Nicole and Cass returned from their date. I still hate her earrings. They're sort of gold semi circular concoctions with huge pearly drops depending therefrom. They're quite hideous. Nicole has enjoyed herself. What are they to do next?
Amanda was stunned. She apologized for having mistaken Sam's mother for the landlady. Sam looked ill at ease. His mother said she was glad to see him.
Donna emitted muffled high-pitched grunts while trying to get free. The chair fell over and she managed to shed it.
Michael clutched his shoulder. Torrents of blood flowed over his fingers. That Old Carrot smiled and threatened to blow his head off. Michael demanded to know where Donna was. That Old Carrot suggested he not bleed on the carpet. He pointed out that as the guy with the gun he was in control. Michael assured him he'd find prison tedious. That Old Carrot shrugged and said he'd get away with Donna. Michael lunged and overpowered him. A candle was tipped over so that the draperies caught on fire. [For what reason would anyone have lit a candle?]
Mary and Jason drove along. Mary worried about Donna.
Sam relaxed slightly. His mother approved of Amanda. She said she wanted Sam to be happy. They chatted. Amanda had Sam tell his mother he'd sold a painting. She asked him in a whisper why he wasn't talking to his mother.
When Jason and Mary pulled up they were alarmed by the lack of lights and of police cars. André appeared and ordered them to get out of the car. He marched them into the woods at gunpoint.
Cass and Nicole sipped wine. They discussed what they could do. She said her dress limited her options. No bowling. She said she was too relaxed for dancing and it was too cold for walking. They were interrupted by a waiter-type person. Good heavens, they're not back at the house at all — they're still at the restaurant/hotel in a sort of sitting room. They agreed to coffee. The waiter asked if they wanted it there or in their room. It came as a surprise to Nicole. Cass informed the waiter that they didn't have a room. They considered getting a room and admitted tentatively that they would like to.
Lisa struggled to get up in the phone booth where André had left her bound and gagged. With her hands still tied behind her back, she knocked the receiver out of its cradle and dialed 0. Dropping to her knees she shouted into the mouthpiece that she had to get in touch with Sergeant Adam Cory.
Donna got free of the gag and called for Michael. Smoke began seeping under the door. Donna tried to scream and cough at the same time.
Michael and That Old Carrot fought. Michael heard Donna's cries. That Old Carrot found it hard to get up on his feet. Michael ran off in search of Donna. That Old Carrot picked up his gun and followed slowly.
André kindly explained the situation to Jason and Mary. He said he was going to take them to the stables and "put [them] out of Commission." Mary promptly fell down with a strategic twisted ankle. Then she noticed that the house was on fire. André was not much moved.
Sam and Amanda found their cupboard was bare. Sam's mother offered to take them out. Sam decided he would run out to the all-night deli and get something. His mother told Amanda she wasn't really hungry, she had just wanted to get rid of him. She hid a gift for him under a sketchpad so he would be sure to find it. [The gift is about twice the size of the sketchpad, so it would be hard to miss.] She told Amanda to call her Loretta. They love Sam.
Michael staggered around choking and calling Donna's name. He used the water from a vase of flowers to wet something to hold over his face and ran upstairs. He found the room Donna was in and kicked the door open. She was hysterical. That Old Carrot stopped them at the door. He equates Donna and Michael's running away from a fire with Elizabeth's running away with Jason and he's determined to thwart such things. Donna squeaked with fear. Michael pointed out that she was pregnant. I guess That Old Carrot didn't know. He seemed to think it was a ploy. Michael pointed out that the house was on fire. That Old Carrot made Donna sit in an armchair while Michael stood over by the door. He refused to let Donna leave. He said he wanted her to see how far he would go to protect her. Donna called him daddy in a little girl voice and promised she'd do anything he wanted if only he wouldn't hurt Michael. That Old Carrot raved. Donna realized he'd killed Elizabeth and lapsed into sobs. He went on and on about his sweet Lizzie. Michael tried to get Donna out but That Old Carrot wouldn't let him. [Michael holds Donna protectively — in front of himself. Atta boy.]
André wouldn't let Mary do anything to help save people from the fire. She said she didn't care what he said she wouldn't let people die in the fire. He was caught so off guard by her defiance; that Jason was able to get his gun away from him. André ran off. Mary said they had to see about the fire first.
Amanda made tea. Loretta hadn't known Sam wasn't working at Brava any more. They chatted.
Nicole gazed into the fire and thought about quarrelling with Cass and sticking him with a pin and toasting their partnership [separate occasions]. Cass returned, having booked a room. A man walked in and said the Love mansion was burning down. Cass and Nicole couldn't stay.
Michael told Donna to leave. She said That Old Carrot would kill him. He said he wouldn't. She said he would. He said he wouldn't. She called the Carrot a monster and said she wouldn't let him kill anyone else she loved. She ran at him and of course he pulled her over and held her in front of him saying "it's all over now, darling." She gurgled. He shot. They fell backwards out the window. Michael screamed. He ran out and found Donna lying on the ground. Mary and Jason ran up. Mary found a pulse. Michael told what had happened, rather hoarsely and brokenly. Donna began to come around, muttering about the baby. Adam and Lisa arrived. Michael swore he wouldn't lose Donna and promised she wouldn't lose the baby.
Loretta laughed heartily at Amanda's story of how Sam had pulled her out of the cab to tell her not to have an abortion. Amusing, wot? Amanda looked smug as she described Sam's declaration of undying devotion. She was about to ask Loretta a personal question when Sam walked in. He asked his mother how long she'd be staying. She said she'd like to see them get married. Sam seemed to think the wedding was a long way off. She said she'd sleep on the sofa. Sam told Amanda [sotto voce] that Loretta couldn't stay there. Knowing they couldn't afford a hotel, Amanda suggested Loretta stay at the Madhouse. Sam said no. Amanda beamed.
Mary and Jason followed Michael and Donna to the hospital. That Old Carrot, although more seriously injured than Donna, continued to lie on the ground. Head injury. When Nicole saw him she came over all filial and clung to Cass. Adam and Lisa left with them. Everyone packed up and followed. André lurked in the shrubbery.
The doctors took Donna away from an agonized Michael.
Loretta demurred politely. Amanda insisted on taking her to the Madhouse straight away. After they left Sam found the gift and said, "Great. It's happening again." Whatever 'it' is.
Michael refused to let anyone touch his shoulder until after he was sure Donna was all right. The nurse told him it would take a while, but he refused to have anything done while he was waiting, even. Jerk. Mary and Jason arrived right before Nicole and Cass. Nicole made Michael fill her in on what had happened. That Old Carrot was wheeled in on a gurney. "God help him," said Mary. "God help Donna," said Michael.