kathleen arrived. They're the first there. Cass told Donna Dee's extraordinary. They're thwarting her by not wanting cocktails. Peter arrived. Donna berated him for not being there to help. Peter had fits (of laughter) when Donna told Marley not to mention she'd made the hors d'oeuvres herself (she Marley).
Nancy loves New York. She loves Rachel.
Sandy and Blaine arrived. Somebody thought about Donna asking Blaine if she minded if Sandy were hospital administrator. (Blaine?) (Yes Blaine. She thought about Rachel too.)
Peter says Donna's a social animal. Sally says the business with Carl seems so unreal. And if it weren't for Carl she & Catlin might never've gotten together. (Not if Catlin had had any say in the matter, dearie. He was smitten long before the advent of Carl.) Peter said Catlin seemed preoccupied. Sally mentioned the exam and said he was nervous. But working very hard. Peter: Well look at what he's got to work for. And said he thought the nerves perhaps were pre-marital jitters. Silence. Sally asked if she could use the phone.
Cass extolled Dee's virtues to Donna who sounded as if she weren't attending. Dee arrived. I think. There was silence (not deep silence, just no intelligible dialogue).
Willa: Thanks for seeing me, Catlin. Catlin: You didn't give me much CHOICE, did you? (This man so often testy. 'S funny.) Willa: What'd you tell your girl? Catlin: That something came up at the academy. Willa: I'm sorry -- Catlin: Just get to the point. And say what you have to say. Willa: I don't want to mess up your life. That's not why I came to Bay City, believe me. Catlin: go on. Willa: You have to believe that. It's important. Catlin: Look, you've got 5 minutes. Then I'm walking out of here.
Sally called the academy.
Mac's sorry to impose on their Frenchman. Some man's eager to meet Rachel dit le français. Au revoir.
Carl says Rachel will be most surprised at the plans I have in store for her. He has in store for her. (Rachel is not within MY jurisdiction.)
WHAT IS WILLA'S HORRIBLE TROUBLE? I have the feeling she'll do something like say she's pregnant and Catlin will be nonplussed, it being none of his concern. Or she will tell him that their horribly malformed child wot has been left with a deaf & dumb nurse is dying. Or she's attempting to escape from horrifically criminal people. 'S long's Sally confronts him with what she knows it'll get straightened out.
Aren't those marvellously inconclusive dialogues Catlin & Willa keep having? Hahahahahahahahaha (sorry, that's just Sarah Cannell giving way to mounting hysteria).
I have been told that Dee's dress was indeed the Felicia one.
Aux armes, citoyens. Formez vos battaillons. A little meddling on the part of any or all of Catlin & Sally's friends and relatives may be required. When two young hearts are sundered people like to unsunder them. BUSYBODIES.
I can see Willa's problem being so minor as to be negligible and Catlin being mad as all hell about it.
IMPOSSIBILITIES:
Catlin as Mr. Rochester.
Cass as Gervase Fen.
Cass as Biggles.